John H. HOWLAND

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He spent his early days on his father's farm, but disliking the life of a farmer, he ran away to sea at the age of fourteen, and before many years was in command of a vessel. He made many voyages to the West Indies in his brother Joseph's vessels, and by judicious management, about 1798, was able to commence business on his own account. In 1803 his name appears as a director of the Bedford bank, of which his father-in-law, Thomas Hazard, Jr., was the first president, and he was also one of the directors of the Bedford Marine Insurance Co. About this time he adopted the middle name of Hicks because there were so many John Howlands.

About 1810 Captain Howland removed to New York City, where he became a very prominent shipping merchant. he owned many vessels, three of them being named for his children, and of these the Mary Howland brought over the first English passenger locomotive engine used in this country, on the Mohawk & Hudson railroad. During the War of 1812 Mr. Howland subscribed for $50,000 of the war loan for the defense of the nation. For five years Joseph Grinnell, his nephew, was his business partner, and he subsequently admitted his son, William H., to partnership, the firm being known as John H. Howland & Son.

Mr. Howland had a fine summer home at Bloomingdale, on a high bluff overlooking the Hudson river, at what is now Eighty-Sixth Street and Riverside Drive; it comprised over ninety acres of lawn and gardens.

Many interesting letters written by Mr. Howland have been preserved by the family. In one of these, written in 1811 to his wife, who was at the home of her father in New Bedford, he says: "I have put on board the Lydia (the New York-New Bedford packet) in care of Joseph Grinnell, six water melons and six mush melons for thee. If thee has opportunity to send Father Howland two or three of the water melons I think they would be very acceptable to him."

Mr. Howland was above medium height, and had a light complexion and gray eyes. There is no portrait of him in existence. His daughter Mary strongly desired that he should have a portrait painted, but the other members of the family objected, as such a procedure was contrary to the practice of the Friends.

John married Sylvia HOWLAND on 20 Jun 1800. Sylvia (daughter of Isaac HOWLAND, Jr. and Abigail SLOCUM) died on 19 Jan 1802. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Sarah HAZARD. Sarah was born on 18 Sep 1781 in Cranston, Rhode Island; died on 29 Apr 1847 in New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Gideon married Sarah HICKS on 25 Mar 1753. Sarah was born on 15 Mar 1736; died on 16 Sep 1824. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Daughter of Capt. Thomas and Judith Hicks