& S.S. Howland,[4] which imported high-status goods such as porcelain, silk, and tea from China, and sold them to Americans of means.
[8] Aspinwall assumed the presidency in 1835 and expanded trade to South America, China, Europe, the Mediterranean, and the East and West Indies.
[9] In 1845, while the firm owned the Ann McKim which was regarded as the fastest ship afloat, it built the Rainbow, which was even faster.
The next year, Howland & Aspinwall had the Sea Witch built, which set a speed record from China to New York which still stands.
To each of his six children (that survived him), five daughters and one son, Howland left a quarter of a million dollars.