Brewers of Fulton County and Saratoga County, New York: Deeds and Census Records, Part II

Continuing on with the post of November 1, 2018, we'll first go back a bit from the 1830s to 1800. On 19 April 1800, Daniel Brewer and Sally Brewer his wife, of the Town of Amsterdam, Montgomery County, convey to Henry Pawling, Esq., of the same place, for $1500, 100 acres with appurtenances (Fulton Co. Deeds 2:422-23). The town in which the land is located is not specified, however, the Kayaderosseras Patent is mentioned, and in the description the land adjoins that of Issa(?) Coon. The given name Sally is of course a diminutive for Sarah, and she is called Sarah elsewhere in the deed. The two acknowledged the deed on 8 March 1808 and it was recorded on 22 March 1808. (Also recorded in Montgomery Co. Deeds, 10:452)

I am unable to find Daniel Brewer on the 1800 U. S. census in Amsterdam, or in Montgomery County (using the records and search tool available at Ancestry.com). The images I did look at are rough, and the hand writing is difficult to read for many names, so he may still be there. The only Daniel Brower/Brewer I find in New York State in 1800, was at Rochester, Ulster County, with a household of 2 males under 10, 1 male 26-44, and 1 female 26-44, so a small family, and perhaps one just starting which would also describe Daniel and Sarah Brewer of Montgomery/Fulton and Saratoga Counties. The 1810 U. S. census also enumerates a Daniel Brewer in Rochester, Ulster County, over age 45, with a household of 7 persons. This leads me to believe that we have two different Daniel Brewers.

In 1810,  (our) Daniel Brewer is found in Providence, Saratoga County, with a household of seven, being 4 males under 10 years of age, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 26-44 (that would be Daniel), 1 female under 10, 1 female 10-15 and 1 female 26-44. He is enumerated between Ebenezer Barrett and Stephen D. Lane. No other Brewers are found in Providence in 1810.

U.S. Census, 1810, Providence, Saratoga Co., NY, p.272 (NARA via Ancestry.com)

 In 1810, there are two other Daniel Brewers (four total) in New York State. One is in Easton, Washington County, while the other is at Carmel, Dutchess (now Putnam) County. Neither would be the Daniel Brewer we are researching.

In 1820, we find Daniel Brewer, perhaps written as Brower, again in Providence, New York with a household of 2 males under 10, 2 males 10-15, 1 male 16-25, 1 male over 45, 1 female 16-25 and 1 female over 45. If we assume that all those under 25 are children of Daniel and Sarah (although we have no guarantee that this is the case) they then had five sons and one daughter in their household on the date the census was taken. Samuel Mosher is found on this same census sheet.

U.S. Census, 1820, Providence, NY, p.260 (NARA via Ancestry.com)

 No other Brewers are found in Providence in 1820, although there are other Brewers in Saratoga County. There are Browers in Montgomery County, including a John Brower at Amsterdam with a household of 7, including a male 26-44 and a Daniel D. Brower, with a household of 3, being 1 male 16-25, 1 female under 10 and 1 female 16-25. With the middle initial of D, this Daniel Brower, could be a son of Daniel and Sarah Brewer. The quality of this record is poor. Whether this John Brower is a son would be less certain.

U.S. Census, 1820, Amsterdam, New York, p.44 (NARA via Ancestry.com)

For the 1830 and 1840 census records see the post of November 1, 2018.

Back to the land records. Fulton County Deeds 13:447-48, has the deed of Daniel Brewer and Sarah his wife of Providence, to Nathaniel George of the City of New York, for a parcel of land in Broadalbin, Montgomery County, "being lot number one of the smaller lots into which lot number four in the Sacandaga Patent is subdivided..." The deed is dated 12 July 1838. Go back to that map of the Sacandaga Patent at the New York Archives Digital Collections. Who is on Lot 4? Clark, and Lane (the map is believed to be from 1833). Could this be land inherited by Sarah, from her father? We'll have to work on the Clarks after we've done a little more with the Brewers. (Also in Montgomery Co. Deeds 43:400).

When we move up to the years 1839-1859, the deeds involving the Brewers that interest us become more numerous.

