Some BREWER Wills In Kentucky: LaRue County

 We're looking into some potential connections between some BREWER families, primarily descended from Adam Brouwer of Gowanus, Long Island, who settled in Kentucky during the late 1700s and/or early 1800s. Below are some abstracts/transcriptions by myself with links to digital images of the will books at FamilySearch.org (you will need to log in to FamilySearch to view them. There is no fee). This post includes four will found in the LaRue County Will Books. LaRue County was formed March 4, 1843, set off from the southeast portion of Hardin County.

1- Samuel Brewer, Larue County. Larue Co. Wills 1:54-55. Dated 18 October 1852. Samuel Brewer "now in a bad state of health but of sound mind." To Charity Howell and Samuel Howell daughter and son of Elizabeth Howell my sister dec., my part of the land on the Swel Woods & Otter Creek, Larue County, Ky that was willed to me by Peter Brewer dec., equally. Also said Charity is to have one heifer that was given to her for her services and attention on her grand mother when sick & in her last moments & dying. Also the above Samuel is to have my  cloth suit & hat. I give and bequeath unto Phebe Brewer the daughter of Isaac Brewer, dec. my brother my (?) cow & bequeth unto Mary Jane Brewer the (?) heifer. I also appoint John Baird as my executor if consistent with the laws of our land to divide the above property to the different legatees without administration. Also the said Baird is requested to sell all the rest of my goods and chattels to the highest bidder & discharge all my legal debts and expenses then the balance if any I give to my brother Benjamin Brewer. Signs with his mark. Witnesses: John Baird, William ? Baird. Proved 30 Nov 1852. [This is Samuel Brewer, b. ca. 1796 in Kentucky, d. 8 November 1852, a son of Peter Brewer and Margaret Hobach].

2- William F. Brewer, Larue County. Larue Co. Wills 1:103-4. Dated 18 May 1861. William F. Brewer of the County of Larue, State of Kentucky being of sound and disposing mind & memory but weak & infirm knowing once that it is appointed once to all men to die and being desirous of disposing of what little estate I have been blessed with to my satisfaction I do make, ordain & establish this as my last will & testament... All just debts and liabilities to be paid by my executor. To my wife Mary Brewer one feather bed and furniture to be well furnished with all her fine quilts six in number & one square table forever. My property, all both real & personal, land, stocks, kitchen and house hold furniture be sold in a twelve month credit by my executor, and after paying all liabilities loan out all the money that may be left of my estate and the interest of the same be paid to my wife Mary for her support during her life. (Instructions for the executor to also pay out principal should the interest be insufficient to support his wife). Appoints friend, Jisse P. Bryant sole executor. Signed William F. Brewer. Witnesses: Saml. P. Lasley, James M. Hausbury. Proved 26 August 1861. [William F. Brewer is not found on the Brouwer Genealogy Database. I do find a Wm. Brewer with (inferred) wife Mary on the 1850 U.S. census in Hamiltons, Larue Co., KY, both age 26, born in Kentucky. In 1860, W. F. Brewer, age 37, born in Kentucky with (inferred) wife Mary, age 41, Kentucky are enumerated in Larue County (no township or city stated). On this same census sheet are a Michl Brewer (age 31, KY) and an Isaac Brewer (age 20, KY) both married with one child each. A Peter Brewer (age 34, KY) is in the household of Michl (I assume Michael) Brewer. There is a Kentucky marriage record for William Brewer and Mary Hatfield, both age 21, dated 12 November 1846 in Hardin County (Larue/LaRue County was set off from Hardin County, 4 March 1843). Additional research on this Brewer family, due to length and complexity, will have to be reserved for a future post of its own].

3- Michael Brewer, Larue County. Larue Co. Wills 1:212. Dated 30 June 1869. Michael Brewer of Larue County, Kentucky being feable in body but sound in mind and memory. After my death my body be decently buried and my just debts and funeral expenses be paid. To my son William, a certain tract of land lying in Larue County on the waters of the southfork of Nolin (River) and bounded as follows...127 1/2 acres (see original). To Milley Brewer the wife of my son Peter M. Brewer, two dollars. To grandson John W. Brewer and Washington R. Brewer and Thomas B. Brewer, 157 1/2 acres, more or less, to be divided equally among my three grandsons, the land lying on the west of my son William above mentioned. Appoints friend Baylor Henderson sole executor. Signs with his mark X. Witnesses: Saml. S. Kirkpatrick, Eliza F. Alfney. Proved 24 August 1874. [Michael Brewer is found on the BGD website. This will adds to his profile and narrows down the time range for his date of death to between 4 August 1870 when he appears on the U.S. census at Buffalo, Larue County, and 24 August 1874 when his will was proved. He is a son of Peter Brewer and Margaret Hobach and a brother of Samuel Brewer, above].

4- Valentine Brewer, Larue County. Larue Co. Wills 2:73. Dated 3 November 1883. Valentine Brewer of Larue County, "am well and in my right reason." To my wife Rachel Brewer my land during her natural life - to have the entire control of. "She must rent it each year for the third of what can be raised on the farm. Whoever rents the farm must bind themselves to keep the farm in good repair." To son William A. Brewer the "refusal of renting the above named farm." "I want my land sold at my wife's death." Son William to have two thirds of the money that the farm brings. Daughter Lucinda J. Howell to have one third of the money the farm brings. If William dies before Lucinda, Lucinda is to have William's two thirds share. Wife Rachel to have all of "my property out of doors to dispose of at her will and that she have all the household and kitchen furniture her life time and at her death it is my will that my daughter Lucinda Howell have it all." Signs with his mark X. "And I also want W. M. Baird to be my administrator." Witnesses: Philip R. Scott, W. M. Baird. Proved 27 July 1885. [Valentine Brewer can be found on the BGD website. This will adds to the notes found there and provides a date range for his time of death which would be sometime between 3 November 1883 and 27 July 1885. He is a son of Peter Brewer and Margaret Hobach and a brother of Samuel Brewer and Michael Brewer above].

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Some BREWER Wills in Kentucky: Hardin County

 We're looking into some potential connections between some BREWER families, primarily descended from Adam Brouwer of Gowanus, Long Island, who settled in Kentucky during the late 1700s and/or early 1800s, and some unplaced BREWER ancestors who we suspect may be descendants of Adam Brouwer (see the post of January 18, 2023). Below are some abstracts/transcriptions by myself with links to digital images of the will books at FamilySearch.org (you will need to log in to FamilySearch to view them. There is no fee). We start with a look at Hardin County which was formed in 1792 from land partitioned from Nelson County. In 1843, LaRue County was created from a portion of southeastern Hardin County.

1- William Brewer (Hardin Co. Wills E:18-19). Dated 12 February 1838. William Brewer of the County of Hardin and State of Kentucky, being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and disposing memory. Debts and funeral expenses to be paid. To my wife Eliner Brewer, all the balance of my estate both real and personal for her use in the case of my children during her natural life or widowhood, but in case she does marry there I bequeath unto her a third part of all estate and the balance or two thirds to be for my six children Nancy Ann, Urias, Elizabeth, Henry, Mary Jane, Martha Ann to be divided equally between them all. But in case my wife should die and not marry then the estate to be divided all equally with the six above named children as they come of age. Signs with his mark X. Witnesses: Joseph Ryan, John Stader. Proved 21 Jan 1839. [Note with regard to the list of children - the commas are mine, there was no punctuation in the original. William twice stated that he had six children and this seemed to be the most logical way to differentiate those with compound names (i.e. Nancy Ann, Mary Jane, Martha Ann). [William Brewer is not found on the Brouwer Genealogy Database website (BGD). Some quick research finds that he is a son of Mark and Catharine Brewer, originally from Maryland, and then of Hardin County, Kentucky (see 3-John Brewer below). They are not related to the BREWER descendants of Adam Brouwer who are found also found in Hardin County].

2- Peter Brewer (Hardin Co. Wills E:48-49). Dated 2 November 1840. Peter Brewer of Hardin County and State of Kentucky am sick but in my right reason. Unto my sons Samuel Brewer and Valentine Brewer my lands in the Levelwoods to be equally divided at their mother's death, Samuel the north and Valentine the south part of said survey By their giving their mother one third of what they raise to maintain her decently and in order also if either of the above brothers should become dissatisfied and wish to sell. Also I give and bequeath unto my wife Margaret Brewer all my personal property horses cattle farming utensils and house lot and kitchen furniture with hoggs and bee hives during her natural life then the surplus of the above personal estate is to be equally divided between the rest of my children Michael Brewer, Elizabeth Howell, Isaac Brewer, Benjamin Brewer and John Brewer. Signs with his mark X. Witnesses: John Baird Senr., Nancy Hobach, John Baird Jr. Proved 19 April 1841 and recorded 29 May 1841. [Peter Brewer can be found on the Brouwer Genealogy Database website (BGD). Also see the post of January 18, 2023. Direct male descendants of his sons Isaac and Valentine have participated in the Brewer DNA Project. They are descendants of Adam Brouwer of Gowanus, L. I.].

