Lady Louisa Catherine Howe
Lady Louisa Catherine Howe was an aristocrat from Great Britain. She was very close to royal family as her family has many connections to the Royal family. She also developed a keen eye for estate management after she moved to Westport House with her first husband John Denis Browne. She was, above all, a devoted mother to her only son Howe Peter whom she supported through the many ordeals and misdemeanors of his youth.
Louisa’s Family History
Louisa Catherine Howe was born on the 9th of December, 1767 in London, England. Louisa was born into a wealthy family background, to Admiral Richard Howe, the 1st Earl of Howe and Mary Hartopp. ‘Admiral of the Fleet’ Richard Howe was a British naval officer who commanded the British Navy in the time of the American War of Independence and the French Revolution. He also held the title of the 1st Earl of Howe in 1782.
There is little known about Louisa’s mother, Mary Hartopp prior to her marriage to Richard. However, it was recorded that she was born in the small village of Woodhouse in Leicestershire, England in 1932. After Mary married Richard Howe, she was styled the Viscount of Howe. In 1782, she was titled 1st Countess of Howe. The artist Thomas Gainsborough painted two portraits of Mary and Richard: although it is thought that Gainsborough took a liking to Mary as he put twice as much effort into her portrait than her husbands. Louisa was the youngest of three daughters; her sisters were Lady Sophia Charlotte Howe (styled Baroness of Howe-Langen) and Lady Maria Juliana Howe. She, alongside her sisters, was the co-heiresses to their father’s fortune. Louisa inherited her father’s estate in Hertfordshire after his death in 1799. She later sold the estate in 1816.
Louisa has connections to the royal family through her father Richard and her eldest sister Sophia. Richard’s maternal grandmother Sophia Charlotte Von Kielmansegg, Countess of Darlington was the half-sister of George 1st, King of Great Britain. It was reported that Richard’s mother Mary Sophia Charlotte Kielmansegg was the illegitimate daughter of King George the 1st, which would mean that Richard is the grandson of the King of Great Britain.
Princess Diana of Wales is a direct descendant of Louisa’s sister Sophia Charlotte Howe through her only son Richard William Penn Curzon-Howe. Richard Curzon-Howe’s second youngest daughter Lady Mary Anna Curzon is the paternal grandmother of Cynthia Elinor Beatrix Hamilton who in turn is the paternal grandmother of Lady Diana Frances Spencer. Louisa is also linked to modern day royalty, for example, Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince George.
Louisa Catherine Howe became the 3rd Countess of Altamont after she married John Denis Browne, 3rd Earl of Altamont, on the 21st of May in 1787. Louisa married John Denis at Porter’s Lodge, on her father’s estate, in Hertfordshire, England. John Denis was known as a ‘big spender’ and he and Louisa enjoyed a privileged life of opulence. They never had to worry about money as John Denis made more money than any of his predecessors. The couple had one son together who they named Howe Peter Browne. He was born on the 18th of May in 1788. Howe Peter was the apple of their eyes and so they spoiled him often. Thanks to Louisa, Howe Peter grew up with an ‘entrée to the Royal residence’. Louisa was a friend of the royal family and she would often bring her husband and son to visit them at the royal residence.
In 1800, John Denis voted for the ‘Act of Union’ with Great Britain as he believed that it was ‘the measure on which so much of our future happiness and security depend’. In his honour he was titled the ‘1st Marquis of Sligo’ and he was made an Irish representative peer. Louisa was styled the 1st Marchioness of Sligo.
Princess Diana of Wales is a direct descendant of Louisa’s sister Sophia Charlotte Howe through her only son Richard William Penn Curzon-Howe. Richard Curzon-Howe’s second youngest daughter Lady Mary Anna Curzon is the paternal grandmother of Cynthia Elinor Beatrix Hamilton who in turn is the paternal grandmother of Lady Diana Frances Spencer. Louisa is also linked to modern day royalty, for example, Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince George.
Louisa Catherine Howe became the 3rd Countess of Altamont after she married John Denis Browne, 3rd Earl of Altamont, on the 21st of May in 1787. Louisa married John Denis at Porter’s Lodge, on her father’s estate, in Hertfordshire, England. John Denis was known as a ‘big spender’ and he and Louisa enjoyed a privileged life of opulence. They never had to worry about money as John Denis made more money than any of his predecessors. The couple had one son together who they named Howe Peter Browne. He was born on the 18th of May in 1788. Howe Peter was the apple of their eyes and so they spoiled him often. Thanks to Louisa, Howe Peter grew up with an ‘entrée to the Royal residence’. Louisa was a friend of the royal family and she would often bring her husband and son to visit them at the royal residence.
