Francis Howden was an active and prolific Edinburgh silversmith. The Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh has this brief biography on its web site:
"HOWDEN, Francis, Edinburgh, 1781-1848. Son of John Howden, farmer in Hermiston, born 1758. Apprenticed to Alexander Aitchison II in or before 1773. Freeman 24 Feb.1781. For about three years in 1782-84 he was in business with John Taylor, a partnership which ended when Taylor died. Deacon 1811-13 and prime mover in establishing the Incorporation's Widow's Fund, for which service he was, in 1817, presented by his fellow freemen with a piece of plate worth 20 guineas. Died 14 Sep.1848, aged about 90."