19th Century Wills Recorded in New York County, 1830s and 1840s

We haven't forgotten our New York City Browers and we now continue with abstracts of New York County Wills for testators named BROWER, BREWER, and other variations, along with links to digital images of the wills found on FamilySearch.org, in their collection titled, "New York Probate Records, 1629-1971 > New York County." The probate records abstracted below are from the 1830s and 1840s. Please remember that the pages given here refer to the "Old Libers." More than a century ago the Old Libers were copied into new books. And here is a list of Browers and Brewers found in the New York County Will Books that was compiled a few years ago.

Abraham Brower, Lib. 68, p. 388. Dated 17 November 1826. Abraham Brouwer of the City of New York, being in good health and sound mind. Appoint my son Barret S. Brouwer, son-in-law James Smith, and Peter Sebring, all of the City of New York, as executors and trustees. Bequeath to them the survivors and survivors of them and their heirs of such survivor all my real and personal estate. First: pay all debts and funeral expenses. Second: Balance or surplus of personal estate to be divided among my five children, Jacob, Susan, Barret, Mary, and Rachel. Third: To son Jacob, the option to purchase in simple fee my farm in West Chester County at any time within one year after my decease. Fourth: If my son Jacob should buy the farm, proceeds are to be divided among my five children. Fifth: And as much as I hold certain estate in common with James Anderson it is my will that whatever the same shall be sold that my executors shall pay and divide whatever value of my share of the house No. 120 Broadway now occupied by Francis Guewin to and among my five children. Sixth: Should my daughter Susan depart this life before her husband or my son Barret depart this life before his wife, then in trust upon the first event to pay from the share of my said daughter $200 to her husband in each and every year during his natural life and upon the happening of the second event then to pay from the share of my son Barret $250 to his wife in each and every year of her widowhood. Josiah Wilson, the husband of my daughter Mary, shall in no case have any interest in or control over my estate or any part thereof. Witnesses: Abel T. Anderson, Jacob I. Roome, Geo. C. Thornburn. Codicil dated 19 Mar 1830: states that Josiah Wilson is now deceased, and daughter Mary is to be treated in the same manner as all other children. Proved 1 Mar 1832 by Susan Smith, Abel T. Anderson, Jacob Roome, Geo. C. Thornburn. [Abraham Brower was baptized 19 March 1746. He is a son of Jacob Brouwer and Maria de Lanoy].

Rene Brewer, Lib. 86, p. 35. Dated 10 July 1840. Rene Brewer of the City, County and State of New York, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind and judgement...
To youngest son James Brewer, the one half of all that usage and piece of land formerly owned by said James lying and  being in Greensburg, County of Westchester...lands bounded by Dr. Vanderhoof, dec'd, formerly the property of Joseph H. Hall, and the highway that leads from Tarrytown to White Plains. To daughter Sally the wife of John W. Purdy, the use of the other half of said tenament and lot of land during her life and then to be equally divided between her children.
To daughter Clarissa wife of Simon McGowen, all that lot and piece and parcel of land adjoining said lot (describes boundaries). To daughter Polly Brewer, the use of the remainder of my property on the north side of the road leading from Tarrytown to White Plains, bounded by lands of said Vanderhoof, dec'd, lands of Daniel Ackerman, on the west lands of Stephen McGowan, on south by the highway.
To daughter Patty the wife of Jacob Shaffer, the equal third part and parcel of that land lying on the south side of said highway (bounded by lands of William Van Wart and Elisha Purdy). To grandchildren Rene Brewer and Bela Brewer, the next one third of said lot. To daughter Lucinda the wife of Clark Williams, the other third of said lot. To son Horace Brewer and his children, a lot adjoining the western part of the property and adjoining the lands of Elisha Purdy. Directs that her personal property be desposed of and all moneys due me by note or otherwise collected and added into one sum, including a note for ninety nine dollars given to my late husband Solomon Brewer...to be divided, after funeral expenses and other necessary charges, into seven equal sums or shares. The seven shares to be given, one each to, daughter Sally wife of John W. Purdy, then to her children; to son Horace Brewer, then to his children; to son James Brewer; to daughter Patty wife of Jacob Schaffer; to Clarissa wife of Simon McGown; to daughter Lucinda wife of Clark Williams, then to her children; all instructed to pay to daughter Polly Brewer, 3% in quarterly payments during her life. Executors instructed to use the seventh share to build a house upon the lot set apart for grandchildren Rene, Maria and Bela Brewer (Bela stated to be under age 21). Appoints as sole executor, Clark Williams. Witnessed by Enoch Morgan, John Niles, William Byley. Proved 10 June 1842 by Enoch Morgan and 15 Nov 1842 by William Byley who in a deposition states that John Niles "is a lunatic and incompetent to testify...and he is informed that he is now residing in Poughkeepsie in the County of Dutchess." [Rene Brewer was the second wife and widow of Solomon Brewer. She was born 1 October 1766 in Guilford, Connecticut and was the daughter of Edward Benton and Leah Leete].

