Howland Soule

was born to Benjamin and Elizabeth Soule.

Howland Soule served  as a Loyalist Private with the New York Volunteers under Major Commandant Alexander Grant  and Captain John Howard in the American Revolutionary War.  He was encamped at Kingsbridge, Lloyd’s Neck, Suffolk County, New York, now known as Long Island, New York. The muster roll dated August 23, 1777 shows that Howland died August 4, 1777, probably of Small Pox.

Garrison Duty Kingsbridge — Lloyd’s Neck 

After the excitement of the Danbury raid, the PWAR settled into a routine of mundane garrison duty that was to mark their existence for the next three years.
The relative boredom (which, combined with drunkenness, was the leading cause of desertion) and the fatal introduction of small pox seriously weakened the regiment for the rest of 1777. Between 26 May and 1 July 1777, the regiment lost over 35 men, an alarming 75 in total since their large April 21st muster. Almost one quarter of the regiment was returned sick in May, and new recruits came in only at a trickle.”

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Library and Archives Canada   pages 524-5 of 758

It is interesting that Howland died while serving in a Loyalist capacity.  According to testimony, he gave the Oath of Allegiance to the State of New York.  Did he switch sides?  Did he give the oath under duress?  Did he give the oath to prevent from being sent to work on the obstruction of the Hudson River along with his brothers?  Was he a spy for the Americans?

The story is still unraveling…

Minutes of the Committee and the First Commission for Detecting and Defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York