Thomas Cooke papers, [18--?].

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Thomas Cooke papers, [18--?].

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/42693977

This group contains two nineteenth-century manuscript poems of unknown provenance. No author is named for the first poem, which is entitled THE THORN OF LIFE and is twenty-eight lines long. It speaks of sorrow as an inescapable part of life. The second is a copy of "The following Acrostick spoken, extempore by Oliver Arnold, nephew to the notorious traitor of that name Benedict Arnold," and includes a brief introduction. This introduction refers to Oliver Arnold as a "worthless & debauched character" who nevertheless "possessed sufficient republican integrity to resist the alluring offers of promotion made him by his Uncle" to also desert and join the British. According to this document, Benedict Arnold requested a poem from his nephew, who was known for his "natural genius for poetry." After receiving a promise of pardon, Oliver Arnold allegedly spoke this poem extemporaneously in the presence of Benedict Arnold and other officers. The fourteen-line verse, addressed to Benedict Arnold, refers to his birth as a curse to mankind, says his crimes will never be forgotten, and ends hoping to see the renegade general received in hell in chains in the hottest spot. Both of these poems appear to have been copied by the same hand. The name of Thomas Cooke is traced on the reverse of the document bearing the Arnold poem.

2 items.

Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library

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SNAC Resource ID: 7452644

Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library

Related Entities

There are 3 Entities related to this resource.

Cooke, Thomas, fl. 1838.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6bk2cv9 (person)

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6bq0rsk (person)

Revolutionary patriot, Continental Army general, and traitor. From the description of Benedict Arnold papers, 1761-1794. (New Haven Colony Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 432702702 Prior to the U.S. Revolutionary War Arnold was a merchant and trader in the West Indies. He served in the Revolutionary Army, but defected to the British in 1780 and served until the War was over. He then went to Canada and eventually to England. He was married to Margaret Mansfie...

Arnold, Oliver, -1781

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6zg7bfz (person)

Landowner, of Norwich, Conn.; uncle of Benedict Arnold (1741-1801). From the description of Deeds of sale of land by Oliver Arnold to John Watrous, 1755. (New London County Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 74986010 ...