John Howell arrived in Boston in late 1639 in the company of his father. He was about thirteen years old when his family immigrated to NewEngland, and about sixteen years old when they settled at Southampton. On 17 February 1647/8 in Southampton, he was, despite his youth, referred to as Mr. John Howell, when he was given three acres for his home lot. John was chosen a freeman in 1648 and listed as a townsman in 1649 and again in1659. He filled many offices through the years - Corporal of the "bande of soldiers" in 1650, Clerk in 1655, and Secretary of the Qaurter Courtin 1657. As a Captain in 1667, he was attorney with Henry Pierson in a dispute with Southold, and a commissioner for Indian Affairs with Mr.Thomas Baker. In 1661 and 1662, he with others made the "rate for the Cuntry;" in 1664, John was appointed by Governor Nicholl to "collect & gather the several Rates, Fines and Dutyes upon Long Island." He traveled frequently to Hartford, as a deputy to the Court, served as magistrate, was chosen to go to Huntigton to settle a dispute in 1681(but declined to go) to Boston in 1682 to procure a minister, and to Southoldin 1684 to set a county rate. He was a 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 was made part of the province of New York. He served in many civic capacities, justifying the statement of W.S. Pelletreau that "The history of our town boasts no wiser head, or braver heart, than Major John Howell."

In 1687, John was given 11 acres of land "for his expense of time and trouble about the towne business." With John Mulford of east Hampton and John Youngs of Southold, he refused to acknowledge the authority of the Governor of New York, preferring Connecticut. Nine years later, in the brief return of the Dutch to New York, Captain John Howell led a contingent to the defense of Southold in February 1674 (after an engagement, the Dutch withdrew).

John was listed as Major in a drawing of lots. In 1680, he was paid 25 pounds 10 shillings for various expenses by Captain John Young, High Sheriff of Yorkshire. In 1687, when the French threatened the area, the militia was put in readiness, with Major John Howell and Captain Joseph Fordham in command. John Howell and Henry Pierson witnessed the will of Thurston Raynor, Southampton, on 6 July1667. In the will Thurston Raynor requested "my dear friends, namely my brother-in-law Samuel Clarke and my cousin Mr. John Howell to be overseers of my will." Jonas Bower of Southampton in his will dated 13 November 1670 makes "my cousin John Howell, Richard Post and John Jessupexecutors," the will witnessed by John Howell and John Jessup. The relationship between John Howell and Jonar Bower has not yet been determined. John Howell, John Youngs and Henry Pierson witnessed a family agreement concerning the estate of Robert Fordham on 26 November 1674. "The deposition of Captain John Howell, aged about forty-eight years, being deposed saith, that three or four days before Mr. Robert Fordham died, being sent for to Mr. Robert Fordham's house, he went into Mr.Fordham's new room. Mr. Fordham lay sick upon yee bed, this deponent asking him how he did. Mr. Fordham answered he was ill. The deponent there upon moved him to set his house in order, and used some arguments to persuade him." John Howell was witness, executor, and made inventories of many wills and estates, starting with the first one on record, that of William Ludlam of Southampton in 1665, to that of Anthony Ludlam in 1682. He was commissioned Justice of Suffolk County in 1689, and is so listed in 1693. John was justice of Southampton in 1687. In the 1683 Rate, he was listed as Captain at 442 pounds, ten shillings. Major John Howell "being diseased in body" made his will "at Southampton in ye county of Suffolk & Province of New York" on 3 April 1693, which devised:

"Land to grandsons John, Stephen and Henry, sons of deceased son John; land at Southampton west of the great plain and at Middletown, Connecticut to second son Matthew; land at Wukapogue and Shinacocke to third son Abraham; land at Wukapogue and Sinacocke to fourth son Ephraime; land at Saggabonnet, Smiths meadow, Hogneck and Potunke and atMiddletown, Connecticut to fifth son Theophilus; my now dwelling house, land at Wukapogue, at the little plain, and at Occoboague; one hundred pounds each to eldest daughter Susannah Pierson, second daughter Prudence Howell and third daughter Abigail Halsy; twenty pounds to granddaughter Susannah Howell 'now with me;' one third of all moveables goods & chattels to wife Susannah and one third of all lands and 'my now dwelling house & garden' during her life, with wife Susannah and second son Matthew as joint executors.

The Will, Major John Howell of Southampton, dated 3 April 1693, devised:

"Unto my second son Matthew all ye close at ye head of ye creek Westwardof ye great plain whereof he now possesses ye one half as also one hundred & fiftieth allotment which I had in Ogdens Neck which he has now changed & laid in Quagua Neck as also one half of that land bought of John Kerby near or at Middletown in Connecticut with his brother Theophilus ye other half as also my twenty acres more or less at Scuttlehole as also two acres of land in ye yen acre lots in ye plain as also a fiftieth of Southampton commonage as also all lands I formerlygave him & meadows he now possesses all which I do give & grant unto him to have & to hold him & his heirs forever."

The gravestone of John Howell at Southend Burying Ground, Southampton,was inscribed:
1696
Here Lies the Body of Major John Howel deceased November 3 Aged 71 and bore the Howell coat of arms.
"He was a man of distinction and one who more than any of his contemporaries in Southampton was entrusted with the management of public business, especially in its graver relations with New England and the colonial government of New York."