In 1800, John Denis voted for the ‘Act of Union’ with Great Britain as he believed that it was ‘the measure on which so much of our future happiness and security depend’. In his honour he was titled the ‘1st Marquis of Sligo’ and he was made an Irish representative peer. Louisa was styled the 1st Marchioness of Sligo.
Louisa and Westport House
After their marriage, John Denis spent a copious amount of time in Westport House as he had a keen interest in agriculture and estate management. Louisa spent a lot of time in Westport alongside her husband although she did not directly contribute to the house or town. However, many of her father’s possessions came into the Sligo family because of her. As co-heiress in her father’s will, Louisa inherited numerous artefacts from his days as admiral including his writing desk, sword, clock and many of his books and papers. His portrait and naval officer armour are on display in the Drawing Room on the north-east side of the Westport House.
John Denis was responsible for constructing the main roads of Westport town, building the dam on the Carrowbeg River and completed the square of the house. He also commissioned James Wyatt, a renowned English Architect, to decorate his New Long Gallery and Large Dinging Room. John Denis has contributed more to Westport House than any of his descendants. While there is little evidence that Louisa contributed to the construction of the house, she has been incorporated into the decoration of the house. The Entrance Hall, Drawing Room and the Long Gallery are full of portraits and artefacts of her and her family.
John Denis was also responsible for the layout of the town of Louisburgh in Co Mayo. The name Louisburgh is thought to have originated from the combined names of Louisa Catherine and Catherine De Burgh, his son’s wife. However, in 1758, Henry Browne, John Denis’ uncle, was part of the 1758 siege in the fortress town of Louisbourg in Nova Scotia, in Canada. Louisburgh in Co Mayo owes its name to the Canadian maritime town. It may be the case that Louisbourg was chosen by John Denis as the name of his new town because the name represents his wife ‘Louisa’ and daughter in law ‘Burgh’.
After their marriage, John Denis spent a copious amount of time in Westport House as he had a keen interest in agriculture and estate management. Louisa spent a lot of time in Westport alongside her husband although she did not directly contribute to the house or town. However, many of her father’s possessions came into the Sligo family because of her. As co-heiress in her father’s will, Louisa inherited numerous artefacts from his days as admiral including his writing desk, sword, clock and many of his books and papers. His portrait and naval officer armour are on display in the Drawing Room on the north-east side of the Westport House.
John Denis was responsible for constructing the main roads of Westport town, building the dam on the Carrowbeg River and completed the square of the house. He also commissioned James Wyatt, a renowned English Architect, to decorate his New Long Gallery and Large Dinging Room. John Denis has contributed more to Westport House than any of his descendants. While there is little evidence that Louisa contributed to the construction of the house, she has been incorporated into the decoration of the house. The Entrance Hall, Drawing Room and the Long Gallery are full of portraits and artefacts of her and her family.
John Denis was also responsible for the layout of the town of Louisburgh in Co Mayo. The name Louisburgh is thought to have originated from the combined names of Louisa Catherine and Catherine De Burgh, his son’s wife. However, in 1758, Henry Browne, John Denis’ uncle, was part of the 1758 siege in the fortress town of Louisbourg in Nova Scotia, in Canada. Louisburgh in Co Mayo owes its name to the Canadian maritime town. It may be the case that Louisbourg was chosen by John Denis as the name of his new town because the name represents his wife ‘Louisa’ and daughter in law ‘Burgh’.
Louisa Catherine Howe, Dowager Marchioness of Sligo
In 1809, John Denis Browne died while he was abroad in Lisbon, Portugal. After the death of her husband, the now Dowager Marchioness of Sligo enjoyed a close bond with her son, Howe Peter. He had now inherited the title of the 2nd Marquis of Sligo from his father. He had also inherited the Westport estate, however as a young man Howe Peter enjoyed expeditions abroad to Italy, Malta and Greece and he spent a majority of his youth globe-trotting while his mother remained at home. As Louisa lived in Westport House for years alongside her husband John Denis, she had a fair idea of how to run the property. Louisa and her son agreed to have a copy of conveyance drawn up in which Louisa would have the power of attorney while her son was abroad; this meant that she consented to managing her son’s estate obligations while he was away.