James M. Brower, Lib. 96, p. 441. Dated 29 November 1847. proved 8 Nov 1848. "I James M. Brower of the City, County and State of New York, Grocer, being of sound mind memory and understanding..." Mentions the mortgage on his home at 44 15th Street in New York City and orders his executors to pay "my share or portion of the expense incurred in and about improving and adorning the family vault in Greenwood Cemetery owned by my brothers David and Isaac and myself jointly." Names wife Sarah, all my household furniture...if she survives my son Celcus to her and her heirs forever. Mentions his title and right to a house and lot on the corner of Bedford and Downing Streets in New York City. Son, Celcus, under the age of 21, to receive interest and rents. Approves said wife as guardian of said son. Should both his wife die and son die before the age of 21, then residue of estate to be distributed as 1- $300 to Greenwood Cemetery in Kings County to be used for repair and preservation of lots nos. 1796, 1797, 1798 and 1799; 2- $1000 to Elizabeth Doncaster of St. John, New Brunswick, mother of my said wife; 3- $300 to Mary Doncaster of St. Johns, sister of my wife; 4- whole remainder to my sister Catherine DePew wife of Abraham DePew and her children. Appoints as executors his wife Sarah, Isaac D. Brower and David D. Bogart. Signed James M. Brower. Witnessed by G. McAdam, 27 Beekman St, NYC, and James McAdam, same address. [James M. (for Madison) Brower was born 4 March 1814 and was baptized at the Tappan Reformed Dutch Church. His parents were David Brouwer and Sarah Palmer].

Jeremiah Brower, Lib. 98, p. 59. Dated 13 June 1846, proved 30 July 1849. Called Jeremiah Brower of the City of New York. Appoints Stephen B. Hoffman, Robert Dermont and William Heyer Jacobs as executors. To my sisters Mariah Jane, Alida, Eliza and Nancy, the sum of $100. To each of my granddaughters Jane Brower and Ann Brower, the sum of $500. To my wife Elizabeth one half of all my household furniture and plate and the other half I give to my daughters Mary Ann Underhill and Eliza Jane Jacobs to be equally divided between them. Mentions a bond of 28 June 1839 assigned to wife Elizabeth of a bond and mortgage executed by John Van Boskirk for $4000 and also a bond and mortgage executed by James Stirley for $1500 for monies received from sales of properties left my said wife by her parents. Sets up a life annuity for his wife. Remainder of estate to be divided into three equal shares for daughter Mary Ann Underhill, children of said daughter Mary Ann, daughter Eliza Jane Jacobs wife of William H. Jacobs and her children, son Elijah Brower and his children (no names given for the children). Signed Jeremiah Brower. Witnessed by Wm. H. Slosson of 94 Franklin St., NYC and Joel B. Purdy, also of 94 Franklin St., NYC. [Jeremiah Brower was baptized 24 June 1776 at the New York Reformed Dutch Church. His parents were Theophilus Brouwer and Maria Bogart. His wife, Elizabeth Fisher, is named in the will but died 28 April 1848, before Jeremiah who died 1 July 1849. Both of their deaths were reported in New York City newspapers].


