On 21 January 1839, Washington H. Purkins and Mourning Johnson were bound in the penalty of $300 for Washington H. Purkins’s administration of the estate of Benjamin F. Howerton, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 352–353.]

An undated loose paper filed in chancery papers stated that Winifred Howerton “died intestate her heirs are” James Howerton of the whole blood; Wm R. Howerton, ditto; Washington H. Purkins & Ann his wife, ditto; Philip Howerton, ditto; Eldred Howerton, ditto; Wm Howerton & Catharine E. his wife, ditto; Thomas Cole & Charlotte his wife, ditto; Thomas Howerton, ditto; Emily H. Howerton of the half blood; Mary Agnes Howerton of the half blood; Judson S.[?] Howerton, ditto; Ben F. Howerton [nothing indicated]. “Judson S.[?] Howerton died an infant leaving the following parties entitled to descent in the lands derived from his father” includes Ann Howerton, Eleanor H. Howerton, Mary Agnes, Benj, Wm R, James, Ann, James, Eldred, Thomas, Charlotte, Catherine, Walter G., Sophronia. [These legatees include two Covington children of William Howerton’s second life, Ann, from a previous marriage.] A note states that Wm R Howerton, Eldred Howerton, and Thomas Howerton are non-residents. [Essex County, Virgina, Loose Chancery Papers, 38-J-17.]

A chancery case in Essex County, Virginia, stated that William Howerton was “many years ago” deceased. His widow was Ann W. Howerton, who was Ann W. Covington. They had three children: Judson, Benjamin and Mary Agnes. William Howerton had been previously married and had children by his first marriage, Winnifred Howerton, Charlotte Howerton (who married Thomas Cotes or Coles), Thomas Howerton, and Eldred Howerton. Ann W. Covington had been previously married and had children Walter G. Covington and Sophronia Covington, who married Thomas Howerton. [Essex County, Virginia, Loose Papers, apparently mistakenly filed in the folder Dunn vs. Dunn, 1853.]