3- John Brewer (Hardin Co. Wills E:232-4). Dated 20 July 1852. John Brewer of Hardin County, Kentucky, being sick and weak but of sound mind and disposing memory. All debts and funeral expenses to be paid. The land that was part of the Mary Wise farm to be sold for that purpose (to pay debts) but if either of my heirs should wish to keep that place and furnish money to to its worth to pay the debts off they can have the privilege to do so. To wife Matilda Brewer all my house farm for her support and the support of my younger children viz. Rose Malvinia, James Elias, and Luinda C. Brewer during the time they continue with her. If they marry or leave her then my wife Matilda Brewer to have the houses and one third of the land of said farm. To my three daughters Mary Jane Ryan, Kitty Ann Hoskins, and Rose Malvina Brewer each a house (sic) worth fifty dollars or fifty dollars in cash in place of a horse Malvina also a cow a bed bedstead and furniture. Son James Elias a horse saddle and bridle worth seventy five dollars or its equivalent in cash. To daughter Luinda C. Brewer a horse saddle and bridle worth seventy five dollars and a cow a bed bedstead and furniture or its equivalent in cash to be put to interest until she marries or becomes at age. To Francis X. Brewer a lot in Pittstown for services rendered which may be his choice of two lots. I divine the other lot at Pitts Point and three acres and a quarter of land lying between John Hannes and Wielen Greenville to be sold at public sale. Further I have been of the opinion that my farm on Salt river Bullitt County was worth twelve hundred dollars if any one or more of my sons John Q. and Francis X. Brewer do wish to take it at twelve hundred dollars they are privilege to do so otherwise to be sold at public sale. A note payable to Luke Howlett perhaps ninety two dollars that I am in security for with James Ryan . If James fails to pay it then the executor discounts that much out of what I give to my daughter Mary Jane. I devise a public sale of all my personal estate consisting of household and kitchen furniture, farming utensils, stock, wagons, buggy, etc. I appoint my wife Matilda Brewer and my son John Q. Brewer executrix and executor. Signed John Brewer. Witnesses: Joseph Ryan, Dennis Pursell. "One thing more as it comes to my mind I want enough money of the estate applied to the schooling of James Elias and Luinda C. Brewer as will give them good schooling." Codicil (not dated) gives the balance after debts and expenses and wife Matilda Brewer's right to my children an equal part (named) Elizabeth Warren, Mary Jane Ryan, Kitty Ann Hoskins, John Q. Brewer, Francis X. Brewer, Rose Malvena, James Elias and Luinda C. Brewer, each to have an equal part of the residue. Proved 16 Aug 1852. Recorded 7 October 1852. [John Brewer can be found on the BGD. Please note that the reference here to a tree on Ancestry.com is no longer active. The "Unplaced Brouwer, Brower, Brewer, Bruer tree has been deleted from Ancestry.com. John Brewer was born around 1789 in Maryland and is a son of Mark and Catharine (___) Brewer. This family is not related to the Brewer families of Hardin County who are descendants of Adam Brouwer (see 1-William Brewer above)]. 

And that is the extent of the BREWERs who I find in the Hardin County, Kentucky will books into the mid-1800s. We'll be looking next at LaRue County, Kentucky which was set off from Hardin County in 1843. 

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Who Is The William Brewer Whose Estate Was Administered In New Jersey, January 31, 1729/30?

The June 20, 2020 post, "The Earliest Brewers of Hunterdon County, New Jersey," left us with a couple of early William Brewers who we would like to identify. Here we will take a look at a couple of men named William Brewer (nos. 1 and 3 in the June 20th post) and then work through the roster of known men named William Brewer (Brouwer, Brower, Bruer) to see if we can find a fit.

From the June 20, 2020 post, No. 1 is the administration of the estate of William Brewer of Hunterdon County, yeoman. A second record of this administration (in "Hunterdon Wills") tells us he was of Amwell. William Brewer is obviously deceased shortly before 31 January 1729/30, and since he has an estate that needs administrating, he had to have been an adult and therefore born prior to 1708/09 (age 21 or older in Jan 1729/30). No. 3 is a William Brower/Brewer of Readington, who was an adult by 15 December 1733, when he was involved in a court action regarding a debt he owned to Casparus Vanorstandt of Somerset County. This William Brower/Brewer would have been born by 1712 and is certainly not the same William Brewer (no. 1) who died by 31 January 1729/30. There are two men named William Brewer (Brower) who we seek to identify.

The known candidates, i.e. men named Willem Brouwer, William Brower or Brewer, known to have lived in colonial New Netherland/New York/New Jersey and born prior to 1712, are:

A - We'll start by quickly eliminating Willem Brouwer of Beverwijck who was buried 3 August 1668, and his reputed son Willem/William Brouwer/Brower who lived at Schenectady and later Stone Arabia, New York and wrote is will in February 1757. This latter had a son Wilhelmus (William) baptized at Schenectady in 1725, which is clearly too late for him to be considered. The elder Willem Brouwer had a son Hendrick  (bapt. 1652 in Amsterdam) who in turn had a son Willem who was born and baptized in January 1704 at Schenectady. We have no further record of this Willem (William) Brouwer. He is not mentioned in his father's will of 1706, however, that will only mentions by name the eldest son (Johannis) and does not mention by name his other sons, Pieter, Jacob, Cornelis and Hendrick, all of whom were known to be living at the time the will was written. Although we have no evidence that any of the descendants of either Hendrick Brouwer or the younger Willem Brouwer (will 1757) ventured from the Albany/Schenectady/Mohawk Valley region of New York to Hunterdon County, the fact that Hendrick's son Willem is otherwise not accounted for by a known marriage, death, burial or probate record, does leave him as a possibility for either No. 1 or No. 3, but we would have to find evidence that he relocated to Hunterdon County, and thus far that evidence has not been found.