John J. Brower, Lib. 65, p. 504. Dated 14 May 1822. Proved 14 Apr 1823, called John J. (I.?) Brower of New York City, gentleman, mentions sisters Leah, Jane (Brouwer) Vredenburg, niece Jane V. Joralemon, Anna Eliza Petit niece of late wife, and four grandchildren: John Brower son of late son John Brower, Jr., deceased; Catherine Forman; and Effie, now wife of James Quackenbos, formerly Effie Forman; daughters of late daughter Jane, deceased, the late wife of George Forman; also John Brower Galatian, son of late daughter Catherine, deceased, the former wife of William W. Galatian. The will was not recorded until 13 November 1835. [John J. Brower died 12 April 1823, age 73 years, as reported by the New York Evening Post. He was a son of Jacob Brouwer and Jannetje Hartje. His wife was Catharine Duryea a daughter of Johannes Duryea and Antje Voorhees. Her sister, Neeltje Duryea is the Nelly Brower whose will is below].


Joseph G. Brower, Lib. 75, p. 349. Dated 6 May 1836. Joseph G. Brower, of the City of New York, Merchant Tailor. Directs that all just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of his estate. Executors of the estate are to have at their discretion the ability to sell real estate and to put the proceeds at interest or mortgage for benefit of the estate. Wife Charlotte to have income from said interest for her own benefit and for the education and support of "our children" (not named, nor number of children stated). Appoints as executrix his wife Charlotte and as executors his friends Henry Garner and Edgert Scudder of the City of New York. Witnesses: John M. McKinley, Chas. W. Sandford, both of New York City (addresses given). Proved 8 August 1836. Proceedings dated 21 July 1836 name as the heirs of Joseph G. Brower, his widow Charlotte, and heirs Joseph Henry DeWitt Brower and Charlotte Ann Brower. The widow Charlotte Brower is appointed guardian of the two children. The proceedings also state that Joseph G. Brower died in Brooklyn on 17 July 1836, and that he was a resident of New York County (Manhattan). [Joseph G. Brower died 17 July 1836 in Brooklyn. Although not named in the will, his children were Joseph Henry DeWitt Brower, born 21 June 1828 and baptized at Vandewater St. Presbyterian Church in New York City, and Charlotte Ann Brower, born about 1832, married twice, first to Samuel G. Vanusden, and second to Thaddeus W. Meighan with whom she had nine children. The identity of Joseph G. Brower's parents and his ancestry has not been learned].


Nelly Brower, Lib. 69, p. 169. Dated 25 March 1829. Proved 14 Aug 1832. Nelly Brower of the City of New York, widow of Abraham Brower late of the said city, blacksmith, deceased, being of an advanced age in life but through the mercy of God, in the enjoyment of good health but knowing the uncertainty of life, do make and publish this my last will and testament as follows. Leaves legacies to granddaughter Elizabeth, the daughter of my son Richard D. Brower, and Eleanor the wife of John Constantine, Mary, Hannah and Eliza, daughters of my son John D. Brower deceased (household items, furniture, clothing). Grandsons Abraham and Richard, the sons of my son Richard D. Brower and Abraham and John sons of my late son John D. Brower deceased (money and securities, money due). Appoints son Richard D. Brower and grandson-in-law John Constantine executors. Signed Nelly Brower. Witnesses: Isaac L. Kipp, Isaac Young. [Nelly Brower was baptized 10 November 1751 at the New York Reformed Dutch Church. Her parents were Johannes Duryea and Antje Voorhees and her sister Catharine was the wife of John J. Brower above. Nelly (Neeltje, and Elenor) was the wife of Abraham Brouwer, born 28 October 1735, baptized at Tappan and a brother of John J. Brower].


