1. “John Howell, the progenitor and founder of one of the prominent branches of the Howell family under consideration in America, whose names are mentioned in the genealogical record of this volume, was a native of the ancient walled city of Aberysthwyth, Gardiganshire, a province of Wales. He emigrated to America in 1697, accompanied by his three children, two sons and a daughter. Jacob, Evan, and Sarah Howell, and settled near the center of Philadelphia, in the province of Pennsylvania, where he continued to resided until his death, January 26, 1721. His remains were interred in the Quakers’ burial ground at the southeast corner of Fourth and Arch streets, Philadelphia, both the father and children having been identified with the Society of Friends prior to their removal to Pennsylvania, and throughout their residence there. He left no will, and letters of administration were granted on his estate 21 June 1721, to his son, Evan Howell, of Chester County, Pennsylvania. He was a mason by trade and probably followed that occupation while in Philadelphia. The name of John Howell’s wife has not come down to us. As far as we know she died prior to the emigration of her husband to America, as we find no mention of her in the records of the family. John, with his three children in the Quaker settlement on the Delaware {River}, established fifteen or sixteen years previously by the most celebrated of George Fox’s disciples, William Penn.” [48]