Howe, Robert, 1732-1786

Robert Howe (1732-1786) was a major-general in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He served as justice of the peace in Bladen and Brunswick counties, N.C., and member of the North Carolina Assembly.

Army officer.

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.

"In 1732, Robert Howe was born in Brunswick County, North Carolina. He emerged as the colonies' highest-ranking officer during the Revolutionary War. In November 1786, Howe died at his home in Brunswick County." -- "Robert Howe (1732-1786)" from the North Carolina History Project, http://www.northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/56/entry (Accessed June 16, 2009)

Major-General in Continental Army during American Revolution.