Robert Howe letters
Descriptive Summary
Repository: Georgia Historical Society Creator: Howe, Robert, 1732-1786. Title: Robert Howe letters Dates: 1778-1779 Extent: 0.05 cubic feet (1 folder) Identification: MS 0400
Biographical/Historical Note
Robert Howe was born in Bladen County (later known as Brunswick County), North Carolina. He was educated in England. Howe married Sarah Grange, but the two were later separated. He was a successful rice planter at Howe's Point on Cape Fear; he became a justice of the peace in 1756. In 1766, Howe was made a captain and placed in command of Fort Johnston, a post he held until 1767, then again from 1769 until 1773. He was also a member of the North Carolina provincial Committee of Correspondence. In 1775, How was commissioned a colonel in the North Carolina 2nd Regiment; in 1776 he became a brigadier-general and was sent to South Carolina. He was ordered to the command of Savannah in 1778, a campaign which proved unsuccessful. Howe was then sent to Pennsylvania and New Jersey in 1781 to suppress troop mutinies. In 1786 he was elected to the House of Commons, but died before taking seat.
Scope and Content Note
This collection consists of negative photocopies of General Howe's letters from Papers of the Continental Congress: Letters in the Library of Congress, No. 158, p. 189-192 and No. 160, p. 418-507, passim. The letters are to John Houstoun, Governor of Georgia; Col. Samuel Elbert, Gen. Benjamin Lincoln and Henry Laurens, written from Savannah, Camp on Great Satilla, "Camp on the road 4 miles from Zubly's Ferry," in Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina. Included is one letter of John White to General Howe, November 21, 1778. All deal with the military situation. The letter of December 30, 1778, describes the capture of Savannah by the British. There is also a typed copy of this last letter.
Index Terms
Elbert, Samuel, 1740-1788. Georgia--History--Revolution, 1775-1783. Houstoun, John, 1744-1796. Howe, Robert, 1732-1786. Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792. Letters (correspondence) Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810. Savannah (Ga.)--History--Siege, 1779. United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783. United States. Continental Congress.
Location of Originals
Original letters located in Papers of the Continental Congress: Letters in the Library of Congress, No. 158, p. 189-192 and No. 160, p. 418-507, passim. Administrative Information
Custodial History
Materials were acquired from Alexander Lawrence, for whom they were photocopied by the Library of Congress.
Preferred Citation
[item identification], Robert Howe letters, MS 400, Georgia Historical Society, Savannah, Georgia.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Alexander A. Lawrence, 1952.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the Georgia Historical Society. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Division of Library and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Georgia Historical Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
Sponsorship
Encoding funded by a 2012 Documenting Democracy grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Container List
Item 1: Major Gen. Robert Howe letter to his Honor, the Governor. Savannah, 1778 January 29 ( 7.0 p. )
Item 2: Robert Howe letter to his Honor the Governor. Savannah, 1778 February 7 ( 8.0 p. )
Item 3: Robert Howe letter to Sir, the Governor. Savannah, 1778 April 4 ( 5.0 p. )
Item 4: Robert Howe letter to Sir. Headquarters, Savannah, 1778 April 6 ( 2.0 p. )
Item 5: Robert Howe letter to Sir. Savannah, 1778 April 13 ( 6.0 p. )
Item 6: Robert Howe letter to Sir. Savannah, 1778 April 6 ( 5.0 p. )
Item 7: Robert Howe letter to Gov. Houstoun. Savannah, 1778 May 3 ( 2.0 p. )
Item 8: Robert Howe letter to Sir. Camp at Cours? Ford upon Great Satillas River, 1778 June 23 ( 3.0 p. )
Item 9: Robert Howe letter to Sir. Charles Town, South Carolina, 1778 August 18 ( 3.0 p. )
Item 10: Extracts of 2 letters ( 2.0 p. ) Extract of a letter from Joseph Clay, Paymaster General in the State of Georgia. Savannah, Aug. 5, 1778. Extract of a letter from Col. Elbert. Savannah, Aug. 11, 1778.
Item 11: Robert Howe letter to Sir. Charles Town, South Carolina, 1778 August 26 ( 1.0 p. )
Item 12: Robert Howe letter to Henry Laurens, Esq., President of the Honble. Continental Congress, Philadelphia. Charles Town, 1778 September 5 ( 3.0 p. )
Item 13: Robert Howe letter to Sir. Charles Town, South Carolina, 1778 September 22 ( 5.0 p. )
Item 14: Robert Howe letter to Sir. Charles Town, South Carolina, 1778 September 22 ( 2.0 p. )
Item 16: Robert Howe letter to His Honor the President of Congress. Charles Town, South Carolina, 1778 November 24 ( 3.0 p. )
Item 17: Joseph? John White letter to Major Gen. Howe. Savannah, 1778 November 21 ( 2.0 p. )
Item 18: Robert Howe to Sir. Camp on the road 4 miles from Zubleys ferry, 1778 December 30 ( 3.0 p. )
Item 19: Robert Howe letter to Sir. Charlestown, 1779 February 6 ( 1.0 p. )