In 1889 Jacob married Martha E. Orton. Born abt 1866 in Sapley, Huntingdonshire, England.
marriage Huntingdon R.G. March 1889 quarter, v. 3b, p. 341
The 1881 census states that Isaac was a plough boy. (RG 11, piece 1604, folio, 79, p. 6)
Martha Orton was a servant according to the 1881 census. She lived in the household of an 86-year-old widow Ann Dring at Spaldwick Road, Ellington, Hunts. Martha Orton was born at Sapley, Hunts. (RG 11, piece 1602, folio 85, p. 11)
According to the 1891 census, Jacob Howes and his family resided at Green End, Great Stukeley. He was a general labourer. His wife Martha had a daughter by her previous marriage: Florence Orton, age 6, born at Little Stukeley, Hunts. (RG 12, piece 1237, folio 184, p. 9)
Jacob, Martha and Clara Howes resided at 17 Waverly Street, Long Eaton, Derbyshire according to the 1901 census. Jacob was a labourer in a lace mill. No place of birth was given for anyone in the family. Residing in the household was Ernest Murket, an 18-year-old lodger and general labourer. (RG 13, piece 3209, folio 98, p. 25)