Howell Homestead as it looked in 2010

Ebenezer Howell, Richard Howell’s father, removed from Newark, Delaware in 1769 and 4 years later built this house. Richard and his twin brother Lewis were 19 years old when they moved into the house.

At the time of the homestead survey there were initials “RH 1773” and “LH” carved next to the rear doorway. A year later after moving into this house on December 22, 1774, Richard and Lewis Howell participated in the Greenwich Tea Burning. They used their father’s house as a staging area to gather with other tea burners to plan their night’s activities.

Dr. Lewis Howell (1754–1778)

Surgeon for the 2nd New Jersey Battalion

Dr. Lewis Howell was the twin brother of Richard Howell. Lewis Howell was a participant in the Greenwich Tea Party. Dr. Howell was the Surgeon for the 2nd New Jersey Regiment from December 1774 until his death on 5 June 1778.

Dr. Howell inoculated his regiment by pulling a thread infected with the small pox virus through the skin with a needle. During the bitter winter at Valley Forge he purchased blankets with his own money for the men in his regiment. With the assistance of his Surgeon’s mate, Ebenezer Elmer, he performed amputations, musket ball extractions, sutured wounds, tended the sick and administered countless other medical procedures.