The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
1775-1776, he served as a Private in the company of Captain Silas Howell in New Jersey’s First Regiment for 12 months, commanded by Lord Sterling,
1776-1777, promoted to the rank of Ensign.
1777-1780, commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the same Regiment
1781-1783, commissioned as Captain in the same Regiment.
Additional References:
Revolutionary WarPension file W666
Spouse: Eleanor Seely Children: Francis Barber; Seely Jesup; Jane W; Susan D;
Members Who Share This Ancestor
None*
*This means that the NSSAR has no applications for this Patriot on file.
Instead the information provided is best effort, and from volunteers who have either researched grave sites, service records, or something similar. There is no documentation available at NSSAR HQ to order.
Originally buried in Ohio County, Kentucky. Grave was moved by the Legislature in 1874 to the State Cemetery in Frankfort, and a new monument was placed at that time.
Dates on Find-a-Grave different
photo used with permission of Compatriot Mitchell Anderson, 229001, KYSSAR
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
Photo: 1 of 1 (gps: 38.192847222222,-84.864608333333 Direction: 244°)
Author: Mitchell Brandon Anderson
John Howell was born on 23 September 1756 in Morristown, New Jersey.1,2
John achieved the ranks of Ensign and Captain, and he served under Captains Howell, Conway, and Forman under the commands of William Alexander, also known as Lord Sterling, and Colonel Matthias Ogden.1
John applied for a pension in Ohio County, Kentucky, and he stated the following information in open court regarding his Revolutionary War service. In 1775, he entered the service under Captain Silas Howell in New Jersey’s First Regiment for 12 months, with Lord Sterling taking command in 1776, and then the regiment made its way to Canada. In 1776, when his term of 12 months was nearing expiration, he was promoted to the rank of Ensign. He was commissioned to 2nd Lieutenant in the same regiment on 01 February 1777 and served until 01 August 1780. In October 1781, he was promoted to Captain in the same Regiment until March 1783, when his unit was reduced. In 1782, he stated that he was dismissed from service due to dues from the public. He was a Juror Captain at this time and was never called to service again during the Revolutionary War.3
He states he was in Canada campaign in 1776, he engaged in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown in 1777, the battle of Monmouth Courthouse in 1778, detached in various battles against the Indians on the waters of Lake Ontario in 1779, with the main army in 1780, with Lafayette and at Cornwallis’ surrender in 1781, and he commanded the Eight New Jersey Regiment in 1782.3
John married Eleanor “Nelly” Seely on 7 December 1793 in Chatham Township, Morris County, New Jersey. Eleanor was born on 3 July 1774 and died on 23 March 1855. [locations not recorded].2,3 They had the following known children:
Francis Barber was born in 1796 and married Clarissa Bell.2
Seely/Seeley Jessup was born in 1803 and married Margaret Dunn.2
Jane Williamson was born on 24 September 1794 and is thought to have married John Ford.4
Susan Day was born on 12 June 1801 and married Luther Bruen.4
John’s pension lists him as a Chatham Township, Morris County, New Jersey resident on 07 December 1793.3 He is listed on the Hardin County, Kentucky Tax List for the year 1795.5 Hardin County formed Ohio County, Kentucky, in 1798, and John is listed on the Ohio County 1799 Tax List.6
He died on 18 September 1830 in Hartford, Kentucky.1 He is buried in the Frankfort Cemetery in Franklin County, Kentucky. The inscription on his gravestone reads, “A gallant soldier of the Revolution. served through the war. an officer in the First Jersey Regiment. was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and Yorktown.”7
John made his Last Will and Testament on 26 July 1830 in Ohio County, Kentucky. In it, he names his heirs as his sons, Selly J. Howell and Francis B Howell. He also names his daughters Jane W. Howell and Susan D. Howell. There is no reference to a wife or other family. The Will was proven in court on 1 November 1830.
Eleanor was granted a widow’s pension on her application on 4 October 1844 while a Chatham Township, Morris County, New Jersey resident. The pension file mentions that Eleanor’s father is Colonel Sylvanis Seeley and is on the NSSAR (P-286874) and the NSDAR (A101577).8,9
Sources:
NSDAR Ancestor #: A058537
Pension W666
Ohio County, Kentucky Wills Volume B, 1824-41, pages 57-58
Hardin County, Kentucky 1795 Tax List, Page 3
Ohio County, Kentucky 1799 Tax List, Page 10
Find-a-Grave Memorial ID: 117305060, Cemetery ID: 169757
NSSAR Patriot #: P-286874
NSDAR Ancestor #: A101577
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