19th Century Wills Recorded in New York County, 1830s and 1840s

We haven't forgotten our New York City Browers and we now continue with abstracts of New York County Wills for testators named BROWER, BREWER, and other variations, along with links to digital images of the wills found on FamilySearch.org, in their collection titled, "New York Probate Records, 1629-1971 > New York County." The probate records abstracted below are from the 1830s and 1840s. Please remember that the pages given here refer to the "Old Libers." More than a century ago the Old Libers were copied into new books. And here is a list of Browers and Brewers found in the New York County Will Books that was compiled a few years ago.

Abraham Brower, Lib. 68, p. 388. Dated 17 November 1826. Abraham Brouwer of the City of New York, being in good health and sound mind. Appoint my son Barret S. Brouwer, son-in-law James Smith, and Peter Sebring, all of the City of New York, as executors and trustees. Bequeath to them the survivors and survivors of them and their heirs of such survivor all my real and personal estate. First: pay all debts and funeral expenses. Second: Balance or surplus of personal estate to be divided among my five children, Jacob, Susan, Barret, Mary, and Rachel. Third: To son Jacob, the option to purchase in simple fee my farm in West Chester County at any time within one year after my decease. Fourth: If my son Jacob should buy the farm, proceeds are to be divided among my five children. Fifth: And as much as I hold certain estate in common with James Anderson it is my will that whatever the same shall be sold that my executors shall pay and divide whatever value of my share of the house No. 120 Broadway now occupied by Francis Guewin to and among my five children. Sixth: Should my daughter Susan depart this life before her husband or my son Barret depart this life before his wife, then in trust upon the first event to pay from the share of my said daughter $200 to her husband in each and every year during his natural life and upon the happening of the second event then to pay from the share of my son Barret $250 to his wife in each and every year of her widowhood. Josiah Wilson, the husband of my daughter Mary, shall in no case have any interest in or control over my estate or any part thereof. Witnesses: Abel T. Anderson, Jacob I. Roome, Geo. C. Thornburn. Codicil dated 19 Mar 1830: states that Josiah Wilson is now deceased, and daughter Mary is to be treated in the same manner as all other children. Proved 1 Mar 1832 by Susan Smith, Abel T. Anderson, Jacob Roome, Geo. C. Thornburn. [Abraham Brower was baptized 19 March 1746. He is a son of Jacob Brouwer and Maria de Lanoy].

Rene Brewer, Lib. 86, p. 35. Dated 10 July 1840. Rene Brewer of the City, County and State of New York, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind and judgement...
To youngest son James Brewer, the one half of all that usage and piece of land formerly owned by said James lying and  being in Greensburg, County of Westchester...lands bounded by Dr. Vanderhoof, dec'd, formerly the property of Joseph H. Hall, and the highway that leads from Tarrytown to White Plains. To daughter Sally the wife of John W. Purdy, the use of the other half of said tenament and lot of land during her life and then to be equally divided between her children.
To daughter Clarissa wife of Simon McGowen, all that lot and piece and parcel of land adjoining said lot (describes boundaries). To daughter Polly Brewer, the use of the remainder of my property on the north side of the road leading from Tarrytown to White Plains, bounded by lands of said Vanderhoof, dec'd, lands of Daniel Ackerman, on the west lands of Stephen McGowan, on south by the highway.
To daughter Patty the wife of Jacob Shaffer, the equal third part and parcel of that land lying on the south side of said highway (bounded by lands of William Van Wart and Elisha Purdy). To grandchildren Rene Brewer and Bela Brewer, the next one third of said lot. To daughter Lucinda the wife of Clark Williams, the other third of said lot. To son Horace Brewer and his children, a lot adjoining the western part of the property and adjoining the lands of Elisha Purdy. Directs that her personal property be desposed of and all moneys due me by note or otherwise collected and added into one sum, including a note for ninety nine dollars given to my late husband Solomon Brewer...to be divided, after funeral expenses and other necessary charges, into seven equal sums or shares. The seven shares to be given, one each to, daughter Sally wife of John W. Purdy, then to her children; to son Horace Brewer, then to his children; to son James Brewer; to daughter Patty wife of Jacob Schaffer; to Clarissa wife of Simon McGown; to daughter Lucinda wife of Clark Williams, then to her children; all instructed to pay to daughter Polly Brewer, 3% in quarterly payments during her life. Executors instructed to use the seventh share to build a house upon the lot set apart for grandchildren Rene, Maria and Bela Brewer (Bela stated to be under age 21). Appoints as sole executor, Clark Williams. Witnessed by Enoch Morgan, John Niles, William Byley. Proved 10 June 1842 by Enoch Morgan and 15 Nov 1842 by William Byley who in a deposition states that John Niles "is a lunatic and incompetent to testify...and he is informed that he is now residing in Poughkeepsie in the County of Dutchess." [Rene Brewer was the second wife and widow of Solomon Brewer. She was born 1 October 1766 in Guilford, Connecticut and was the daughter of Edward Benton and Leah Leete].