In Volume 1, at pages 215 and 216 there are two deeds from Daniel and Sarah Brewer, of Broadalbin, to Nathaniel George of New York City. Both were recorded on 26 April 1839 (Fulton County has now been created and so the deed books start again with a second number 1). On page 215 the Brewers convey a parcel of land in Broadalbin being a part of Lot no. six of the Sacandaga Patent (35 acres) and dated 31 July 1838. Lot 6 was in the name of Clark and Holland in 1833. The deed on page 216 is dated 14 September 1838, it conveys parts of lots number six and seven in the Sacandaga Patent. Lot 7 belonged to P. Winne on the 1833 map. One of the witnesses is a Roxanna Brewer, and the deed is acknowledged in Marion County, Ohio, by Daniel and Sarah Brewer on 5 October 1838. It looks as if Daniel and Sarah Brewer relocated to Marion County, Ohio (which was one of the counties that contributed to the formation of Wyandot County in 1845) in late 1838. And on the 1840 U. S. census we do find a Daniel Brewer at Salt Rock, Marion County, Ohio, with a household of one male 60-70 and one female 60-70. Enumerated next to him is P. C. Brewer (Paris? Clark? Brewer).

U.S. Census, 1840, Salt Rock, Marion Co., OH (NARA via Ancestry.com)

The 1850 U. S. census at Pitt, Wyandot County, Ohio, has Daniel Brewer, age 79, born in New York, enumerated in the household of David Williams, age 36, born in Pennsylvania. The household also includes Sarah Williams, age 25, born in New York, which we might assume to be David's wife. Children include a son Daniel and a daughter Sarah. Sarah, could be a daughter of Daniel Brewer, but if her age is correct here, she would have been born rather late to Sarah, and since no female that might be of Sarah's age is found in the household description for Daniel on the 1840 census, it may be that she is a granddaughter, or maybe some other relation, perhaps a niece.

U.S. Census, 1850, Pitt, OH (NARA via Ancestry.com)

We have more land records to consider back in Fulton County. We'll also have to start looking in Marion and Wyandot Counties, Ohio. And so, this will continue.

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Brewers of Fulton County and Saratoga County, New York, Deeds and Census Records, Part I

We are looking through deeds and census records to see if we can make some order out of and reconstruct the family or families in which James Brewer and John Brewer belong.

In a deed recorded in Fulton County, dated 7 August 1836, Daniel Brewer and Sarah his wife, of Providence, Saratoga County, New York, sell (for $500) to Daniel Brewer of Broadalbin, Montgomery County (remember Fulton Co. was not created until 1838), a parcel of land in Broadalbin, Montgomery Co., being Lot no. 8 in the Sacondaga Patent, bounded on the north by he Fly Creek, on the east by Lot No. 7, no the south by the highway and on the west by Lot no. 9, containing one hundred and twenty five acres. This can be found in Fulton County Deeds, Vol. 13, p. 101. It is acknowledged by Daniel and Sarah in Montgomery County on 28 September 1836.

Fulton Co. NY Deeds 13:101 (from FamilySearch.org)

The above deed is also recorded in Montgomery Co. Deeds, vol. 41, p. 358.

The 1830 U. S. census at Providence, Saratoga Co., New York, includes Daniel Brewer with a household of two males 15-20, one male 50-60 (presumably Daniel), one female 10-15 and one female 50-60 (p. 248). Enumerated on the same page is the household of Samuel Mosher (John Brewer's wife, Elsie Mosher, is a daughter of this Samuel Mosher). See the post of March 15, 2017.

1830 U.S. Census, Providence, Saratoga Co., NY, p.248 (NARA via Ancestry.com)

Also found in Providence in 1830, is James Brewer with a household of one male age 20-30 and one female age 20-30. He is found at the top of the next census page (p. 249), therefore enumerated in sequence with Daniel Brewer.

1830 U.S. Census, Providence, Saratoga Co., NY, p.249 (NARA via Ancestry.com)

Meanwhile in 1830 in Broadalbin, Montgomery County, New York, on the U. S. census (p. 141), we find Daniel Brewer with 7 persons including a male age 40-50. Daniel is followed by (what appears to be) Barney Brewer, household of 3 with a male age 20-30, and then John Brewer with a household of 10 including a male 30-40.

1830 U.S. Census, Broadalbin, Montgomery Co., NY, p.141 (NARA via Ancestry.com)

Russel Brewer is found on page 143 in Broadalbin, with a household of 4 including a male 20-30.

No heads of households named BREWER (or any variation of) are found in Providence, New York on the 1840 U. S. census. However, in Fulton County, in 1840, all in Broadalbin, we find John Brewer (9 persons including a male 40-50), Daniel Brewer (8 persons including a male 40-50), James Brewer (6 persons including a male 30-40), Gardner Brewer (3 persons including a male 20-30), these four enumerated in succession at the bottom of page 351. Just above them (with Asa Buell and Eli Manning in between) is Russel Brewer (7 persons including a male 30-40).

1840 U.S. Census, Broadalbin, Fulton Co., NY, p.351 (NARA via Ancestry.com)

On page 342 of this same census in Broadalbin are a Jacob Brower and a Jacob Brower, Jr., enumerated in succession.

