The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-18
l. nH Aunn - - - - - hAhnneHHAIi DAUGHTERS OF THE sis,sissi sfa:'ssasi Sptnn ssf
 AMERICAN REVOLUTION

On June 4th, I7S1, Captain Howell having entered the inlet of Sudbury learned from a negro that he nao peen sent out to catch fish for MT. kltcnlns the collector of the port with whom a party of British officers both civii and military were to dine that day. It being the Kings birthday. Aithousn a the Kttchins house was WlthiH 4ov yards of the fort (now no longer calleo Morris. but named by it's capters George in honor of his Majesty hihs George IT'D presuming that the assem- bled guests on this festive occasioh would indulge freely and be found en, tirely off their guard. Captain HoWell resolved upon their capture. Ascend ing the river with untitled oars and under cover of night, the Captain with twele% men passed the fort without at tracting it's notice and landing at sun bury, surrounded the house aDout II o'clock and took the entire party, rcln- bering twelve persons, prisoners. Among the captured was Colonel Roger Kelsall who had insulted and i'll treated Captain Howell while he was prisoner of war. Incensed at the recollection or these indignities, Captain Howell was on the eve of taking him out and drowning him in the river. when tae prayers of the lady of the house in- duced him to spare his life. Exact ing from his captives pledge that they would not again take up arms until they were regularly exchangei, Cap tain Howell repaired without loss or molestation to his privateer.
 Upon his return to the Fort Kel- sal observed that when he found him. self in Captain Howells power he an- ticipated early death. He admitted that he had no right to expect the lenient treatment which he had re- ceived."
 (Joncs History, page 353 mentions that Roger Kelsall lived in Savannah and was commissioner of claims there? The wretched condition of the prisoners is described; they were exchanged March 1779.)
 In gale off Hilton Head, the Amert- can galiey Tyger, Captain McCumber was capslZed on the 20th of October. two of the crew were drowned. Thirty of them saved in open boats joined Captain Howell the next day and as- sisted in the capture of two schooners freighted with rice having thirty negro slaves on beard and bound for the West Indies. Before the schooners could be conveyed to a place of safely, SaplNiil OCaitIdu dppFdIcu III d BdllHy with two boats and sixty men. Set ting fire to the schooners Captain Howell escaped with the negroes Promptly taking possession of the schooncrs the enemy saved them from the impending confa gration.''
 It is almost impossible to believe that a man of such courage and 60 noted in that period should be so com pletely forgotten. Smiths Story of Georgia states that John Howell set tied in Georgia, St. George Halifax (Burke County between 175S-1765. John Howell of Burke County Is mentioned in list of Georgia militia in 17s2, pub lished in The Atlanta Constitution Jenes's history mentions a meeting of the patriots at Howelrs plantation in Burke County, December. 17S1. This was after the date of the naval ex- ploits described. Could this be the same Captain John Howell? A private family record shown to the editor reads that John D. Howell and Sarah A. Smith were married about ,SCO; John David Howell their fifth child was born In St. Luke's Parish, Beaufort District. S. C., 1910. About 1915 the parents were carried off by .t scnurge of yellow fever which swept up the Savannah iRver and the coast; ;hey left several small children who were reared by strangers. These children and their families know nothing of their Howell ancestors. Can thev be the descendants of the famous CaL- tain John Howell?
 In reviewing this account a few facts seem to be certainly proved Captain John Howell was a citizen of G socgia and was warmly interested in defend ing her coasts. He must have hVed on the coast or on the Savannah River and was accustomed to manage boats He must have been a man of means for be owned his vessel and armed, manned and equipped her at his own expense. He was a man whose cour- age, daring, quickness of action and successful exploits command high ad- miration. He was a man of strong feelings and resentments as shown by his threatened vengeance on the hated Kelsall, but also a man of generosity and chivalry as shown by his com pliance with the lady's entreaties to spare the life of his enemy. %elsal himself owned that he deserved no mercy.
 Could such man. regular sea rover afterwards join the Georgia militia? We think not. But he might have heen the John Howell who owned plantations in Burke County on the Savannah River. and at whose home patriotic meetings were held.
 The records of Georgia show that be- tween 1757 and 1759. Philip and William Howell settled in Christ Church PGrlsh Savannah. Possibly Captain John Howell belonged to this family.
 The history of such an interesting man should be determined and tke writer hopes that the attention of his torians may be called to these brief notes and that more knowledge may be obtained.