Lewisboro history: The rest of the story of the Spy and the General

By MAUREEN KOEHL 

We know the end story of the British spy Maj. John André, who was held prisoner in the Gilbert house on Main Street in South Salem in September 1780, but what of the American traitor, Gen. Benedict Arnold? 

On Monday morning, Sept. 25, breakfast at the Robinson House, patriot headquarters near Garrison, was suddenly disrupted by the news that André had been captured and that Gen. George Washington was on his way from Connecticut to Robinson House to meet with Arnold. Arnold excused himself from the table, rushed upstairs to his wife’s  bedroom, told her the plot had been discovered and he must flee. He then mounted his horse, rode off to the river, and commanded his men to row him to the HMS Vulture, which had proceeded down the Hudson River toward New York. When Washington arrived about a half hour later, he was told that Arnold had hastened back to West Point on business and would return shortly. His wife, the beautiful, wealthy, and probably with Loyalist sympathies, Peggy Shippen, feigned hysteria in front of the breakfasters, and collapsed.

Arnold may have been encouraged by Peggy to proceed with his treason. She was the belle of Philadelphia society when he met her in 1778 and fell in love. He put himself into major debt to convince her wealthy father that he could support her and they were married in April 1779. She was 19, he was 38. 

Peggy was well acquainted with André from the earlier British occupation of Philadelphia, which may have fit into the plans as well. Arnold demanded £20,000 and the rank of general in the British army for his treachery. He eventually received £6,000 and the title of brigadier general. As a British general he led two battles in the war, in South Carolina and New London, Conn. The family moved first to Canada and then to England. They are both buried in St. Mary’s Church in Battersea, London.

Arnold was a competent leader and had successes at Saratoga and Lake Champlain; he had also been seriously wounded and was recovering from his leg wound while stationed in Philadelphia. In the summer of 1780, Washington gave him the command of West Point. Already Arnold had plans for the possible betrayal of the fort and the surrounding territory. He took command in August … by late September, the deed was done. 

Not forgotten in this story of wartime deeds and misdeeds is the saga of the three patriots who somehow managed to do the right thing. John Paulding, Isaac Van Wart and David Williams were between the ages of 22 and 25. All had served in the local militia at one time but were not officially enlisted on the fateful September day when they were loafing by the roadside near Tarrytown playing cards. Since the territory was part of the Neutral Ground, and rife with gangs and individuals of nefarious nature, looking for adventure and a chance to make a little money from rustling livestock, harassing farmers’ households, or waylaying a traveler from the opposing loyalist or patriot sympathies was a pastime for some. The three young men may have had loosely connected family ties. What their purpose of lingering by the road was is not known, but when a stranger in civilian clothes approached, they confronted him. That traveler was André, aka John Anderson. They decided to search him. Williams, probably the only one who could read, realized the papers carried by André were important and the decision was made to turn him into the nearest patriot headquarters — and the rest is history. 

Williams had fought with the New York militia in Canada. He lived in Lower Salem and in 1782 married Nancy Benedict, daughter of Joseph Benedict of Waccabuc. Their son, David Jr., was born in the Waccabuc homestead, but by 1805, the family relocated to Schoharie County. There is a monument to Wiliams, the patriot, in the town of Schoharie. He died in 1831. Nancy died in 1844.  

Washington was aware of the presence of mind and the patriotism of the three friends who somehow sensed the importance of their discovery. He made sure they were compensated. Congress ordered medals struck and money awarded to each. Congress resolved: “That they have a high sense of the virtuous and patriotic conduct of John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart, In testimony whereof, ordered, that each of them receive annually, two hundred dollars in specie, or an equivalent in the current money of these states, during life, and that the Board of War be directed to procure each of them a silver medal, on one side if which shall be a shield with this inscription, Fidelity, and on the other, the following motto, Vincit amor Patriae …”

As a town bicentennial project, the Bicentennial Ball Committee produced a slide film with a cassette sound recording called “The Prisoner At Gilbert House.” Colleen Dewhurst was the narrator and townspeople played the parts of the main characters. Looking at the list of actors, Peter Beardsley seems to be the only actor still living in Lewisboro. I had several conversions done on the original slide presentation and the historic story is now preserved on DVD and occasionally presented at the Lewisboro Library. Perhaps it is time for a showing in keeping with next year’s 250th celebration of the war.