His father claimed kinship with the ducal family of Norfolk; in 1750 he sold Overacres, the seigniories of Redesdale and Harbottle, and the advowson of Elsdon, Northumberland, to the Earl of Northumberland, and thenceforward appears to have been supported by Edward Howard, 9th Duke of Norfolk.
The eleventh duke, Charles, seems to have satisfied himself from a pedigree in the College of Arms that Howard's claims to kinship with him were fictitious.
On 21 December 1795 Howard was released from a debtors' prison, and by the duke's steward established at Ewood, Surrey, on a small property.
Howard now devoted himself to correct the College of Arms pedigree of the ducal family, and to regain the Ewood property.
Thomas Christopher Banks wrote a foolish pamphlet in his support, and drew up for him a petition to the king.