Monument In Garden Of Howard'S House

The monument in the garden of Howard's House is a garden monument erected in 1812 by Samuel Whitbread. It commemorates the laying out of the gardens in 1762 by John Howard and his gardener Joshua Crockford. The monument features a stone vase on a pedestal, which has a rather worn inscription on the south side.

The inscription reads:

"This Garden was formed, the Root House built, and the Trees which overshadow & adorn them were planted in the Year 1762 by John Howard the Philanthropist who lived for many years in this Retirement before his virtuous Energies were called into Action; and he quitted it to become the Benefactor of Mankind.

To this spot he eagerly returned to pass the intervals between those labours which ended in his death & thus insured to him a guileless and imperishable fame.

Joshua Crockford, whose hands put the Seedlings in the Earth under his Master's Eye, has spent the intervening years in constantly watching and assisting their growth; Exhibiting in this, his narrow circle, a model of Sobriety, Industry & (Neatness?). He still lives, in his 80th Year, faithful to his duties, and strong (to?) fulfill them, contented in his station, pleased with his charge, and full of the remembrance of his beloved Master.

S.W. August 10th 1812"