James M. Brower, Lib. 96, p. 441. Dated 29 November 1847. proved 8 Nov 1848. "I James M. Brower of the City, County and State of New York, Grocer, being of sound mind memory and understanding..." Mentions the mortgage on his home at 44 15th Street in New York City and orders his executors to pay "my share or portion of the expense incurred in and about improving and adorning the family vault in Greenwood Cemetery owned by my brothers David and Isaac and myself jointly." Names wife Sarah, all my household furniture...if she survives my son Celcus to her and her heirs forever. Mentions his title and right to a house and lot on the corner of Bedford and Downing Streets in New York City. Son, Celcus, under the age of 21, to receive interest and rents. Approves said wife as guardian of said son. Should both his wife die and son die before the age of 21, then residue of estate to be distributed as 1- $300 to Greenwood Cemetery in Kings County to be used for repair and preservation of lots nos. 1796, 1797, 1798 and 1799; 2- $1000 to Elizabeth Doncaster of St. John, New Brunswick, mother of my said wife; 3- $300 to Mary Doncaster of St. Johns, sister of my wife; 4- whole remainder to my sister Catherine DePew wife of Abraham DePew and her children. Appoints as executors his wife Sarah, Isaac D. Brower and David D. Bogart. Signed James M. Brower. Witnessed by G. McAdam, 27 Beekman St, NYC, and James McAdam, same address. [James M. (for Madison) Brower was born 4 March 1814 and was baptized at the Tappan Reformed Dutch Church. His parents were David Brouwer and Sarah Palmer].

Jeremiah Brower, Lib. 98, p. 59. Dated 13 June 1846, proved 30 July 1849. Called Jeremiah Brower of the City of New York. Appoints Stephen B. Hoffman, Robert Dermont and William Heyer Jacobs as executors. To my sisters Mariah Jane, Alida, Eliza and Nancy, the sum of $100. To each of my granddaughters Jane Brower and Ann Brower, the sum of $500. To my wife Elizabeth one half of all my household furniture and plate and the other half I give to my daughters Mary Ann Underhill and Eliza Jane Jacobs to be equally divided between them. Mentions a bond of 28 June 1839 assigned to wife Elizabeth of a bond and mortgage executed by John Van Boskirk for $4000 and also a bond and mortgage executed by James Stirley for $1500 for monies received from sales of properties left my said wife by her parents. Sets up a life annuity for his wife. Remainder of estate to be divided into three equal shares for daughter Mary Ann Underhill, children of said daughter Mary Ann, daughter Eliza Jane Jacobs wife of William H. Jacobs and her children, son Elijah Brower and his children (no names given for the children). Signed Jeremiah Brower. Witnessed by Wm. H. Slosson of 94 Franklin St., NYC and Joel B. Purdy, also of 94 Franklin St., NYC. [Jeremiah Brower was baptized 24 June 1776 at the New York Reformed Dutch Church. His parents were Theophilus Brouwer and Maria Bogart. His wife, Elizabeth Fisher, is named in the will but died 28 April 1848, before Jeremiah who died 1 July 1849. Both of their deaths were reported in New York City newspapers].


John J. Brower, Lib. 65, p. 504. Dated 14 May 1822. Proved 14 Apr 1823, called John J. (I.?) Brower of New York City, gentleman, mentions sisters Leah, Jane (Brouwer) Vredenburg, niece Jane V. Joralemon, Anna Eliza Petit niece of late wife, and four grandchildren: John Brower son of late son John Brower, Jr., deceased; Catherine Forman; and Effie, now wife of James Quackenbos, formerly Effie Forman; daughters of late daughter Jane, deceased, the late wife of George Forman; also John Brower Galatian, son of late daughter Catherine, deceased, the former wife of William W. Galatian. The will was not recorded until 13 November 1835. [John J. Brower died 12 April 1823, age 73 years, as reported by the New York Evening Post. He was a son of Jacob Brouwer and Jannetje Hartje. His wife was Catharine Duryea a daughter of Johannes Duryea and Antje Voorhees. Her sister, Neeltje Duryea is the Nelly Brower whose will is below].


