U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865
Did Jacksonville Man's Brother Help Uncover Benedict Arnold?
This article is compiled by Julian Williams.
Did a Jacksonville man's brother help uncover the traitorous plans of the Revolutionary War turncoat General Benedict Arnold? As we know from school days the name Benedict Arnold meant a traitor of the basest sort. He was the man who deceived General George Washington and betrayed his country in the vilest way. He placed his own men and his country in extreme danger for the sake of personal gain and fame. In short, he sold the United States out to England (the enemy).
Was a Jacksonville man's brother involved in foiling these Benedict Arnold plans of betrayal? First, let's look at what happened (the story) and then we will look at the question. Both are very interesting (if you like histories and mysteries).
The war could, in 1780, have easily gone to the British. They only needed Fort West Point in New York to about completely bottle up the patriot forces of General Washington. But the country had invested more than three million dollars and countless hours of planning and preparations to make this fort (their last great hope) invincible against the British. All seemed well. One thing was wrong. The commanding officer of that important fort was none other than General Benedict Arnold. He was bitter because he had been passed over for higher rank in favor of younger officers. He had also fallen in with the Tory socialites of Philadelphia and married one of them - Peggy Shippen.
Marrying the enemy was not the best thing to do. They also liked to live in high style. That took bunches of money. He looked for a source that seemed to satisfy his bitterness and his money problem. He found it in the ugly arms of treason. So this he would do.
A handsome young British officer was in charge of the King's military intelligence. His name was Major John Andre. He was intelligent, knew several languages, had a promising life ahead of him and was only 29 years of age. He, too, had been a suitor of the beautiful Peggy Shippen of Philadelphia, and remaining on friendly terms with the family, he met Benedict Arnold and forged with him one of the greatest plans of treason known to man. At the crucial moment, it was decided by the two, that Arnold would turn over Fort West Point to the British and desert his American post - and country. The British would pay him well - 20,000 sterling (about a million dollars) and reward him with high rank and other favors. The deal was sealed. Major Andre secretly came to meet with Benedict Arnold and received papers giving all the details on the fort to be taken.
But, in trying to reach the Vulture (appropriate name it seems), his ship, he was detained because some patriots had run it off with cannon shot. He decided to take off his British uniform, put on civilian clothes, put the papers in his boots, and go by land to safety. He never got there. Three patriots by the name of Isaac Van Wart, David Williams, and John Paulding caught him on the road near Tarrytown, NY. Because he had a pass from Benedict Arnold, stating that he was one John Anderson, and was not to be detained, they almost let him go. But something didn't seem right because he said at first, he was a British officer (because he thought they were Tories) and then he said he was a continental officer on business for Arnold (when they told him they were patriots). They had to make a decision. They made the right one. They decided to hold him as a prisoner. At this, he started making offers to them to release him. Finally he offered them as much as fifty thousand dollars, dry goods and other inducements. They refused all and told him the country wasn't for sale and they weren't either. They carried him into the nearby woods and searched him. David Williams was assigned the job to search him. Major Andre made it alright until Williams told him to take off his boots. He would not remove them so Williams removed them for him. Inside the boots, they found the papers about the fort. They carried their prisoner and the papers to their commander, Colonel Jameson. He was about to release him back to Benedict Arnold but Major Benjamin Tallmadge (a patriot spymaster) came on the scene and, like the three patriots, sensed something was wrong. He had Andre detained. But the news of capture got to Arnold. He hurriedly left to avoid being caught himself (General Washington was scheduled to have breakfast with him that morning but didn't make it). Benedict Arnold got away.
Major Andre was not as fortunate. General Washington had him tried by patriot officers. He was declared a spy (was not in his uniform when captured) and had incriminatory evidence upon his person. He was hanged on October 2, 1780, in the presence of his three patriot captors. He was a brave young man who requested that he be shot as a gentleman and not be hanged as a spy. Washington, sadly, had to reject the request, per the regulations of the day. Washington tried to get him exchanged for Benedict Arnold but the British refused. It is baffling why they wanted to protect a traitor instead of one of their most trusted and capable officers.
The captors, Van Wart, Williams, and Paulding were awarded, at the recommendation of General Washington to Congress, 200 dollars pension for life, the Thanks of Congress, a silver medal cast only for them and farms for each.
Now the question. Was it Jacksonville's Revolutionary soldier Joseph Williams's brother, David Williams? The Goldsboro, NC, David Williams DAR Chapter says this: Their chapter was named for David Williams, born 1765, died 1830, married to Elizabeth Anderson. Joseph Williams's brother, David, had the same birth and death date years and was indeed married to Elizabeth Anderson. Their history goes on to tell about their David Williams being in on the capture of Major John Andre who was in league with the traitor Benedict Arnold. He would have been 15 at the time; it is said he entered the military service at the age of 15.
But, Schoharie County, New York, also claims that their David Williams, 26 at the time, is the one who searched the boots of Major John Andre. He was born in 1754 and died in 1831. He was a cousin of Van Wart, a fellow captor. Indeed, one history of that county goes into great detail about the capture of John Andre by these New York militiamen. It seems pistols were given to each by General Washington who was fearful for their safety. It goes on to say that later David Williams was being bushwhacked but was saved by the firing of his pistol at the ambusher.
So, the story is interesting and the question is interesting. And that is what makes histories and mysteries interesting.
By the way, Benedict Arnold was never captured by the Americans but led British raids against our country. He was a despised man in America and England and died a miserable human being. Neither country trusted him.
One last thought: There are three sheriffs in counties in the United States named David Williams. One of those is Sheriff David Williams of Telfair County.
