Taphophilia.(dot) Com - Norwich man wins permission to replace Benedict Arnolds flawed memorial

Norwich man wins permission to replace Benedict Arnolds flawed memorial

Tuesday, 14 October 2003

Norwich man wins permission to replace Benedict Arnold's flawed memorial
Associated Press
10/14/2003

NORWICH, Conn. -- Bill Stanley has devoted much of his life to Norwich's most famous native, who also happens to be one of America's most infamous traitors.

Benedict Arnold was born in Norwichtown in 1741 in a house that still stands today. After leading American forces to an important victory in the Revolutionary War, he later joined British forces and fought against his fellow countrymen.

Despite the treason, Stanley has led an effort to correct a glaring mistake on Arnold's memorial in London along the Thames River.

After seven visits to England over 25 years, Stanley has received permission to replace the memorial stone at Benedict's grave, the Norwich Bulletin reported in Tuesday's editions.

The existing memorial says Arnold was born in 1801 and died in 1951. The new stone will have the correct dates of 1741 and 1801, and it will replace the name of Margaret Arnold with Margaret "Peggy" Shippen-Arnold. Arnold's wife is recognized throughout history as Peggy Shippen.

Arnold shares his grave with his wife and daughter, Sophia Matilda Phipps.

Stanley, president of the Norwich Historical Society, and his wife are assuming all the costs for the stone, including engraving and transportation. They have contracted with a Vermont stone-crafting company, Rock of Ages.

The new memorial will be sent to Norwich first. Stanley plans to accompany it to the grave at St. Mary's Church in London next May.

"From our point of view as a church, we believe the focus is on bringing people together as a form of reconciliation and strengthen our friendship," the Rev. Paul Kennington, vicar of St. Mary Church, said in a telephone conversation Monday from London.

Kennington said that because of the historical significance of St. Mary's -- William the Conquer gave the church to the Abbey of Westminister in 1067 -- it has taken at least two years to receive approval for the monument to be put in the crypt of the church, where Arnold is buried.

The stone fits a certain shape that had to be approved by the Church of England. It will be 22 inches horizontal, 2 inches deep, and 35.5 inches deep.

Stanley also received approval for the memorial from Arnold's great-great-great-great-great-grandson, Hue Arnold, who lives in Paris.

During the battle of Saratoga in 1777, Arnold led an American charge that broke through the British line. He was shot in the leg and severely wounded.

Gen. George Washington put Arnold in charge of Philadelphia, where he met and married Shippen, whose family were known British sympathizers. Arnold later was put in charge of West Point.

When Washington was supposed to visit, Arnold had a trap set where the British would capture the American general. But before the plan was carried out, an American guard arrested a British spy named Major John Andre.

Arnold escaped and was given the rank Brigadier General by the British and later led attacks up the Potomac River in Virginia and in New London. After the war, Arnold lived in England, although the English regarded him with contempt.

He died in Great Britain in 1801, in debt and all but forgotten.

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