Samuel Brower, Lib. 66, p. 254. Dated 20 March 1830. Proved 14 Jul 1830. Samuel Brower of the City of New York. Debts and funeral expences to be paid. To my executors hereafter named, all my real estate wheresosever situated except those parts which are hereafter given to my sons Edward Brower and George Washington Brower in trust to sell the same or any part thereof at public auction at such time or times and for such prices as they think proper...proceeds to be invested in stocks of the General Government of the State of New York or of the Mayor Alderman and commonality of the City of New York...and that they payover to my wife Charlotte Brower the whole of the interest or dividends... Executors to pay to my children during their lives as they shall arrive at the age of 21 years ther interest or dividends to which they respectively may be entitled...it is my will that if either of my daughters should marry before the age of 21 then the interest should be paid to her child or children after her death. Executors to pay to my sons after they arrive at the age of 21 proceeds from the sale of real estate. Household furniture to my wife as long as she remains my widow and after her death or remarriage to my daughters Mary ann and Charlotte Brower. Also to said daughters my silver plate. To my children Mary Ann, Samuel, Charlotte and Robert Brower, five shares of stock of the Morris Canal Company of New Jersey (stated that Samuel and Robert are under age 21). To son George Washington Brower, his heirs and assigns, all my real estate in the state of Illinois. To son Edward, his heirs and assigns, lots nos. 300, 301, 302 and 303 as described in a deed executed to me by William Irving and Minerva Irving dated 12 March 1828 and recorded in the City and County of New York on 13 March 1828. Authorize my wife and son George Washington to carry on the business of Band Box making as the same as is carried on by me in William Street, New York City, during the continuance of the lease. Appoints Robert Donaldson, paper maker of New York City, William Colgate of New York City, soap boiler, and wife Charlotte Brower as executors. Appoints his wife as guardian of the minor children. Witnessed by James Anderson, attorney of New York City, and Levi Lougridge, grocer, of New York City. Codicil dated the same day, 20 March 1830. [William Colgate (1783-1857) named as an executor, was founder of Colgate & Company, a soap company that in 1873 became the first company to sell toothpaste in a tube. Samuel Brower is Samuel Birdsall Brower, son of Nicholas Brouwer and Mary Bridsall. He was born 3 May 1786, presumably at Wappingers in Dutchess County. His wife was Charlotte De Wolfe].

BGB 635

Databases Are Back Online

The databases hosted by RootsWeb Free Pages are now back online. Links are available in the column of links on the right side of this page under Databases. They all have new URLs, so any bookmarks or links that anyone might have to them from the past will not work. They will have to be changed. Here are the new URLs:

Brouwer Genealogy Database - http://sites.rootsweb.com/~brouwergenealogydata/index.htm

The Brouwer Genealogy Database (BGD) is the "main" website as originally created at Free Pages back some years ago. The other databases are all sub-directories of BrouwerGenealogyData.

Brewer Families of New England - http://sites.rootsweb.com/~brouwergenealogydata/NEBrewer/index.htm

Brewer-Lanier Database - http://sites.rootsweb.com/~brouwergenealogydata/BrewerSouth/index.htm

Descendants of Alice Freeman Thompson Parke - http://sites.rootsweb.com/~brouwergenealogydata/Freeman/

Drake Genealogy - http://sites.rootsweb.com/~brouwergenealogydata/Drake/index.htm

Drake in the County of Devon - http://sites.rootsweb.com/~brouwergenealogydata/Devon/index.htm

Although the sites are back up, all is not perfect. While links within each of the individual databases appear to work within that database, links between databases do not work. For example, at the top of the Brouwer Genealogy Database page, you'll find a link for Brewer of New England. That link does not work. It directs you to the Ancestry.com sign in page (signing in will not get you to Brewer of New England). The reason for this is that the original URLs for all the pages uploaded to RootsWeb (years ago) have been changed. I have presently have no inclination to go about changing all of these bad links by updating the URLs. In addition, many PDF pages where housed on sub-directories of BrouwerGenealogyData, and so those URLs have also been changed. Many links to PDFs (and a few pages in html that I may have created), whether found within any of the databases, or within the posts of this, Brouwer Genealogy blog, do not work. Again, I have no desire to go about changing all of these links. Any PDFs or pages that I can locate, will be placed online elsewhere, and a link will be added to the Replacement Links and More Page. So, if you try a link, and it does not work, look on the Replacement Links and More Page for an alternate link. It will take many, many months to locate and replace all of them, and to be honest, I may never get the chance to do it all.

