MOUNT PLEASANT
The mansion built in 1761 by John Macpherson was sold on March 27, 1779, to Benedict Arnold. Keeping a life interest himself, he settled it, as his marriage gift, on his beautiful bride, the heiress Peggy Shippen, daughter of Edward Shippen. Benedict Arnold never occupied it. Later his life interest was confiscated and the mansion was sold in 1781. Edward Shippen ultimately consolidated the entire ownership in his family by purchase in 1784. Meanwhile the house had had another distinguished tenant, if not occupant, in Major General Baron von Steuben. Later it was sold to General Jonathan Williams, in whose family it remained until 1853. In 1926 it was restored through the generosity of the late Charles H. Ludington.
The atmosphere of a Revolutionary house has been created by finishing the rooms with Chippendale furniture, contemporary portraits, and small objects of foreign importation.
The entrance is simply furnished with a Georgian mirror and table. In the large and formal parlour at the right stands a very handsome secretary bookcase originally made in the City. Fitting companions to this piece, a beautifully carved highboy, tripod table and chairs in the Philadelphia Chippendale style, give the room an air of elegance. On the stair landing stands a tall clock bearing the name of “David Rittenhouse,” the most famous clockmaker in America.
On the second floor, two bedrooms are attractively furnished with four-post beds and hung, to match the windows, with appropriate India prints and eighteenth century Chintz. Pieces by Philadelphia cabinetmakers bear evidence to the excellent qualities of their workmanship. Other noteworthy pieces are two fine wing chairs, a block-front desk and a pair of ladder-back chairs.
THE CLIFFS, 1741 Shown on map as No. 7