American Revolution
JOSEPH STANSBURY the "Loyalist" Spy who was the Messenger Between Major John Andre and Benedict Arnold
JOSEPH STANSBURY (1742-1809). Secret Agent British Loyalist Spy who was the key Messenger of the historic important communications between British Major John Andre and American Continental Army General Benedict Arnold, leading to his Treason as Commander at West Point.
February 29, 1792-Dated Federal Period, Partly-Printed Legal Document Signed, "Jo Stansbury", measuring 8" x 13", 1 page, at Philadelphia, Fine. This remarkable "INQUISITION for testimony and Oaths in a legal claims document. Also includes the bold brown ink signatures of a number of noted merchants and of "JOHN NICHOLSON the early Pennsylvania major land speculator, financier and entrepreneur. While serving as Comptroller-general of the State (1782-1794), Nicholson proved a major factor in helping Pennsylvania achieve financial solvency after the Revolutionary War, also Signed;
William Will as Sheriff, the noted American pewterer; John Fries of "Fries Rebellion"(an armed tax revolt among Pennsylvania Dutch farmers); John Taylor of Caroline, VA. Senator; Samuel Murdock (Murdoch); Charles Gilchrist; James Gallagher; John Nicholson; Alexander Penman; James Glintworth; George Tudor; John Fromberg; and Jonathan Jones.
Most of these men were merchants of some type. It is fascinating to note that even though Stansbury was suspected of Treason, Stansbury came back to Philadelphia for a short time and naturally acted as if he did nothing wrong. Here, he was apparently surrounded by many Revolutionary War Patriots and actual heroes of the American Revolution. Indented, irregular top margin, archivally repaired and reinforced with archival tape along the major folds on the blank reverse. Dampstaining as shown, small tear hole at top left where its red wax seal was opened. Overall, this rare British Loyalist Secret Agent signed document would look nice displayed properly once matted and framed.
JOSEPH STANSBURY (1742"1809). British Loyalist Secret Agent, poet. England-Pennsylvania. Son of a London haberdasher, Stansbury immigrated to Philadelphia in 1767, opening a china store. He became well-known for his humorous and satirical songs. Although he sympathized with the American Patriots, he opposed separation from the empire and in 1776 was briefly imprisoned for his Loyalist sentiments.
He held several minor British posts during the occupation of Philadelphia, Signed the "Oath of Allegiance" to the Patriot cause after the British left, paid for substitutes in the Pennsylvania militia, and remained in the city until he was arrested for treason in 1780. After six months in jail he was permitted to leave the city with his family for New York City, the Patriots remaining ignorant of his role in Arnold's treason.
May 1779"25 September 1780. Early in May 1779 Major General Benedict Arnold, then military commander at Philadelphia, decided to offer his services to the British. He sent for Joseph Stansbury, a Loyalist whose mild nature and cautious conduct had enabled him to continue living in the city, and said he was ready either to join the British outright or to undertake secret dealings. With the help of a New York City Loyalist, the Reverend Jonathan Odell, Stansbury met on 10 May with Captain (later Major) John Andr, an aide to General Sir Henry Clinton. The British accepted Arnold's offer and decided it would be best for him to remain in his post in the Continental army; meanwhile, secret channels were established for correspondence between Arnold and Andr through Stansbury. Arnold started sending information almost immediately. He used the code name "Moore" during most of the sixteen-month conspiracy.
The nineteen-year-old Peggy Shippen, whom the thirty-eight-year-old Arnold had married on 8 April 1779, was a partner in his treason from the beginning. There is no reason to believe, however, that she instigated it or that Arnold was won over by British agents. Arnold's defection came after a long series of perceived grievances coupled with a need for money.
Arnold sent the British bits and pieces of information, including "innocent confidences" to his wife in Philadelphia, who relayed them through Stansbury to Odell to Andr. Since George Washington and Rochambeau were working out plans for an attack on New York City, this intelligence was extremely valuable.
As late as 1 August, Arnold was slated to command a wing of the allied army in this campaign, but he pleaded physical disability (his three-year-old wound), and on 3 August, he received command of West Point. On 5 August, Arnold wrote the British from West Point that the departure of Continental troops had reduced the garrison to fifteen hundred Massachusetts militia and that these were "in want of tents, provisions and almost everything."
In New York he continued to write political songs and satirical prose. Stansbury's writings lacked the bitterness and anger that marked the works of the other Loyalist poet, Jonathan Odell. In August 1783 Stansbury went to Nova Scotia for a year and then to England, where the commission on Loyalist claims disallowed his appeal for one thousand pounds on the grounds that his loyalty had been too flexible. In November 1785 he resumed his business in Philadelphia, but in 1793 he gave up and moved back to New York City, where he was secretary of the United Insurance Company until his death in 1809.
SEE ALSO: Benedict Arnold's Treason
Fries's Rebellion, also called House Tax Rebellion, the Home Tax Rebellion and, in Pennsylvania German, the Heesses-Wasser Uffschtand, was an armed tax revolt among Pennsylvania Dutch farmers between 1799 and 1800.
It was the third of three Tax-related rebellions in the 18th century United States, the earlier two being Shays' Rebellion (central and western Massachusetts, 1786"1787) and the Whiskey Rebellion (western Pennsylvania, 1794). It was commemorated in 2003 with a Pennsylvania historical marker erected in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, where it first erupted.