As I mentioned, links within each database do appear to work (obviously I can't test them all). For example, parent to child links appear to work. If you should come upon one that doesn't, it is likely because a page is missing, and I will not be able to replace it.

Finally, the BGD shows a date of April 6, 2016 (scroll down to the bottom of any page). That was the last time I uploaded the entire database to RootsWeb. As I recall, that was after the first RootsWeb meltdown was corrected, and RootsWeb had restored the site with an older edition because they had not backed up their servers for some months prior to the meltdown. The data in the databases is actually from sometime in 2015, so it's at least three years old (older for some of the other databases). I will not be updating these databases again. So, what you find there now will stand so long as the RootsWeb hosting service exists. Needless to say, you may find errors within the databases, so use them carefully. They are not, and never were, intended as "final words" on Brouwer family genealogies, but instead were placed online as a resource to help those researching their Brouwer, Brower, Brewer, etc., ancestries. So, after checking a database, look to verify. If you find any errors, or found some new evidence that changes a previously believed relationship, or whatever, write up a post explaining the error, correction, new info, send it to me, and I'll place it online here on this blog site.

Way back when, I thought the databases were a good idea. They helped a lot of folks, especially those also using Y-Chromosome DNA analysis as well, in their attempts to identify their Brouwer/Brewer ancestries. But, because of their size (the BGD alone is over 700 web pages) they became a bit unruly, and a burden to maintain and update regularly. The problems with RootsWeb's servers, and the sites going down for periods of months at a time added frustration. With all that, I have no desire to update or maintain them any longer. There are other things I'd rather do. Any new Brouwer research, findings, etc., will be posted to this blog going forward (probably in short spurts followed by periods of inactivity as seen in the rate and frequency of posting over the past year).

So, it's nice to see them back online. They're not perfect. But hopefully they'll be of help to some.

Best of luck with your research.

BGB 593

19th Century Wills Recorded in New York County, New York, 1800-1829

Abstracts of wills for BREWER and BROWER found in the books of the Surrogate's Court, New York County, New York, for the years 1800 to 1829. Links take you to digital images of the wills found online at FamilySearch.org in their collection titled, New York Probate Records, 1629-1971 > New York County. Please note that the page numbers given below refer to the "old" page numbers found in the margins of the will books. The date generally is the date the will was recorded which often is the date it was proved before the Surrogate's Court Judge.

Samuel Brewer, 24 April 1815, Vol. 52, p. 240. Dated 1 March 1815, proved 24 April 1815, calls himself Samuel Brewer of the City of New York, merchant. "To my sister Phebe, wife of David Birdsall, the interest and profits of five thousnad dollars to be set apart and improved for this purpose by my executors...I give and bequeth the said sum of five thousand dollars to all her children then surviving in equal proportions. To beloved wife Elizabeth all household furniture. To my two children Elizabeth and Mary (both under age), and to their respective heirs..." Appoints his father in law John Titus and friend Alexander Cranston executors. Signed Samuel Brewer, witnessed by Maxwell Frokes, T.L. Ogden, H. Masor. This Samuel Brewer is a son of James Brewer and Hannah Lee, who can be found on the post of June 29, 2018. He is a descendant of John Brewer of Sudbury, Massachusetts, and is an example of a Brewer found in New York City who IS NOT a descendant of one of the early New Netherland Brouwer families. As stated in the will, his wife was Elizabeth Titus, daughter of John Titus. I have not had the opportunity to research her ancestry any further. She may have remarried as Samuel Brewer appears to have been only in his mid to late twenties when he died.

