Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-06-04
BENEDICT ARNOLD's MANSION.
Romances of the House That H.
 Bought Near Philadelphia,

Mount Pleasant, in tine East park, near Columbia avenue entrance, which Is almost equally well known to park visitors as Arnold's mansion, Is to he the headquarters of Ia Morganta Klambo, the newly formed organiza- tion of fashionable women motorists, says the Philadelphia Public Ledger. Few buildings in the park equal Mount Pleasant in interest, and none is oldera It is one of rne few well preserved country mansions built in this country in colonial times. As a specimen of architecture modelled upon the style made popular by Sir Christopher Wren 1t Is one of the half dozen or less which remain in this country.
 The house, which John Adans-who dined there in 1774-declared was the most elegant in Pennsylvania, was built for Capt John MacPherson in 1762. In 1799 MacPherson grew tired of the place and sold it to Gen Bene- dict Arnold, who had married Peggy Shippen. In its time the mansion has borne three names. MacPherson caled 1t The Hills and also Clunie, and subsequently 1t was known as Mount Pleasant.
 Capt MacPherson was one of the most original men in the provinces. If he had not been immensely wealthy he probably would not have been tol- erated; but as a priyateersmau in England's wars with France and Spain before the Revolution he was lucky and came home with genuine gal leon. He had two sons. One was an officer ins the British army, but re- signed his commission on the break ing out of the Revolution and became major in the continental army. The other son was with the colonists from the beginning of the struggle and was killed at the attempt to take Quebec, being the first Philadelphian of im- portance to give his life for the cause.
 Old Capt MacPherson made himself tiresome to congress, begging for com mand of ship, but did not gain his desire. He published the first direc- tory of Philadelphia in 17s5. This book is really one of the curiosities of literature, for the captain canvassed the city himself and printed the re- plies he received at each door in ans wer to his request for names. He died In 1702 and lies in St .Paul's church. yard.
 When Arnold married Peggy Ship pen, daughter of Edward Shippen, subsequently chief justice of Pennsyi- vania, he bought Mount Pleasant and settled 1t on himself for life, with the remainder to his wife and children. At the time Arnold was military gov ernor of Philadelphia. and Judge Peters, who occupied Belmont, the seat across the sehuylkill from Mount Pleasant. accused the general of hay ing converted $50,000 to hls own use and of having used this toward the purchase of Mount Pleasant.
 Arnold did not long remain at Mount Pleasant After his treason he of course had to leave the coun- try and the state of Pennsylvania confscated his life interest in the beau tiful estate. Baron de Steuben became the next tenant of the place and Arnold's life interest was sold to Col Richard Hampton for $50.
 In the shipper correspondence. pub lished few years ago. there are sew eral references to Mount Pleasant. In 17S5 In a letter from Mrs. Arnold to her father 1t appears that Arnold had an Idea of privately getting title 10 the proprty for hls family. He chang cd his mind. however. and suggested that the place be sold at public sale for as much as It would bring. In 1Te6 Mount Pleasant was sold. but for barely enough to satisfy the mort gages upon It.
 Gen Jonathan Williams. a Revolu- tonary patriot and commercial agent of the United States in France from 1TT1 to 1TS5. bought the country seat and lived there for years. The prop erty remained in his family for many years and was purchased hy the pa-k commission by virtue of the act of 1881. which permitted the acquisition of what are now park properties