April 1779 — New Jersey#

Richard Howell Resigns His Commission After three years of active service — including the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth, and covert intelligence operations for General Washington — Richard Howell resigns his commission from the 2nd New Jersey Regiment.

January 11, 1780 — Morris Town, NJ#

Board of War Secret Intelligence Mission Despite having resigned his commission, Richard Howell continues to serve the American cause. A document from Washington’s headquarters at Morristown records that Howell has been employed by the Board of War on a “Plan of Intelligence.” His intelligence work outlasts his formal military service. See: Revolutionary War Correspondence.

c. 1779–1780 — New Jersey#

Marriage to Keziah Burr Richard Howell marries Keziah Burr, a Quaker woman from New Jersey. His October 1778 letter to Colonel Shreve had referenced the relationship and the opposition of her Quaker parents to the match. The couple will have nine children together. See: Letter to Shreve, October 1778.

1780–1793 — New Jersey#

Legal Career and Political Rise In the years following the war, Richard Howell practices law in New Jersey and builds a political career. He remains active in public life, establishing himself as a Federalist leader in the state.

1787 — New Jersey#

Delegate to Ratify the United States Constitution Richard Howell serves as one of two delegates elected from Gloucester County, New Jersey, to the state convention that ratifies the United States Constitution. He is among the men who formally bring New Jersey into the new republic.

1793 — Trenton, New Jersey#

Elected Governor of New Jersey — First Term Richard Howell is elected Governor of New Jersey, becoming the third person to hold that office under the Constitution. He is also Commander in Chief of the New Jersey militia. He will be re-elected annually for six consecutive terms.

1794 — Pennsylvania and New Jersey#

The Whiskey Rebellion — Governor Howell Commands the Jersey Blues President Washington calls on the states to suppress a violent uprising in western Pennsylvania against the federal whiskey excise tax. Governor Howell personally commands New Jersey’s militia contingent — the “Jersey Blues” — marching them west to help put down the rebellion. Washington leads the combined force, the largest army assembled since the Revolution. The rebellion collapses without major battle. Howell’s prompt and capable response demonstrates his continued value as a military commander.

1793–1801 — Trenton, New Jersey#

Six Terms as Governor of New Jersey Richard Howell serves six consecutive annual terms as Governor of New Jersey — one of the longer governorships of the early republic. His tenure spans the turbulent Federalist period, the rise of partisan politics between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, and the early years of the new national government.

1801 — Trenton, New Jersey#

Richard Howell Leaves Office After six terms, Richard Howell steps down as Governor of New Jersey. He is 47 years old.

April 28, 1802 — Trenton, New Jersey#

Death of Richard Howell Richard Bond Howell dies in Trenton, New Jersey, at the age of 47. He is buried at Friends Burying Ground, South Broad Street, Trenton, NJ. His grave marker, if it survives, has not yet been located and photographed.

He leaves behind his wife Keziah, nine children, and a legacy as soldier, spy, statesman, poet, and Governor — one of America’s unsung founders.