John Howell was born at Westbury manor Burckinghamshire, England and baptized at Marsh Gibbon in the same area. He was 13 years old when he and his family migrated to New England and 16 years when they went to Southampton. In 1647 despite his youth he was listed as Mr. John Howell and was given 3 acres for his home lot. In 1648 he was listed as a freeman and listed as a townsman in 1640 and again in 1659. He filled many offices through the years. He served as a corporal of a band of soldiers in 1650 and as a captain in 1667. He was with Henry Pierson in a dispute with Southold, and was commissioner for Indian affairs with Mr. Thomas Baker. In 1661 and 1662 he and some others set the rate for the country, and in 1664, he was instructed by Governor Nicholl to gather all the fines, taxes, rates and duties on Long Island. He often traveled to Hartford as deputy to the court and as a magistrate. In 1681 he was chosen to go to Huntington to settle a dispute; in 1682 he went to Boston to get a minister; and in 1684 he went to Southold to set a country rate. He was deputy with Thomas Topping for Southampton to a general meeting of Long Island communities at Hempstead in 1665 to protest the annulment of former grants, treaties and charters when Long Island became a part of the Province of New York. He served in many civil jobs making the statement of W. S. Pelletreau that:The history of our town boasts no wiser head nor braver heart than Major John HowellIn 1687 he was given 11 acres of land for his expense of "time and trouble and about the town business". With John Mulford of East Hampton and John Youngs of Southold he refused to acknowledge the Governor of New York, preferring Connecticut. Nine years later, during the short return of the Dutch to New York, Captain John Howell led a part of the defense of Southold in February 1674. (After an engagement, the Dutch left). He was listed as a major after a drawing of lots. In 1680 he was paid 25 pounds and 10 shillings for the expenses of Captain John Young, high Captain of Yorkshire. In 1687 when the French threatened the area, the militia was put into action and he and Captain John Fordham were placed in command. He was mentioned in a will by his cousin Thurston Raynor dated 13 November 1670. Throughout his life he was also an executioner, witness and record. In 1689 he became the Justice of Suffolk County and also became the justice of Southampton in 1683. John Howell was a great man and like his Father was one of the leading men not just of Southampton but also of Long Island. As he was dying he signed his will ( by which my ancestor Abraham, John Howell's son, received land at Wikapouge and Shinacocke) and on the 3 April 1693, he died.