Howell was born in Newark, in the Colony of Delaware, and was a descendant of a Virginian old colonist family.

At the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, Howell was admitted as an original member of The Society of the Cincinnati in the state of New Jersey.

[1][2][3] Richard was offered the role of judge advocate of the army, but turned down the appointment to practice law.

Replaced as Governor by Joseph Bloomfield, Howell died the following year.

He was the grandfather of Varina Howell, the second wife of Confederate President Jefferson Davis.