Jacob Brewer, 17 May 1815, Vol. 52, p. 275. Dated 31 March 1815, proved 17 May 1815, calls himself Jacob Brewer of the City of New York being weak in body but of sound mind. Gives "first to wife Abigail Brewer the interest of all my money at interest for her use during the time she remains my widow. Second, to my daughter Sally, the six green chairs now in my house, my mahogany tea table, one bed, bedstead and bedding. Third, after the death of my wife or so soon as she ceases to be my widow I give and bequeth to each of my daughters one hundred and twenty five dollars. Fourth, all the residue of my property after my wife's death or so soon as she ceases to be my widow I give and bequeth to my sons equally divided amongst them share and share alike." Appoints his sons John Brewer and Peter Brewer as executors. Signed by his mark, witnessed by Adam Hartell, and Lawrence Wiseburn of New York City, butcher. Jacob Brewer was baptized 22 August 1744 at the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow (now the Tarrytown Reformed Church), and was the son of Johannes Brouwer and Elizabeth Conklin, and is a great-great grandson of Adam Brouwer of Gowanus, Long Island. His wife was Elizabeth Yerks, a daughter of John Jurckse/Yerks and Susanna Forshay. Jacob and Abigail had ten children baptized at the Sleepy Hollow Church between 1774 and 1798. His father is the Johannes Brewer found on the post of June 29, 2018.

John Brower, 4 October, 1815, Vol. 52, p. 495. Dated 10 November 1812, proved 4 Oct 1815, calls himself "John Brower of the City of New York in the State of New York, gentleman, being of sound disposing mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this transitory life...." Mentions his wife Anne Brower; Mary Anderson "whom I have brought up, and who now lives with me, the annual sum of one hundred twenty dollars during the term of her natural life to be paid to her quarter yearly"; daughter Mary the wife of Benjamin Romaine of New York City, gentleman, and Dinah the wife of Peter Walker of New York City, "Taylor" and their heirs. Wife Ann Brower named as executrix with "respected friends" Peter Talman of Tappan in Rockland County, merchant and Peter H. Wendover of New York City, sailmaker as executors. Witnessed by Cornelius Van Valen, David Quackenbush, physician, and Adolph Brower. John was baptized as Johannes on 9 September 1733 at the Reformed Dutch Church at Schraalenburgh in Bergen County, New Jersey. He is a son of Samuel Brouwer and Maria Hartje and a great-great grandson of Adam Brouwer and Magdalena Verdon. John married Antje (Anne) Lozier in 1760 at the New York City Reformed Dutch Church. They had seven children, the first six baptized between 1760 and 1774 at New York, and the youngest, Samuel, baptized at Schraalenburgh in 1779. The family probably left New York City for Bergen County while the British occupied the city during the Revolutionary War. Only two children are mentioned in the will. Antje/Anne Lozier was a daughter of Benjamin Lozier/Losier and Dina de Groot. Dina's first husband was Pieter Brouwer, a brother of John's father, Samuel Brouwer.

Cornelia Brower, 30 April 1816, Vol. 53, p. 174. Dated 14 April 1812, proved 12 Apr 1816. Cornelia Brower of the City of New York, widow, weak in health but of sound mind, memory and understanding. To my daughter Helen Knapp, widow, my bureau and my set of bed curtains. Direct my executrix to, within a reasonable and convenient time after my decease, to sell and dispose of my real estate in the City of New York consisting of a house, lot of ground in First Street. Proceeds to pay debts and funeral expenses, residue to my daughter Cornelia, 1/3 part; daughter Helen, 1/3 part; to grandchildren Abraham Knapp and Charles Knapp, children of my said daughter Helen to be divided equally. Appoints daughter Helen Knapp as executor. Wit.: John Boyd, Elizabeth Vanderhoof, S. Cowdrey. Cornelia is Cornelia Anderson, baptized 26 March 1740 at the New York City Reformed Dutch Church, a daughter of Peter Anderson (recorded as Pieter Andriesse) and Cornelia Holmes (recorded as Cornelia Homs). Cornelia married Charles Brouwer at the New York Reformed Dutch Church on 24 December 1761, and the record here calls her Catharina Anderson. The baptism record of their daughter, Cornelia, 14 April 1765 at New York, records her as Cornelia Anderson. So, it appears that the marriage record, or perhaps the transcription of it, was in error. Charles Brouwer has not yet been placed among the Brouwer families of New York. However, he apparently had a sister Sara Brouwer who had married Cornelia's brother, Joris/George Anderson, and perhaps another sister, Jannetje Brouwer who was a witness to the baptism of George and Sarah (Brouwer) Anderson's son, Jacobus, in 1766. The daughter, Helena Knapp, mentioned in the will, married Lockwood Knapp in the English Lutheran Church, New York City, on 13 July 1799. No record of baptism has been found for Helena. The daughters mentioned in the will are, to date, the only two known children of Charles and Cornelia (Anderson) Brouwer.

