24 Facts About Samuel Howell

Samuel Howell was an American Quaker who became a prominent merchant in colonial Philadelphia and a leading patriot, proponent, leader and financier for American independence.

When Samuel Howell married Sarah Stretch in 1745, he was a hatter, but became a merchant and importer, and rose to prominence becoming one of the leading and wealthiest merchants of his time.

Samuel Howell was drawn into the political life of pre-Revolutionary Philadelphia.

Samuel Howell 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.

Samuel Howell gave his family's silver to make the first US currency.

In 1757 Samuel Howell was a signer of Pennsylvania colonial currency.

Samuel Howell possessed a large landed and personal estate, the latter alone, as shown by the account of his executors, amounting to over $284,000.

Samuel Howell, the son of Thomas Howell and Rachel Clayton, was born at Marcus Hook, Chichester, Chester County, Pennsylvania, March 11,1723, and died at Tacony, Pennsylvania December 9,1807.

Samuel Howell represented Gloucester County in the West Jersey Assembly in 1683 and 1685, at the time he acquired lands in West Jersey.

Misinformation based on an erroneous family genealogy confuses Samuel Howell, "the Merchant", who was a Member of the Committee of Safety and Signer of the 1765 Non-importation Agreement, the son of Thomas Howell and Rachel Clayton, with another Samuel Howell, son of Jacob Howell and Sarah Vernon.

Samuel Howell died eleven years before President Washington bestowed a Commission to Samuel Howell, the financier and merchant, as a Commissioner of the United States Bank.

Samuel Howell was instructed in that of hatter, but early in life abandoned this calling to engage in mercantile pursuits.

Samuel Howell removed to Philadelphia, where he established himself as an importer and merchant, and rose to prominence, becoming one of the leading and wealthiest merchants of his time.

Samuel Howell opened a mercantile business located at Strawberry Alley and Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, at the "Sign of the Beaver" involved in importing goods, providing transportation to Europe by sea and other activities.

Pennsylvania was the overwhelming choice of German immigrants during the middle half of the eighteenth century and Samuel Howell was active in transporting these immigrants.

Early on, Samuel Howell manifested sympathy for the colonies in their opposition to the exactions and oppressions of the English government, and when the attempt was made to enforce the Stamp Act in Pennsylvania he aligned with those determined to resist its demands.

Samuel Howell was part of the committee responsible for enforcing the Resolution.

Samuel Howell was chosen a member of the Committee on Correspondence, composed of forty-three leading citizens.

Samuel Howell was active in the business of the Council, which was that of raising, arming, and equipping troops, creating a navy, building fortifications, procuring the munitions of war, etc.

Mr Samuel Howell informing this Board that he has a considerable quantity of Sea Coal in the Island of Jamaica,.

Resolved, that Samuel Howell be joined to Robert Morris, Thomas Wharton, jun'r.

In 1781, as a Director of the Bank of North America, Samuel Howell was called upon to save the country's finances.

Samuel Howell transferred his Property to the House of Hopes in Amsterdam at the beginning of the American Revolution.

Samuel Howell was one of three commissioners chosen by George Washington for the taking of subscriptions for this new bank.