The Spy who Loved Me… — Peggy Shippen

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Margaret “Peggy” Shippen was the second wife of American General Benedict Arnold and perhaps the highest-paid spy in the American Revolution.  The Shippen family was a prominent Philadelphia family with Loyalist tendencies.  During the British occupation of Philadelphia, Peggy Shippen was courted by British Head of Intelligence, John Andre, but before they could be married, the British withdrew from Philadelphia.  When the Americans retook the city, Peggy began courting American General Benedict Arnold who was military governor of the city.  She also retained her contact with Andre and became a conduit for communication between Andre and Arnold, who was angry with his lack of promotion within the Continental Army.

Shippen eventually married Arnold and assisted with his conspiracy to change sides.  When the plot to surrender was discovered, Arnold escaped to New York City and Peggy feigned astonishment and hysteria.  Shippen eventually followed Arnold to New York and after the British withdrawal from North America to London.  For her part in the conspiracy to turn Arnold, Shippen was paid £20,000 (in addition to the £10,000 paid to Arnold).  Sadly, both died as paupers.

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