1. Samuel Howell was a hat manufacturer, that being one of the chief industries of the colonial period. His shop, with the sign of The Beaver, was situated on Chestnut Street. The following advertisement appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette of October 18, 1753:
Just imported in the London, Capt. Shirley, from London, and to be sold by SAMUEL HOWELL.
At the sign of The Beaver, in Chestnut Street, Ozenbrigs, cotton and linen checks, 16d. and 20d. nails, powder and shot, Irish linen, a good assortment of silk handkerchiefs, Cumberland and Scots linen ditto, black ell wd. and half yd. Persian, black velvet, a good assortment of cambricks and lawns, in pieces and patches, long lawns, 7 8th garlix, dark and light ground calico, two colours and blue ditto, stampt cottons, writing paper, French verdigrease, shalloons, Brussels, camblets, cloth colour, blue, green and black calimancoes, worsted damask, etc. [48]

2. Samuel Howell was one of the leaders of the commercial world of Philadelphia in his day, and was extensively engaged in merchandising. He was one among those who signed the Non-Importation Agreement of October 25, 1765. He was chosen a member of the Common Council of Philadelphia, a Deputy to the Provincial Conference, a member of the Committee of Safety. In spite of his religious convictions, as a Quaker, against armed resistance, he continued to envince his sympathy with the contest for national independence throughout his life. [48]