B - Willem Brouwer, baptized in 1651, son of Adam Brouwer and Magdalena Verdon (on the BGD here). A death, burial or probate record has not been found for this Willem Brouwer. He is last recorded in a deed dated 7 May 1708, when he was "of Brooklyn," and conveyed a lot in Brooklyn. What became of Willem, after 1708, has not been found. If he lived, he would have been aged 78 in January 1729/30. We have no record of him having a son named William.
Of his known sons, Samuel (bapt. 1706, Breuckelen Dutch Reformed Church) is tentatively identified as the Samuel Brewer, who with wife Margaret/Maregrita had two daughters baptized  at Raritan in Somerset County, they being Annate (22 Oct 1732) and Anate (19 Jan 1735). The surname is rendered as "Brouer" and no witnesses are recorded for either baptism. This Samuel was an innholder at Millstone (in Somerset County) in 1766 when he and his wife Margaret took out a mortgage from Peter Schenk. Samuel of Millstone is identified as the son of Willem, only because all other known Samuels born early enough to have married by 1732, are accounted for. However, Samuel Bruer (with William Post and Cornelis Willemse) witnessed the will of John Bruer of Somerset County, 29 October 1732, and this "John Bruer" is Jan Brouwer (bapt, 1695) a son of Derck Brouwer and Hannah Daws, and a grandson of Jan Brouwer of Flatlands, L. I. There is no record of a Samuel having been born into the families of the descendants of Jan Brouwer early enough to have been an adult by 1732. A witness to a will need not be a relation, even if he or she has the same surname. To place Samuel within a family descended from Jan Brouwer would force us to create an individual for whom no other known record exists that explicitly connects him as a relation to a family descended from Jan Brouwer. I don't believe that it is sound practice to do that, and I suggest that the best identification for Samuel Brewer/Bruer/Brouer of Millstone is as the son of Willem Brouwer (bapt. 1651) and grandson of Adam Brouwer. 
Not wishing to digress much further here, Willem Brouwer did have a son Johannes baptized in 1687, recorded in the Breuckelen Dutch Reformed Church records. Hoffman, in "Brouwer Beginnings" (TAG 23:205) places Johannes as the "John Bruer" whose is discussed above. But this does not appear to be a correct placement. See no. 4 on the post of September 2, 2012.
Two of Willem's daughters, Lysbeth (married Herman Van Sant) and Catharina (married Joshua Cresson) relocated to Bucks County, Pennsylvania sometime during the first decade of the 1700s. Lysbeth's son, William Van Sant, was baptized at the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia in 1708. Willem Brouwer's son, Adolphus, was witness to a deed in Bucks County in 1704, but nothing further has been found regarding him. Hunterdon County was, for lack of a better term, a "stepping stone," for people migrating from the New York City area to the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area, including Bucks County. Finally, Willem's daughter Jannetje (bapt. in 1702 at Breuckelen), may well have been the Jannetje Brouwer who married Jan Losee, was at Jamaica, Long Island in the mid 1720s, but then had a daughter (Marya) baptized at Raritan (Somerset County) in 1730, and a son (Cornelius) baptized at Readington in 1732, about the time that William Brower/Brewer of Readington was involved in a court action regarding a debt.
All in all, it is conceivable that Willem Brouwer could be either the William Brewer (No. 1) whose estate was administered in January 1729/30, or the William Brower/Brewer (No. 3) involved in the court action in 1733. What gives me hesitation through is, first off, his age. Willem Brouwer would be approaching 80 in 1729/30, and age 82 in 1733, in other words, very long-lived for that period of time. Secondly, the estate of William Brewer (no. 1) is administered by James Chambers, a person who is not known to have been a relation, even through marriage, to Willem Brouwer. As Willem clearly did have children living in 1729/30, we'd expect one of them to administer his estate. I also note that the inventory if the estate amounted to "a bond from John Hamilton, late of Trenton, for £25, and interest for two years, £4 money at 8s the ounce" [Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Vol. I, 1670-1730. (Paterson, N.J.: The Press Printing and Publishing Co., 1901):60, citing "Hunterdon Wills"]. This estate is rather small. I would have expected an aged man to have had a much larger estate. What I take away from this exercise of reviewing Willem Brouwer, is that not enough is known regarding either him or (most) of his children to draw less than questionable conclusions regarding what became of him after 1708. I am very hesitant to assign this record of administration and inventory to Willem Brouwer, son of Adam Brouwer. Possible, but, "I just don't know."

C - Willem Brouwer, a.k.a. William Brower and William Brewer, baptized 8 May 1687 at Breuckelen, son of Jacob Brouwer and Annetje Bogardus. He is a grandson of Adam Brouwer of Gowanus, L. I. William married Maritje Van Oort (Van Noordt) daughter of Goosen Van Oort and Maria Peeck. She was born at Schenectady, and had previously married Pieter Hennion (two daughters). William and Maritje were married 19 May 1709, recorded in the New York City Reformed Dutch Church where they had three daughters baptized (1710, 1712, 1714). He was at Middletown, Monmouth Co., New Jersey by 14 March 1720 when his earmark was recorded. Deeds have him at Middletown in 1721, 1725, 1726, and 19 June 1746 (the last one) when he deeded land to Jacob Brower. On 10 April 1735, William Brewer, late of Monmouth County, was to answer at the Monmouth County Court of Common Pleas for debt to Jacob Janeway and John Broughton, merchants (see nos. 58-60 here, which are followed by nos. 61 and 62 involving William Brewer of Readington's debt to Casparus Vanostrandt). I set off "late of Monmouth County" in bold because it implies that William is not living in Monmouth County in 1735. Where he is living, however, is not stated. There is a twenty year gap between 1726 and 1746 in which William has not been found in records in Monmouth County which state that he is living there. A record of death or burial, nor a record of probate has been found for William Brewer. He was certainly living after January 1729/30, so he cannot be No. 1. As he is not living in Monmouth County in 1735, and was last recorded there in 1726, it is conceivable, perhaps likely, that he was the William Brower/Brewer of Readington that owed a debt to Casparus Vanorstrandt in 1733 (No. 3).

D - Willem Bouwer, son of Samuel Brouwer and Grietje Smith, who lived in Westchester County, New York and were members of the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow in Tarrytown. No record of his baptism has been found, but he married Annatie Namburgh on 6 November 1725 (Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, New York), and so was likely born around 1700 to 1705 (I have "bef 1704" on the BGD). William and Annatie's son Samuel was baptized 15 April 1727 (Sleepy Hollow) and his parents, "Samuel Brouwer and Grietie his wife," were the witnesses. A daughter, Anna was baptized 29 March 1729 at Sleepy Hollow. William was deceased by 22 August 1730 when his wife married Jeremiah Mabie (Sleepy Hollow). The marriage record calls her the widow of Willem Brouwer. Obviously he is not No. 3. His daughter's baptism does not refer to him as deceased. The date of the baptism is likely in the new style, meaning it is prior to the 31 January 1729/30 date of No. 1. His death prior to 22 August 1730 creates a window between the dates of his daughter's baptism and his wife's remarriage during which both William died and the estate of the William Brewer of Amwell, Hunterdon County was administered, but as this William was a member of a large family (he had ten siblings) that was anchored in Westchester County, New York, I think it highly unlikely that he is No. 1. As with A, above, we would need to find other evidence that he ventured to Hunterdon County. I doubt such evidence exists.

And that is it. There are only four known men named Willem/William Brouwer/Brower/Brewer who could vie for the two spots we seek to fill, one of which is the William Brewer, of Amwell, Hunterdon County, whose estate was administered on 31 January 1729/30, and the second, a William Brewer/Brower of Readington, who on 15 December 1733 was named as a debtor in a court case in Monmouth County, New Jersey. To recap and condense what is above, they would be:


A - Willem Brouwer, born and baptized in January 1704 at Schenectady, New York, son of Hendrick Brouwer and Maritie Pieterse Borsboom, grandson of Willem Brouwer and Lysbeth Drinkveldt. No further known record after his baptism, so possible (for either record), but unlikely unless evidence connecting one of the William Brewers of Hunterdon County, to Schenectady, New York, can be found.

B - Willem Brouwer, baptized 5 March 1651 at New Amsterdam, son of Adam Brouwer and Magdalena Verdon. Living on 7 May 1708 when he and his wife, Martha, of Brooklyn, conveyed a lot in Brooklyn to Cornelius Sleght of Newtown, Long Island. No record after this date has been found. He would be aged 78 on 29 January 1729/30 and aged 82 on 15 December 1733. He could be (although I'm not comfortable saying that it is likely) the William Brewer of Amwell who had administration of estate granted 29 January 1729/30 to one James Chambers. But why administration was not granted to a child, a number of whom were living, some as close as Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is a question that needs to be answered. The presence of C (below) leaves me to think it doubtful that he is the William Brewer/Brower of Readington on 15 December 1733.


C - Willem Brouwer/William Brower/William Brewer, baptized 8 May 1687 at Breuckelen, son of Jacob Brouwer and Annetje Bogardus and grandson of Adam Brouwer and Magdalena Verdon. He lived at Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey from at least 1720 through 1726, but is called "late of Monmouth County" on 10 April 1735. No record of death or probate, but he was living on 19 June 1746 (deed). Certainly not the William Brewer of Amwell, 29 January 1729/30. He is the best candidate to be the William Brower/Brewer of Readington, indebted to Casparus Vanorstrandt, 15 December 1733, as per a court action held in Monmouth County.

D - Willem/William Brouwer, son of Samuel Brouwer and Grietje Smith. He is a grandson of Matthys Brouwer and Marietje Pieterse (Wyckoff) and a great-grandson of Adam Brouwer and Magdalena Verdon. Living 29 March 1729 but deceased by 22 August 1730. Although the date of the administration of William Brewer of Amwell's estate falls between these dates, we have no evidence that Willem/William lived anywhere outside of Westchester County, New York, and without that evidence we cannot assume that he was at Amwell. He is certainly not the William Brower/Brewer who was indebted to Casparus Vanorstrandt.

