274J A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



1793 ; 4th, Lord Henry Leveson, d. June 17, 1804 ; 5th, Lady 

 Elizabeth, b. Nov. 8, 1797 ; and 6th, Lord Francis, b. Jan. 1, 1800. 



This family is of considerable antiquity in the county of York. 

 Sir Alan Gower, of Sittenham, at the time of the Norman Conquest, 

 was Sheriff of Yorkshire (1066), and from him in a direct line the 

 family have continued their seat at Sittenham to the present time. 



In 1257 was living Sir Walter, the father of Sir Robert de Guer, 

 living in 1289 and 1293, about which time probably the name began 

 to be differently written ; for in 28th Edward I. Sir John Gower 

 was one of those persons of note summoned to be at Carlisle to 

 march against the Scots ; and the year after he had summons to be 

 at Berwick with horse and arms on the same account. In 1313 

 Lawrence Gower had the King's pardon for being concerned with 

 Thomas Earl of Lancaster in the murder of Piers Gaveston Earl 

 of Cornwall, the great favourite of Edward II. at Blacklow-hill, 

 co. Warwick, June 19, 1312. 



Sir John Leveson Gower, 5th Baronet, was created Baron Gower 

 March 16, 1703, in. Catherine, eldest daughter of John 1st Duke 

 of Rutland, and had by her four sons and two daughters. John, the 

 eldest son, was by George II. July 8, 1746, advanced to the dignity 

 of Viscount Trentham and Earl Gower; he m. 1st, March 18, 1712, 

 Evelyn, youngest daughter of Evelyn Duke of Kingston, and by 

 her had four sons, viz. John, who d. July 15, 1723; William, who 

 d. April 4, 1739 ; Granville (the 1st Marquis) ; and Richard, who 

 d. Oct. 19, 1753; also seven daughters. His Lady dying June 

 27, 1727, his Lordship m. on Oct. 31, 1733, secondly, Penelope, 

 daughter of Sir John Stonehouse, Bart, by whom he had a daughter 

 Penelope, who d. in 1741, and her mother dying in the same year, 

 his Lordship m. thirdly, the Lady Mary, daughter and co-heir of 

 Thomas Tufton Earl of Thanet, by whom he had a daughter and 

 three sons, 1st, Thomas, who was b. Aug. 23, 1738, and d. when 

 about two years old ; 2d, John Leveson, b. in 1743, appointed a 

 Captain in the Navy June 30, 1763, and an Admiral in 1787. He 

 distinguished himself while he commanded the Quebec in the former 

 war, and during the last while he commanded the Valiant ; also 

 while he was first Captain of Lord Howe's ship at the relief of Gi- 

 braltar in 1782. In 1785 he hoisted his broad pennant on board 

 the Hebe frigate, and sailed round the coast of Great Britain and 

 Ireland, having on board his Royal Highness Prince William Henry 

 (Duke of Clarence), who served as Lieutenant on board the ship. 

 In 1788 he commanded a squadron of observation in the Channel. 



