The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-02
BENEDICT ARNoLD's MANSION.
Romances OF the House That He Bought
Near PhilAdelphIA.

ROmances OF the House He bought
Near Philadelphia.
Mount Pleasant, in the East Park, near
Columbia avenue entrance. which is almost
equally well known to park visitors as
Arnold's mansion. is to be the headquarters
of Ia Moriganta Klambo, the newly formed
organization Of fashionable women motor
lists, says the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
Few buildings in the park equal Mount
Pleasant in interest. and zone is older. II
Ia one of the few well preserved country
mansions built in this country in Colonial
times. Az a specimen Of architecture
modelled upon the style made popular by
Sir Christopher Wren il is one Of the a
dozen or less which remain in this country.
The house, which John Adams-who
dined there in 1774-declared was the most
elegant In Pennsylvania, was built for Capt.
John MACPHERSON in 1862. In 17T9 Mac
Pherson grew tired OF the place and sold
il to Gen. Benedict Arnold, who had mar
ried Peggy Shipper. In its time the man
| sion has borne three nance. MACPHERSON
| called il The Hills and also Clunie, and
| subsequently it was known as Mount
Pleasant.
Capt. MACPHERSON was one OF the most
original men in the Province. IT he had not
| been immensely wealthy he probably would
not AVE been tolerated.; but as a priva-
teersman in England's wars with France
and Spain before the Revolution he was
lucky and came home with a genuine gold
g~alleon. He had two sons. One was an
officer in the British army. but resigned his
! commission On the breaking out of the Revo-
luton and became a Major in the Cont
mental army. The other son was with the
| coIonists from the beginning Of the struggle
! aud xraa lilla1 Mt the attpmnt to take Que
bee, being the first Philadelphia OF impor-
lance to give his life for the cause.
Old Capt, MACPHERSON made himself tire.
some to Congress, begging, for command
published the first Directory OF Philadel-
phia in 1885. This book is really one Of the
~curios'ties OF literature, for the Captain
c~anvassed the city himself and printed
the replies he received at each door in answer
to his request for names. He died in 1892
and lies in st. Paul's c%hurchyard.
When Arnold married Peggy Shipper.
daughter Of Edward Shipper, subsequently
Chief Justice OF Pennsylvania, 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
Governor OF Philadelphia. and Judge Peters,
who occupied Belmont, the seat across the
SohuvlkilI from Noun Pleasant, accused
the General OF having converted $4,000 TO
his 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 country, and the state OF
Pennsylvania confiscated his life interest
in the beautiful estate. Baron de Steuben
became the next tenant of the place and
Arnold's life interest was sold to Col. Rich
ard Hampton for $3.50.
In the Shipper correspondence pup,
lished a few years ago, there are several
references to Mount Pleasant In 1875 IN
a letter from Mrs. Arnold to her father II
appears that Arnold had an idea Of pri-
vately getting title to the property for his
family. He changed his mind, however,
and suggested that the place be sold at
public sale TO- AZ much az it would bring
In 1890 Mount Pleasant vas sold, but fol
barely enough TO satisfy the mortgage
upon it.. -,
patriot and commercial agent Of the United
States in France from 1777 to l7SS, bought
the country seat and lived there for wears
The property remained in his family fol
many years and was purchased by the Parl
Commission by virtue OF the act OF 1887
which permitted the acquisition Of what are
now park properties.