A final possibility could be that either, or both, of these records, No. 1 (the 29 January 1729/30 administration) and No. 3 (the 15 December 1733 court case) belong to one or two men named William Brower or Brewer who otherwise have not been identified by any known record found anywhere within colonial New Jersey or New York prior to 1729/30 or 1733. This might especially be the case for record No. 1 (the administration of the estate of William Brewer of Amwell). If this, to date unknown William Brewer (or two) is a descendant of Adam Brouwer of Gowanus, Long Island, he would have to be placed either among Adam's grandsons, or perhaps among his earlier great-grandsons. I'll just note here that Adam's son, Willem (B above) is not known to have had a son named William. If  he (or they) are descendants of Jan Brouwer of Flatlands, Long Island, a place for him (them) would have to be found among Jan Brouwer's grandsons. However, it is conceivable that one of the William Brewers, could be a yet unidentified son of Jan Brouwer (but I would be extremely hesitant to create another son for Jan Brouwer without any additional evidence). Neither of the William Brewers would be found among Jan Brouwer's great-grandsons. All of Jan Brouwer's known grandsons were born too late to have fathered a son in the time period we're looking at. And of course, the possibility remains that one, or both, of the William Brewers could be someone completely unrelated to either of these two early Brouwer families.

We welcome any additional information or clues on this puzzle. Please use the Comments option.

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Abstracts of Hunterdon County Probate Records (Concluded)

This is the final installment of Abstracts of Hunterdon County Probate records which began with the post of April 29, 2020, and continued with May 6, 2020, May 8, 2020, and May 10, 2020.

The remaining records of BREWERs found in the General Index for Hunterdon County Probate are from the early 20th century. Many of them have not been made available on the FamilySearch.org website. Perhaps in future years they'll show up, but for now we are limited and we will make due as best we can by simply abstracting those records that are available. A look at the main page for the available Hunterdon County Probate Records shows that most titles available end in the late 1800s or very early 1900s. Wills, which end with 1919, runs the longest. And so...

20. Arabella P. Brewer. Petitions for Probate 9:258. Wills 31:596. [The index tells us that these records are from 1925 and so are unavailable to view. A search of the New Jersey records on FamilySearch.org came up empty. Nothing for any Arabella Brewer is found. However, we do find a Belle S. Brewer on the 1920 U.S. census at Flemington, age 58, widowed, mother-in-law in the household of Andrew T. La Tourette, wife Inez, whom I believe would be this individual on the BGD, daughter of Charles W. and Belle Brewer. Picking up on this, we find that Chas. W. Brewer married Bella P. Scott at Flemington, 6 Junne 1884. Further research finds that Charles W. Brewer is a son of Richard Brewer and Miriam Lundy. (See nos. 23 and 24 below).]

21. Estella S. Brewer. Petitions for Administration 4:361 (not available). Letters of Administration 8:413. Dated 13 July 1912. Administration on the estate of Estella S. Brewer of Hunterdon County who died intestate granted to William M. Brewer of Hunterdon County. Administrators Bonds 8:520 (not available). [William M. Brewer and Estella S. Brewer, husband and wife, are found on the 1910 U.S. census at Frenchtown, Hunterdon County. Estella is age 50, born in New York. William is age 60, born in New York. They have been married for 29 years and have one child who is living. Also in the household are Asal A. Willcox, brother-in-law (to William who is the head of household), age 80, born in Massachusetts and Huldah Willcox, sister (to William, so wife of Asal Willcox), age 80, born in New York, married for 35 years, no children.]

22. Elizabeth Ann Brewer. Petitions for Probate 8:290. Letters of Administration 29:557. Inventory of Executor 30:550. Account 18:21. Releases and Refunding Bonds 39:10-11. [None of the records are available online. The Index gives the date as 1922. Therefore I would gather that Elizabeth Ann is the Elizabeth A. (___) who married Leonard Brewer (no. 10 on the May 8th post). A Find-A-Grave memorial tells us that she was Elizabeth A. Burdge, and died 17 March 1922, buried with her husband at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Flemington.]

23. Phoebe Ann Brewer. Petitions for Probate 5:392 (not available, but see Wills 25:52). Wills 25:50. (You will have to use the "tools" to flip the image. This is a typed copy). Phebe A. Brewer of the Township of Franklin, being of sound mind and memory. Executor to pay just debts and funeral expenses. To the directors of Locust Grove Cemetery, $100, placed in trust, the interest to be used to keep up my plot as a part of plot no. 44. To my sister Amy Goodfellow, my sewing machine. to my sister Eliza J. Long my watch and chain. To my above named sisters my wearing apparel, including a napkin ring marked W.R.B. If enough remains from my estate my executors are to erect a suitable granite monument on my plot with markers to my grave also to my Father and Mother... Appoints Clifford E. Snyder as executor. Dated 4 May 1912. Witnesses William Taylor, William Harvey Stout. Proved 15 October 1913. Clifford E. Snyder states that Phebe Ann Brewer died 20 September 1913. Inventory of Executor 28:85 (not available). Accounts 16:183 (not available). [Locust Grove Cemetery is in Quakertown, Hunterdon County. There are a handful of Brewer memorials for this cemetery on Find-A-Grave, but not one for Phebe. Cornelius L. Brewer (no. 9 on the May 8th post) as well as his brothers, John W. Brewer and W. T. (I assume this is Washington T.) Brewer are there (no real info on the page for W. T.). Also in the cemetery are Benjamin Brewer (1805-1875), and his wife Euphema Pownell, and their son, William W. Brewer, his wife, and son Howard Brewer. I am not finding a Phebe Ann Brewer on the 1910 U.S. census in Hunterdon County, however, I do find an Annie Brewer, at Franklin, age 68, single, border in the household of Burris Snyder. The household includes Burris' son, Clifford E. Snyder (the executor of Phebe's will) and William Taylor (one of the witnesses). Annie Brewer's occupation is "servant." In 1900 she is also enumerated as Annie Brewer, and is in Burris Snyder's household, a servant. Her birth date given as August 1843 in New Jersey. "Pheba" A. Brewer, age 6, is found on the 1850 census at Raritan, Hunterdon County, in the household of Richard and Miriam Brewer, of who an incomplete profile is found on the BGD. In just the past couple of years (since the time the BGD was last updated) a direct male descendant of this Richard Brewer has joined the Brewer DNA Project. His Y-DNA test results show that he, and therefore his direct male ancestor, Richard Brewer, are descendants of Jan Brouwer of Flatlands, L. I. Also since the last time the BGD was updated, I (and others) have done a bit more research on this family. If you have a subscription, you can find it on Ancestry.com here. Richard Brewer's parents are said to have been William Brewer and Anna King, who need further research, and the Brewer ancestry back to Jan Brouwer has not yet been found. Richard's daughter (Phebe Ann's sister) listed on the 1850 census as Anna W., is actually the sister Amy mentioned in Phebe's will. Amy married Samuel L. Goodfellow. The sister Eliza mentioned, was born in 1856 and married John Long. Any help from readers in completing this line back to Jan Brouwer would be greatly appreciated.]

24. Sarah Jane Brewer. Petitions for Probate 7:81(not available, but see Wills 27:220). Wills 27:219. Dated Yardley, Pa, May 29th, 1918. Sarah Jane Brewer, being of sound mind. All funeral expenses and other expensess to be paid first. To Locust Grove Cemetery at Quakertown, New Jersey, $50 for the perpetual care of my lot (sic). A headstone to be (e)rected (e)qually as nice as the one erected to my husband which is already there. All furniture at 939 Levere Ave., Trenton, N. J. belonging to me I bequeath to Alvin S. Brewer, my nephew, and all else at 939 Levere Ave. I bequeath Emma J. Brewer. My centre (sic) table at Hutchinson Road, N. J. to go to Orville W. Brewer who has it now in his possession. To Jennie Price, my niece at Hopewell, N. J., $25. My clothing to my sister Ellen Dilley, White House Station. All other goods to be divided between Ellen Dilley and Emma J. Brewer. Appoints Willard J. Parker of Flemington, N. J. as executor. Witnessed by W. P. Roberts and I. C. Wharton. Proved 12 June 1918 by Warner P. Roberts and Ivens C. Wharton. Testament of Willard J. Parker states that Sarah Jane Brewer died on 1 June 1918. Accounts 17:14 (not available). [Yardley is a borough in Bucks Co., Pennsylvania that borders the Delaware River and Ewing, Mercer Co., New Jersey. You will not find Sarah Jane Brewer, or the family members mentioned on the BGD. However, Sarah Jane Brewer has helped tie together some of those mentioned above. Sarah Jane Van Houten married Wesley R. Brewer at Flemington on 14 December 1878. Wesley R. Brewer is a son of Richard Brewer, the father of Phebe Ann, no. 23, above. Both Alvin S. Brewer and Orville W. Brewer, mentioned in the will, is a son of Willis L. Brewer and Emma J. Sigafoos. Willis L. Brewer is another son of Richard Brewer. Emma J. Sigafoos would be the Emma J. Brewer mentioned in Sarah Jane's will.]

