I am descended from a Duke Howell who was born about 1790, settled in Knoxville, TN by 1810, and is rumored to be at least part native American. His parentage is our brick wall. My mother and I just took part in autosomal DNA testing and match with a couple of BOYETTE cousins. I have also had one of Duke's male descendants take a Y DNA test. He came up with zero matches with anyone of any surname (strange.) It was found that he falls within the 1I Haplograph (same as a Ralph Howell, for what it's worth.) Duke was thought to have originated from NY, and there is evidence that he is possibly connected to a William S., Caleb, James, Benjamin, and/or Thomas Howell, who all lived in Grainger Co. TN in 1830. Duke's known brother is Elijah Howell, 20 years his senior, who lived for a time in Buckingham Co., VA and Burke Co. NC before moving to Knox Co. TN by 1813.