Richard Howell | |
|---|---|
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| 3rd Governor of New Jersey | |
| In office June 3, 1793 – October 31, 1801 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Henderson (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Bloomfield |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1754-10-25)October 25, 1754 |
| Died | April 28, 1802(1802-04-28) (aged 47) Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Spouse | Keziah Burr Howell |
Richard Howell (October 25, 1754 – April 28, 1802) was the thirdgovernor of New Jersey from 1793 to 1801.
Howell was born inNewark, in theColony of Delaware, and was a descendant of aVirginian old colonist family. He was a lawyer and soldier of the earlyUnited States Army. He served as captain and later major of the2nd New Jersey Regiment from 1775 to 1779. Richard was a twin, his twin brother was Lewis Howell. Lewis was a physician for the 2nd New Jersey Regiment and died during the Revolutionary War.

At the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, Howell was admitted as an original member of TheSociety of the Cincinnati in the state of New Jersey.[1][2][3]
Richard was offered the role ofjudge advocate of the army, but turned down the appointment to practice law. He was clerk of theNew Jersey Supreme Court from 1778 to June 3, 1793. He succeededThomas Henderson as Governor and served until 1801. Replaced as Governor byJoseph Bloomfield, Howell died the following year. He was the grandfather ofVarina Howell, the second wife of Confederate PresidentJefferson Davis.[4]
Howell died inTrenton, New Jersey, on April 28, 1802, and was buried in that city'sFriends Burying Ground.[5]Howell Township inMonmouth County is named in his honor.[6][7]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Thomas Henderson Acting Governor | Governor of New Jersey June 3, 1793 – October 31, 1801 | Succeeded by |