25. William R. Brewer. Petitions for Probate 11:27 (not available). Wills 34:480 (? could be page 400, but not available online). [The date given in the Index for these records is 1928. William R. Brewer is buried in Union Cemetery, Grandin, Hunterdon County. His wife was Ella A. Housel who died in 1911. They were married about 1885 (1900 U.S. census at Alexandria, Hunterdon Co.). In 1910 they are found in Clinton, Hunterdon County, the census records that they did not have any children. In 1920, William R. Brewer, widower, is in Clinton. He was the son of Susan Brewer, who was born about 1841 in New Jersey, a daughter of David Brewer and his wife Elizabeth A., who is no. 8 on the post of May 8th. David Brewer was born about 1809/10 and is found in 1850 at Alexandria, Hunterdon County with wife, Eliza, and six children including Susan, age 9. On 10 January 1871, at Kingwood, Susan Brewer, daughter of David and Eliza Brewer, married William Bellis who was about 20 years her senior. In 1870, at Union, Hunterdon County, Susan Brewer, age 27, with William R. Brewer, age 7, is found in the household of the senior William Bellis, age 80, which also includes the younger William Bellis, age 48, and Henry Bellis, age 37, the later two being laborers. Susan is recorded as "House keeper." Susan and William Bellis had a son, John Bellis, born about 1877. It appears that William R. Brewer was born out of wedlock to Susan Brewer and was given his mother's surname. Susan was widowed by 1910 and was living in 1920 in the household of her son, John Bellis, in Union, Hunterdon County. We'll have to try and look for a probate record for both Susan and her husband, William Bellis. Here is the incomplete profile of William R. Brewer on the BGD.]

The above probate records from the early 1900s have helped tie up some lose ends that are found on the BGD. But there is much more work to be done in Hunterdon County. There are a number of different Brewer families (the surname, spelled as Brower, is completely absent although I do find Brewer individuals sometimes recorded with the name spelled as Bruer). It is not clear, how, or even if, these various Brewer families are related to one another.

BGB 687

Abstracts of Hunterdon County Probate Records (Continued)

Continued from the post of May 8, 2020. Also see May 6, 2020, and April 29, 2020. The records being abstracted can be found at FamilySearch.org, under New Jersey Probate Records, 1678-1980, Hunterdon County. As with previous posts, my comments, notes, etc., are found in brackets [  ].

13. Mary Brewer. Petition for Administration 1:114. Petition of Washington T. Brewer on the estate of Mary Brewer of Baptistown, late of the Township of Kingwood, died intestate at Baptistown on 1 April 1890. Heirs and next of kin: Washington T. Brewer (son, of Flemington), John Brewer (son, of Flemington). Dated 13 March 1890 [which inexplicably is prior to the date of death as recorded in the petition]. Letters of Administration 7:230. Administration on the estate of Mary Brewer who died intestate granted to Washington T. Brewer, 13 March 1890. Administrator's Bonds 5:60 (not available online). Accounts 8:582. Final account of Washington T. Brewer, administrator. Filed 20 November 1890. [Mary Brewer was the wife (widow) of Thomas Brewer who appears to have died before June of 1880 when Mary is listed as head of household at Kingwood, New Jersey. A probate record for Thomas Brewer has not been located. Her family name has not been learned. On the BGD.]

14. Mary Brewer. Petition for Administration 1:323. Petition of Gideon M. Brewer of the Township of Delaware, the husband of Mary Brewer late of the Township of Delaware who departed this life at Oak Dale, Hunterdon County on the ____ day of ____ A.D. 1893. Heirs and next of kin: Gideon M. Brewer (husband, of Oak Dale). Dated 7 August 1893. Letters of Administration 7:343. Administration on the estate of Mary Brewer, late of Hunterdon County,, who died intestate, granted to Gideon M. Brewer, 7 August 1893. Administrator's Bonds 5:510 (not available online). [First wife of Gideon M. Brewer. See no. 15, below.]

15. Gideon M. Brewer. Petition for Probate 3:84. Petition of Gideon Moore, executor of the last will and testament of Gideon M. Brewer who departed this life in Delaware Township on Tuesday, 17th of July 1900. Surviving heirs: Hannah Brewer (widow). Dated 31 July 1900. Wills 20:4. Gideon M. Brewer of Delaware Township, Hunterdon County, revoking any previous wills. Executors shall dispose of all property both real and personal as soon as convenient. Just debts and funeral charges to be paid. My wife Hannah shall have paid to her (after debts and funeral charges are paid) the sum of $2000 and also in addition $200 for a note given by me to my wife for the amount of $200. Residue to be held in trust by executor for my wife Hannah during her natural life and she shall receive interest on the same. After wife's decease, and her funeral expenses are paid, residue to the Union German Baptist Church at Sand Brook, N. J. Gideon Moore of Stockton, New Jersey appointed sole executor. Dated 4 November 1897. Witnessed by J. H. Hoppock and Theo. H. Stout. Proved 31 July 1900. Accounts 12:207. Account of Gideon Moore, executor. Filed 13 October 1902. [Gideon M. Brewer was a son of William Brewer and Sarah Moore. Married twice. His first wife Mary Bearder (m. 24 Oct 1850, Delaware, NJ) (no. 14 above) died in 1893. He married his second wife, Hannah Bowman, 17 January 1894 at Sand Brook. See no 18 below.]

16. Thomas W. Brewer. Accounts 9:479. Final account of Oliver J. Blackwell, assignee of Thomas W. Brewer of the Township of Delaware, Hunterdon County. Filed 20 March 1894. Confirmed in court 9 April 1894. The entries in the ledger are dated from February 1893 to April 1894. Assignee's Bonds and Assignee's Inventories are not available online. [From this one record I am unable to determine who this Thomas W. Brewer is.]

17. Washington T. Brewer. Petition for Administration 2:232. Petition of Joseph Sergeant of Flemington on the estate of Washington T. Brewer who departed this life at Flemington, 19 April 1898. Heirs and next of kin: Lydia Brewer (widow of Flemington), John W. Brewer (brother of Sand Brook). Dated 27 April 1898. Letters of Administration 7:505. Granted to Joseph Sergeant, 27 April 1898. Administrator's Bonds 6:306 (not online). Minutes of the Orphans Court 19:428 (at the very bottom), 462, 488, 490. Personal estate is insufficient to cover debts. Matter regarding the sale of real estate in the Township of Raritan, Hunterdon County (land conveyed by the executor of the estate of Elijah Fleming) in which the widow, Lydia Ann Brewer, has dower rights. Accounts 12:593. Final account of Letitia H. Sergeant, administrator of Joseph Sergeant, deceased, who was the administratot of Washington T. Brewer, deceased. Ledger entries begin with 4 June 1899. Account filed 22 August 1904. [Washington T. Brewer was a son of Thomas and Mary (___) Brewer. His wife was Lydia Ann Gilpaugh or Gilbaugh. Apparently no children.]

18. Hannah Brewer. Petition for Probate 4:137 (not available online). Wills 22:342. Hannah Brewer of the Borough of Stockton, County of Hunterdon, being of sound mind, memory and understanding. All just debts and funeral expenses to be paid. Executors to dispose of all my property and estate where ever found. Leaves varied household items to Ida Rittenhouse, Wesley J. Bowman, Mary J. Williamson, Ada Bowman. Balance of property to be divided equally between my brother and sister namely Wesley J. Bowman and Mary J. Williamson. Appoints James J. Rittenhouse, executor. Dated 1902 (month and date not stated). Witnessed by John Bennett, Gabriel H. Leigh. Codicil dated 15 July 1902. Executor to buy and pay for a head stone for my mother Mary Bowman "as near like my father's as can (Amos Bowman) as can be got." Same witnesses as above. Signs with her mark, X. Proved 24 September 1906. Accounts 14:36 (not available online). [Hannah is the second wife of Gideon M. Brewer, no. 15, above.]

