19th Century Wills Recorded in New York County, 1850s and 1860s

Continuing 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 1850s and 1860s. Some testators were born in the later 1700s. The page numbers refer to the pages of the "Old Libers."

John Bruer, 23 June 1852, Vol. 104, p. 214. Dated 19 September 1851. Proved 23 June 1852. John Bruer, at present residing "on the Sixth Avenue; corner of West Nineteenth Street in the City of New York." After all lawful debts are paid, wife Louisa Bruer, all furniture, tools and implements of trade and all the money with the interest that may have accrued remaining in the Greenwich Savings Bank, NYC, according to my bank book No. 12.690 belonging to me and standing in my name improperly spelled "John Brewer" and all other money due...Also to Louisa, and her heirs, two certain lots, pieces or parcels of land at Morrisania in the Town of West Farms, Westchester County. A description of the property follows. Rest, residue and remainder of my Real Estate of every name and nature whatsoever to my wife Louisa Bruer, her heirs and assigns. Wife Louisa Bruer appointed sole executrix. Witnessses Frederick Millliman and John Koehl (Koel). [I am not certain who this John Bruer is and I don't believe he appears on the BGD. The 1850 U.S. Census has a John Brewer, age 39, born in France, a chair maker in New York City's 6th Ward (see images below, last line. Louisa Brewer appears on the next sheet, first line, age 50, born in France)].

John Brewer, 1850 US Census NYC 16th Ward (NARA)

Louisa Brewer, 1850 US Census NYC 16th Ward (NARA)

Eliza Brower, 7 July 1851, Vol. 102, p. 48. Dated 18 February 1851. Proved 7 July 1851. Eliza Brower of the City of New York being of failing health but of sound and disposing mind. To be buried in a decent Christian like manner and all just debts and funeral expenses to be paid by my sister Anna Maria Brower now living with me. To my sister Anna Maria Brower, my gold watch and gold ring or locket, and all my estate real, personal or mixed (mentions money, stocks, household and kitchen furniture, books, plate, clothing... To my friend Eliza Brower Chamberlain, my gold watch from and after the decease of my sister Anna Maria Brower. To my niece Elizabeth Brower Terrier, my gold ring or locket from and after the decease of my sister Anna Maria Brower. Appoints friend Andrew D. Melick and sister Anna Maria Brower as executors. Witnessed by Malcolm McGregor and David Van Pelt, both of New York City. [Neither Eliza Brower or her sister Anna Maria are found in the BGD, however, I suspect that they are sisters of Abraham Brower found below].

Catherine Brower, 25 June 1856, Vol. 117, p. 453. Dated 1 December 1835. Proved 16 June 1856. Catherine Brower of the City and State of New York, single woman, of sound mind and memory. Leaves entire estate to nephew William Ward (in the U.S. Navy) "who is the son of my sister Hester, the widow of Nathaniel Ward, deceased," and to "my brother Samuel Brower of the City and State of New York." Mentions real estate at the corner of Christopher and Factory Streets in New York City. Mentions $50 due me from my brother David Brower, and a debt of $300 due from John Crolius of 14 Aug 1818. Appoints brother Samuel Brower and nephew William Ward as executors. Witnessed by C. Nagle, no. 14 Charles St., NYC; John A. Steward?, no. 49 King St., NYC; John M. Reed, no. 49 Baron St., NYC. [Catherine Brower, baptized as Tryntje, is a daughter of Samuel Brouwer and Annatje Brouwer. She was born 15 May 1780 and baptized on 11 June 1780 at Tappan, New York].

Maria Brower, 29 April 1861, Vol. 136, p. 284. Dated 14 May 1855. Proved 29 April 1861. Maria Brower of the City of New York, spinster. To my sisters Jane, Alida and Eliza Brower as joint tenants all my real and personal estate. Sisters Jane, Alida and Eliza appointed executors. Witnesses: Edw. L. Beadle and Adeline Beadle.

Jane Brower, 29 April 1861, Vol. 136, p. 287. Dated 14 May 1855. Proved 29 April 1861. Jane Brower of the City of New York, spinster. To my sisters Maria, Alida and Eliza Brower as joint tenants all my real and personal estate. Appoints sisters Maria, Alida and Eliza Brower, executors. Witnesses: Edw. L. Beadle and Adeline Beadle. [Jane Brower and Maria Brower (above) were daughters of Theophilus Brouwer and Maria Bogart. Their brother Jeremiah Brower's will is found on the post of February 1, 2019].

James S. Brouwer, 24 July 1861, Vol. 136, p. 489. Dated 24 January 1854. Proved 24 July 1861. James S. Brouwer of the City of New York, grocer.Just debts and funeral expenses to be paid. All estate, real, personal and mixed to my beloved wife Annie B. Brower. Appoints wife executrix. No mention of children. Witnesses: Theodore W. Marsh, Edward P. Clark and Augustus Cornwall, all of New York City. [James S. Brouwer (the name is spelled with the u in the will) was born about 1815 and is a son of Jacob Brouwer (1772-1844) and Hannah Hill. He married Anna M. Jeremiah on 30 June 1853 at the New York Reformed Dutch Church. His paternal grandmother was Rachel Sebring which is probably what his middle initial S stands for].

