The Colonial Mean Girl Who Almost Ended America
Was Peggy Shippen the real mastermind behind Benedict Arnold’s betrayal? Peggy successfully fooled the most powerful men in America, including George Washington, into believing she was just an innocent and naive creature. It wasn’t until 150 years later that her role in the plot was discovered, when pages of secret correspondence were uncovered.
This episode of Rogue History is part of PBS’ America@250 collection, celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary. Democracy is built on participation. Get involved at https://vote.org/pbs
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Rogue History
It’s been said that history is written by those in power. But what about the outlaws, outcasts, and rogues? What if they had their say? Rogue History, a digital series produced by PBS Digital Studios and PBS North Carolina, shakes the dust off the history books to unravel myths, unearth narratives, and discover fresh perspectives.
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@MarcKimble-h1f
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@MarcKimble-h1f
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
Yup im the quaker queen
@Risaala
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
This NEEDS to be a tv show. Called simply, Peggy.
@djmaxx007
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
Awesome. Never knew this.
@herahagstoz6934
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
So instead of Canada being extra extra large, we have what we have now….Peggy was my first cousin 6x removed and I am kinda amazed by her. She is likely more vilified than she ever was just because of her husband, her political/secret agent daring, her connections to Loyalists and her bad luck in being born the wrong gender. I say good for her for living an interesting life at a time and place when this was not allowed.
@yoannbelleville7763
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
Like her or hate her, you've got to respect the hustle.
@LorolinAstori
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
You should do something on General Wilkinson, America's greatest traitor
@KittySnicker
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
Love this dude’s narration!!
@seancohee9601
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
Interesting Video! Thank U
@christymcmichael9748
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
i saw the title and immediately was like oh, peggy shippen 😂
@JoRoBoYo
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
100years later? Damn Peggy is a Bond
@CharmednerdLocs
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
I hope teachers play these videos in school…way better than our old educational videos.
@lustigerkeks6812
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
BRING HER BACK !!!!!!!
@bridaw8557
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
This isn’t very accurate….
@neviswarren
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
Excellent history lesson! Thanks.
@AroundTheBlockAgain
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
My AP US History teacher was pretty cool. But I think if Joel had been my teacher, I would've done even better in the class.
What am I saying, we'd never have time for Mean Girl Peggy in APUSH with the AP test hanging over us. Thank goodness for PBS Origins telling us all the juicy, cool, terrifying, and valiant stories we didn't have time for in school!
@alpha-omega2362
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
never knew it was not until the 1920's that her role was fully discovered.
@DeeCiMarie
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
I read the title and the first thing I thought about was Abigail Williams or Betty Parris, the first two of the four girls who created the mass hysteria that became the Salem witch trials.
@RobertBiery
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
Great story! Thanks
@Alex-j8r4o
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
First case of using mentally unstable to avoid prosecution of treason against the American revolution
@UncleJesusandtheAuntieChirst
June 4, 2026 at 4:26 am
I've always been surprised that shippensburg never change it's name