Background: Fayette County, Pennsylvania is in the southwestern part of the state. The present day boundaries have the county bounded, moving clockwise from west to east in Pennsylvania - Greene Co., Washington Co., Westmoreland Co., and Somerset Co. It is bounded on the southeast by Garrett Co., Maryland and on the south and southwest by Preston and Monongalia Counties, West Virginia. Fayette County was formed out of Westmoreland County in 1783. This was after the border between Pennsylvania and Virginia was settled in 1780 but before the U. S. Constitution was ratified in 1787 (in other words, before Pennsylvania was a state). During the 1770s western Pennsylvania (and Virginia) was essentially the "western frontier," about the extent of settlement by European Americans emigrating westward from the eastern seaboard colonies. We know of a few BREWER families descended from both Adam Brouwer of Gowanus and Jan Brouwer of Flatlands, as well as a family descended from Hubert Brower, who came to Philadelphia in 1726, that were present in western Pennsylvania (and the western parts of Virginia) during this early period. Some of these families moved further west during the early 1800s, moving into what would become Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. Connecting these western Pennsylvania BREWER families to their progenitor families has been a challenge. While we have evidence of a broad ancestry based upon Y-DNA testing of living male descendants, we have not yet been able to identify specific, provable, lines of ancestry back to the original ancestor. Perhaps some additional information can be found in these deeds that will help answer some questions. See the posts of November 16, 2013 and December 30, 2013, but please be advised that since these postings additional info has been found. (All localities mentioned are in Fayette Co., Pennsylvania unless otherwise stated).
Deeds C2:720-21. Indenture dated 17 June 1796, Benjamin Brewer, late of Tyrone Township, yeoman, to Hugh Espy, of the county and state aforesaid. Whereas, Benjamin Brewer, by a patent duly had from the secretary's office baring the date 1 May 1796 reference thereunto had, for consideration of the sum of fifty nine pounds paid by Hugh Epsy, conveys a tract or parcel situate in Tyrone Township. Property bounded by Joseph Alexander and John Lee, contains 136+ acres (see deed for full description), together with buildings, improvements, water course rights, etc., granted to Benjamin Brewer by patent above sited. Signed by Benjamin Brewer and Catherine, his wife, both with their marks, "B". Witnesses: Joseph Alexander and Wm. Boyd. Benjamin Brewer acknowledges receipt of 59 pounds, 2 July 1796 (C:722).
Deeds C3:1001-2. Dated 9 February 1797. Benjamin Brewer, late of Tyrone Township, yeoman & Catherine his wife, to Joseph Alexander of county and state aforesaid. Land granted by patent dated 31 May 1796, for consideration of one hundred and seventy five pounds, a tract of land situate in Tyrone Township. Bounded by the lands of James Quigley, Hugh Espy, John Lee, "Moses Smith or William Espy," containing one hundred and fifty nine acres, together with buildings, improvements, water courses, etc. Benjamin and Catherine Brewer sign with their marks ("B"), in the presence of Jacob Stewart and Robert Porter. Benjamin Brewer acknowledges receipt of payment by Joseph Alexander on 9 July 1797. [See Benjamin Brewer here on the BGD].
Deeds C3:1085. Thomas Stafford per attorney to Elias Brewer. Dated 6 September 1797. Thomas Chambers of Jefferson County, State of Kentucky, farmer, to Elias Brewer of the Township of Menallen, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, farmer. Whereas said Elias Brewer obtained a deed of conveyance of a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the Township of Menallen aforesaid from Samuel Jackson who appears was legally impowered to make the same and whereas one of the owners of said land was not of age at the time of making said conveyance and she is since married and lives in Kentuckie (sic) State and is now of full age and as it appears that her husband Thomas Stafford hath by a legal power of Attorney impowered the above named Thomas Chambers to confirm and make sum said land unto said Elias Brewer his heirs and assigns forever. For consideration of the sum of one hundred and twenty four pounds, ten shillings in hand paid by the said Elias Brewer...a tract of land now in possession of said Elias Brewer being bounded by lands of John Tate, Joseph Dungins, Samuel Grable, John Cadwallder, James Stewart and William Linn... Signed by Thomas Chambers. Witnesses: Timothy Smith, John Allen.
Deeds C3:1134-35. Dated 21 October 1797. Elias Brewer of Menallen Township and Mary his wife to John Tate, Junr., of the same place. For the sum of two hundred and sixty four dollars, a tract of land called Limestone situated on the waters of Great Redstone Creek in the place aforesaid. Eight acres. Signed by Elias Brewer and Mary Brewer. Witnesses: George Lamb, Constantine Hermmons. Acknowledgement by Elias and Mary Brewer, 30th day of the 10 month 1797. [See the post of November 25, 2013].
Deeds D:25. Dated 3 March 1797. John Brown of the Township of Menallen, to Elias Brewer of the same place. For one hundred pounds lawful money of Pennsylvania, a parcel of land in the place aforesaid beginning at a large white oak at the corner of John Tate's land... The property is bounded by land of Caleb Antrum, land of Joseph Dungens, land of Samuel Grable, land of Thomas Stuart and land of William Linn. Containing one hundred and eighty seven acres being part of that tract called Limestone.
