Ridgefield in Fairfield County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Benedict Arnold's Betrayal and Lieutenant Joshua King
Ridgefield, Connecticut
— The Museum in the Streets —
Photographed By Michael Herrick, June 2, 2010
1. Benedict Arnold's Betrayal and Lieutenant Joshua King Marker
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
this page online
Erected 2008 by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number 22.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets®: Ridgefield, Connecticut series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1898.
Location. 41° 16.606′ N, 73° 29.86′ W. Marker is in Ridgefield, Connecticut, in Fairfield County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (Connecticut Route 35) and King Lane, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Located in front of the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 258 Main Street, Ridgefield CT 06877, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Walter Lamb Furniture Collection by Brown Jordan (within shouting distance of this marker); Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum Land Acknowledgement (within shouting distance of this marker); Rev. Thomas Hawley House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Town Common and Hauley House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Walter Lamb Furniture Collection by Brown Jordan
Photographed By Michael Herrick, June 2, 2010
2. Benedict Arnold's Betrayal and Lieutenant Joshua King Marker
The marker in front of the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
Photographed By Michael Herrick, June 2, 2010
3. The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
Photographed By Michael Herrick, June 2, 2010
4. "Old Hundred" Marker on the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 2,319 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 18, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
