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.¹ 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.¹ Lewis Howell was a participant in the Greenwich Tea Burning.² Dr. Howell served as Surgeon for the 2nd New Jersey Regiment.³

Lewis studied medicine under Dr. Jonathan Elmer in Newark, Delaware, at the same time his future regimental colleague Ebenezer Elmer was a student there. Having completed his studies, he was commissioned as Surgeon of the 2nd Regiment in 1777, with Ebenezer Elmer commissioned alongside him as Surgeon’s Mate.⁴