Peggy Chew Howard

Peggy Chew Howard (December 16, 1760 – May 29, 1824) was the First Lady of the 5th Governor of Maryland, John Eager Howard. Early life Margaret "Peggy" Oswald Chew was born on December 16, 1760, at Cliveden, the Chew family estate, in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Elizabeth (née Oswald) and Benjamin Chew, Pennsylvania Attorney General and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. She grew up in the high society of early 18th-century Philadelphia, and her siblings and her were treated by General George Washington as "if they were his own children". Personal life Chew was pursued by a number of suitors, including Major John André. He courted her by inviting her as his escort to The Mischianza, a fête on May 18, 1778, that he helped plan in honor of Sir William Howe. Also, in attendance at The Mischianza was her friend and the later wife of Benedict Arnold, Peggy Shippen. André presented Peggy Chew with a souvenir manuscript of the evening and poetry upon his departure from Philadelphia. He was later found guilty of spying alongside Benedict Arnold and he was hanged on October 2, 1780. Peggy Shippen would use the letters sent by Peggy Chew to André to "interline" secret messages in invisible ink that could be read by André in British-occupied New York City. Chew then met John Eager Howard at her home during a battle of the Revolutionary War. He was wounded during the Battle of Eutaw Springs and sent letters via his physician, Dr. Craik, to woo her into engagement. In May 1787, she married John Eager Howard. George Washington took note of the ceremony and reception in his diary.