Update: John Brewer, Revolutionary War Patriot, of New Jersey and Pennsylvania

 This post is an update to the post of October 28, 2012.

Back in late 2012, in the above post, I suggested that John Brewer, born about 1749 or 1750, who's wife was Hannah Timpson, might be a descendant of Jan Brouwer of Flatlands, L. I. Some recent research developments suggest that this initial suggestion may not be correct. Specifically, I suggested that John Brewer might be Johannis, son of Jan Brouwer and Helena Van Cleef who was baptized at the Readington, New Jersey Reformed Dutch Church on December 26, 1749, as this baptism date and suggested age for John Brewer match. Again, this may not be correct.

Particulars for John Brewer and Hannah Timpson are mentioned in the October 28, 2012 post and I will not repeat them here. However, some new information can be added. The previous post mentions the appearance of a John Brewer on the 1820 U.S. census at Loyalsock, Lycoming Co., Pennsylvania. What is not mentioned are findings on the 1810 U.S. census, and here we find John Brewer at East Buffalo, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania with a household of 2 males under age 10, 2 males age 10-15, 1 male age 26-44 (presumably John), 1 female under age 10, 1 female age 26-44 (presumably Hannah). A D.A.R. application gives John and Hannah a son Matthew Brewer, born 13 January 1787 in Pennsylvania (see the 2012 post). Matthew is also found on the 1810 U.S. census at East Buffalo with a household of 1 male aged 16-25. Not previously mentioned, but also found at East Buffalo in 1810, is a Thomas Brewer, with a household of one male age 16-25. Neither Matthew or Thomas are apparently married at the time of this census. Names on this census were recorded alphabetically, so we can't determine whether or not the three Brewers were living near or next to each other although we do know from the D.A.R. application that John and Matthew were father and son, and I'd suspect that the young Thomas is a son as well.

 

Recently a new member of the Brewer DNA Project, received his results from a BigY-700 (Y-DNA) test. The results confirm that the tested individual is a descendant of Adam Brouwer of Gowanus, L.I. This new member is a direct male descendant of a Thomas Brewer and his wife, Anna Maria Stroh, and is found on the 1820 U.S. census at Annville, Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania (formed in 1813) with a household of 2 males under age 10, 1 male age 26-44, 1 female under 10, and 1 female age 16-25, so, a young family. Thomas Brewer, recorded in 1810 as Thomas Bruer, is otherwise not found as a head of household in 1810, and I suspect that he is the Thomas Brewer found (in 1810) with John Brewer and Matthew Brewer in East Buffalo, Pennsylvania. 

A deed dated 18 April 1828 in Lebanon County is summarized as follows: Anna Maria Stroh of Annville, widow and relict of John Stroh late of the same place deceased, David Spotz and Elizabeth his wife, John Stroh, Thomas Brewer and Maria his wife, John Brewer and Rebecca his wife and Hannah Stroh, all of Annville, the said Elizabeth the wife of the said David Spatz, John Stroh, Maria Brewer wife of the said Thomas Brewer, Rebecca the wife of the said John Brewer and Hannah Stroh, all being children and legal heirs of John Stroh deceased aforesaid, for consideration of the sum of eighty dollars paid by Abraham Herr of Annville convey to Abraham Herr all right to that messauge or house and lot of ground with apurtanences situate in the Township of Annville, late the real estate of John Stroh, deceased... Signed by all the grantors, some with their marks. Recorded 6 Dec 1830. [Lebanon Co., PA Deeds D:595-6].