1840 U.S. Census, Broadalbin, Fulton Co., NY, p. 341 (NARA via Ancestry.com)

The two Jacob Browers are father and son. The elder being Jacob Brouwer, born 16 August 1785 and baptized at the Hackensack Reformed Dutch Church, a son of Jacob Brouwer and Margietta Triet, and a 5-great grandson of Adam Brouwer of Gowanus, L. I. The younger, his son, Jacob Brouwer/Brower was born 20 December 1815 in Mayfield, then Montgomery County, New York.

It should be pointed out here that Fulton County and Saratoga County are adjacent to one another. Saratoga County is directly east of Fulton County. The town of Providence in Saratoga County is on that county's western line and it abuts Fulton County. Likewise, Broadalbin is on Fulton County's eastern border and it abuts Saratoga County. Though in different counties, Providence and Broadalbin are adjacent towns.

The Sacondaga Patent, mentioned in the deed between Daniel and Sarah Brewer to Daniel Brewer, was granted in 1741. There are digital maps online at the New York State Archives Digital Collections. We want to look at map #286, "Map of the Sacondaga Patent." There are two copies, one a torn and faded original and the second a restored copy which is clearer. If you look at the restored copy and enlarge it, you'll find the Lot no. 8 mentioned in the deed to the right. On the map the owners are listed as P. Winne and Douns. You may also note that Lot nos. 4, 6 and 9 (and others) are owned by Clark. Remember, user submitted trees on Ancestry.com claimed that the younger Daniel Brewer was a son of the older Daniel Brewer and a Sarah Clark. That may be correct, but we'll look for harder evidence in a future post. Also note that area designated as marshy, above these lots. That area was known in colonial times as the "Vly," and the creek or stream depicted would be Fly (or Vly) Creek mentioned in the deed (V to F and F to V, was a common consonant shift).

I'll also note that there are a couple of changes to the PDF for Daniel Brewer placed online on October 28th. The son, Henry, has been deleted. Daniel did not have a son named Henry. The 1850 U.S. census at Broadalbin includes his first wife, Hannah, so she was living in 1850. On the 1855 New York State census, Daniel is enumerated as a widower in a household with his daughter, Elisa Chase who is recorded as married although her husband is not recorded. Then in 1860 we find Daniel, in Broadlabin with his second wife, Lucinda (called Lucinda Rice in various Ancestry.com trees) and three children including a Henry Brewer, age 10. Henry is apparently a step-son of Daniel, as Henry is found on the 1865 New York State census, in Daniel's household, as Henry Cussin, age 14. So, Henry has been removed. Also, Daniel's son Parris/Paris Brewer, went to Pitt, Wyandot Co., Ohio by 1860, where he is found with his wife Matilda, daughter Hannah M., and son Daniel. Paris Brewer enlisted from Pitt, Ohio in the Civil War and was killed at Peach Tree Creek, Georgia on 20 July 1864. He is buried in the National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia. Not all of these changes are reflected in the PDF, but you can "follow along" as I look for further records on Ancestry.com (sorry, but you will need an active paid subscription. I know, that stinks, but this allows for easy research and for changes to be made easily, unlike the process of creating the PDFs or updating the BGD, which I've stopped doing anyway).

We will continue with more Brewer deeds and census records in the next post.

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Brewer in Robertson County, Tennessee

Robertson County, Tennessee was organized in 1796. It is located in middle Tennessee, along the northern border of the state with Logan County, Kentucky to the north. While briefly researching some descendants of George Brewer, I accumulated a few records regarding Brewers found in Robertson County, Tennessee, and I simply want to pass them on to those who may be researching this group. So, in no particular order:

The will of Edmond Brewer. This found in Robertson, County Inventories and Wills, Book 17, p. 740 (image at FamilySearcg.org).

Robertson County, 1812 Tax Roll. Listed here in District no. 2 are Addison Brewer, Jones Brewer, John Brewer, and perhaps Edmond Brewer. I say perhaps, because the name as written is not clear.

Robertson County, 1837 Tax Roll. District no. 2, includes Edmund Brewer, Jones Brewer, John Brewer and Addison Brewer.

Jones Brewer on the 1850 U.S. Census at District no. 2, Robertson County. Jones is found on line 22, age is 84, born in Virginia. That would place is year of birth as about 1766. (At the top of the page is a Narcissa Brewer, age 32, born in Kentucky. Sorry, I do not have an image of the previous page which may include more of Narcissa's family).

Index page (B) for Robertson Co. Inventories and Wills, Book 16. The Bs are on the page on the right. A Sally Brewer is found in the column on the right. There is also a John Burwell in the left column.

Index page (B) for Robertson Co. Inventories and Wills, Book 17. You will find a few Brewers listed here. The books have been placed online at FamilySearch in the collection titled Tennessee Probate Court Books, 1795-1927. 

