Family and Education

b. 1556, s. of John Howe of London by Margery, da. of John Lowen of London. educ. Merchant Taylors’ 1564; M. Temple 1575. m. Martha, 2s. 2da. suc. fa. 1574.1

Offices Held

Biography

Howe’s father was born in Devon, married a London merchant’s daughter, himself prospered as a grocer, and acquired London property as well as estates in Devon, Essex and Somerset, most of which his son inherited. It is not clear through whom Howe himself came to be returned to Parliament for Yarmouth — perhaps it was a friend at the Middle Temple who knew Sir George Carey, the borough patron, or perhaps it was through Dean Alexander Nowell, from whom Howe rented the Somerset manor of Huntspill de la Hayes. Howe had settled at South Ockenden before he made his will, on 17 Apr. 1591, leaving property there and at Smithfield to his wife and his three younger children. His other estates were already entailed on his eldest son, William.2

He died four days later, a comparatively young man. His widow married again and the wardship of his eldest son, aged ten, was granted to her second husband.3

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: Patricia Hyde

Notes

• 1. C142/179/96; PCC 74 Sainberbe; Vis. London (Harl. Soc. cix, cx), 19.
• 2. PCC 39 Martyn, 74 Sainberbe; CPR, 1563-6, p. 355; C142/175/91; Vis. Yorks. ed. Foster, 51.
• 3. C142/242/45.