Benedict Arnold

:For other people of the same name, see Benedict Arnold (disambiguation).

Pre-Revolutionary activities

In 1762, with the help of the Lathrops, Arnold established himself in business as druggist and bookseller in New Haven, Connecticut.

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Arnold was ambitious and aggressive, quickly expanding his business. In 1763 he repurchased the family homestead that his father had sold when deeply in debt. One year later he re-sold it for a substantial profit. In 1764 he formed a partnership with Adam Babcock another young New Haven merchant. Using the profits from the sale of his homestead he and Babcock bought three trading ships. By 1765 they had established a lucrative West Indies trade. During this time he brought his sister Hannah to New Haven and established her in his apothecary to manage the business in his absence. He traveled extensively in the course of his business, throughout New England and from Quebec to the West Indies, often in command of one of his own ships.

Related Topics:
Adam Babcock - West Indies - New England - Quebec

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The Stamp Act of 1765 severely curtailed mercantile trade in the colonies. Arnold initially took no part in any public demonstrations, but like many merchants by 1766 conducted trade as if the Stamp Act did not exist, in effect becoming a smuggler in defiance of the act.

Related Topics:
Stamp Act - Mercantile trade

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On the night of January 31,1767 Arnold took part in a demonstration denouncing the acts of the British Parliament and their oppressive colonial policy. Local crown officials were burned in effigy. He and members of his crew roughed up a man suspected of being a smuggling informant. Arnold was arrested and fined fifty shillings for disturbing the peace.

Related Topics:
January 31 - 1767 - British Parliament

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The oppressive taxes levied by parliament forced many New England merchants out of business. Arnold himself came near to personal ruin, falling £15,000 sterling in debt.

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Arnold fought a duel in Honduras with a British sea captain, who called Arnold a "Dammed Yankee, destitute of good manners or those of a gentleman". Arnold was shocked by the rudeness and challenged him to a duel. The captain was wounded and forced to apologize.

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Arnold was in the West Indies when the Boston Massacre occurred on March 15, 1770, but later wrote that he was "very much shocked" and wrote "good God; are the Americans all asleep and tamely giving up their liberties, or are they all turned philosophers, that they don't take immediate vengeance on such miscreants". He was himself very much aware of the growing British presence in the colonies. This statement shows his original sentiment as an American patriot and his unwillingness to allow the mother country to meddle in American affairs.

Related Topics:
Boston Massacre - March 15 - 1770

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On 22 February 1767, he married Margaret, daughter of Samuel Mansfield. They had three sons, Benedict, Richard, and Henry. She died 19 June 1775.

Related Topics:
22 February - 1767 - 19 June - 1775

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