Benedict Arnold's Betrayal and Lieutenant Joshua King
Ridgefield, Connecticut
On September 23, 1780, on his way through American lines to New York City, Major John Andre of the British Army was captured, taken prisoner and brought to American headquarters in South Salem, N.Y. Andre had plotted with General Benedict Arnold to betray the American fortress at West Point and when captured was found to have concealed the plans of West Point in his boot. Lt. Joshua King was given the charge of watching over Andre until he was hanged as a spy on October 2, 1780. Lt. King and his Revolutionary friend, Lt. James Dole lived in Ridgefield after the war and opened their mercantile store, which was to become known as "Old Hundred." The business changed names many times during the next 100 years until the last one moved to the corner of Main Street and Bailey Avenue where it was known for almost another century as Bedient's Hardware. Today "Old Hundred" in incorporated into the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum.
Lieutenant Joshua King married the daughter of the Rev. Jonathan Ingersoll and built the first of the King mansions on the corner of Main St. and King Lane. The first house burned to the ground and the present structure was built further back on the property. J. Howard King and his brother, General Rufus King, descendants of Joshua, were instrumental in developing High Ridge, encouraging many prominent New Yorkers to build their summer homes on the ridge and other locations throughout the town.
Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (Connecticut Route 35) and King Lane, on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