Abraham Brower, 10 June 1816, Vol. 53, p. 219. Dated 3 October 1815, proved 10 Jun 1816. Abraham Brower of New York City, blacksmith, being of sound and disposing mind and understanding. Just debts and funeral expenses to be paid. To son John D. Brower, his heirs and assigns, that lot of ground and livery stable now occupied by John Curtis, distinguished on a certain map by lot no. 66 on the southerly side of Partition Street in the Third Ward of New York City containing in breadth in front and rear each, twenty-five feet, and in length on each side, 77 feet. Also to son John D. Brower that other lot and blacksmith shop occupied by him, lot no. 67 on the southerly side of Partition Street in the Third Ward, adjoining on the west side of the above mentioned lot. To wife Nelly Brower, $100, payable within 40 days of my decease, also, as long as she remains my widow, that lot of ground and brick coach and 220 chair house, lot 68 on the southerly side of Partition Street in the Third Ward. Upon her death or remarriage said lot to my son Jacob V. Brower, his heirs and assigns. Also to said wife, Nelly Brower, that dwelling house and lot no. 69 on the southerly side of Partition Street in the Third Ward and upon her death or remarriage to my daughter Hannah Brower. To wife, Nelly Brower, lot and dwelling house now occupied by John Curtis, no. 3 on the southerly side of Partition Street adjoining on the westerly side the coach makers shop occupied by my son James Brower and on the easterly side and adjoining to the house lot of Andrew Hopper, and after her death or remarriage to my son Richard Brower, his heirs and assigns. To said wife, Nelly Brower, lot and dwelling house and stable now occupied by Robert Dawson, lot no. 7 on the southerly side of Dey Street in the Third Ward of New York City, and after her death or remarriage to my son Jacob V. Brower, son Richard Brower, and daughter Hannah Brower. My wife is directed to apply the rents from said properties for her maintanence and that of my daughter Hannah Brower. To said son James Brower, lot and coach makers shop now occupied by him, no. 70 on the southerly side of Partition Street. Also to son James Brower, lot and dwelling house no. 41 on the northerly side of Dey Street, and James to pay off the mortgage of $1250. After death of son James, said two lots to sons Jacob V. Brower and Richard Brower. To son Abraham Brower, $50, and release him of all monies he now owes me, and that is all I intend for him to have from my estate. Sons John D. Brower, Jacob V. Brower and Richard Brower appointed as executors. Wit.: Robert Dawson, John Curtis, Benj. Ferris. (Included is a hand drawn map of the streets mentioned with location of the properties mentioned. Partition and Dey Streets are parrellel to each other and intersect Broadway). Proved by Benjamin Ferris of New York City, councilor at law, and John Curtis of New York City, livery stable keeper. There were many men named Abraham Brower. This Abraham was baptized 30 November 1735 at the Tappan Reformed Dutch Church, the son of Jacob Brouwer and Jannetje Hartje. He is a great-great grandson of Adam Brouwer, by way of his son Pieter Brouwer. Abraham's grandparents were Abraham Brouwer and Lea Demarest. Abraham was married twice and had children by both of his wives. His first wife was Gerreberg Brouwer, a daughter of (another) Abraham Brouwer and Elizabeth Ackerman. They were second cousins and had three children. Abraham's second wife was Neeltje Duryea, a daughter of Johannes Duryea and Antje Voorhees. Abraham and Neeltje were married in 1771 and had six children born between 1772 and 1787.

