'The South's only major general in the Revolutionary War'
Robert Howe was the highest ranking North Carolinian in the Continental Army. He was seventh in seniority among American generals during the Revolutionary War. That means that only six generals were ahead of him in rank and the Major General Robert Howe Chapter is justly proud to be named for him.
When the Revolutionary War was being instigated, Howe was involved. And after the war actually began, he was definitely a real patriot. From 1779 to 1783, he commanded a division under George Washington, who entrusted him again and again with sensitive, delicate missions. His most exciting experiences occurred when he was a commander in New York. He participated in the defense of the fort at West Point. He presided over the court martial of Benedict Arnold, perhaps the most famous traitor in early American history. Howe later sat on the jury for the spy trial of the British Major John Andre. After serving in the military, Howe returned to North Carolina and began to rebuild his image as a planter and political leader.
Major General Robert Howe was a very complex man. He was smart, clever, and brilliant in some ways but not in others. He was a fantastic military man and a respected member of the North Carolina legislature, but he had no practical sense when it came to business or to the managing his enormous rice plantation (over a thousand acres). Howe had inherited Kendal Plantation from his father;Howe’s plantation was just north of Orton Plantation, home of the Moore family. Information about his early life is sketchy, but we do know he was well-educated for his day. He had a love of Shakespeare and other major English writers. He had fluency with the English language and an air of polished breeding and confidence that was part of his general demeanor.
Young Robert Howe married Sarah Grange. They had one son also named Robert and six daughters: Anna, Rebecca, Mary, Rachel, Sarah, and Elizabeth. But the marriage didn’t last. In those days, divorce was not thinkable. So they obtained a “legal separation” in 1772. Howe’s wife lived at the Grange Farm.
After the war, he was elected to the North Carolina legislature but died on his way to Fayetteville where the legislature was meeting. He died at Point Repose, home of his friend, General Thomas Clark.
Robert Howe was the highest ranking North Carolinian in the Continental Army. He was seventh in seniority among American generals during the Revolutionary War. That means that only six generals were ahead of him in rank and the Major General Robert Howe Chapter is justly proud to be named for him.
When the Revolutionary War was being instigated, Howe was involved. And after the war actually began, he was definitely a real patriot. From 1779 to 1783, he commanded a division under George Washington, who entrusted him again and again with sensitive, delicate missions. His most exciting experiences occurred when he was a commander in New York. He participated in the defense of the fort at West Point. He presided over the court martial of Benedict Arnold, perhaps the most famous traitor in early American history. Howe later sat on the jury for the spy trial of the British Major John Andre. After serving in the military, Howe returned to North Carolina and began to rebuild his image as a planter and political leader.
Major General Robert Howe was a very complex man. He was smart, clever, and brilliant in some ways but not in others. He was a fantastic military man and a respected member of the North Carolina legislature, but he had no practical sense when it came to business or to the managing his enormous rice plantation (over a thousand acres). Howe had inherited Kendal Plantation from his father;Howe’s plantation was just north of Orton Plantation, home of the Moore family. Information about his early life is sketchy, but we do know he was well-educated for his day. He had a love of Shakespeare and other major English writers. He had fluency with the English language and an air of polished breeding and confidence that was part of his general demeanor.
Young Robert Howe married Sarah Grange. They had one son also named Robert and six daughters: Anna, Rebecca, Mary, Rachel, Sarah, and Elizabeth. But the marriage didn’t last. In those days, divorce was not thinkable. So they obtained a “legal separation” in 1772. Howe’s wife lived at the Grange Farm.
After the war, he was elected to the North Carolina legislature but died on his way to Fayetteville where the legislature was meeting. He died at Point Repose, home of his friend, General Thomas Clark.
'The South's only major general in the Revolutionary War'
Robert Howe was the highest ranking North Carolinian in the Continental Army. He was seventh in seniority among American generals during the Revolutionary War. That means that only six generals were ahead of him in rank and the Major General Robert Howe Chapter is justly proud to be named for him.
When the Revolutionary War was being instigated, Howe was involved. And after the war actually began, he was definitely a real patriot. From 1779 to 1783, he commanded a division under George Washington, who entrusted him again and again with sensitive, delicate missions. His most exciting experiences occurred when he was a commander in New York. He participated in the defense of the fort at West Point. He presided over the court martial of Benedict Arnold, perhaps the most famous traitor in early American history. Howe later sat on the jury for the spy trial of the British Major John Andre. After serving in the military, Howe returned to North Carolina and began to rebuild his image as a planter and political leader.
Major General Robert Howe was a very complex man. He was smart, clever, and brilliant in some ways but not in others. He was a fantastic military man and a respected member of the North Carolina legislature, but he had no practical sense when it came to business or to the managing his enormous rice plantation (over a thousand acres). Howe had inherited Kendal Plantation from his father;Howe’s plantation was just north of Orton Plantation, home of the Moore family. Information about his early life is sketchy, but we do know he was well-educated for his day. He had a love of Shakespeare and other major English writers. He had fluency with the English language and an air of polished breeding and confidence that was part of his general demeanor.
Young Robert Howe married Sarah Grange. They had one son also named Robert and six daughters: Anna, Rebecca, Mary, Rachel, Sarah, and Elizabeth. But the marriage didn’t last. In those days, divorce was not thinkable. So they obtained a “legal separation” in 1772. Howe’s wife lived at the Grange Farm.
After the war, he was elected to the North Carolina legislature but died on his way to Fayetteville where the legislature was meeting. He died at Point Repose, home of his friend, General Thomas Clark.
Robert Howe was the highest ranking North Carolinian in the Continental Army. He was seventh in seniority among American generals during the Revolutionary War. That means that only six generals were ahead of him in rank and the Major General Robert Howe Chapter is justly proud to be named for him.
When the Revolutionary War was being instigated, Howe was involved. And after the war actually began, he was definitely a real patriot. From 1779 to 1783, he commanded a division under George Washington, who entrusted him again and again with sensitive, delicate missions. His most exciting experiences occurred when he was a commander in New York. He participated in the defense of the fort at West Point. He presided over the court martial of Benedict Arnold, perhaps the most famous traitor in early American history. Howe later sat on the jury for the spy trial of the British Major John Andre. After serving in the military, Howe returned to North Carolina and began to rebuild his image as a planter and political leader.
Major General Robert Howe was a very complex man. He was smart, clever, and brilliant in some ways but not in others. He was a fantastic military man and a respected member of the North Carolina legislature, but he had no practical sense when it came to business or to the managing his enormous rice plantation (over a thousand acres). Howe had inherited Kendal Plantation from his father;Howe’s plantation was just north of Orton Plantation, home of the Moore family. Information about his early life is sketchy, but we do know he was well-educated for his day. He had a love of Shakespeare and other major English writers. He had fluency with the English language and an air of polished breeding and confidence that was part of his general demeanor.
Young Robert Howe married Sarah Grange. They had one son also named Robert and six daughters: Anna, Rebecca, Mary, Rachel, Sarah, and Elizabeth. But the marriage didn’t last. In those days, divorce was not thinkable. So they obtained a “legal separation” in 1772. Howe’s wife lived at the Grange Farm.
After the war, he was elected to the North Carolina legislature but died on his way to Fayetteville where the legislature was meeting. He died at Point Repose, home of his friend, General Thomas Clark.
Inscription
'In memory of Robert Howe
Maj Gen Continental Line
Rev War 1732 1786
Sarah Grange Howe
1740 1792'
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