Deeds D:30. Dated 25 August 1797. John Brewer of Bullskin Township and Sarah Brewer of Bullskin to Thomas Stokely of the town and county of Washington, Pennsylvania. Whereas the said John Brewer did several years ago settle on and improve a tract of land in the said township of Bullskin, which said tract is adjoining lands of Henry White, lands surveyed under the supervision and direction of Zachariah Connell and lands claimed by one Dunkin and whereas the said John Brewer has some years ago obtained a warrant in his own name for aforesaid tract of land which said warrant calls for sixty acres of land or thereabout - the above named John Brewer and Sarah his wife for consideration of forty pounds, convey to Thomas Stokely the aforesaid warrant and improvements. Signed by John Brewer and Sarah Brewer. Witnesses: An? Barnney? and Caleb Mounts. (See July 14, 2012). [This deed helps clear up just who the John Brewer found on the 1790 U.S. census at Bullskin, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania, is. By mention in this deed of his wife, Sarah, the John Brewer of Bullskin would be "John Brewer of Scioto Co., Ohio." The 1790 census record would NOT apply to John Brewer of Washington, Fayette Co. (found there in 1800, 1820 and 1830 and in 1840 at Perry Twp.) whose wife was Mary Martin (see November 25, 2013)].
Deeds D:113. Dated 23 October 1797. Elias Brewer of the Township of Menallen and Mary his wife, to Timothy Smith of the same place. For the sum of sixty five dollars, a tract of land called Limestone lying in the place aforesaid. Beginning at a stone on the line of John Tate, south to a stone, east to a stone on the line of John Tate, Junior, north to the beginning, containing two acres and four perches. Witnesses: George Lamb and Constantine Hermmons. Acknowledged 30 , 10th month, 1797.
Deeds D:320. Dated 25 March 1801. Elias Brewer and Mary his wife of the Township of Menallen, to Joseph Woodmanse of the Township of Redstone. For Two Hundred and Forty Dollars, a lot of land situate upon the waters of big Redstone Creek and the place aforesaid beginning at a white oak at the corner of John Tates land... The parcel bounds that of the Brewers on the south. Containing about fifteen acres. Part of a tract of land which Elias Brewer purchased of the heirs of Jonathan Chambers. Witnesses: Andrew Morrison, Griffith Roberts.
Deeds E:9. Dated 1 December 1800. John Cadwalder Senor and Sarah his wife of the Township of Redstone to John Cadwalder Junior of the same place. For the sum of ninety nine dollars, a lot of land situate on the waters of Roughs Run a branch of Big Redstone Creek in the Township of Redstone aforesaid. Beginning at a stone in the line of Elias Brewer thence west... [Elias Brewer was married to Mary Cadwalder on 29 September 1790 by the Friends Meeting at Westland, Washington Co., Pennsylvania. Mary was a daughter of John and Sarah (Jamison) Cadwalder, and as seen from the deed, the Cadwalders had land that abutted that of Elias Brewer].
Deeds E:9. Dated 1 December 1800 (same as the deed above that immediately precedes it in the book). Elias Brewer and Mary his wife of the Township of Menallen, to John Cadwalder, Junior of the Township of Redstone. For consideration of five hundred and sixteen dollars, a lot of land on the Waters of Roughs Run, a branch of Redstone Creek, in he Township of Manallen aforesaid, beginning at a stone on the line of John Gibson south...containing sixty four acres. Witnesses: John Hank and Mary Rogers.
Deeds E:152. Dated 5 December 1800. William Linn Senior of the Township of Redstone, yeoman, to Elias Brewer, yeoman, of the same place. For consideration of one hundred eighty six dollars, a lot of land situate upon the Waters of Roughs Run, a branch of the big Redstone Creek, beginning at a heap of stones in the line of Samuel Grable, Junr.... The land bounds that of Elias Brewer. Containing three acres. It being the same lot of land conveyed to William Linn by James Dunlap by deed of 13 September 1790. Witnesses: Hugh Shotwell and William Linn, Junr.
This image, downloaded from Wikipedia (article: Redstone Creek), taken from
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| Rivers of southwestern Pennsylvania in 1803 |
Redstone Township in History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches of Many of the Pioneers and Prominent Men, edited by Franklin Ellis (Philadelphia: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882). Menallen Township can be found at page 653. Bullskin Township is at page 485. Tyrone Township (Benjamin Brewer above) is not covered. Modern maps of Fayette County show an Upper Tyrone Township and to its east, Lower Tyrone Township. The two are at the northern line of the county abutting Westmoreland County. To the east of Lower Tyrone is Bullskin, and to the west of Upper Tyrone is Perry Township.
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| Fayette Co., PA (from Wikipedia, Map of Fayette County, Pennsylvania) |
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| Outline Map of Fayette Co. (from Almlie-Talberg-Sord-Dilley A Family History) |
No promises here, but time permitting, we'll try to research more deeds (from later years) and follow up with a post is something of interest is found.
BGB 668
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