19. Peter Brewer. Petition for Probate 4:70 (not available online). Wills 22:71. (Begins at the bottom of this page, and pp.70-71 are filmed twice). Peter Brewer of the Village of Flemington in the County of Hunterdon, being of sound mind, memory and understanding. Just debts and funeral expenses to be paid. Executors to "place at my gave a headstone or tombstone of the exact pattern of the one at the grave of my former wife Catharine Sutphine Brewer." Executors to sell all real and personal estate. Executors to pay interest on the sum of $2000 to wife Sabie E. Brewer, annually during her natural life in lieu of her dower. After her death, the said $2000 to be invested for the use of my two daughters Cornelia  S. Morris, wife of Charles Morris, and Ella B. Brewer, or divided equally between them. Further instructions regarding this legacy. Daughter Ella B. Brewer to receive $500 before any division or distribution of residue. Leaves "my piano," to daughter Cornelia Morris. Residue to be divided into three equal parts or shares, to be distributed to daughter Cornelia Morris, daughter Ella B. Brewer and son Abraham S. Brewer. Upon the death of son Abraham S. Brewer, the share of equal residue to be divided equally between the two daughters. Further instructions regarding what to do should one or the other pre-decease the survivors, etc. Appoints his two daughters Cornelia S. Morris and Ella B. Brewer, executors. Dated 17 February 1904. Witnesses by J. H. Bullock and John L. Connet. Proved 21 October 1905. Accounts 13:491(not available online). [Peter Brewer is a son of William Brewer and Elizabeth Young, and was married twice. This will adds to his profile on the BGD.]

To be continued

BGB 686

Abstracts of Hunterdon County Probate Records (Continued)

For links to online probate records available at FamilySearch.org for Hunterdon County, New Jersey, please see the posts of May 6, 2020, and April 29, 2020. The information gathered below from the examination of the various probate records can be used to update and/or clarify info found on the Brouwer Genealogy Database (BGD).

8. Elizabeth A. Brewer. Petition for Administration 2:334, as found in the General Index, however this record is not found in the volume, nor is it listed in the volume's index. It is found in Petitions for Probate 2:334 and is listed in the index in that volume. Petition of Charles Hamm of Franklin, Hunterdon County, estate of Elizabeth A. Brewer, late of the Township of Union, Hunterdon County, who departed this life intestate, 20th January 1885. Next of kin and heirs at law: Charles Brewer (son, of Pittstown, NJ), Martha Baker (daughter), Mrs. Wm. Bellis (daughter), Mary Ann Stout (daughter of Philipsburg). Dated 7 February 1885. Letters of Administration 7:69. 7 February 1885. Granted to Charles Hamm of Hunterdon County. Administrators Bond 4:321. 7 February 1885. Bond of Charles Hamm. Minutes of the Orphans Court 16:781. April 1885 term (4 May 1885). Order to sell real estate to pay debts. MOC 17:99. Report of the sale made by Charles Hamm. House and lot in the Township of Alexandria, sold to Peter M. Taylor, the highest bidder. Dated 14 December 1885. Accounts 6:464. Among those who purchased from the estate is Mary A. Bellis. [Elizabeth Brewer can be found on the 1880 U.S. census at Alexandria, Hunterdon Co., New Jersey, age 64. In the household are her husband, David Brewer, age 70, and son Charles Brewer, age 22. Elizabeth's family name has not been discovered. The ancestry of her husband, David Brewer, has not been learned. Limited info on the family is found on the BGD. I would gather that her husband died prior to 1885, although his name is not found in the General Index to Probate Records.]

9. Cornelius Brewer. Petition for Administration 1:86, by Washington L. Brewer of Kingwood, Hunterdon County, on the estate of Cornelius Brewer of Kingwood, 19 October 1889. Heirs and next of kin named as Mary Brewer (mother, of Baptistown, NJ), Washington G. Brewer (brother, of Baptistown, NJ), John W. Brewer (brother, of Flemington, NJ). Letters of Administration 7:215. Granted to Washington L.(T?) Brewer. [Find-A-Grave memorial for Cornelius L. Brewer (1841-11 Oct 1889). The memorial includes an image of his death notice, which does not mention relations, but describes the unfortunate way in which he died. He is found on the BGD here, apparently a son of Thomas Brewer whose ancestry has not been discovered.]

10. Leonard Brewer. Petition for Administration 1:12, filed by Elizabeth A. Brewer of Raritan, 4 June 1888, asks for LOA to be granted to Henry R. Brewer, David W. Ewing and Wm. E. Trewin. Leonard Brewer died in the Township of Raritan, 17 May 1888. Heirs and next of kin: Elizabeth A. Brewer (widow, of Flemington), Margaret C. Brewer (daughter of Flemington), Eliza B. Ewing (daughter of Grandin), Alice Trewin (daughter of Flemington). Letters of Administration 7:172. Granted 4 June 1888, on the estate of Leonard Brewer of Hunterdon County, to Henry R. Brewer, David W. Ewing and William E. Trewin, of Hunterdon County. Administrator's Bonds 4:534. $2800 by the above administrators with Jonathan Higgins and Granville Classon. Accounts 8:35. [Leonard Brewer is a son of William Brewer (no. 6 on the May 6th post) and Elizabeth Young. He is found here on the BGD. Information in the probate records provide a date of death and a husband for daughter Eliza, both previously unknown. Daughter Margaret was married to Henry R. Brewer, one of the administrators, and a son of Israel P. Brewer (no. 3 on the May 6th post).]

11. William Brewer. Petition for Probate 1:51. Petition of Elisha W. Brewer and William W. Brewer. Heirs listed as Gertrude B. Brewer (widow, of Ringoes, NJ), Elisha W. Brewer (child, of Ringoes), William W. Brewer (child, of Ringoes). [Ringoes is an unincorporated community within East Amwell Township]. Wills 15:398. William Brewer of the Township of East Amwell. All debts and funeral expenses to be paid. Executors to erect a suitable headstone. To beloved wife Gertrude Brewer all household goods and furniture. To son William W. Brewer, $350. Should either of my sons, William W. Brewer or Elisha W. Brewer hold and notes or book accounts against me at my decease they shall be paid out of the estate before final settlement. My sons shall have my farm, "and I prefer that they should agree on the price for the same without selling at a public vendue." Instructions to executors should it be sold. Executors to sell all personal property. Residue to be invested with interest to be paid to wife Gertrude V. Brewer. Upon her death, residue to be divided equally between my two sons, Elisha W. Brewer and William W. Brewer, who are also appointed executors. Dated 1 November 1888. Witnesses: P. C. Young, Oliver I. Blackwell. Proved 11 March 1889. Minutes of the Orphans Court 18:89 (Just two lines about the middle of the page). Accounts 8:348 (a line item under the date of April 2, 1889 reads, "Est of Jeremiah Brewer" and a second line item reads "Jeremiah Brewer Est note & int". Also, mentions of notes involving W. H. and Wm. H. Brewer). [William Brewer is on the BGD, he is a son of William Brewer and Elizabeth Young, and brother of Leonard Brewer (no. 10 above)].

12. Jeremia Brewer. Letters of Administration 7:174. 17 July 1888, Administration on the goods and chattels, rights and credits which were of Jermina Brewer, late of Hunterdon County, who died intestate, granted to William Brewer and Peter Brewer, of the County of Hunterdon. [I may have missed this individual when browsing through the General Index, but noticed an entry in the index for volume 7 of Letters of Administration. The rendering of this individual's name in the U. S. census records has caused some confusion as to his or her gender. On the BGD I have "her" as Jemima, a daughter of William Brewer and Elizabeth Young. The 1850 U.S. census at Delaware, NJ has "her" as Jemima, age 28, female (line 21). The 1860 census, at Delaware, NJ, has "him" as Jeremiah, age 40, male (line 35). The 1870 census at Delaware, NJ, has "him" as Jermina, age 48, male (line 3). I have not found him/her on the 1880 U. S. census. A Find-A-Grave memorial for "Jemima Y. Brewer," describes her as female and the photo of the gravestone shows the name as Jemima Y. Brewer. However, the gender is apparently based on the 1850 census record, which is included on the memorial page. Date of death is given as 10 March 1888, age 67, although this cannot be clearly seen on the photograph of the gravestone. The accounts of the estate of William Brewer (no. 11 above) include the estate of "Jeremiah Brewer," which could reasonably be that of a son, although it does not directly state this. Despite the fact that the gravestone is engraved, "Jemima," I am inclined to believe that this individual was a son of William Brewer and Eliza Young, and not a daughter. He apparently did not marry or leave known heirs.]

