John Eager Howard
Encyclopedia
John Eager Howard was an American
soldier and politician from Maryland
. He was elected as governor of the state in 1789, and served three one-year terms. He also was elected to the Continental Congress, Congress of the United States (US) and the US Senate. He was born in and died in Baltimore County
. Howard County, Maryland
, is named for him.
elite and was born at their plantation "Belvedere," which he inherited after their deaths. Howard grew up in a slaveholding, Anglican family. This was the established church of the Chesapeake Bay colonies.
Howard joined the Baltimore lodge of Freemasonry
and eventually became a Brother.
, Howard rose to the rank of colonel in the Continental Army
, fighting in the Battle of White Plains
and in the Battle of Monmouth
. He was awarded a silver medal by Congress for his leadership at the Battle of Cowpens
, during which he commanded the 3rd Maryland Regiment
, Continental Army
.
of 1788; Governor of Maryland
for three one-year terms, 1789 through 1791; State Senator
from 1791 through 1795; and Presidential Elector in 1792. Thereafter, he joined the Federalist Party and was elected to the 4th Congress from November 30, 1796, through 1797 as a United States Senator
for the remainder of the term of Richard Potts
, who had resigned. He was elected for a Senate term of his own in 1797, which included the 5th Congress, the 6th Congress of 1799-1801 during which he was President pro tempore
, and the 7th Congress, serving until March 3, 1803.
After 1803, Howard returned to Baltimore, where he avoided elected office but continued in public service and philanthropy as a leading citizen. In the 1816 presidential election
, he received 22 electoral votes for Vice President
as the running mate of Federalist Rufus King
, losing to James Monroe
and Governor Daniel Tompkins
. No formal Federalist nomination had been made, and it is not clear whether Howard, who was one of several Federalists who received electoral votes for Vice President, ran as a candidate for the office.
Although Howard was offered an appointment as the Secretary of War
in the administration of President George Washington, he declined it. Similarly, he declined a 1798 commission as Brigadier General
during the preparations for the coming Quasi-War
with France.
. Their first son, George Howard
, was born on November 21, 1789 in Jennings House during Howard's term as Governor.
Howard developed the property "Waverley" at Marriottsville, Maryland for George. George Howard became a politician and was elected as governor forty years after his father's term, and four years after his death. Their second son, Benjamin Chew Howard
, was also a prominent politician in Maryland
, elected for four terms in the U.S. Congress.
, in Baltimore.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier and politician from Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. He was elected as governor of the state in 1789, and served three one-year terms. He also was elected to the Continental Congress, Congress of the United States (US) and the US Senate. He was born in and died in Baltimore County
Baltimore County, Maryland
Baltimore County is a county located in the northern part of the US state of Maryland. In 2010, its population was 805,029. It is part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Towson. The name of the county was derived from the barony of the Proprietor of the Maryland...
. Howard County, Maryland
Howard County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*62.2% White*17.5% Black*0.3% Native American*14.4% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.6% Two or more races*2.0% Other races*5.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, is named for him.
Early life and education
He was the son of Cornelius Howard and Ruth (Eager) Howard, of the Maryland planterPlantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
elite and was born at their plantation "Belvedere," which he inherited after their deaths. Howard grew up in a slaveholding, Anglican family. This was the established church of the Chesapeake Bay colonies.
Howard joined the Baltimore lodge of Freemasonry
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
and eventually became a Brother.
Military career
Commissioned a captain at the beginning of the American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, Howard rose to the rank of colonel in the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
, fighting in the Battle of White Plains
Battle of White Plains
The Battle of White Plains was a battle in the New York and New Jersey campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought on October 28, 1776, near White Plains, New York. Following the retreat of George Washington's Continental Army northward from New York City, British General William Howe landed...
and in the Battle of Monmouth
Battle of Monmouth
The Battle of Monmouth was an American Revolutionary War battle fought on June 28, 1778 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The Continental Army under General George Washington attacked the rear of the British Army column commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton as they left Monmouth Court...
. He was awarded a silver medal by Congress for his leadership at the Battle of Cowpens
Battle of Cowpens
The Battle of Cowpens was a decisive victory by Patriot Revolutionary forces under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War...
, during which he commanded the 3rd Maryland Regiment
3rd Maryland Regiment
-Summary:The 3rd Maryland Regiment was organized on 27 March 1776 of eight companies from Anne Arundel, Prince George's, Talbot, Harford and Somerset counties of the colony of Maryland. The regiment was authorized on 16 September 1776 for service with the Continental Army and was assigned on 27...
, Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
.