Abraham Brower, 4 June 1862, Vol. 142, p. 77. Dated 6 May 1862. Proved 11 June 1862. Abraham Brower residing at "Two hundred and fifty seven Henry Street in the City of New York, being of sound mind and understanding." Debts to be paid. Executors to pay out of estate expenses for a funeral and for the erection of a tomb stone or monument for "myself and my dear wife, the sum of three thousand dollars." To wife Hannah Aurelia Brower all household furniture, etc. and also the dwelling house and lot of land at number two hundred and fifty seven (257) Henry Street, NYC. Upon wife's decease the house and lot to be sold and proceeds to be divided among grandchildren "who shall be then living" equally. To only daughter Jane Elizabeth Gray my silver tea set, gravy dish, etc., and income of two thousand dollars during her natural life (instructions to executors regarding this). To each of my sons, Charles L. Brower, John Brower, Francis A. Brower and Andrew J. Brower, the sum of two thousand dollars. To my sister Anna Maria Brower, the sum of five hundred dollars. To Maria Pulis of the City of New York, single woman, the sum of two hundred dollars. All residue and remainder to my grandchildren who should be living at the time of my decease. Appoints George G. Hallock of the City of New York agent and Levi Mabie of said City carpenter, as executors. Witnesses George A. Stevens and J. E. Searles. [Abraham does appear on the BGD here, but this is very much incomplete with only one source. He appears to be a son of Johannes/John Brower, b. 1763, d. 1845, a son of Jeury Brouwer and Elizabeth Vandewater. A bit more work is required here, and what is currently found on the BGD for both Abraham and Johannes needs to be revised and corrected and we'll be returning to this in a future post. Those with an Ancestry.com subscription can find more on Abraham Brower here (but again, a work in progress)].

John V. Brower, 8 March 1865, Vol. 173, p. 41. Dated 29 December 1852. John V. Brower of Jersey City in the County of Hudson and State of New Jersey. All just debts and funeral expenses to be paid. Residue of my estate, both real and personal to my wife Mary. Appoints wife executrix. Witnessed by A. O. Zabriskie and C. H. Winfield, both of Jersey City. Proved 23 February 1865. [John V. (is for Van Alstyne) Brower was a son of Thomas Le Foy Brouwer and Magdalena van Aulst. His wife was Mary Bloomfield].


Jacob Brouwer, 3 June 1868, Vol. 179, p. 364. Dated 24 April 1856. Codicil dated 6 June 1865. Proved 20 July 1868. Jacob Brouwer of the City of New York. To my beloved wife Jane Maria, all my household furniture, silver plate, pictures, printed books, wearing apparel, watch, personal ornaments and family stores in my dwelling house. Also to my wife, my pew in the Reformed Dutch Church on the corner of Fourth Street and Lafayette Place, in New York City. After her death, executors are directed to sell the pew and divide the proceeds among my lawfull issue. Leaves $20,000 in trust with his executors for his wife on which she is to draw the interest. To my sister Eliza Ann Miller, wife of Hannibal Miller, $500. To my sister Margaret Matilda Brouwer, $500. My daughters (not named) shall hold their respective shares of my estate seperately from control of their respective husbands and from any liabilities or debts of their husbands. Appoints wife Jane Maria executrix and brother John Brouwer, brother-in-law William M. Vermilye and son Theophilus A. Brouwer as executors and guardinas of the persons and estates of my infant children during their minorities (not named). Witnesses: Jacob K. Lockman of No. 54 Barrow St., NYC; Henry R. DeWitt of No. 11 St. Marks Place, NYC; Corn. J. DeWitt of No. 11 St. Marks Place, NYC.
Codicil dated 26 June 1865. Adds an additional $5000 to the $20,000 in trust for his wife to be administered by the executors. Gives an annual annuity of $1750 to wife. To sister Eliza Ann Miller, widow of Hannibal Miller, an additional $500. To sister Margaret Matilda Brouwer, an additional $500. To sister-in-law Ann Brouwer, widow of brother John Brouwer, $1000. Appoints son-in-law Dr. Thomas Ryerson as executrix in place of deceased brother John Brower. Witnesses: Edwd. DeWitt of Yonkers, Westchester County, New York; Theo. W. Mason of No. 120 Jerolmen St., Brooklyn; Jacob Lockman, No. 32 Henry St., Brooklyn. Presented to the Surrogate's Court for probate on 3 June 1868 by Theophilus A. Brouwer and William M. Vermilye, executors. Proved 19 June 1868 by Henry R. DeWitt, 20 June 1868 by Corn. J. DeWitt, 20 July 1868 by Jacob Lockman. [Jacob Brouwer, born 31 March 1796, baptized 8 May 1796 at the New York Reformed Dutch Church, was a son of Jacob Brouwer and Margaret Burras. His wife was Jane Maria De Reimer].

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