The National tribune., 1894-08-09
BENEDICT ARNoLD's HOME.
The Expensive Style in which the Traito,
Lived.
NeiO YORK. Erciiing Fosi. ]

i =
| The Expensive Style in Which the Traito
Lived.
NelU York Erening Posfl
| mount Pleasant, the home ut one time %
| Benedict Arnold, is one of the few histori,
/ mansions in Fairmount Park, Philadel phia
| and through some strange fatuiiy ii hal
| not been allowed either TO fall into hopeless
| decay or to have such radical modern i'm
provements made to it as efTeciually Il
obliterate its old-time quaintness and sim
| plicity of architecture.
| "Lansdowne," the colonial country seat O
| John Penn, grandson of William Penn
| caught fire on July a, 1854, and was entirely
consumed. The walls were left standing
but were razed. Belmont the home o.
Judge Richard Peters, is completely changed
| In appearance. "The Solitude" where John
| Penn, the son Of William Penn, once lived
| is now the snake house" in the Geological
| Garden.
1t is scarcely conceivable that the Phila-
delphia Park Commissioners should have
allowed these landmarks, as closely woven
IN the web and woof of early colonial history
as Independence Hall itself, to have been
thus vandalized. 1t is only when these re-
minders of the past have entirely disap-
peared that we begin to regret our supine-
ness in not hindering their decay.
John Mcpherson, of the McPhersons OF
Cluuie, was the builder of Mount Pleasant.
This fearless Scotehman was a mighty
fighter in his day. He commanded the
privateer ship Britannia in 1851, when war
was raging with France. In 1873 Benedict
Arnold bought the property and made it
over as wedding present to his wife, Miss
Peggy Shipper. Arnold at this time held
no public office His birth had been OBJ
scure and his early education very defect
i've. Mr.. Edward Shippen, the father,
never faneed Arnold, according to some
authorities, although his letters are neutral,
but the daughter seems to have fully re-
turned ArnoId's love- She was the beauti-
full Margaret Shippen, one of the ladies of
the Mis- chanza," in whose honor the
British officers of the Philadelphia army of
occupation tilted. Among the participants
IN one of these carnivals was Capt. John
Andre.
From letter written by Edward Shippen
to his father at this time, 1775, it seems
that the fashionable requirements of his
daughter were running his yearly expenses
up to $4,000. On Feb 3, 1879, the charges
to the Continental Congress against Arnold
were made public, rejecting on his character
as an officer and gentleman, but the prep
arations for his marriage went on in spite of
this coutretemps.
In March, 1779, he borrowed money from
member of the French nobility, and pur-
chased the Mcpherson estate and settled it
on himself for life with reversion after his
death to his wife and children. 1t looked
like rich dover, but there had been very
large encumbrance placed upon the prop
erty by its first owner, and this, when it
was sold out later by the Sheriff, cut Mrs.
Arnold off without penny.
Arnold and Miss Shippen were married on
April of the same year. She was ArnOld's
second wife, so that Peggy Shippen be-
came stepmOther to some grown-up chill
dren.
After his marriage, except when attend
ing the court-martial, Arnold lived mainly
for IA months at his estate, Mount Pleas
ant" He was also part of the time in his
Philadelphia house. In July, 1850, he left
for West Point, for whose command he had
made application. During this time his
child, Edward Shippen Arnold, was born.
Mother and child both went with him to
West Point when he assumed command.
Gen. Arnold now fell into great financial
straits, and made application to the French
King, through LIE ChevaIier de Luzerue,
for a loan, but actually for
grant of money. This was In 1850. M. de
Marbois, the Secretary of Luzerne, repre-
sented to Arnold that the service requested
was of such a character as to degrade them
both, and declined the desired loan.
Failing in this plan, Arnold began his
negotiations with the officers of
the British army. Maj. Andre was one of
Arnod's correspondents. Some writer's ac-
cuse Mrs. Arnold of completely in the treach-
erous correspondence, and others defend her
against these charges.
As soon as he was safely on board the Vul-
ture, Arnold wrote exculpatiBg his wife.
Mrs. Arnold, when given the choice by
Washington of returning to her family in
or joining her husband, elected
The former alternative. But the Continental
Council sitting in Philadelphia served
notice upon her compelling her to leave the !
State in IA days from that date.
Though strenuous efforts were made in |
her behalf, she was forced to leave, and lived |
With Arnold for ii years, part of the time in |
England. Four other children were born. !
She paid a visit to her father and family in /
I7SJ, but was very coldly received, and |
stayed only short time with them.
The Baron Won Steuben was the next oc- |
;upant of Mount Pleasant" He was men,
,er of the council who tried and condemned
andre. In 1871, the property, having been
onfscated, was conveyed to Col. Richard
Hampton for Arneld's life estate He held
t for two years, when it passed into the pos
ession Of B'air McClenachan, who sold the
lace in 1884 to Edward Shipper, Chief Just
&c of Pennsylvania, father of Mrs. Arnold
{ was retained by him until 1892, when he
onveyed it to Gen. Jonathan Williams. The
herif made title to Williams, and the title
hus became firmly vested in the family of
zen. Williams until 1853. In 1866 it was sold
0 the City of Philadelphia by his son, Henry
Williams.
/ COSTLY CUP OF COFFEE.
Man Who Found the Comforting Drink
Stood Him SO.