Jump to content

Thomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Effingham

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thomas Howard
Earl of Effingham
1781
Born13 January 1746
Died19 November 1791(1791-11-19) (aged 45)
Noble familyHouse of Howard-Effingham
Spouse(s)Catherine Proctor
Issuenone
FatherThomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Effingham
MotherElizabeth Beckford

Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Effingham, PC (13 January 1746 – 19 November 1791), styled Lord Howard until 1763, was a British nobleman and Army officer, the son of Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Effingham, and his wife Elizabeth.

He was commissioned an ensign and lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment of Foot Guards on 20 February 1762. He was promoted to captain in the 5th Regiment of Foot on 13 September 1765.[1]

He is best known for resigning his commission in protest against the war against the North American colonies.[2][3] This widely reported act was commemorated by the North American colonists in the naming of a galley in 1775, and later the frigate USS Effingham in 1777, as well as in the naming of Effingham, New Hampshire, Effingham County, Georgia, and Effingham County, Illinois.

In 1770 at the age of 24, he fought as a volunteer in the Russian army during the Russo-Turkish War and was present at the destruction of the Turkish fleet at Chesma Bay.[4]

In 1775 upon learning that his regiment would be imminently deployed to North America he wrote to the Secretary of State for War Lord Barrington to resign his commission.[5] Giving his reasoning in his letter to Barrington, Effingham stated; "As I cannot, without reproach from my conscience, consent to bear arms against my fellow subjects in America in what, to my weak discernment, is not a clear cause."[6]

In a speech to the House of Lords explaining his resignation, Effingham symbolically drew his officer's sword and threw it onto the floor of the chamber.[7]

During the events leading up to the American Revolution, the Earl had taken up a position of neutrality. The Earl disliked both sides: the British Government for its coercive policies and implementation of taxation, and the colonists for engaging in armed rebellion. Effingham however believed that the conflict would have a negative impact on both Great Britain and America. Despite resigning his commission he professed devotion to the army and to King and country, and claimed that he was willing to lose his life while protecting the realm from attack.

In spite of his public resignation and denunciation of the government, Effingham was permitted to return to the army at the time of the threatened invasion and was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in 1782.[8]

In 1785, a London newspaper reported that he was being considered for the role of minister to the United States, to reciprocate John Adams coming to Great Britain to serve as Ambassador.[9] However, he did not go to America; George Hammond later served as the first envoy to America.

Thundercliffe Grange, Ecclesfield

He built Thundercliffe Grange, Rotherham as his new seat, It was built in 1777 by the architect John Platt.[10][11]

He died at the age of 45, while serving as Governor of Jamaica, a month and five days after his wife, leaving no heir. His title passed to his brother Richard.

  • Arundel Castle, the ancestral seat of the Howard family.
    Arundel Castle, the ancestral seat of the Howard family.
  • A portrait of Lord Effingham in 1782; "A consistent character", the American war is being fought in the distance, the sun rises with the Latin phrase "Pro Patria non sibi", Effingham points to the steps inscribed "Sincerity", "Plain-dealing", "Honesty", "Justice", "Country", "Religion", "Liberty".
    A portrait of Lord Effingham in 1782; "A consistent character", the American war is being fought in the distance, the sun rises with the Latin phrase "Pro Patria non sibi", Effingham points to the steps inscribed "Sincerity", "Plain-dealing", "Honesty", "Justice", "Country", "Religion", "Liberty".
  • Coat of Arms of Thomas Howard
    Coat of Arms of Thomas Howard

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mackinnon, Daniel (1833). Origin and Services of the Coldstream Guards. Vol. II. London: Richard Bentley. pp. 488–489.
  2. ^ "The Lords Effingham and the American colonies:, 1976, Hilda Engbring Feldhake.
  3. ^ "THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, INCLUDING ALSO THE BEAUTIES OF AMERICAN HISTORY" Archived 2012-04-29 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "The Lords Effingham and the American colonies:, 1976, Hilda Engbring Feldhake.
  5. ^ "The Lords Effingham and the American colonies:, 1976, Hilda Engbring Feldhake.
  6. ^ "The Lords Effingham and the American colonies:, 1976, Hilda Engbring Feldhake.
  7. ^ "The Lords Effingham and the American colonies:, 1976, Hilda Engbring Feldhake.
  8. ^ "The Lords Effingham and the American colonies:, 1976, Hilda Engbring Feldhake.
  9. ^ "London Morning Herald and Daily Advertiser". 8 June 1785.
  10. ^ "The Howard Family's Connection with Effingham". Effingham Residents Association. 29 November 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  11. ^ "Thundercliffe Grange - History". thundercliffegrange.co.uk. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
Government offices
Preceded by Governor of Jamaica
1790–1791 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Deputy Earl Marshal
1777–1782 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Treasurer of the Household
1782–1783 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Master of the Mint
1784–1789 		Succeeded by
Peerage of Great Britain
Preceded by Earl of Effingham
1763–1791 		Succeeded by
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_Howard,_3rd_Earl_of_Effingham&oldid=1238009417"