John Howe - Huh?

I can't say for certain, but I will say that family last names were often used as middle names, and still are. My wife is Lucinda Tilton Macrory.

I understand, that but it seems like either one or both of these maiden names are incorrect. I haven’t been able to figure out which ones. By the way, your wife and I may be related on two lines as my great grandfather on my mother’s side was Dr. Benjamin Tilton, son of Frederick W Tilton and allegedly Ellen “Trowbridge” if that was her real maiden name.
Also my great grandfather on my father’s side was Alexander Buel Trowbridge. I am trying to discover the connection between Ellen’s Trowbridge background and the rest of the Trowbridge, but this is a dead end. I will keep digging. Thanks for your response!

I understand, that but it seems like either one or both of these maiden names are incorrect. I haven’t been able to figure out which ones. By the way, your wife and I may be related on two lines as my great grandfather on my mother’s side was Dr. Benjamin Tilton, son of Frederick W Tilton and allegedly Ellen “Trowbridge” if that was her real maiden name.
Also my great grandfather on my father’s side was Alexander Buel Trowbridge. I am trying to discover the connection between Ellen’s Trowbridge background and the rest of the Trowbridge, but this is a dead end. I will keep digging. Thanks for your response!

Also, middle names as such are a relatively recent development - not common at all until about the middle of the 18th century, and almost unheard-of (with a few rare exceptions) prior to the 17th century. But by the turn of the 19th century they were very much becoming A Thing.

OK I've made a breakthrough on this. According to sources listed on the my heritage.com website John Howe's real name was John Howe Trowbridge he was born in 1807. I don't know the death date nor have I been able to find any of his ancestors so far. The correct Information for Adaline his wife was that she was born in 1812 and died in 1895. Some sources said they had three or four children for my purposes I'm only interested in Ellen Trowbridge who is one of their children. I am new on Genie so I'm not sure what all the protocols are for getting this information corrected. Presumably one of the administrators will do so or let me know if you want me to do it and how I should proceed. Thanks!