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secretary bookcase originally made in the City.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.
[Illustration: THE CLIFFS, 1741 Shown on map as No. 7]