I'm beginning to wonder if ol' Hugh Howell who died 1777 in Loudon County, Va isn't the ancestor of the Howells down in SouthWest Virginia, especially Benjamin Howell who died in Montgomery County, VA in 1799? Anyone have Hugh's parents? Could there be a connection between Hugh and Elijah Howell of Laurens County, S.C.??? James Howell who married Jane Copeland in Grayson County, VA had a son named Elijah. If memory serves me correctly they moved West into Illinois. Interestingly, Elijah of S.C. had a son named Tilman Howell. John Howell (1788-1861) who married Nancy Brewer in Grayson County, VA had a son named Tillman C. Howell, born 1835 in White County, TN. Someone reported that Tillman's middle name was "Cantrell". Any proof of this? A Tillman Cantrell DID reside briefly in Warren county, TN, where John Howell's sister Drucilla (Howell) Hash lived (Rock Island). Drucilla was the wife of Thomas Hash. Hope someone can help us trace back beyond Montgomery County, VA. Thanks Will