Hi Sadsack
I can find a Charles Howard and a Sarah on the 1871 census.. Would this be them. ??
Living at South Church which is part of St Andrew's Auckland.
Charles Howard 27, Occ Coalminer born Cavenham Suffolk.
Sarah Howard 27, born St Andrew's Auckland, Durham
William Howard 4 born St Andrew's Auckland, Durham
Elizabeth Howard 9 months born St Andrew's Auckland, Durham
There's also this marriage
Charles Howard and Sarah Waggot married in 1865
married at Bishop Auckland Register Office I think..
If you know his Father's name you could use the father's name for a checking reference to see if it's the right man.. Certificate would have to be applied for..

Nothing else jumping out at me at the min..
The Vicars Wife
UPDATE..
there's also this marriage
Charles Howard = Elizabeth Dove/Cole in 1885
Which seems to be Chester le Street Register Office
and a Charles Howard and Margaret Mewse married in 1884
which seems to have taken place at St James Church at Castle Eden
There's also this Death from Freebmd
Deaths Jun 1884
Howard Sarah 41 Auckland 10a 101
Which ties in with the age of Sarah on the 1871 Census..
The Charles Howard = Margaret Mewse could be a second marriage..
it would be worth getting or checking the Castle Eden marriage from Durham Records Office for a fee of £2 they would send you a photocopy of the entry from the parish register's.. this would state if he were a widow when he married Margaret
The entry number for the marriage in the register would be 161
Hope this helps
Yours
The Vicars Wife