Notes for Thomas Howell, Jr.




			The Ancestors of H A R R Y F E R G U S O N J O H N S O N of North Carolina

Notes for Thomas Howell, Jr.

Census:
1861, RG 9/1339, Creekmoor, Longfleet, Canford, Dorset, p 26A, #79, "Thomas (Howell)," age 7, scholar, b Dorset, Canford.
1880, Newark, Essex Co., New Jersey, ED 55, p 189A, #63/67, "Thomas Howell," age 27, tailor, b England, parents b England.
1900, Temperance Dist., Amherst Co., VA, ED 14, p 196B, #193/194, age 47, b May 1853.
1910, Temperance District, Amherst Co., VA, ED 17, p 166B, #32/33, age 57.
1920, Temperance District, Amherst Co., VA, ED 19, p 182A, #162/165, age 66.

Thomas Howell was born in Dorset, England. He immigrated some time between 1871 and 1872. Thomas lived first in New Jersey. He returned to Liverpool, England to marry his childhood sweetheart, Alice Allen, and brought her to America. In 1880, Thomas Howell was employed as a tailor in Newark, New Jersey. His brothers William and John were also employed as tailors, but only John remained in the trade.

Thomas Howell became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America.

In 1891, Thomas Howell was listed in the Newark, New Jersey City Directory as a merchant tailor at 129 Lincoln Avenue. The 1880 census schedule listed the address of his mother as 192 Lincoln Avenue in Newark.

Thomas Howell Jr. bought Athlone Farm in Amherst, Virginia on 29 November 1893 from John J. Dupuy. Howell retired as a merchant tailor to become a "gentleman farmer" and moved his family from Newark, NJ, to Athlone. He refurbished the house, repaired out-buildings and built new barns. [Mrs. Meghan Wallace, Director, Amherst County Museum, Amherst, Virginia, January 17, 2003] William Howell, his brother, relocated from New Jersey in order to help refurbish the farm and build new out-buildings, but he returned to his own farm in New Jersey once the work was finished. He remained close to his brother Thomas and returned often for visits.

Among many books belonging to Thomas Howell in my collection, is one titled "Book of Familiar Quotations," and inscribed "Thomas Howell Christmas 1875 -- St. John's Church." I do not know the location of this church, nor do I know whether the Thomas mentioned was junior or senior. The Howell family had many books. One has the inscription "Presented to Thomas Howell by St. Johns Sunday School, Woodside, Christmas 1876."

Later in life, Thomas Howell became an Episcopal minister.

Obituary -
Rev. Thomas Howell Killed by Automobile
     Staunton, Oct. 29 - Conducted by the bishop of the diocese of southwest Virginia the Right Rev. Robert C. Jett, of Roanoke, assisted by Rev. J. Lewis Gibbs, of this city, funeral services were held this afternoon at 5 o'clock from the church he served, St. John's in Waynesboro, for the Rev. Thomas Howell, who was instantly killed when struck by an automobile about dusk yesterday. The body was taken to Amherst for burial.
     Mr. Howell's home was at New Glasgow. He held two services each month at the Waynesboro church and had arrived last night to fill his appointment tomorrow. He was on his way to the home of a parishioner when hit by the auto driven by Alex Bush, son of John Bush, of Basic. A coroner's jury exonerated the driver, whose evidence showed he was not exceeding the speed limit. Bush testified that he was blinded by the lights of an approaching automobile.
     Mr. Howell's remains were brought to Amherst and interred in the Amherst Cemetery, on Sunday, the burial services being conducted by Rev. T. D. Lewis, Rector of Ascension Church.

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Page updated on 05 April 2009