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Taphophilia (dot) Com...
A repository of morbid curiosities:
Thanatology and Taphophile Issues, Cemetery,
Funeral Industry and Death Related News.
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Benedict Arnold tombstone on display at Otis Library |
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Written by DeadGirl
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Monday, 03 May 2004 |
Benedict Arnold tombstone on display at Otis Library
April 29, 2004
Associated Press
NORWICH, Conn. -- Its final destination is St. Mary's Battersea, a church in
London.
But for now, Benedict Arnold's first crypt stone is on display at the Otis
Library in the city in which the infamous traitor was born.
Bill Stanley, chairman of the Norwich Historical Society, recently hosted an
informal reception for the 160-pound stone memorial at the library.
Stanley paid Rock of Ages in Vermont $15,000 to make the granite marker and
plans to take it with him next month to the London church where Arnold is
buried.
On a trip to England 25 years ago, Stanley learned that the only
acknowledgment of Arnold's life at the church was a painted inscription on
the basement wall where the crypt is located. Stanley has promoted Arnold's
achievements as an American general ever since he wrote a paper on the
subject as a student at Norwich Free Academy in 1948.
"He saved America before he betrayed it," Stanley said during nearly a
half-hour, note-free talk on Arnold's life at the library before an audience
of about 30 people, including several members of the media and of the
Norwich Historical Society.
Stanley listed Arnold's accomplishments in a press release: He was George
Washington's greatest general; he commanded America's first victory at the
Battle of Ticonderoga; he built and commanded America's first fleet and
naval battle; he saved Washington at Valley Forge by delaying the British;
he invaded Canada; he was the hero of Mohawk Valley; he is credited with a
key victory of the American Revolution, the Battle of Saratoga.
Stanley called Arnold a "tragic hero."
"Shakespeare couldn't have written a better play than Benedict Arnold," he
said.
But Stanley has encountered opposition to his view in a region where Arnold
led a British army that attacked Fort Griswold in Groton and burned New
London.
Anthony Lonardelli, a Norwich resident and Korean War veteran, stood outside
the entrance of the library, carrying a sign protesting the attention given
to Arnold.
"Who cares about the traitor?" the sign read in part.
"I never did like Benedict Arnold for what he did to New London, Groton and
to the country," Lonardelli said. "Because he was selfish."
Stanley said people have demonized Arnold's life. One critic used to say
Arnold electrocuted kittens until Stanley pointed out that electricity
hadn't been discovered at the time.
"The war is over, we won," Stanley said. "There ought to be room in our
hearts for forgiveness and room in our history to tell the truth about
Arnold."
Michael Fitzgerald, a Revolutionary War reenactor from Mystic, was invited
to the reception. He came dressed as a provincial British officer.
Fitzgerald is on the board of directors for the Connecticut Historical
Outdoor Drama Group, an organization that sponsored an outdoor play about
Benedict Arnold in Groton last year. The group wants to make the play an
annual event.
Fitzgerald and another re-enactor dressed as Arnold's wife, Margaret
Shippen, will attend the dedication and blessing of the stone in London.
Shippen is also buried at St. Mary's Church.
The religious ceremony will be held May 22.
Members of Parliament, the mayor of London and the Archdeacon of Wandsworth
will be among the dignitaries to join descendants of Arnold and Shippen at
the ceremony.
From America, 25 members of the Norwich Historical Society and three
uniformed members of New Haven's Second Connecticut Foot Guard will attend
the event. James Kirby Martin, professor of history at the University of
Houston, will be the keynote speaker.
The epitaph reads: "In This Crypt Lie The Bodies Of Benedict Arnold,
1741-1801, Sometime General In The Army Of George Washington And Of His
Faithful And Devoted Wife Margaret Shippen And Of Their Beloved Daughter
Sophia Matilda Phipps. The Two Nations Whom He Served In Turn In The Years
Of Their Enmity Have United In Enduring Friendship."
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Taphophilia?
taphophilia (taf′ō-fil′ē-ă)
ORIGIN:
From the Greek words taphos, meaning "tomb" or "sepulcher" and philia, meaning "attraction or affinity to something, in particular the love or obsession with something"
DEFINITION: 1. An excessive interest in graves and cemeteries. 2. A love or fondness for funerals, graves, and cemeteries. 3. In psychiatry, a morbid attraction to graves and cemeteries
Quote Repository
“Death does not concern us, because as long as we exist, death is not here. And when it does come, we no longer exist.” Epicurus
Shirtless and Sculpted
The Men of Mortuaries 2008 Calendar is now available! All sale proceeds benefit KAMMCARES, a breast cancer foundation.
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