From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Howard, Rachel
(born: abt 1816)On September 28, 1941, the Howard family unveiled a marker to Aunt Rachel Howard who had been enslaved to the Howard family. The marker was erected at the foot of Jane Hart Howard's grave, where Aunt Rachel was laid to rest in the family burial plot within the Old Mulkey Church Cemetery in Tompkinsville, KY. Aunt Rachel is said to have been Jane Howard's personal maid and would accompany her on visits to care for the sick.
Maxine F. Brown, a second great granddaughter of Aunt Rachel Howard, suggested the addition of this entry, and added that Jane Howard and Rachel Howard were also midwives.
Rachel Howard's death date is not known at this time, it is assumed that she died after Jane Howard. Rachel Howard was born around 1816, according to her enumerations in the 1860-1880 U.S. Census schedules. It was noted that she was Mulatto and born in Tennessee. In the 1880 Census schedule, Rachel Howard [Houard] is enumerated as the widowed mother of J. Howard [Houard] who is the head of the household.
The former enslaver, William Howard was Jane Howard's husband, he died in 1848 and Jane Howard died in 1852. They have a historical marker in the church cemetery at the Old Mulkey Meetinghouse State Historic Site in Tompkinsville, KY. Aunt Rachel Howard is mentioned on the historical marker.
Sources:
"Will record songs at Mulkey Sunday." The Glasgow Republican, 25 September 1941, front page; William and Jane Howard Historical Marker; Census schedules in Ancestry.com.