To be continued

BGB 685

Abstracts of Hunterdon County Probate Records

In the April 29, 2020 post I listed the BREWERS found in the Hunterdon County, New Jersey  General Index to Estates. Below are abstracts to those records. Again the records can be found online at FamilySearch on the New Jersey Probate Records page for Hunterdon County. My notes, comments, are in brackets that follow. Twenty-four individuals were found in the index. We'll look at a few at a time and will stay mostly in chronological order.

[Note: Administrator's Bonds in Vol. 3 starts here with image 311. The space on the film prior to image 311 is filled with Guardian's Bonds. Also note that Inventories and Renunciations are not found online]

1. Christian Brewer. Letters of Administration 1:159. 6 May 1813. Administration of the goods and chattels, rights and credits, which were of Christian Brewer, late of the County of Hunterdon, deceased, granted to Samuel Fiauss. Sureties: Gideon Moore and Peter Moore. [The handwriting is difficult with regards to the administrators surname, however, NJ Calendar of Wills, Administrations, etc., 12:47, has the name as Samuel Fauss. Christian Brewer is unplaced. The name is common among the descendants of Hubert Brower. Profile at the Brouwer Genealogy Database (BGD). Witnessed the will of Jonathan Burroughs, Sr., of Amwell, dated 6 Dec 1810, as Christian Bruer].
2. Ann Brewer. Letters of Administration 3:141. The index lists her as Ann Brewer. The image of the record calls her Anna Brewer, although the handwriting is poor and it is not to clear to me that the surname name is Brewer. Anyway, dated 8 August 1832 (the index listing was confusing here as well), administration on the goods, chattels, rights and credits of Anne Brewer(?) deceased, late of the county of Hunterdon, who died intestate, granted to Richard Opdyke. Fellowbondsmen are Richard Barri(?) and Samuel H. Britton. This record is followed by that of William Opdyke, deceased, of Hunterdon County, 1 September 1832, granted to Benjamin Opdyke. [Perhaps an Opdyke/Updyke family researcher may be familiar with Ann/Anna Brewer].
3. Israel P. Brewer. Letters of Administration 5:98. 17 March 1852. Administration of the goods, chattels, rights and credits that were of Israel P. Brewer late of the County of Hunterdon, who died intestate, granted to Henry Runyan of Hunterdon County. Bond of $1000 with Augustus Hunt and Jeremiah Young. Inventory of Executor/Administrator 10:470 (not available online). Minutes of Orphans Court 11:58. April term 1852. Henry Runyan administrator. Estate insolvent. Administrator to give public notice for claims against the estate within six months, in the Hunterdon Gazette. No mention of the children. [Israel P. Brewer can be found on the BGD. Born 2 June 1818, he was a son of Thomas West Brewer and Esther Poulson, and was a descendant of Jan Brouwer of Flatlands, L.I. His wife was Elizabeth Runyan. Three known children including a son Henry Brewer who left descendants].
4. Margaret Brewer. Letters of Administration 6:35. 3 October 1864. Administration on the goods and chattels, rights and credits that were of Margaret Brewer, late of the County of Hunterdon, who died intestate, granted to Daniel Dilts and William Brewer of Hunterdon County. Bond of $900, with Jeremiah Emmans. Administrator's Bonds 1:385. Daniel Dilts, William Brewer and Jeremiah Emmans, all of the County of Hunterdon. Bond of $900. Dated 3 October 1864. [Margaret Brewer is found on the BGD. She is enumerated at Readington on the 1850 and 1860 U.S. census along with an Elsey/Elshe Brewer. She was born in 1778 (g.s), so learning who her parents are, and whether or not she was married, may help us find a link to the colonial period. Learning who William Brewer is should provide clues. A search of the 1860 census for William Brewers in Hunterdon County, turns up four of that name].
5. Jacob Brewer. Letters of Administration 6:388. 17 April 1876. Jacob Brewer, late of the County of Hunterdon, died intestate. Administration granted to William I. Brewer and William Brewer, of Hunterdon County. Bond of $4500. Administrator's Bonds 3:366. William I. Brewer, William Brewer (administrators), Caleb H. Quick, William W. (?), all of Hunterdon County. 17 April 1876. Minutes of the Orphan's Court 15:309 (see this index page which gives the pages as 118, 116, 105, 100, 96, 94. You will have to rotate the images). Jacob Brewer's widow, Elsey Y. Brewer mentioned on 15:100, and 118. No mention of children on these pages. [Jacob Brewer is found on the BGD. He was at East Amwell on the 1860 and 1870 U. S. census. Jacob was born in 1827, his wife Elsie (whose surname has not been discovered) was born in 1825. A son William, born in 1853 is likely one of the administrators, the other likely a brother].
6. William Brewer. Letters of Administration 6:379. 7 January 1876. William Brewer of Hunterdon County, died intestate. Administration granted to Leonard Brewer, William Brewer, Jacob Brewer and Peter Brewer all of Hunterdon County. Bond of $10,000, with Adam W. Bills, surety. Administrator's Bond 3:352. Accounts 3:221. [William Brewer is found on the BGD. Born in 1792, he died 8 January 1876. His wife was Elizabeth Young. He is the father of the above Jacob Brewer who died in March of 1876. A transcript of a Family Bible Record is available online].
7. Sarah Brewer. Letters of Administration 6:439. 26 October 1877. Sarah Brewer of the County of Hunterdon, died intestate. Administration granted to William Brewer (her husband) of said County. William Rittenhouse, surety. Administrator's Bond 3:460. William Brewer, sole administrator. Also William Rittenhouse. $200. Dated 26 October 1877. [I believe Sarah Brewer, would be Sarah Moore, wife of William S. Brewer, found on the BGD here. The couple is found on the 1870 U.S. census at Delaware, Hunterdon Co., NJ, lines 2 and 3 on this image, back up a page and you will see that they are enumerated in the household of Thomas W. Brewer (the couple's son)].

 To be continued

BGB 684

 

 

BREWERs Extracted From the Hunterdon County, NJ General Index to Estates

Those with the surname BREWER found in the Hunterdon County, New Jersey General Index to Estates (FHL film #818214; DGS #5662933). Surnames beginning with the letter B begins with image no. 184.

Abbreviations: PP= Petition for Probate; PA=Petition for Administration; LOA=Letters of Administration; R=Renunciations; AB=Administrators Bond; AsB=Assignees BondREB=Real Estate Bond; IE=Inventory, Executors & Admins; AsI=Assignees Inventory; Ac=Accounts; RR=Releases & Refunding Bonds; MOC=Minutes and Orders of Orphans Court

• Ann Brewer (1830?): LOA 3:141
• Arabella P. Brewer (1925): PP 9:258; Wills 31:596
• Christian Brewer (1813): LOA 1:159
• Cornelius Brewer (1889): PA 1:86; LOA 7:215; AB 5:12; IE 21:162; Ac 8:377; RR 20:352
• Elizabeth A. Brewer (1885): PA 2:334; LOA 7:69; R 1:121; AB 4:321; REB 1:61; IE 19:567; MOC 16:781, 17:99; A 6:464; RR 18:249
• Estella S. Brewer (1912): PA 4:361; LOA 8:413; AB 8:520; 
• Elizabeth Ann Brewer (1922): PP 8:290; LOA 29:557; IE 30:550; A 18:121; RR 39:10-11
• Gideon M. Brewer (1900): PP 3:84; Wills 20:4; IE 24:336; A 12:207
• Hannah Brewer (1906): PP 4:137; Wills 22:342; IE 26:133; A 14:36; RR 30:363
• Israel P. Brewer (1852): LOA 5:98; IE 10:470; MOC 11:58
• Jacob Brewer (1876): LOA 6:388; R 1:44; AB 3:366; IE 17:237, 241; MOC 15:309, 337, 338, 405; A 3:446
• Leonard Brewer (1887): PA 1:12; LOA 7:172; R 1:149; AB 4:534; IE 20:614, 702; A 8:35; RR 20:123, 125
• Margaret Brewer (1864): LOA 6:35; AB 1:385; IE 13:803
• Mary Brewer (1890): PA 1:114; LOA 7:230; AB 5:60; IE 21:288; A 8:582; RR 21:44
• Mary Brewer (1893): PA 1:323; LOA 7:343; AB 5:510
• Peter Brewer (1905): PP 4:70; Wills 22:71; IE 25:641; A 13:491
• Phoebe Ann Brewer (1913): PP 5:392; Wills 25:50; IE 28:85; A 16:183
• Sarah Brewer (1877): LOA 6:439; AB 3:460
• Sarah Jane Brewer (1916): PP 7:81; Wills 27:219; A 17:14
• Thomas W. Brewer (1893): AsB 1:159; AsI 3:95; A 9:479
• William Brewer (1876): LOA 6:379; AB 3:354; IE: 17:175; A 3:221
• William Brewer (1889): PP 1:51; Wills 15:398; IE 20:770; MOC 18:89; A 8:348
• Washington T. Brewer (1898): PA 2:232; LOA 7:505; R 1:249; AB 6:306; IE 23:572, 574; MOC 19:428, 462, 488, 490; A 12:593
• William R. Brewer (1928): PP 11:27; Wills 34:480(? could be 400)

The FHL films that include the records referenced above can be found on this page at FamilySearch.