Political life
Following his army service, Howard held several electoral political positions: elected to the Continental CongressContinental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
of 1788; Governor of Maryland
Governor of Maryland
The Governor of Maryland heads the executive branch of the government of Maryland, and he is the commander-in-chief of the state's National Guard units. The Governor is the highest-ranking official in the state, and he has a broad range of appointive powers in both the State and local governments,...
for three one-year terms, 1789 through 1791; State Senator
Maryland State Senate
The Maryland Senate, sometimes referred to as the Maryland State Senate, is the upper house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland...
from 1791 through 1795; and Presidential Elector in 1792. Thereafter, he joined the Federalist Party and was elected to the 4th Congress from November 30, 1796, through 1797 as a United States Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
for the remainder of the term of Richard Potts
Richard Potts
Richard Potts was an American politician and jurist.-Early life and career:Potts was born in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and lived there until he moved with his family to the Barbados Islands in 1757. He returned to Maryland and settled in the state capital of Annapolis in 1761, where he studied law...
, who had resigned. He was elected for a Senate term of his own in 1797, which included the 5th Congress, the 6th Congress of 1799-1801 during which he was President pro tempore
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
The President pro tempore is the second-highest-ranking official of the United States Senate. The United States Constitution states that the Vice President of the United States is the President of the Senate and the highest-ranking official of the Senate despite not being a member of the body...
, and the 7th Congress, serving until March 3, 1803.
After 1803, Howard returned to Baltimore, where he avoided elected office but continued in public service and philanthropy as a leading citizen. In the 1816 presidential election
United States presidential election, 1816
The United States presidential election of 1816 came at the end of the two-term presidency of Democratic-Republican James Madison. With the Federalist Party in collapse, Madison's Secretary of State, James Monroe, had an advantage in winning the presidency against very weak opposition...
, he received 22 electoral votes for Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
as the running mate of Federalist Rufus King
Rufus King
Rufus King was an American lawyer, politician, and diplomat. He was a delegate for Massachusetts to the Continental Congress. He also attended the Constitutional Convention and was one of the signers of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
, losing to James Monroe
James Monroe
James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States . Monroe was the last president who was a Founding Father of the United States, and the last president from the Virginia dynasty and the Republican Generation...
and Governor Daniel Tompkins
Daniel D. Tompkins
Daniel D. Tompkins was an entrepreneur, jurist, Congressman, the fourth Governor of New York , and the sixth Vice President of the United States .-Name:...
. No formal Federalist nomination had been made, and it is not clear whether Howard, who was one of several Federalists who received electoral votes for Vice President, ran as a candidate for the office.
Although Howard was offered an appointment as the Secretary of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
in the administration of President George Washington, he declined it. Similarly, he declined a 1798 commission as Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
during the preparations for the coming Quasi-War
Quasi-War
The Quasi-War was an undeclared war fought mostly at sea between the United States and French Republic from 1798 to 1800. In the United States, the conflict was sometimes also referred to as the Franco-American War, the Pirate Wars, or the Half-War.-Background:The Kingdom of France had been a...
with France.
Marriage and family
John Eager Howard married Margaret ("Peggy") Chew, daughter of the Pennsylvania justice Benjamin ChewBenjamin 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...
. Their first son, George Howard
George Howard (Governor of Maryland)
George Howard was the 22nd Governor of the State of Maryland in the United States from 1831 to 1833. Howard was well known as a fervent anti-Jacksonian during his term in office. He was the only son of a governor to have been elected governor.-Biography:He was born on November 21, 1789, in the...
, was born on November 21, 1789 in Jennings House during Howard's term as Governor.
Howard developed the property "Waverley" at Marriottsville, Maryland for George. George Howard became a politician and was elected as governor forty years after his father's term, and four years after his death. Their second son, Benjamin Chew Howard
Benjamin Chew Howard
Benjamin Chew Howard was an American congressman and the fifth reporter of decisions of the United States Supreme Court, serving from 1843 to 1861....
, was also a prominent politician in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, elected for four terms in the U.S. Congress.
Death and legacy
John Eager Howard is buried at the Old Saint Paul's CemeteryOld Saint Paul's Cemetery
Old Saint Paul's Cemetery is a cemetery located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It is noted for the several important historical figures that are interred in its grounds.It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988....
, in Baltimore.
- Howard County, Maryland was named for him.
- In 1904, the city commissioned an equestrian statueEquestrian sculptureAn equestrian statue is a statue of a rider mounted on a horse, from the Latin "eques", meaning "knight", deriving from "equus", meaning "horse". A statue of a riderless horse is strictly an "equine statue"...
of Howard by the eminent French sculptor Emmanuel FrémietEmmanuel FrémietEmmanuel Frémiet was a French sculptor. He is famous for his sculpture of Joan of Arc in Paris and the monument to Ferdinand de Lesseps in Suez....
and installed it at Washington Square, Baltimore. - Howard is one of several notable men of Maryland mentioned in the state song "Maryland, My MarylandMaryland, My Maryland"Maryland, My Maryland" is the official state song of the U.S. state of Maryland. The song is set to the tune of "Lauriger Horatius" and the lyrics are from a nine-stanza poem written by James Ryder Randall...
".