Peggy Shippen, daughter of a wealthy, socially prominent Philadelphia family, at 17, was friendly with British officer, John Andre, then part of the local British occupation force. At 19, she married 38-year-old Gen. Benedict Arnold, then military commander of Philadelphia (the British having evacuated the city). Shortly after their marriage, with her active involvement, the couple contacted Peggy's friend, Andre, to begin arrangements for the famous defection of Arnold. Peggy was heavily involved in the whole process, including the dramatic, highly unexpected denouement of the plot to capture West Point and General Washington at the same time.