Howland was the son of Garwood Simpson and Clowta Stillman. According to one notable Simpsons family tree, Howland is the great grandfather of Abraham Simpson II. However, Abraham himself has stated that his great grandfather of the name "Simpson" was (like himself) called Abraham Simpson. If this is true, then the only place that these two contradicting family trees could possibly reconnect is at some place before Orville Simpson, who is confirmed by both sources to be Abraham's father: It is possible that due to his apparent dementia Abraham was talking dishonestly about Virgil Simpson and that Hiram, Mabel, Eliza and Abraham I are related to the Simpsons but indirectly, leaving the previously established family tree unchanged or it is possible that Orville was adopted. It is also possible that he is the same person as Abraham Simpson I, seeing as they both resemble Bart and have the same position in the family tree, and the reason for their varying names likely being to hide any connections to Virgil Simpson, who's existence, according to Abe, was kept a secret by his family to avoid racist remarks.