The family of Robert N H HOWELL came to Smith Co, Texas about 1856 from Polk Co., TN.

From the DeLeon Free Press:
"Free Press regrets to cronicle the death of Mr. R.N.H. Howell, one of Comanche County's most honored and worthy citizens, which occurred at his home, near Theny on the 10inst. In his death, Comanche County loses a good citizen in the community and family, an excellent neighbor and kind father. His remains were buried in the city cemetery by the Masonic Fraternity of DeLeon and Dublin. The bereaved family and friends have the sincere sympathies of the Free Press in their sad loss."

"Below we give a short sketch of Mr. Howell's life as handed to us by a friend. R.N.H. was born in Virginia, February 17, 1816 and moved to Georgia with his father Robert H. at the age of 11. He afterwards moved to Tennessee and from there TX in 1857. Living in Smith County until the spring of 1876 when he moved to Comanche County. While in Smith County he served as a magistrate for several years. He was married June 14, 1836 to Elizabeth Nicholson in Tennessee. Twelve children were the result of this marriage--four living, Mrs. Edwin Fair Edmondson, S.H., I.M. and C.L. His wife died in 1864 and he was married a second time to the widow Mrs. Nancy Lowry of Smith County. One child resulted from this marriage. Mr. Howell served in the War under Capt. Osborn, was a master Mason and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church."

Descendants of Robert Nathaniel Henry Howell
1. ROBERT NATHANIEL HENRY2 HOWELL (ROBERT HENRY1) was born February 17, 1816 in VA, and died December 10, 1896 in Comanche Co, Texas. He married

(1) ELIZABETH NICHOLSON June 14, 1836 in Polk Co., TN, daughter of ISAAC NICHOLSON and REBECCA PENRY. She was born June 23, 1820 in TN, and died 1864 in Troup, Smith Co, Texas. He married (2) NANCY MITCHELL April 13, 1869 in Smith Co, Texas. She was born April 10, 1832 in AR, and died May 04, 1925 in Comanche Co, Texas.

Children of ROBERT HOWELL and ELIZABETH NICHOLSON are:

• i. TELITHA HOWELL, b. June 10, 1837, GA; d. March 07, 1839.
• ii. MARIAH CAROLINE HOWELL, b. March 05, 1839, Polk Co., TN; d. September 12, 1918, Reese, Cherokee Co, Texas; m. (1) JOHN HARRISON ALEXANDER, February 08, 1857, Smith Co, Texas; b. 1825, Montgomery , AL; m. (2) NICHOLAS KING, May 23, 1869, Smith Co, Texas; b. 1825; m. (3) EDWIN FAIR "SHORTY" EDMONDSON,
  December 27, 1876, Smith Co, Texas; b. September 08, 1848, Saint Louis, Indep. City Co., MO; d. March 20, 1911, Waco, McLennan Co, Texas.
• iii. SARAH ELIZABETH HOWELL, b. February 11, 1841, TN; d. Bet. 1861 - 1865, during CW
• iv. MARELLA HOWELL, b. February 19, 1843, Polk Co., TN; d. August 17, 1876, Smith Co, Texas; m. EDWIN FAIR "SHORTY" EDMONDSON, June 06, 1870, Smith Co, Texas; b. September 08, 1848, Saint Louis, Indep. City Co., MO; d. March 20, 1911, Waco, McLennan Co, Texas.
• v. EMILY AMELIA HOWELL, b. February 28, 1845, Polk Co., TN; d. Bet. 1861 - 1865, Civil War time.
• vi. CHRISTOPHER LAMANTHUS HOWELL, b. February 15, 1847, Polk Co., TN; d. January 27, 1929, Roswell, Chaves Co., NM; m. (1) MARY JANE LOWRY, February 18, 1869, Smith Co, Texas; b. February 04, 1854, AR; d. January 23, 1920, Comanche Co, Texas; m. (2) MISSOURI ELLEN RIGSBY, September 26, 1886, Theny, Comanche Co, Texas; b. August 31, 1865, MO; d. Bef. 1910.
• vii. LEONIDAS STANWIX HOWELL, b. December 11, 1848, Polk County, TN; d. October 08, 1855.
• viii. BRIGGS BATY HOWELL, b. February 12, 1851, TN; d. Abt. 1878; m. JANE UNKNOWN HOWELL; b. Abt. 1852, AL; d. Aft. 1880.
• ix. THIRSY JANE HOWELL, b. Bef. 1853, Polk Co., TN; d. February 22, 1855, TN.
• x. ISAAC MONTEVILLE HOWELL, SR., b. February 25, 1855, Polk Co., TN; d. September 21, 1937, Proctor, Comanche Co, Texas; m. ROXIE ANN REDDELL, December 16, 1888, Comyn, Comanche Co, Texas; b. January 28, 1872, Searcy Co., AR; d. August 25, 1910, Proctor, Comanche Co, Texas.
• xi. JOSEPH HOWELL, b. Abt. 1859, Texas.
• xii. SAMUEL HOUSTON HOWELL, b. February 04, 1859, Smith Co, Texas; d. July 31, 1944, Tahoka, Lynn Co, Texas; m. (1) ROBERT ANNA LILES, June 19, 1885, Theny, Comanche Co, Texas; b. January 22, 1865, Sandy Plains, Polk Co., N.C.; d. April 17, 1912, Dublin, Erath Co, Texas; m. (2) MARY ANN ELLIOTT, Abt. 1924.

(2) NANCY MITCHELL

• xiii. RICHARD COKE3 HOWELL, b. October 06, 1874; d. Bef. 1880.

1860 Smith Co, Texas census: R.N.H. HOWELL, age 44 born in VA; w: Elizabeth, age 40 born in TN; dau Sarah age 19; dau Marella age 18; dau Amelia age 17; son Christopher L age 15; son Brigs age 13; son Isaac age 9; son Samuel age 5 and son Joseph age 1 born in TX. Lived here and was farming. Pg. 45, Dwelling #296, Family #312, Jones Beat, taken July 5, 1860. Page 45, Census Roll 1305

1860-75 Smith Co, Texas tax list shows: R.N. H. HOWELL

Smith Co. Texas, Jones' Beat, Troupe P.O.
1860 Agricultural Census
R.N. HOWELL, 17 improved ac, 70 unimproved ac, value $300, value of farm impl & mach $20, 1 horse, 9 milch cows, 10 other cattle, 10 swine, value of livestock $150, bushels of corn 150, bales of cotton 400 lb ea 2, 10 bu
Irish potatoes, 225 lbs butter, $60 home mfg, $50 animals slaughtered

1864 RNH HOWELL was elected Justice of the Peace for Smith Co, Texas,
"Chronicles of Smith Co, Texas" Vol. 30 No. 1.

Masonic record:

• Name: HOWELL, R.N. H.
• Lodge: Hickory Grove, No. 74, Location: Etna (This would be Smith Co, Texas)
• Lodge: Dublin, No. 504, Location: Dublin (This would be Comanche Co, Texas)
• Initiated: 12/5/1863
• Passed: 1/23/1864 Died: 12/10/1896 Official Record: Tiler 1865
• Raised: 1865
• JW1867: Tiler1870, 1871
• Demitted: 4/8/1876

Dublin #504 Dublin

• Affiliated 9/22/1877
• Suspended NPD 1/15/1881
• Reinstated 1/12/1884
• Died 12/10/1896

1867 Voter Registration, Smith Co. Texas, No. 828, July 13, 1867, RNH HOWELL, Prect 2, Native of Virginia

In March 1876 moved to Sabanna Creek in Comanche Co, Texas. Then moved on nearer Proctor.