Louisa Catherine was reported to have been ‘a woman of much literary accomplishment’. Although it may be true that Louisa was known for successfully achieving a literary task in her lifetime, there is no evidence of any books, articles or interviews published by the 1st Marchioness of Sligo.
In 1812, Louisa Catherine met her second husband Sir William Scott, who was the judge in the trial against her son. Louisa was impressed with Judge Scott’s firm handling of How Peter after he was arrested on the charge of enticing British navy officer to desert their post in order to assist him in delivering stolen Grecian antiquities to Ireland. Judge Scott was also taken with the Dowager Marchioness’ devotion to her son. The whole ordeal was referred to as ‘part drama, part farce’ by the general public after the present Marquis was trialed in the Old Bailey in December, 1812. Despite that fact that Howe Peter with fined with £5,000 and sentenced to four months in Newgate prison in London, Louisa married Judge Scott on the day of Howe Peter’s release. The marriage between Louisa and William was not a happy one and so the ‘comic opera’ element of their relationship ended the day they got married. Louisa complained to her son about how unhappy she was with her new husband: according to Louisa, William was mean with money and he acted judicial and pompous in their home.
Louisa Catherine died in Amsterdam, 1817, while she was waiting for her husband to return from Switzerland in order for them to return to their England home together. There were no reports about a cause of death; however it appears that she died of natural causes.
Louisa Catherine Howe was a fascinating woman, not only was she a relation of the royals, she spent her life socializing among them. Louisa was also a very able woman who had learned a lot from her first husband John Denis Browne about the running of an estate. Although she did not have a direct contribution to Westport House or town, she did live there alongside her husband whom she supported in all of his endeavors: she even got a small town named in her honor. She was a devoted mother to her son Howe Peter who in turn adored his mother.
In 1809, John Denis Browne died while he was abroad in Lisbon, Portugal. After the death of her husband, the now Dowager Marchioness of Sligo enjoyed a close bond with her son, Howe Peter. He had now inherited the title of the 2nd Marquis of Sligo from his father. He had also inherited the Westport estate, however as a young man Howe Peter enjoyed expeditions abroad to Italy, Malta and Greece and he spent a majority of his youth globe-trotting while his mother remained at home. As Louisa lived in Westport House for years alongside her husband John Denis, she had a fair idea of how to run the property. Louisa and her son agreed to have a copy of conveyance drawn up in which Louisa would have the power of attorney while her son was abroad; this meant that she consented to managing her son’s estate obligations while he was away.
Louisa Catherine was reported to have been ‘a woman of much literary accomplishment’. Although it may be true that Louisa was known for successfully achieving a literary task in her lifetime, there is no evidence of any books, articles or interviews published by the 1st Marchioness of Sligo.
In 1812, Louisa Catherine met her second husband Sir William Scott, who was the judge in the trial against her son. Louisa was impressed with Judge Scott’s firm handling of How Peter after he was arrested on the charge of enticing British navy officer to desert their post in order to assist him in delivering stolen Grecian antiquities to Ireland. Judge Scott was also taken with the Dowager Marchioness’ devotion to her son. The whole ordeal was referred to as ‘part drama, part farce’ by the general public after the present Marquis was trialed in the Old Bailey in December, 1812. Despite that fact that Howe Peter with fined with £5,000 and sentenced to four months in Newgate prison in London, Louisa married Judge Scott on the day of Howe Peter’s release. The marriage between Louisa and William was not a happy one and so the ‘comic opera’ element of their relationship ended the day they got married. Louisa complained to her son about how unhappy she was with her new husband: according to Louisa, William was mean with money and he acted judicial and pompous in their home.
Louisa Catherine died in Amsterdam, 1817, while she was waiting for her husband to return from Switzerland in order for them to return to their England home together. There were no reports about a cause of death; however it appears that she died of natural causes.
Louisa Catherine Howe was a fascinating woman, not only was she a relation of the royals, she spent her life socializing among them. Louisa was also a very able woman who had learned a lot from her first husband John Denis Browne about the running of an estate. Although she did not have a direct contribution to Westport House or town, she did live there alongside her husband whom she supported in all of his endeavors: she even got a small town named in her honor. She was a devoted mother to her son Howe Peter who in turn adored his mother.