Richard Howell#
1754 – 1802#
Major in the 2nd New Jersey Brigade of the Continental Army (1776–1779) Governor of New Jersey (1793–1801)
Governor Richard Howell — age 45
This website was created for the sole purpose of publishing the best information available on Richard Bond Howell and his family. As a soldier and later Governor, Richard played a pivotal role during the American Revolution and the birth of a new nation. His significant roles, contributions, and sacrifices during this remarkable period in American history are noteworthy.
He was an intelligence officer entrusted by General Washington to gather vital British troop movement information and report directly to the General. Richard Howell served as Brigade Major in General Maxwell’s NJ Brigade at various skirmishes throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth Courthouse.
He was a statesman — elected as one of two delegates from Gloucester County, New Jersey, to ratify the United States Constitution.
He was a poet. He wrote patriotic songs, one of which was sung for General Washington at a reception in Trenton, New Jersey, as Washington made his way from Mount Vernon to New York City for his inauguration as the first President of the United States.
As Governor and Commander in Chief of New Jersey, Richard Howell led the “Jersey Blues” in the Whiskey Rebellion.
He is one of America’s often overlooked, unsung heroes.
New Jersey State House, circa 1806
Early Life & Family#
| Born | October 25, 1754 — Newark, New Castle County, Delaware |
| Father | Ebenezer Howell |
| Mother | Sarah S. (Bond) Howell |
| Brother | Dr. Lewis B. Howell |
| Wife | Keziah (Burr) Howell — married 1779, New Jersey |
| Died | April 28, 1802 — Trenton, New Jersey |
Children#
| Name | Born | Died |
|---|---|---|
| Charles B. Howell | 1780 | 1823 |
| Mary Ann Howell | 1782 | 1863 |
| Sarah B. (Howell) Agnew | 1783 | 1863 |
| Beulah B. (Howell) Glaser | 1785 | — |
| Maria B. Howell | 1790 | 1876 |
| Richard L. Howell | 1794 | 1841 |
| Joseph B. Howell | 1794 | 1874 |
| William B. Howell | 1796 | 1863 |
| Franklin B. Howell | 1798 | 1815 |
Explore This Site#
| Section | Contents |
|---|---|
| Biography | Richard Howell’s military career, governorship, and legacy |
| Timelines | Pre-war, Revolutionary War, and post-war chronologies |
| Letters | Primary source correspondence — letters to and from Richard Howell |
| Historical Events | The Greenwich Tea Burning, 2nd NJ Regiment, and more |
| Family | Howell family history and genealogy |
| People | Key figures — Dr. Lewis Howell, Varina Howell Davis, and others |
| Resources | Maps, documents, homestead, and research materials |
About This Site#
This website is maintained by Richard Howell’s 5th Great Grandsons, who have been researching the Howell family for over ten years. The goal is to gather and preserve the best available information on Richard Bond Howell and his descendants — many of whom are distinguished in their own right.
If you have information that may help uncover details about Richard’s life or family, we would love to hear from you. Please visit the Contact Us page.
Content licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 by William Henderson.