Samuel Howell (1723 - 1807)

Born 11 Mar 1723 in Marcus Hook, Delaware, Pennsylvania

Husband of Sarah (Stretch) Howell — married 12 Dec 1745 in Friends’ Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died 9 Dec 1807 at age 84 in Tacony, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Samuel Howell (March 11, 1723 – December 9, 1807) was a Quaker who became a prominent merchant in colonial Philadelphia and a leading patriot, proponent, leader and financier for American independence.

Howell was a signer of the historic Resolution of Non-Importation Made by the Citizens of Philadelphia, October 25, 1765, and one of the prominent merchants selected to solicit other signers and to see that the agreement was put into effect.

He served as chairman of the Philadelphia Committee of Safety and member of the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, discharging executive duties of the state government during the Revolution. Two days after his appointment, the Convention adopted the Declaration of Independence.

Howell gave his family's silver to make the first U. S. Currency.

Samuel Howell became a contributor to Pennsylvania Hospital in 1754, was one of its Board of Managers, 1784-9, and President of the Board 1786-9. In 1757 Samuel Howell was a signer of Pennsylvania colonial currency. Notes totaling ₤45,000 were authorized March 10, 1757, a total of 72,825 notes, to be signed by any three of twenty-four signers, one of who was Samuel Howell. In 1788 Howell was one of the port wardens of Philadelphia, and on March 19, 1791, was appointed by President George Washington as a Commissioner of the Bank of the United States.

Howell became a member of the Schuylkill Fishing Company, member No. 133 elected May 1, 1769. His father-in-law's brother, Thomas Stretch, was the founding Governor, member No. 1 elected May 1, 1732; father-in-law Joseph Stretch was member No. 14, elected May 1, 1732, son-in-law Peter Stretch II (1746-1793), member No. 128 elected May 1, 1769; and Samuel Howell's son, Samuel, Jr., member No. 150 elected March 10, 1784.

He possessed a large landed and personal estate, the latter alone, as shown by the account of his executors, amounting to over $284,000. In today’s terms this sum indicates a wealth of $8.1 billion, excluding the value of massive land holdings.

Sources

• Wikipedia biography of Samuel Howell.
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/135519010/samuel-howell