Mariett Decker

     Mariett was born on Wednesday, 9 November 1814 in Sussex County, New Jersey. Her name is spelled various ways: Mariett, Maryett, Mary Ett, Marietta, Mary Etta. She may be of Dutch Heritage and her name may be anglicized from the Dutch name Marietje. Mariett married John Howell, son of Parshall Howell II and Elizabeth Horton, on 8 February 1833 in Hainsville, Sandyton Township, Sussex County, New Jersey. They were pioneer settlers in the township of Stockbridge, Ingham County, Michigan settling on land he obtained from the government. He had to clear the land and build a log cabin & later erected a frame house which is still standing in 1996. John was a farmer. He raised cranberries and took them to Dexter to trade them. He was noted as a staunch Democrat. He also owned forty acres of land across the road from his land in Stockbridge in Unadilla Township, Livingston County. This land was purchased from the U. S. government on 10 July 1844 at Detroit. The land was located in the township one North of Range three East. 30 July 1850, Mariett and her husband, John, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Stockbridge Township. Enumerated in this household were John Howell [38 New York], his wife: Marietta [36 New York], children: Abigail E. [16 New Jersey], Parson [14 New Jersey], Emily J. [12 New Jersey], William H. [9 Michigan], Athaline [7 Michigan], & Sarah M. [1 Michigan].¹ 6 June 1860, Mariett and her husband John were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Stockbridge Township. Enumerated in this household were John Howell [48 New York], his wife: M. [46 New Jersey], children: E.J. [22 Michigan], W,H. [18 Michigan], A. [15 Michigan], J.E. [13 Michigan], S.A. [11 Michigan], Z. [8 Michigan], & I.W. [6 Michigan].² 24 June 1880, Mariett and her husband, John, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Stockbridge Township. Enumerated in this household were John Howell [69 New York CT & NY], his wife: Mariett [65 New York NY & NY], children: William H. [28 Michigan], & Atheline [35 Michigan].³ Mariett died on Wednesday, 19 September 1888 in Stockbridge at age 73 years, 10 months and 10 days. She was buried at Unadilla Township, Livingston County, Michigan, in the Plainfield Village Cemetery.^4,5