Peggy Shippen

Peggy Shippen, or Margaret Shippen (also Peggy Shippen Arnold or just Peggy Arnold, 11 June 1760 – 24 August 1804), was the second wife of General Benedict Arnold. 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, and they were married in April 1779. Not long after, Arnold began conspiring with the British to change sides. She played a role in the conspiracy, which was exposed after British Major John André was arrested in September 1780 carrying documents concerning the planned surrender of the critical Continental Army base at West Point.

Following Arnold's flight to New York City, Peggy Shippen Arnold followed. They traveled together to London at the end of 1781, where she set up a home while Arnold rebuilt a trading business. In 1787 she joined Arnold in Saint John, New Brunswick, where Arnold's difficulties with local businessmen eventually prompted their return to London in 1792. Arnold died in 1801, after which she had to unwind his business affairs and pay off his debts. Peggy Shippen Arnold died in 1804, having borne him five children that survived infancy.