“That Greatest of All Possible Villains”: Benedict Arnold and the first slander case in New Brunswick, Part 1

Benedict Arnold continues to be a controversial character in the 21st century. Was he hero or villain, or did he walk some middling ground as occasion – and inclination – demanded? Christine Lovelace’s recounting of the Arnold vs Hayt slander case adds still another dimension to Arnold’s character, and to the list of his acts of “heroism” and accusations of “shenanigans.” My curiosity was further piqued by her closing question: “How did UNB Archives & Special Collections come by documents related to the Benedict Arnold v Monson Hayt case?” The plot thickens …

Benedict Arnold and the First Sailing Ship Built on the St. John River Christine Lovelace’s article on Benedict Arnold “That Greatest of All Possible Villains” focuses on the first slander case in New Brunswick. One of my Loyalist ancestors, Issachar Currier, was involved in another New Brunswick first involving Benedict Arnold, the building of the first sailing ship on the St John River at Maugerville. Details of that ship the “Lord Sheffield” and the controversy surrounding it are found in the document mentioned at the end of the Lovelace article by Louis Quigley, “Benedict Arnold,” https://mynewbrunswick.ca/benedict-arnold/ “Arnold also commissioned the construction of a 300-ton sailing ship at Maugerville. But, true to form, relations between the shipbuilder and Arnold eventually soured. It was reported that the shipbuilder, Nehemiah Beckwith, believed he had been shortchanged by Arnold, who insisted on many expensive changes to the original plan, without compensation. The shortfall was so great that Beckwith was very nearly ruined financially through his dealings with Arnold. On June 6, 1786, The Gazette reported: On Thursday last came through the falls of the City, now moored, a new and noble ship belonging to Brig. Gen. Arnold, upwards of 300 tons, of white oak, the Lord Sheffield, to be commanded by Capt. Alex Cameron. The General’s laudable efforts to promote the interests of this infant colony have during his short residence been very productive to its commercial advantage and as such deserve the praise of every well wisher to its prosperity. The ship was christened “Lord Sheffield” in honour of a man who had championed the Loyalist cause in England. Serving as master of the vessel, Arnold made numerous trading forays to the West Indies.” Issachar Currier was a shipwright from Amesbury/Salisbury, Mass. who came to New Brunswick in either late 1783 or early 1784 without his wife and family. In his July 1785 petition for land at Upper Gagetown he said he had been in the Province for 18 months helping to “build Mr. Beckwith’s ship”. He indicated he intended to set up a shipyard on the land he petitioned for. The grant was issued in 1786 and in 1799 Issachar received two lots at Kingsclear. There is a Currier Creek running through these lots and a Currier Basin was created in the head pond of the Mactaquac Dam in the 1960’s which partially flooded the front part of the lots granted to Issachar. He still owned the land in Upper Gagetown and Kingsclear when he died in 1807. The Daily Telegraph, Saint John 18 March 1895 had the following article: “Shipbuilding Industry ... The first vessel constructed above the Falls was built for Benedict ARNOLD by Nehemiah BECKWITH, the great grandfather of J. Douglas HAZEN, M.P. Mr. Beckwith failed some what (a day or two) in his contract for the time of launching and Benedict Arnold refused to accept the vessel except at a ruinous reduction. Mr. Beckwith had to accept Arnold's terms greatly to his injury. It was a mean advantage.” (http://archives.gnb.ca/Search/NewspaperVitalStats/Details.aspx?culture=… ) In July 1788 Nehemiah Beckwith petitioned the New Brunswick Legislature asking that a bill be passed discharging him from his debts. His memorial was read on 19 July 1788 and “ordered to lie on the table”. So, the Legislature did not agree to his request. (http://archives.gnb.ca/Search/RS24/DocumentViewer.aspx?culture=en-CA&re…) The Currier family continued building boats at Gagetown for at least two more generations. Captain David Currier, grandson of Issachar, began active life in charge of a passenger sloop and afterwards as that of the first river steamer. In a February 17, 1883 interview in the Saint John Daily Sun Captain Currier recalled his family moved from Upper Gagetown to St. John in 1805 and in 1810 to Kingsclear, thence to Maugerville in 1811, where his father (also named David) engaged in shipbuilding for different parties building the Eliza Ann, a brig of 350 tons for Capt. MacDonald; the Mary Ann, 200 tons for Nelson Deveber and several schooners for William Taylor and Benjamin Taylor. In 1813 “we removed to Gagetown where my father continued shipbuilding and was assisted by an elder brother of mine, Daniel Currier”. As the Quigley article rightly concludes “Benedict Arnold remains, to this day in Saint John and almost everywhere, “unwept, unhonoured, and unsung.” John Noble UE