The deed tells us that sisters, Maria and Rebecca Stroh were both married to men named Brewer, Thomas and John respectively. It's reasonable to assume that the two sisters married brothers. Thomas Brewer and John Brewer are likely brothers. John Brewer (recorded as Bruer) is also found in 1820 at Annville, Pennsylvania, with a household of 2 males under age 10, 1 male 16-25, 1 female under age 10, and 1 female age 16-25. John Brewer is found again in Annville in 1830 with a household of 1 male under 5, 2 males 5-10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 30-40, 2 females under 5, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 30-40. Enumerated next to Mary Brewer. Thomas Brewer is not found in 1830 (nor in any later census records) and he likely died sometime between the date of the above deed and the taking of the 1830 census, the official enumeration day having been June 1, 1830. Mary Brewer's household consists of  2 males under 5, 2 males 5-9, 1 male 10-14, 1 female under  5, 1 female 10-14, 1 female 30-40. Mary Brewer is again found in 1840 at Annville and then in 1850 at Millerstown, Pennsylvania, as "widow" Brewer with (presumed) children Gideon Brewer (age 22) and Mary Ann Brewer (age given as 16, which I believe is understated, as she is 29 in 1860). Anna Maria Stroh was baptized February 8, 1796 at Hill Evangelical Lutheran Church in Annville. She was born October 6, 1795 and was the daughter of John (Johannes) Stroh and Anna Maria Muese. She evidently went by her "call name" Maria or Mary, in later records. A baptism record has not been found for her sister Rebecca, the wife of John Brewer. In the 1800s Annville (or Anville) was a village in Millersville Township, Lebanon County.

As mentioned, we know from Y-DNA testing of a direct male descendant of Thomas Brewer, that Thomas is a descendant of Adam Brouwer of Gowanus, L.I. If we are correct in our assumption that Thomas is son of John Brewer (of Northumberland and later Lycoming Counties, PA) and Hannah Timpson, then the 2012 suggestion that John Brewer is a descendant of Jan Brouwer of Flatlands, cannot be correct. It would also be apparent that in addition to a son Matthew, John and Hannah (Timpson) Brewer had sons Thomas and John (and apparently from the 1810 census, other children as well). No probate records for either Thomas or John Brewer were found in an initial search. To emphasize, the assumption that Thomas and John Brewer are sons of John and Hannah (Timpson) Brewer is just that, an assumption. Further evidence should be located, but proximity and the fact that the younger John Brewer also named a son Matthew, suggest that we are on the right course with this assumption.

From some preliminary research done on Ancestry.com it appears that Thomas and Maria/Mary (Stroh) Brewer had perhaps eight children, six of whom were sons. John and Rebecca (Stroh) Brewer apparently went to Auglaize County, Ohio and had at least two sons (Matthew and James) and perhaps a daughter Elizabeth (married Henry Nye). John Brewer's estate was probated in Auglaize County in 1859 and is found in this probate court entry in Auglaize County. See also, this entry.

John and Hannah (Timpson) Brewer's son Matthew Brewer was still in Pennsylvania in 1840, at Penns, Union County. He died 3 January 1849 in Tazewell County, Illinois. He and his wife Mary White (d.1853) had a son Matthew T.* Brewer who died 28 February 1850, also in Tazewell County, Illinois. He and his wife, Mary Bequeath (Beckwith?) who afterwards married Isaac Dwyer, had two children, a son Vitruvious Mathew Brewer (1848-1934) and a daughter Mary E. Brewer (b. ca. 1850). Interested researchers should be able to easily trace more recent descendants further using Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org.

*Is that a T for Timpson? Hannah Timpson's ancestry has not been researched.

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Some BREWER Deeds in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Up To The Year 1850

 Abstracts and links for some deeds involving persons named BREWER found in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. See Grantors Index Bi-Bz:168, Grantees Index Bi-Bz:135. Nortumberland County was formed in 1772 from parts of five counties: Lancaster, Berks, Bedford, Cumberland and Northampton. Links are to digital images of microfilmed books at FamilySearch.org, Northumberland County Deeds 1770-1866. Although free, you will need to be logged in to FamilySearch to view the deeds.

• Valentine Billman of Sunbury, yeoman, and Catharine his wife, to Abraham Brewer of Shamokin Twp., yeoman. Confirmation of a grant of land to Dewald Billman, dated 16 June 1790, containing 193 3/4 acres in Shamokin Twp. (late Augusta), recorded in Philadelphia Patent Book No. 16, p. 315. That Dewald Billman and Magdaline his wife by deed conveyed 18 November 1791 to Valentine Billman all that said tract of land. Now Valentine Billman and Catharine his wife, for consideration of the sum of one hundred forty five pounds three shillings and six pence paid by Abraham Brewer, convey said described tract of land. Dated and reccorded 4 February 1801. Deeds L:374-75.
• Thomas Wilson and Mary his wife of Cattawissa Twp. to William Brewer of the same place. For eighteen hundred dollars, two certain tracts of land called "Baritania" situate in Cattawissa Twp. being part of a certain tract of land granted to John Pemberton from the late Proprietors of Pennsylvania, 27 August 1774 (patent book AA vol. 14, p. 672). The deed includes previous transactions. Dated 24 April 1806. Recorded 28 April 1806. Deeds N:274.
  
