Mischianza
Encyclopedia
The Mischianza or Meschianza, was an elaborate fête given in honor of British General Sir William Howe
in Philadelphia on May 18, 1778.
Howe, the commander-in-chief of the British forces in America during the early years of the Revolution
, had resigned his post and was about to return to England. The ball was thrown by his corps of officers, who put up a sum of 3,312 guineas to pay for it. The events, which were planned by Captain John André
and John Montresor
, included a regatta along the Delaware River
, accompanied by three musical bands and a 17-gun salute by British warships, a procession, a tournament of jousting knights, and a ball and banquet with fireworks display. The site was Walnut Grove, the rural seat of Joseph Wharton
of the well-known Philadelphia Whartons.
The crowd of over 400 guests included Admiral of the Fleet Richard Lord Howe, the general's brother; General Henry Clinton
, commandant at New York
and Howe's replacement; Peggy Shippen
, future wife of Benedict Arnold
; Peggy Chew, daughter of Benjamin Chew
; Rebecca Franks
, daughter of loyalist David Franks
; Lord Cathcart
; Banastre Tarleton
; and Wilhelm von Knyphausen
, Hessian general.
Andre, who was "social director" to the army in winter, was known as a poet, actor, etc. As stage director, he painted background scenes for plays produced by acting members of the English Army. As an irony, in the 1790s, New York dramatist William Dunlop produced his play "Andre" and presented it at the John Street Theater, formerly known as The Royal Theater, during Britain's occupation. On hand for Dunlop's presentation, were the same background scenes painted by Andre himself. Similar paintings were in Philadelphia, and were lost when, in the late 19th century, The Chinese Museum, where they were stored, burned to the ground.
William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe
William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe, KB, PC was a British army officer who rose to become Commander-in-Chief of British forces during the American War of Independence...
in Philadelphia on May 18, 1778.
Howe, the commander-in-chief of the British forces in America during the early years of the Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, had resigned his post and was about to return to England. The ball was thrown by his corps of officers, who put up a sum of 3,312 guineas to pay for it. The events, which were planned by Captain John André
John André
John André was a British army officer hanged as a spy during the American War of Independence. This was due to an incident in which he attempted to assist Benedict Arnold's attempted surrender of the fort at West Point, New York to the British.-Early life:André was born on May 2, 1750 in London to...
and John Montresor
John Montresor
Captain John Montresor was a British military engineer in North America.-Early life:Born in Gibraltar 22 April 1736 to British military engineer James Gabriel Montresor and his first wife, Mary Haswell, John Montresor spent his early life there...
, included a regatta along the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
, accompanied by three musical bands and a 17-gun salute by British warships, a procession, a tournament of jousting knights, and a ball and banquet with fireworks display. The site was Walnut Grove, the rural seat of Joseph Wharton
Joseph Wharton (1707-1776)
Joseph Wharton was a successful merchant, and the owner of "Walnut Grove," a country place on Fifth street, near Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, on which the Mischianza of 1778 was held. The house was the finest of its day near that city. It was torn down in 1862, to make room for a schoolhouse...
of the well-known Philadelphia Whartons.
The crowd of over 400 guests included Admiral of the Fleet Richard Lord Howe, the general's brother; General Henry Clinton
Henry Clinton (American War of Independence)
General Sir Henry Clinton KB was a British army officer and politician, best known for his service as a general during the American War of Independence. First arriving in Boston in May 1775, from 1778 to 1782 he was the British Commander-in-Chief in North America...
, commandant at New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Howe's replacement; Peggy Shippen
Peggy Shippen
Peggy Shippen, or Margaret Shippen , was the second wife of General Benedict Arnold...
, future wife of Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold V was a general during the American Revolutionary War. He began the war in the Continental Army but later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and plotted to surrender it to the British forces...
; Peggy Chew, daughter of Benjamin Chew
Benjamin Chew
Benjamin Chew was a third-generation American, a Quaker-born legal scholar, a prominent and successful Philadelphia lawyer, head of the Pennsylvania Judiciary System under both Colony and Commonwealth, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Province of Pennsylvania...
; Rebecca Franks
Rebecca Franks
Rebecca Franks was a prominent member of loyalist society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the American Revolution....
, daughter of loyalist David Franks
David Franks (loyalist)
David Franks was a loyalist in the war of the American Revolution.-Biography:...
; Lord Cathcart
William Cathcart, 1st Earl Cathcart
General William Schaw Cathcart, 1st Earl Cathcart KT, PC, PC , Scottish soldier and diplomatist, was born at Petersham, and educated at Eton.-Military career:...
; Banastre Tarleton
Banastre Tarleton
General Sir Banastre Tarleton, 1st Baronet, GCB was a British soldier and politician.He is today probably best remembered for his military service during the American War of Independence. He became the focal point of a propaganda campaign claiming that he had fired upon surrendering Continental...
; and Wilhelm von Knyphausen
Wilhelm von Knyphausen
Wilhelm Reichsfreiherr zu Innhausen und Knyphausen was a general from Hesse-Cassel. He fought in the American Revolutionary War, during which he led Hessian mercenaries on behalf of the British Empire.-Biography:His father was colonel in a German regiment under the Duke of Marlborough...
, Hessian general.
Andre, who was "social director" to the army in winter, was known as a poet, actor, etc. As stage director, he painted background scenes for plays produced by acting members of the English Army. As an irony, in the 1790s, New York dramatist William Dunlop produced his play "Andre" and presented it at the John Street Theater, formerly known as The Royal Theater, during Britain's occupation. On hand for Dunlop's presentation, were the same background scenes painted by Andre himself. Similar paintings were in Philadelphia, and were lost when, in the late 19th century, The Chinese Museum, where they were stored, burned to the ground.
Sources
External links
- The Book of Days article on the Mischianza
- Article in American Heritage magazine by Morris BishopMorris BishopMorris Gilbert Bishop was an American scholar, historian, biographer, author, and humorist.Raised in Canada and New York, he attended Cornell from 1910–1913, earning a Bachelor's in 1913 and then a Master of Arts degree in 1914...
- Mischianza, 1881 painting of the event by Frederick JamesFrederick JamesFrederick E. James was an American artist. He was noted for his depictions of 18th-century American life....
- Engraved Mischianza ticket
- Major André's Description of the Mischianza
- Sketch by John André from the event
- An account of the event