(1741-1801) Benedict Arnold
is a name that nearly every American knows, though not in
any positive way. Benedict Arnold is known in American
history as the nation's ultimate traitor, a man who held
positions of high power in the Continental Army of the
American Revolution, who switched sides and joined the
British. Most Americans
recall the part of Arnold as a traitor, but we tend to
ignore what put him into a position to betray his
country. Joining the rebel Patriot forces at the
beginning of the American Revolutionary War, Arnold rose
in rank and actually became one of America's early war
heroes. He had a major role in the capture of Fort
Ticonderoga, which was a vital early victory for the
Americans. He was a top officer in the American invasion
of Canada, and at the Battle of Saratoga. Yet, Arnold was
a man who felt every offense, whether real or imagined,
and he felt that he was not appreciated by his superiors.
He was passed over for promotion, and he engaged in
sometimes questionable business dealings while serving in
the American army. He married the daughter of a prominent
Philadelphia Loyalist (an American still loyal to the
British), and 1779, began secret communications with the
British. In 1780, Arnold
was given command of West Point, a very strategic
location. He then plotted with British officer Major John
Andre, to turn West Point over to the British. The plot
was exposed, Andre was captured, and Benedict Arnold fled
to the British. Arnold then
became a Brigadier General in the British Army, leading
British and Loyalist troops against his fellow Americans.
In 1780, prior to leaving America, Benedict Arnold wrote
a Letter
to the Inhabitants of
America,
in which he gave his reasoning for his betrayal. This
letter was published in many American newspapers at that
time. After the war, Arnold fled to London,
England. Seeking new business opportuties, Arnold moved
to New Brunswick (in present-day Canada) in 1785. He
returned to London in 1791. During the wars of the French
Revolution, Arnold outfitted a ship and became a
privateer, which is basically a legal pirate. He
was captured by the French in the island of Guadaloupe,
but escaped just before he was to be executed.
Arnold's health
began to decline in 1801. He had suffered from gout for
nearly a quarter century, and this, combined with an old
war injury to his other leg, combined to severely limit
his mobility. He suffered from other ailments, diagnosed
at the time as dropsy and delerium. Benedict Arnold died
on June 14, 1801, at the age of 60. Name:
Benedict Arnold V (the fifth) Born:
January 14, 1741, at Norwich, Connecticut. Died:
June 14, 1801, in London, England Family: Children:
Richard Arnold
(1769–1847) Henry Arnold
(1772–1826) 2nd
Wife:
Peggy Shippen (1760-1804)--married in
1779 Children:
James Robertson Arnold
(1781–1854) (lieutenant general, British Army
) George Arnold
(1787–1828) (lieutenant colonel, British Army
) Sophia Matilda Arnold
(1785–1828) William Fitch Arnold
(1794–1846) (captain, British Army
) Note: Arnold also
fathered a son illegitamately while in
Brunswick. Father:
Benedict Arnold III (1683–1761) Mother:
Hannah Waterman King (1708-1758) Education: Memberships
and Affiliations: Sons of
Liberty Occupation:
Merchant--
owning Apothecary (pharmacist) shop, bookseller, and
sailing vessels engaged in the West Indies trade
(1762-1775) Continental
Army: 1775–1780 Military
Commands: Fort
Ticonderoga (June 1775) Quebec
City (siege, January–April 1776) Montreal
(April–June 1776) Lake
Champlain fleet (August–October
1776) Philadelphia
(June 1778–April 1780) West
Point (August–September 1780) Battles
of Benedict Arnold: Capture
of Fort Ticonderoga Arnold's
expedition to Quebec Battle of
Quebec Battle of
The Cedars Battle of
Valcour Island Battle of
Ridgefield Siege of
Fort Stanwix Battles
of Saratoga British
Army: 1780–1781 Military
Commands: American
Legion (a Loyalist regiment, September
1780–1781) Battles
of Benedict Arnold (as a British
Officer) Battle of
Blandford Battle of
Groton Heights Family Family: Children:
Richard Arnold
(1769–1847) Henry Arnold
(1772–1826) 2nd
Wife:
Peggy Shippen
(1760-1804)--married in
1779 Children:
James Robertson
Arnold (1781–1854)
(lieutenant general,
British Army ) George Arnold
(1787–1828)
(lieutenant colonel,
British Army ) Sophia Matilda
Arnold
(1785–1828) William Fitch
Arnold (1794–1846)
(captain, British Army
) Note:
Arnold also fathered a son
illegitamately while in
Brunswick. John Sage
(1786-1831) Books
By Benedict Arnold Books
About Benedict
Arnold Links
and Resources on Benedict
Arnold Benedict
Arnold letters for the years 1775
thru 1780--Familytales.org Who
Served Here?: Benedict
Arnold Benedict
Arnold--Wikipedia Article Site
Map--revision
in progress
1st
Wife:
Margaret Mansfield (1745-1777)--married in 1767.
Marriage ended with Margaret's death.
Benedict Arnold VI
(1768–1795) (captain in the British Army,
killed in action)
Edward Shippen
Arnold (1780–1813) (lieutenant, British
Army)
John Sage
(1786-1831)
Masonic
Lodge
Colonial
militia (1757)
Highest
Rank: Major General (Continental Army)
Highest
Rank: Brigadier General (British Army)
1st
Wife:
Margaret Mansfield
(1745-1777)--married in 1767.
Marriage ended with Margaret's
death.
Benedict Arnold
VI (1768–1795)
(captain in the British
Army, killed in action)
Edward Shippen
Arnold (1780–1813)
(lieutenant, British Army)