This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/nhB.2ACI/1182.2 Message Board Post: I have Howards in my lineage as well, and although they were not Quaker, it's always been understood that their ancestors were either Quaker or Puritan back in early Colonial days. I have not researched that as yet. We also have connections to families in Jefferson County TN during the late 1700s and early 1800s, including Reverends William & Joseph Murphy, who were famous Baptist ministers and church planters. Also part of their Separate Baptist movement was Obediah Howard who married Priscilla Breed. In studying migration patterns during this 1800-1850 period, I discovered there was a huge Quaker migration out of NC, SC & east TN to northern states of IL, OH & IN due to their objection to slavery, so this fits the scenario of your John Howard's move to IL. My Obediah Howard's son (my direct line) was Stephen E. Howard Sr. (born 1694 NC, died 1745 in Onslow County NC; Stephen & his brother Joseph built the 1735 courthouse In Onslow Co). Obediah's Howard forebears, as well as the Breeds, are SAID to have originated in Charles & Somerset Counties, Maryland in the 1600s (not confirmed as yet). Obadiah & Priscilla are buried in Monroe County KY at Old Mulkey Cemetery, where they had gone with Murphys from SC to establish new churches around 1800. My direct Howards moved from KY to LA to AR. Bridges Howard's daughter Charlotte Howard (born 1831, died 1863) married Josiah Frisby & lived in Ouachita County AR. I hope that this info has provided some new angles and directions for your pursuit of your own Howards research.