Joseph Howell Jr.

Joseph Howell Jr. (30 June 1750 – 8 August 1798) was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. A veteran of the August 1776 Battle of Long Island, at which he was taken prisoner, he later served as paymaster of the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment. Under the Articles of Confederation, Howell served at the War Department as auditor of accounts and paymaster-general. After the adoption of the United States Constitution, he served as the United States Department of War's accountant. From 1791 to 1793, Howell served as secretary of the Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati.

Biography Joseph Howell Jr. was born in Philadelphia on 30 June 1750, the son of Joseph Howell Sr. and Hannah (Hudson) Howell. He was raised and educated in Philadelphia and joined the Continental Army in 1776. Howell's company was mustered into the army as part of the Pennsylvania Musketry Battalion, which was commanded by Samuel John Atlee.

After the 1791 adoption of the United States Constitution, Howell served at the Department of War with a commission as a major in the newly-organized Legion of the United States. He was also an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati, and from 1791 to 1793 he was secretary of the Pennsylvania society. They were the parents of two children, son Jacob L. and daughter Rebecca E.