Been on vacation, hope I'm not too late. Theory but Unproved: James Howell / early 1700s /early Tyrell Co. NC > Jethro Howell /abt 1725 - d. 1790/ Martin Co > James Howell / mid 1700s / early Tyrell- Martin Co > Brick wall and Question: an early researcher of this line claimed to have seen a will for James, son of Jethro naming Whitney, James, Kisiah/Keziah and several "unnamed" daughters in will. I have never been able to find Whitney in reference to that will .... only real indication of Whitney's relationship to Jethro/James is his proximity to them in Martin Co. Jethro left James a portion of his plantation -- purchased from Williams -- which is where Whitney is also indicated to have lived according to the run of surnames and specifics in land/deed in legal papers. Families lived in Martin Co. near border of Edgecombe; Pitt, Beaufort, Halifax, and Bertie counties also all very close -- many overlaps of legal papers. Proven Line: ( * indicates my direct line) * Whitney Howell / b. abt 1775 / d. 1832. M. Sarah Watson (daughter of Jordan Watson and Elizabeth Culpepper, sister to Mary Ann W. Mayo and Elizabeth W. Sherrod). Children were: (1) Levi / b. early 1800 / Halifax or Martin Co./ m. 1832, Doratha Bryant. Children were: John W., Julius Henry Levi, Laura E.(was 2nd marriage to William W. Watts), Amanda D. Howell, Mary J.( married Edmond Hoover of Beaufort Co. in 1877), Celia Ann( married ? Yarrell), a daughter (who married a Williams of the Joseph J. Williams family on a near-by farm). (2) Elizabeth Dorothy Howell, b. 1817 in Halifax, NC -- d. 1849 in Hernando, MS. M. Rueban Staton Manning, Martin Co. NC, moved to Hernando/Desoto Co. MS in 1840. Had very large family. Most famous son, Vannoy Hartrog Manning, b. Edgecombe/Martin Co. 1839, organized 3rd Inf. Regiment of AR, Civil War; after war -- MS representative for several terms in Washington D.C.. * (3) Thomas/ b. early 1800/ Halifax or Martin Co. M.1833, Elizabeth D. Cherry of Pitt Co. (daughter of Roderick and Jennett Cherry). Family moved to Hardeman Co. TN in 1840 / Thomas died in Nov.1844, Elizabeth 2nd marriage to Thomas C. Harrell (neighbor in Martin Co.. NC/and Hardeman,TN), 1846; family moved to Drew Co. AR before 1860 census...undoubtably escaping ravages of Civil War in Hardeman Co. The 6 Howell children were: (1) Sarah L , (2) Margella, -- both with family on AR census in 1860...no additional data (3) Edward Alexander, b. 1839 Martin Co. NC - d. 1872 Drew Co. AR. M.1st to Mattie Todd (daughter of A.J. and L.M. Todd, b.1841/d.Dec. 1862, buried in Hardeman Co.) -- lived in Hardeman Co. TN, Prairie Co. AR; 2nd m. to Martha A. Pierce/Pearce in Drew Co. AR abt. 1867. Edward-- Co. G, F&S,5th AR Inf., named as youngest Colonel in Confederacy. Their son, Edward Alexander Jr., b. 1869-d. 1937, Drew Co was cotton broker, mayor of Pine Bluff, (once owned now-historical landmark home in Pine Bluff, AR located at 656 Laurel St.). (4) Olivia J. Howell , b. 1840 /d. 1872 Drew Co. AR. Wife of Samuel D. Simmons (1835-1905)-Drew Co. AR (5) Martha E. Howell , wife of James P. Stanley * (6) Thomas Polk Howell, b. Jan. 1845. M. 1st 1867 to Elizabeth Prudence Grissom (1851- 1888-Drew Co. AR, daughter of Vinson Snipes Grissom and Christine Dishongh). --have wondered if there is any connection to the Snipes family someone has recently posted. All children born in Selma, Drew Co:---naming all in hopes of recognizing naming patterns of other Howell lines Frannie, b. 1868, (M. Dr. Joseph E. Norcott,1888) --children included Arnett, Cecil, Arline Jimmie/died @ 2 yrs. Ivie Ewing, b. 1873-d. 1945, banker and civic leader in Waldo, AR; Wiley/ died @ 8 yrs. -- sure have wondered if this name has any connection to the other Howell line with a "Wiley" Casper, died @ 2 yrs. Claud, died @ 2 yrs. Earl, died @ 5 yrs. Pat, infant son *Ina Rebecca, 1885, my grandmother (M. Clint Atkins. Daly, Fordyce, AR) Thomas' 2nd M., 1889, Fordyce, Dallas Co. AR to Jennie Robinson . All of their children born in Dallas Co. AR: Sarah Elizabeth, d. infant, 1891 Thomas Edwin, b. 1892, d. 1921 Bauxite, AR (married to Lillie McClue of Benton, AR, son-Thomas E. Howell Jr,.- legally adopted by Lillie's 2nd husband, last name of Harley --moved to Florida in 1920s) Van Manning, b. 1894-- d. 1956, married to Mary Pattillo of Fordyce, AR, no children, business and civic leader in Fayetteville, AR Questions: Both Edward and Mattie Todd Howell were in Prairie Co. AR. during early part of war/1860 AR census .... wonder if there was a connection to other Howell family living in same county at time or if they were there because of his military service? She died in Dec. of 1862, was she/they back in Hardeman at the time or did he take her body back home to be buried? Other family was already in Drew Co. AR at same time. Does anyone recognize Margella or Sarah L. Howell 's names linked into area families? Have a great day. Margaret