Person:Jane Howard (21)

On July 2, 1823, the Parker & Son arrives in New Orleans from Belfast. On the short manifest of nine passangers will be found a "Mrs. Howard" of Natchez, traveling with two of her daughters: Louisa, age 2, and, "Miss Howard" age 15. It appears that as the young Jane Josephine Howard is returning from her educational pursuits in Dublin.

The 1873 bio of Jane's son W. Irving States that Jane Josephine Howard "was born in Dublin, Ireland of American parents, and was returned to Dublin, educated, and, on her final return to America, was married at an early age, while a guest at the hospitable residence of a Louisville gentleman. She was very popular in Washington and Philadelphia society, along from 1825 to 1830, and was noted far and wide for her beauty and accomplishments, speaking fluently five or six languages, and numbered among her particular friends the families of Washington Irving, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and others."

It goes on to say that she was the great grand neice of "Robert Elliott, who so successfully commanded the defences of the "Gibralta," during the seven years seige, by all the combined forces of Europe, and for which His Royal Master knighted him "Lord Elliot Heathfield." This part of the bio is in error, for it was Robert's brother George Augustus who defended Gibraltar. I have yet to discover which Elliot is the true ancestor, since the Eliot line focuses mostly on George, then fades. It seems plausible that Jane's mother was indeed surnamed Elliot/Eliot, yet, Robert's line is not well documented. There is more on Jane's line, though. It further states that her (unnamed) paternal "grandfather was an officer in the U.S. Army during the English war of 1812...gallantly leading his troops at the Battle of Bladonsburg, in defense of Washington City." Well, while there are prominent Howard's in that battle, locating our Howard has proven to be a conundrum.

There is a record naming Jane's father as George W. Howard, yet, I cannot place him as a member of THE noteable Baltimore Howards of that Battle and period: the family of "John Eager Howard" If it was the 'maternal grandfather' referenced, or, the father of Jane's father--well, the correct surname has yet to surface. I can find no Army Officer of note wounded in the defense of Washington City who fits the family profile.

Although Jane's last son, Washington Irving Hodgson, is born 1833 in Montgomery County, Kentucky, it is not known where Jane and her husband Henry Hodgson--a mariner--actually live during this period. Blurbs from periodicals seem to place them back east until about 1830, then in Montgomery Co, by the time he is born. Jane's family was from Natchez, Adams Co., Mississippi, an area once owned by the Spanish Government, with--I believe--tracts of land also awarded to men who fought in the War of 1812.

George W. Howard is named as her father at her marriage:

Kentucky Marriages, 1802-1850 about Henry Jane Hodgsen Howard Spouse 1: Hodgsen, Henry Spouse 2: Howard, Jane Marriage Date: 12 Jun 1824 Marriage Location: Kentucky Jefferson County

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RootsWeb: KYNELSON-L Re: [KYNELSON-L] 

Howard - Jefferson County, KY marriage before 1785 George W. p 176: f/o Jane--see Jane Jane p 176: m Henry Hodgson; bd John Miller (X), wit Robert Tyler; she of legal age, d/o George W. Howard; bond 6-12-1824.

Our George W. Howard family can be found in the 1820 Adams Co., Mississippi census, yet, not in 1830. In both 1820 and 1830 there is a George W. Howard family in Montgomery County, Kentucky; decades of early records that I have found for Adams County indicate that many of the people who had properties there also had properties in the cooler regions north of Mississippi. Baltimore, Natchez, the Howards of Mount Sterling, KY, remain in my line of sight, simply because certain found records seem too viable to discount. I've added this for other researchers who may be on similar tracks, or, need a new perspective. I'm open for emails, letters and phone calls.

If any of this sounds familiar, please contact me. Thanks