Autographs Contemporary Family Member of Margaret Shippen Who Married Benedict Arnold & Aided in the Conspiracy which was exposed after Introduction to British Major John Andr EDWARD SHIPPEN III (1703-1781). Mayor of Philadelphia (1744-1745), Fur Trader, Contemporary Family Member of Margaret Shippen, the British Spy Who Married Benedict Arnold and Aided in the Conspiracy which was exposed after her introduction to British Major John Andr. June 3, 1773-Dated Pre Revolutionary War, Autograph Document Signed, "Edw Shippen", 6" x 3.75", Choice Very Fine. Reads: "Received at Lancaster 3d June 1773 of Mr George Sanders for one years Rent of his half Lot N. 32 at Seven Shillings Sterling for one Years Rent of his Lot N. 116 Fourteen Shillings Sterling for the Honble James Hamilton Esqr. - (Signed) Edw Shippen". There are a few trivial pin holes at center in a blank area, the signature "Edw Shippen" bold and vivid, written on clean laid period paper with his wonderful flourish, measuring a large 2.25" long. Margaret "Peggy" Shippen (July 11, 1760 - August 24, 1804) was the highest-paid Spy in the American Revolution, and was the second wife of General Benedict Arnold. Shippen was born into a prominent Philadelphia family with Loyalist tendencies. She met Arnold during his tenure as military commander of the city following the British withdrawal in 1778. They were married in the Shippen townhouse on Fourth Street on April 8, 1779, and Arnold began conspiring with the British to change sides soon after. Peggy played a role in the conspiracy which was exposed after British Major John Andr was arrested in September 1780 carrying documents concerning the planned surrender of the critical Continental Army base at West Point. Arnold escaped to New York City and Peggy followed. They traveled together to London at the end of 1781, where she established a home and Arnold rebuilt a trading business. In 1787, she joined him in Saint John, New Brunswick, where his difficulties with local businessmen forced them to return to London in December 1791. Arnold died in 1801, after which she had to settle his business affairs and pay off his debts. She died in 1804, having borne five children who survived infancy. Margaret Shippen was born July 11, 1760 in Philadelphia, the fourth and youngest daughter of Edward Shippen IV and Margaret Francis, the daughter of Tench Francis, Sr.; she was nicknamed "Peggy". She was born into a prominent Philadelphia family, which included two Philadelphia mayors and the founder of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. Edward Shippen IV was a judge and member of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania; the Shippen family was politically divided, and the judge was considered either a "Neutralist" or a covert "Tory " with allegiance to the British crown. Two younger boys died in infancy, and Peggy grew up as the baby of the family and was the "family's darling." The British captured Philadelphia in September 1777, and the Shippen family held social gatherings at their home, in keeping with their political interests and stations. A frequent guest was John Andr, an officer in General William Howe's command, and he paid particular attention to Peggy. The British withdrew from the city in June 1778 following France's entry into the war; Andr left Philadelphia with his fellow troops, but the two of them remained in contact. In late summer of 1778, Shippen IV met Arnold, the Continental military commander of Philadelphia, and he began courting her despite the differences between himself and Judge Shippen. Shortly after, Arnold sent her father a letter asking for her hand, but Shippen was skeptical of Arnold due to Arnold's legal problems. In 1779, the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania had brought eight formal charges against Arnold for corruption and malfeasance with the money of the federal and state governments, and he was subsequently convicted on two relatively minor counts. Despite this, Edward Shippen eventually granted permission for Arnold and Peggy to marry, which took place on April 8, 1779. Benedict Arnold purchased Mount Pleasant on March 22, 1779, a manor home built in 1762 for Captain John Macpherson, and he deeded the property to Peggy and any future children. The couple did not live at Mount Pleasant, however, but rented it out as an income property. The couple honeymooned at family homes in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, then returned to Philadelphia to take residence at Arnold's military headquarters in the Masters-Penn mansion. As a young woman, she enjoyed music, doing needlework, and drawing, and participated in the study of politics. She looked up to her father and, under his tutelage, learned about politics, finance, and the forces which led to the American Revolution Edward Shippen III entered into mercantile pursuits with James Logan, with whom he was in business from 1732 as the firm of Logan and Shippen in the fur trade. Afterward, he went into the fur trade with Thomas Lawrence, as the firm of Shippen and Lawrence. He served as Mayor of Philadelphia from 1744 to 1745. Moving to Lancaster in 1752, Shippen was appointed Prothonotary (Principal Clerk of the Court) serving until 1778. He had large transactions as paymaster for supplies for the British and provincial forces when they were commanded by General John Forbes, General John Stanwix, and Colonel Bouquet. He was a county judge under both the provincial and state governments. In early life, he laid out and founded the town of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. From 1746 to 1748, he was one of the founders of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), of which he was a member of the first board of trustees, from which he resigned in 1767. He was also a subscriber to the Philadelphia Academy (now the University of Pennsylvania) and a founder of the Pennsylvania Hospital. He was elected to the revived American Philosophical Society in 1768, alongside his son Edward Shippen IV.
Edward Arnold autographed album page. Authenticated and encapsulated by Beckett Authentication Services. Measures 4.25 inches x 6 inches (album page only). There is no transfer of copyright for republication or reproduction of any photographs, negatives or prints when you purchase them. If lot is absent of a condition report a condition report may be requested via email. Condition report is provided as an opinion only and is no guarantee as grading can be subjective. We ship most items in this auction in house and gladly combine shipping if possible of multiple items.
Edward Everard Arnold (American, 1816-1866), "Crimean War", 1856, oil on canvas, signed and dated "E. Arnold", lower right, 39"l x 49.5"w (sight), framed