Joseph G. Brower, Lib. 75, p. 349. Dated 6 May 1836. Joseph G. Brower, of the City of New York, Merchant Tailor. Directs that all just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of his estate. Executors of the estate are to have at their discretion the ability to sell real estate and to put the proceeds at interest or mortgage for benefit of the estate. Wife Charlotte to have income from said interest for her own benefit and for the education and support of "our children" (not named, nor number of children stated). Appoints as executrix his wife Charlotte and as executors his friends Henry Garner and Edgert Scudder of the City of New York. Witnesses: John M. McKinley, Chas. W. Sandford, both of New York City (addresses given). Proved 8 August 1836. Proceedings dated 21 July 1836 name as the heirs of Joseph G. Brower, his widow Charlotte, and heirs Joseph Henry DeWitt Brower and Charlotte Ann Brower. The widow Charlotte Brower is appointed guardian of the two children. The proceedings also state that Joseph G. Brower died in Brooklyn on 17 July 1836, and that he was a resident of New York County (Manhattan). [Joseph G. Brower died 17 July 1836 in Brooklyn. Although not named in the will, his children were Joseph Henry DeWitt Brower, born 21 June 1828 and baptized at Vandewater St. Presbyterian Church in New York City, and Charlotte Ann Brower, born about 1832, married twice, first to Samuel G. Vanusden, and second to Thaddeus W. Meighan with whom she had nine children. The identity of Joseph G. Brower's parents and his ancestry has not been learned].


Nelly Brower, Lib. 69, p. 169. Dated 25 March 1829. Proved 14 Aug 1832. Nelly Brower of the City of New York, widow of Abraham Brower late of the said city, blacksmith, deceased, being of an advanced age in life but through the mercy of God, in the enjoyment of good health but knowing the uncertainty of life, do make and publish this my last will and testament as follows. Leaves legacies to granddaughter Elizabeth, the daughter of my son Richard D. Brower, and Eleanor the wife of John Constantine, Mary, Hannah and Eliza, daughters of my son John D. Brower deceased (household items, furniture, clothing). Grandsons Abraham and Richard, the sons of my son Richard D. Brower and Abraham and John sons of my late son John D. Brower deceased (money and securities, money due). Appoints son Richard D. Brower and grandson-in-law John Constantine executors. Signed Nelly Brower. Witnesses: Isaac L. Kipp, Isaac Young. [Nelly Brower was baptized 10 November 1751 at the New York Reformed Dutch Church. Her parents were Johannes Duryea and Antje Voorhees and her sister Catharine was the wife of John J. Brower above. Nelly (Neeltje, and Elenor) was the wife of Abraham Brouwer, born 28 October 1735, baptized at Tappan and a brother of John J. Brower].


Samuel Brower, Lib. 66, p. 254. Dated 20 March 1830. Proved 14 Jul 1830. Samuel Brower of the City of New York. Debts and funeral expences to be paid. To my executors hereafter named, all my real estate wheresosever situated except those parts which are hereafter given to my sons Edward Brower and George Washington Brower in trust to sell the same or any part thereof at public auction at such time or times and for such prices as they think proper...proceeds to be invested in stocks of the General Government of the State of New York or of the Mayor Alderman and commonality of the City of New York...and that they payover to my wife Charlotte Brower the whole of the interest or dividends... Executors to pay to my children during their lives as they shall arrive at the age of 21 years ther interest or dividends to which they respectively may be entitled...it is my will that if either of my daughters should marry before the age of 21 then the interest should be paid to her child or children after her death. Executors to pay to my sons after they arrive at the age of 21 proceeds from the sale of real estate. Household furniture to my wife as long as she remains my widow and after her death or remarriage to my daughters Mary ann and Charlotte Brower. Also to said daughters my silver plate. To my children Mary Ann, Samuel, Charlotte and Robert Brower, five shares of stock of the Morris Canal Company of New Jersey (stated that Samuel and Robert are under age 21). To son George Washington Brower, his heirs and assigns, all my real estate in the state of Illinois. To son Edward, his heirs and assigns, lots nos. 300, 301, 302 and 303 as described in a deed executed to me by William Irving and Minerva Irving dated 12 March 1828 and recorded in the City and County of New York on 13 March 1828. Authorize my wife and son George Washington to carry on the business of Band Box making as the same as is carried on by me in William Street, New York City, during the continuance of the lease. Appoints Robert Donaldson, paper maker of New York City, William Colgate of New York City, soap boiler, and wife Charlotte Brower as executors. Appoints his wife as guardian of the minor children. Witnessed by James Anderson, attorney of New York City, and Levi Lougridge, grocer, of New York City. Codicil dated the same day, 20 March 1830. [William Colgate (1783-1857) named as an executor, was founder of Colgate & Company, a soap company that in 1873 became the first company to sell toothpaste in a tube. Samuel Brower is Samuel Birdsall Brower, son of Nicholas Brouwer and Mary Bridsall. He was born 3 May 1786, presumably at Wappingers in Dutchess County. His wife was Charlotte De Wolfe].

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