The best guess I've seen so far for the wife of John Howell (abt. 1753-1808) is Sarah Gwin, daughter of Mordecai. Mordecai's will mentions a daughter Sarah, but I have no hard proof yet. I do know that the descendants of John Howell certainly were intertwined with the descendants of Rev. James Gwin, another probable child of Mordecai. Here's what I see: Networked family relationships: A. Nelsons, Howells & Gwins all lived in the same area in NC (and later in Rutherford Co. TN area). B. Sarah Gwin is, so far, the best guess for John Howell's wife. C. John Howell & Sarah Gwin begat Nancy Howell who married Thomas Nelson about 1790. D. Thomas & Nancy had a son John b. in 1793. John had two daughters who were wives of Andrew J. Donelson (Sarah & Catherine). John had another daughter, Louisa, who married Nathaniel Perry and livedin Yazoo Co. MS. Their daughter Sarah, married Flavillus Goode in Houma, LA. Their daughter, Loulie Lea Goode, married Claiborne Alexander DuVal, who was the grandson of Alexander DuVal and Margaret Gwin (dau. of Rev. James). E. Thomas & Nancy had a daughter Sarah who married James Crichlow in Rutherford Co. TN in 1817. Their daughter Sarah married Alexander M. Gwin (son of Rev. James) in 1853 in Rutherford Co. TN. Their son Samuel Pleasant Crichlow married Annie Louise Donelson, dau. of A.J. Donelson & Catherine Nelson. Their daughter Nancy Elizabeth married John Johnston Lawing and had a son Sam Nelson Lawing who married Lizzie Donelson, dau. of A.J. Donelson & Sarah Nelson. F. There was a continuing connection between these families in TN, MS and later LA. They returned to TN for marriage or burial on occasion. G. At least one of the plantations owned & operated by John Nelson & son in law A.J. Donelson was previously owned by the New Orleans bank consortium led by (later Senator) William M. Gwin. The Nelsons tracked with the Gwins quite well: NC>TN>MS>LA. H. The Andrew Jackson connection: AJ was William M. Gwin's political sponsor, friend of father Rev. James Gwin, and uncle to John Nelson's son in law A.J. Donelson (this A.J. Donelson is not the famous one who was active in politics). Again, none of this is proof, but the families were certiainly connected in a wide number of ways. Richard Heyduck