• Abraham Brewer of Shamokin Twp., to Henry Metler of the same place, late of the State of New Jersey, yeoman. For 400 pounds, land in Shamokin. Bounded by Balthus and Jacob Depew, Philip Utter, John Rockefeller. 309 acres being part of the tract of land called Browers Hall granted 3 March 1793 to Reuben Hains/Hanes. Dated 24 April 1811, recorded 7 June 1813. Deeds R:491-93.
• John Dawes Ross and Mary his wife of Augusta Twp., to Elias Brewer of the same township. A certain tract of land called "Union" in Augusta Twp. History of transactions for this tract. For six hundred pounds. Two hundred and twelve acres. [A long description, includes a drawing]. Dated 1 July 1812, recorded 22 February 1815. Deeds S:413-15.
  
• Agreement made 14 December 1816 between Richard Houghton of Augusta Twp. of the one part, and Joseph Houghton, Thomas Thorpe, Elias Brewer, Christian Hile of Augusta Twp., John C. Thorpe, John Chittister of Shamokin Twp., of the other part. The parties agree to clear and make a shad fishery on said Houghton's land. Recorded 8 February 1817. Deeds T:227-228.
• John Chidister agreement to Richard Houghton. Mentions Elias Brewer, and others involved in the above agreement. Dated 31 May 1817, recorded 2 June 1817. Deeds T:314. 
• William Silverwood and Catharine his wife of Augusta Twp. to Matthew Brewer and Jacob Waggonseller of Penns Twp., Union County. For the sum of six hundred dollars, certain land in the River Susquehanna situate in the Township of Augusta, one called "Hawks" Island about five miles below Sunbury containing 26 acres. Dated 1 May 1835, recorded 12 June 1835. Deeds Z:385-86. [Union County was created out of Northumberland County in 1813].
  
• Henry Brewer and Julyan his wife, James Farnsworth and Margaret his wife, Abraham Brewer and Maryann his wife and Christopher Haughawout his wife, heirs and legal representatives of Elias Brewer, late of Augusta Twp., to Jonathan Mattler, late of Rush, now of Augusta. For Thirteen hundred and ninety-four dollars, a tract of land in Augusta Twp. Bounded by James Forister, James Farnesworth, Isaac Kline, Henry Kline. 102 acres excepting one acre on the south sold by said Elias Brewer to Charles Stanner and owned (by) Mordicae Lawrence. Being part of a tract deeded by John Dawes Ross and Mary his wife to Elias Brewer, 1 July 1812. Dated 13 April 1846. Recorded 13 April 1846. Deeds EE:584-85.
• Alexander Moore, Jr., of Rush Twp., to Abraham Brewer of the same place. For five hundred dollars, two tracts of land in Rush Township, one of 14 acres and 120 perches, the other containing 39 acres and 105 perches. Dated 1 April 1847, recorded 11 Mar 1850. Deeds GG:532-33.
  
• Henry Brewer and Julian his wife of Mahoning Twp., James Farnesworth of Augusta Twp. and Margaret his wife, late Margaret Brewer, Christopher Haughwout of Lyon Twp., Huron County, Ohio and Elizabeth his wife, late Elizabeth Brewer and Abraham Brewer of Rush Twp., all heirs and legal representatives of Elias Brewer, late of Northumberland County, to Isaac D. Kline of Augusta Twp. For five hundred seventy-five dollars, land situate in Augusta Twp. Bounded by now Jonathan Mettler late Elias Brewer, James Forrister, Isaac Kline, containing thirty acres. Elias Brewer died intestate. Dated 5 April 1850. Recorded 6 May 1851. Deeds HH:280-82.

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