Description
London Pitt Club, Members Medal, silver gilt, Benjamin Howard Esqr.
Engraved on the reverse: “BENJN HOWARD ESQr”
Scarce, these badges date to early 1800s, tiny chip to nose of the portrait.
The exclusive “London Pitt Club” was first founded in 1793, in support of Prime Minister William Pitt the younger, in an attempt to counteract the principles which were emanating from Revolutionary France at the time. being reformed in 1808 not long after the death of William Pitt to spread his beliefs.
The 1828 May Dinner, was attended by “300 Noblemen and Gentlemen of the highest respectability”, most of the members being wealthy men from London and high ranking members of the Tory Party.
A “Benjamin Howard Esq” born in 1764 and a wealthy individual in London can be found during this period of the 1810s, subscribing to various charitable causes, including in 1816 being a Steward of the “Caledonian Asylum” being one of the few Stewards to not be a “Honourable” “Lord” “Duke” or Viscount etc. He also subscribed to the Highland Society.
He would rub shoulders with the high society of the day, Their 1816 Anniversary being attended by him, with His Royal Higness the Duke of York and Albany at the head of the table, along with the Duke of Kent, Duke of Buccleigh, Athol, Montroke, Duke of Wellington, The Marquis of Tweedale amongst others.
He looks to have died shortly afterwards on 18th March 1817 aged 53, the 1817 issue of the Gentleman’s Magazine recalls in their obits section that: “In Lawrence Poutney Lane, Benjamin Howard Esq.”
He was certainly not short of money as he was buried in a Vault in St Martins in the Fields, where his mother was buried.
His rather lovely home being liquidated during July 1817 the inventory recalling:
“Lawrence Pountney Lane, Cannon Street, Household Furniture, China, Cut Glass, Printed Books, and Cellars of Superior Old Wine, cosisting of Madeira, Claret, and upwards of 150 Dozen of fine Port &c by Mr Adams.
On the Premises, 24, Lawrence Puntney Lane, this and the following day at 11, by Order of the Executors of the late Benjamin Howard Esq.
The excellent Household Furniture, consisting of dining room and bed room furniture, a library bookcase of superior workmanship, sideboard, a set of dining tables, Turkey and Brussels carpets, pier and chimney glasses, pints and drawings, an eight day clock & c. Among the books are Rees’s Encyclopedia, Pope’s Swift’s and Smollett’s Works, Elegant Extracts and & c. May be viewed, and Catalogues had for 6d each on the Premises and that of Mr Adams, No 122, the Corner of John. Street, Minories.”
