George Howe

In the north west tower chapel in the nave of Westminster Abbey is a memorial to George Augustus, 3rd Viscount Howe, who died in America on 6th July 1758.

It consists of a white marble tablet, standing on lions' heads, on a plinth. On top is a seated mourning female figure (with many broken fingers), known as The Genius of Massachusetts Bay, resting her left elbow on a lamb's skin (a symbol of sacrifice), lying over a tablet lettered 'Massachusets Bay, New England'.

The monument was commissioned by George's brother Richard (1726-1799), Commodore and later Admiral and 1st Earl Howe, and financed by the Province of Massachusetts Bay. His unusual popularity in America caused the colonists to pay for the memorial.

It is signed by the sculptors Peter Scheemakers and James Stuart (a friend of Richard's). It was completed in 1762 and was originally erected in the window embrasure on the south side of the nave and had an obelisk with Howe's coat of arms and crest on it, and military trophies and flags behind. The obelisk, arms and trophies were taken away when the monument was reduced in size and moved to its present position in 1884. This was due to the stonework backing on which it was placed, which obscured the window, being removed. It also meant that American visitors could see it more easily at floor level. The arms were: "a fess between three wolves' heads couped", for Howe, with a crest: "a lion's gamb, erased".

The inscription reads:

THE PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETS BAY, IN NEW ENGLAND BY AN ORDER OF THE GREAT AND GENERAL COURT BEARING DATE FEBy; 1st: 1759, CAUSED THIS MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF GEORGE AUGUSTUS LORD VISCOUNT HOWE, BRIGADIER GENERAL OF HIS MAJESTY'S FORCES IN AMERICA, WHO WAS SLAIN JULY THE 6th 1758, ON THE MARCH TO TICONDEROGA, IN THE 34th YEAR OF HIS AGE: IN TESTIMONY OF THE SENSE THEY HAD OF HIS SERVICES AND MILITARY VIRTUES, AND OF THE AFFECTION THEIR OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS BORE TO HIS COMMAND. HE LIVED RESPECTED AND BELOVED: THE PUBLICK REGRETTED HIS LOSS; TO HIS FAMILY IT IS IRREPARABLE.

His life

Howe was born about 1724, the son of Irish peer Emanuel, 2nd Viscount Howe (died 1735), and his wife Charlotte (von Kielmansegg) (1703-1782). He was educated at Westminster School and Eton College. In 1735 he succeeded his father as 3rd Viscount and served as Member of Parliament for Nottingham. He entered the army and served in Flanders with the Duke of Cumberland. By 1757 was commander of the Royal American regiment.

The Anglo-American campaigns included one to capture Ticonderoga (New York state) and Crown Point from the French to open a route for the invasion of Canada. At Trout Brook Howe was shot through the heart and his body was taken to St Peter's Church at Albany for burial. 

General James Wolfe said of him "he was the very best officer in the King's service" and his loss was "one of the greatest that could befall a nation".

Howe was unmarried and his brother Richard (who also attended Westminster School and served in North America) succeeded as 4th Viscount. Richard was later created 1st Lord Howe and has a monument in St Paul's cathedral in London. Brothers William, 5th Viscount Howe, and Thomas were also Members of Parliament.

Further Reading

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2004. There are also entries for Charlotte, and for his brothers Richard and William.

"New historical light on the real burial place of George Viscount Howe..." by James Holder, New York State Historical Association, 1911

"Peter Scheemakers" by Ingrid Roscoe, Walpole Society, 1999.

www.historyofparliamentonline.org