This next image is an Index page from Robertson Co. Inventories and Wills, 1796-1825, also online at FamilySearch.org. You can find Edmond Brewer, a John Brewer and a Matthew Brewer here. 

Grant of land to William Brewer, assignee of Oliver Edwards, for 15 acres in the West Township, Robertson County, 1819.

The will of William Edwards, of Robertson Co., Tennessee, dated 6 August 1836. The will mentions Henry Brewer. William Edwards was married to Rebecca Brewer, a daughter of Oliver Brewer. Among the sons mentioned is Oliver Edwards (see above). "Daughter, Rebecah Edwards," is mentioned in her father, Oliver Brewer's will of 1791. William Edwards' will is found in Robertson Co. Wills and Inventories, vol. 9, pp. 414-415.

The will of John Payne of Robertson Co., Tennessee, dated 9 October 1805. Found in Robertson Co. Inventories, Wills, 1796-1825. I include this because it appears that one of the witnesses to the will was an Edmond Brewer who signed by his mark.

And here are some links to images of probate records at FamilySearch.org, Tennessee Probate Court Books collection:
Inventory and account of the sale of the property of Jones Brewer, vol. 15, p. 331-
Jones Brewer, Estate File, Robertson County Court, Estate Settlements, 23 pages
Sarah Brewer, Estate File, Robertson County Court, Estate Settlements, 12 pages (Sarah was the wife of Jones Brewer).

Tennessee was admitted as a state on June 1, 1796. Fortunately the Probate Court records dating back to this time have survived and FamilySearch.org has made them available online. There are two collections, Tennessee Probate Court Books, 1795-1927, and Tennessee Probate Court Files, 1795-1955. In addition there are a few collections covering birth, marriage and death records, some dating back to the early 1800s, most of which are searchable. See the Indexed Historical Records on the page for Tennessee.

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Brewers in New Jersey During the Period of the American Revolution

2018 is the year that I, for once and for all, clear out the Brouwer, Brower, Brewer files on the old home desk top computer. It's a chance to spot things that may have been overlooked, and when such an item is found I'll place it online for any interested researcher to access. They'll be stored in a Google Drive account. In the past I had often placed docs and files online using RootsWeb FreePages. But after last year's take down of that website (down for a few months during the spring of 2017) and the difficulties RootsWeb is currently experiencing (just click on the Brouwer Genealogy Database link to the right and you'll get an explanation), I'll switch to the more reliable (and free so long as I don't exceed data limits) Google Drive. The Google Drive will be my only copy. I will no longer maintain a back-up or second copy. So once my Google Account is gone these files will disappear as well. I will no longer be a repository for all things Brouwer, Brower or Brewer. And so my advise is if you should happen to find a keeper, something that is useful to your own research, download it now. It will not be online forever. Now back to the subject of this post...

From the collection of material loaned to me by William B. Bogardus back in 2008-09, here is a page of Brewers found in Revolutionary Census of New Jersey - An Index Based on Rateables of the Inhabitants of New Jersey During the Period of the American Revolution, by Kenn Stryker-Rodda  (1986). This is a four page PDF. Please read the introduction found on the second page. The third page gives abbreviations used for the townships covered. New Jersey counties that are covered are Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, and Salem. The fourth page is the page that includes those named BREWER (also spelled BREWAR and don't ignore BREWEN and BRUEN, BREWIN and BRUIN).

My experience over the past 17 years of research on the Brouwer, Brower and Brewer surname, is that many of those who reach dead-ends with their lines do so around or just after the period of the American Revolution, and they do so with families that migrated to what was then the western frontier of the new United States. This specifically refers to families that "suddenly" appear in western Pennsylvania, western Virginia including what would later become West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. I can also state that it has been my experience after years of researching not only Browers and Brewers, but also many other families with origins in colonial New York, New Jersey, and New England, that many (probably the majority) of those who did find their way to the western frontier of the new United States, did so from homes located in the western counties of New Jersey and adjoining counties of eastern Pennsylvania. Specifically I'm talking about Hunterdon, Somerset, Morris counties in New Jersey and Bucks and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania. So here now is a handy list of adult males, as well as a Hannah, a Mary, and a "widow," who were living in those counties in New Jersey that I just mentioned above.

There is little doubt in my mind that if your dead-end Brewer or Brower ancestor is found in western Pennsylvania, western Virginia, Ohio or Kentucky, his/her ancestor that is the link to your colonial period ancestry is very likely on this list.

Good luck, and I'd invite anyone who has found a viable link to share it with others by using the Comments field below.

A Map of Colonial New Jersey

From the website http://www.teacheroz.com/colonies.htm

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