BGB 683a

Hunterdon County, New Jersey Probate Records

We've recently looked at the land records for Hunterdon County, New Jersey that are available online. It's probably a good time to review the probate records for Hunterdon County as well. Once again we turn to FamilySearch.org and here again we're going to use their catalog search to look up Hunterdon County, New Jersey. There are a couple of categories here that are of interest: Probate Records, with five titles, and Probate Records - Indexes, with one.

Starting with the Probate Records - Indexes, the one title is "Index to files including recognizances, indictments, affidavits, appeals, insolvents and miscellaneous." Scroll down and you'll see a number of films, arranged alphabetically and covering the years 1700-1900. They are available for viewing from home (access through that little camera icon). "Index to files Be-Ca, 1700-1900," will be where we find the BREWERs and BROWERs. This is the first time I've looked at this film. We're discovering what is in this film together, and what I see here is individual index cards with the name of an individual and some numbers which I assume are file numbers. There are 2410 individual images in this film and the first BREWER is at image 1221, Abraham Brewer. The BREWERs continue to image 1260, William P. Brewer. This image is followed by three or four with the name BREWERY, which may be transcription or typo error for BREWER. Fifty index cards to explore here. I find no BROWRs or BROUWERs. There is one card for a BRUERE, that is James Bruere at image 1617.
The film tells us (image 3) that the files indexed here, are at the Hunterdon County Court House Clerks Office. Go back to the main catalog page and look under the Court Records heading (12 items). You'll find the files among these various items. Some films are locked. Others are available at home. After just a quick check of a few index cards, it appears that unless otherwise stated on the index card, the file number refers to a file found in "Miscellaneous Court records, loans, etc., 1713-1816," which has dozens of films arranged numerically. Within each film you will find folders, each of which includes ten files. We'll have to try and explore some of these in the future.

There are five titles in the Probate Records category. "Britton Family Papers," was mentioned in the April 19, 2020 post. The same for "Somerset and Hunterdon Counties, New Jersey, Heirs to Estates," it is mentioned in the April 19th post. The three remaining titles:

• "Minors estates, 1800-1900." The images are accessible from home. The records are arranged by file number and the first film includes the index. Image five gives a brief description. The index is arranged by only the first letter of the surname, and then follows by order of file number. The first Brewer or Brower I come across is at image 12, file no. 81. Work your way image by image through the Bs to find any other files.
• "Probate Records, 1785-1919; General Index to Estates, 1804-1970." The films are viewable from home. Here is "General Index to Estates, A-B 1804-1870." The first page for the B surnames begins at image 184. This index, like one that we encountered in the Land Records, is arranged by the first letter of the given name of the individual whose estate is being administered. The pages cover the various and varied documents that were recorded for each individual and the location where they are found. Each image covers one page of the physical book, and each entry is taken up over two pages. So, the individual on line 1 on image 184 carries over to line 1 on image 185, and so on. 
• Finally, we have "Record of Wills, 1704-1900; 1J-10459J." This series of film is, unfortunately, locked. We can not view them from home. A trip to a Family History Library Center is required, which of course may not be possible for many at the present time. That's too bad, as many of the films here cover the colonial period which is where most of our broken lineages are.

You may have noticed that each of the pages above includes a link, found under the description, to New Jersey Probate Records available online. There is no search capability. The browse through images button takes you to a page with a list of counties. Hunterdon County opens up to this window and we find a long list of various titles. The list of films with the title of "Estates 442..." are the files of Minors Estates (see above).

So, just a quick overview with links. Now, get to work.

BGB 682

The Will of Philip Cortland Brewer of Ulysses, Tompkins County, New York

Philip Van Cortlandt Brouwer, born 7 March 1808, died 14 April 1876, a 3-great grandson of Adam Brouwer of Gowanus, Long Island, can be found here on the Brouwer Genealogy Database. We can update his profile with the addition of his will and a bit more on his descendants.

Philip was a son of Nazareth Brouwer (1756-1817) and his third wife, Deborah Wiltsie (b. 1776) who were married 26 March 1802. Philip was baptized at the New Hackensack (Dutchess County, New York) Reformed Dutch Church on 27 March 1808, the entry in the register includes his date of birth. No witnesses are recorded [Tower, Maria Bockee Carpenter. Records of the Reformed Dutch Church of New Hackensack, Dutchess County, New York. Bowie, Maryland: Heritage Books, Inc., 2000 (org.1932):71]. He married Sarah Lawless on 25 October 1828 at Poughkeepsie, New York where is name is given as Philip C. Brewer. This is the name he is primarily recorded by in subsequent records.

The will of Philip Cortland Brewer of the Town of Ulysses, County of Tompkins, State of New York can be found in Tompkins County Wills, vol. N, p. 483, available online here at FamilySearch.org. The probate record begins on p. 481 where the proof is found. The will was proved 26 June 1876 by Henry Brewer of Enfield, Tompkins County and by Edgar Brewer, also of Enfield. Henry was Philip's brother. Edgar was a son of Henry. Philip's date of death, 13 April 1876, is recorded on this page. Philips, gravestone gives the date as 14 April 1876. He was buried in Grove Cemetery in Trumansburg, New York (Trumansburg being a village in the town of Ulysses). There is a Find-A-Grave page for Philip C. Brewer, but it does not include a photo of his gravestone.

In his will, Philip instructs his executrix to pay all just debts and funeral expenses. He leaves to his wife, Sarah Brewer, the interest on all real and personal property so long as she remains his widow for her use and support. He gives his executrix full power to sell and convey his real estate, but in he event that his wife should no longer be his widow (i.e. should she remarry or die) then two-thirds of all property is to be divided equally among his five children named: George I. Brewer, Sarah Jane Brewer, Rebecca wife of Samuel Manning, Susan Brewer and William H. Brewer, or their heirs. He appoints his wife, Sarah Brewer, executrix. The will is dated 25 March 1859, he signs as Philip Cortland Brewer, and is witnessed by the above mentioned Henry Brewer and Edgar Brewer, both of Enfield.

Administration on the estate of Philip C. Brewer was granted to Susan (Brewer) Farrington, "one of the Residuary Legatees," on 16 April 1886 (Tompkins Co. LOA 41:578 1/2). Philip's wife, Sarah (Lawless) Brewer had died in late March 1886, and letters of Testamentary were granted to Susan Farrington on 5 April 1886. (Tompkins Co. Executor Records 5:112 and 113).

The will of Sarah Brewer, widow, is found in Tompkins Co. Wills S:423. Sarah is of Trumansburg. She leaves bed, bedding, table spoons and tea spoons to her daughter Sarah J. Hall. To Carrie Brewer, daughter of William H. Brewer, bed and bedding. To Cortie Brewer, daughter of George I. Brewer, bed and bedding. Rest and residue to daughter Susan Brewer who is appointed executrix. The will is dated 4 April 1876. Sarah signed with her mark X, witnessed by D. S. Biggs and J. D. Smith. Proof is found on the proceeding page, 5 April 1886. Her date of death is stated as "on or about" 3 February 1886.

Final Settlement of the estate of Philip C. Brewer, by Susan Farrington, administratrix, is found in Final Settlements 13:376-377, dated 8 July 1887. The surviving heirs with their places of residence are recorded with the date 30 August 1887. Listed here are Mrs. Sarah J. Hall of Santa Clara, California; George I. Brewer of New York City; Rebecca Manning of Trumansburg; and William H. Brewer of Ithaca.

With the wills and records of the settlement of the estates of both Philip C. Brewer and his widow, Sarah Brewer, we can update the profile of Philip Van Courtland Brouwer as found on the BGD, which was last updated in April 2016, by adding children Sarah Jane Brewer and George I. Brewer, and the additions of spouses for daughters Rebecca and Susan. We will follow up with more details on the children and descendants in a separate post.

BGB 669