HOWELL, Arthur, "a preacher of the Society of Friends", born in Philadelphia, 20 August, 1748; died there, 26 January, 1816. In 1779 he was acknowledged as a minister by the monthly meeting of the Philadelphia Friends, and is described as "remarkable for spiritual mindedness, and the gift of prophecy." When in the preaching gallery he always sat with his hat drawn over his face, and the upper part of his outside coat elevated to meet it, isolated from all earthly things. Many anecdotes are related of his strict integrity in business. On one occasion he purchased a cargo of oil on a rising market, and, after selling it at a higher rate than he anticipated, he paid the person from whom he had bought it an additional dollar on each barrel. During the fever epidemic of 1793 in Philadelphia he rendered valuable assistance in nursing the sick and burying the dead. Although credited with supernatural powers of divination, he was simple and prudent.