1847 According to John Innes Old Llanelly, page 69, referring to the Chamber of Commerce:

‘the date when this useful Association started is known to the writer. Its first meetings were held upstairs in Dr Cook’s house ie in the old Pemberton Mansion . . .The room was entered by an outer wooden staircase and Dr Cook dispensed below. The first extant Minute Book begins 12th April 1847 – Present Mr William Webb, senior, in the chair. It was proposed by Mr Samuel Bevan (he is the only survivor today) that Mr Richard Thomas Howell be Treasurer; this was seconded by Mr Fred L Brown, Town’.

1853 Bryncaerau House, which formed part of the Stepney Estate, was held under lease for a term of 99 years. By 1861, local entrepreneur Richard Thomas Howell, who had married Sarah Morris (daughter of the Revd Ebenezer Morris) was resident at Bryncaerau with his family. Richard Thomas Howell was Chairman of the Local Board of Health and was the Harbour Commissioner. When Howell died, the property passed to the Buckley family and became the home of James Buckley (1838-95).

1863 The Revd A J M Green (vicar from 1820-67) married Miss Elizabeth Bond Howell, daughter of Richard Thomas Howell, Esq., a wealthy Thomas Street tradesman, of Bryncaerau, in September 1863.

1854 Plans were submitted for a new building to house the proposed new library and three sites were considered by the committee set up to oversee the project. A site adjoining the South Wales Pottery, on land belonging to William Chambers was one of the three sites considered by the committee and the rates were reported to be £20 per acre. The committee reported that plans and drawings had been received from the architect and there was every possibility that the matter would proceed immediately. Funds were raised by public subscription to build a literary, scientific institution, which became known as ‘The Athenaeum’. The original Llanelly Athenaeum Trustees included: Richard Thomas Howell; James Buckley; John Pasley Luckraft; William Thomas and William Henry Nevill.

1856 Richard Janion Nevill died in January and a meeting was held at the Town Hall on Wednesday 6 February, where it was decided that a Memorial to Richard Janion Nevill should be established and funding should be by public subscription. Henry Jones Evans, Esq., of Llanelly Bank (Wilkins & Co., branch of Brecon Old Bank), was appointed Treasurer and Frederick Lewis Brown, Richard Thomas Howell and Richard Bowen were appointed secretaries.

1864 The foundation stone of the Nevill Memorial was laid by Mrs Charles William Nevill on 16 July and Richard Thomas Howell expressed his regret that the project had been delayed.

1866 A piece of land, adjoining the Athenaeum containing 8 perches, was assigned to William Henry Nevill, William Thomas, John Pasley Luckraft, James Buckley and Richard Thomas Howell, as joint tenants for the Memorial Hall for 10/-.

1861 Rees Goring Thomas (1824-87) married Emily Nevill, daughter of Richard Janion Nevill of Llangennech, on 18 April 1861. At the time the Rees Goring family was living at Iscoed, St Ismael, Ferryside and the reception was held at the Thomas Arms, Thomas Street. There were 50 or 60 tenants present at the celebrations and in the evening the principal inhabitants of Llanelli dined at the Thomas Arms Hotel. Among those present were the Revd Ebenezer Morris, Richard Thomas Howell, James Buckley, the Reverend David Rees, and the Reverend D M Evans. The Dafen Brass Band played a selection of music during the evening to entertain the guests.

1864 Richard Thomas Howell, Chairman of the Board of Health, laid the Foundation Stone for the New Market on September 20. Soon after 1 pm, local dignitaries met at the Town Hall, which was then in Hall Street. The procession proceeded from the Town Hall to Goring Road, Thomas Street and Stepney Street then on to the Market site.

1864 Richard Thomas Howell died in 1867 but his name is immortalised on one of the three commemorative plaques in Llanelli’s indoor market