John J. Brower, 14 April 1823, Vol. 58, p. 92. The will begins at the very bottom of this page. Dated 14 May 1822, proved 14 Apr 1823, called John J. (I.?) Brower of New York City, gentleman, mentions sisters Leah, Jane (Brouwer) Vredenburg, niece Jane V. Joralemon, Anna Eliza Petit niece of late wife, and four grandchildren: John Brower son of late son John Brower, Jr., deceased; Catherine Forman; and Effie, now wife of James Quackenbos, formerly Effie Forman; daughters of late daughter Jane, deceased, the late wife of George Forman; also John Brower Galatian, son of late daughter Catherine, deceased, the former wife of William W. Galatian. John J. (or I., the letters J and I were often interchanged) Brower was also a son of Jacob Brouwer and Jannetje Hartje, and a brother of the Abraham Brower mentioned above. John's wife was Catherine Duryea, a daughter of Johannes Duryea and Antje Voorhees, and a sister of Neeltje Duryea, who was the second wife of the above Abraham Brower. John and Catherine were married in 1769 at the New York Reformed Dutch Church and had eleven children born between 1770 and 1796. Only three lived into adulthood, and all three pre-deceased John, but left grandchildren mentioned in the will. Catherine (Duryea) Brower died in 1800.

John N. Brower, 25 February 1828, Vol. 62, p. 37. Dated 21 February 1828, proved 25 Feb 1828. John N. Brower of the City of New York, Grocer. Devises and bequeaths to his wife, Susan, "so long as she remains my widow, all right title and interest in and to the following leases of lots of ground belonging to me and the buildings thereon erected, to wit the lease of a lot of ground in Stanton Street and the house thereon erected and lease of the lot adjoining thereto (together with the appurtenances) in Stanton Street, all in the City and County of New York..." also all wearing apparel, beds, bedding, the "said Susan had when I married her," and all household furniture purchased by his wife Susan after their marriage, "to be held and used or disposed of by the said Susan for her own benefit in lieu of the said Susan's right and interest in my estate so long as the said Susan shall remain my widow." He next orders that his executors dispose of, either at public or private sale, the remainder of his estate both real and personal, with the proceeds to pay for funeral expenses and to pay off just debts with the remainder to be given to my "now brothers and sisters and not to my half brothers and sisters," but does not record their names. Should his wife die or remarry, the property devised to her is also to be given to "my now brothers and sisters." Appoints as executors "my true and faithful friends Benjamin Riggs, Matthew Curtis St. John and Hiram King, all of the City of New York." Witnesses: William S. Sears, William E. Sewall, Samuel H. Miller. John N. Brower was a son of Nazareth Brouwer (1756-1817) and Ginny/Jane Brouwer (1757-1795). Ginney was Nazareth's first of three wives. They were married in 1775 and had seven children. Ginney, or Jane, is said to be a daughter of Charles Brouwer and Jane Ryder, while Nazareth is a son of Cornelis Brouwer and Mary Archer. If correct, they were then first cousins. John N. Brower's wife, Susan, is known only from this will. Her family name has not been learned and there does not appear to be any record of children. John N. Brower and this larger inter-married family are descendants of Nazareth Brouwer and Anne Rozell. This, first, Nazareth Brouwer was a son of Nicholas Brouwer and Jannetje Caljer, and a grandson of Adam Brouwer and Magdalena Verdon.  This branch of the Adam Brouwer family has it's beginnings in Westchester County, probably in the area that is now the Bronx. Records from the early 1700s for this location, and for this Brouwer family are few, and the composition of the families descended from Nazareth is in part based upon unverified accounts of earlier researchers. We do, however, have a descendant of Cornelis Brouwer (mentioned above) who has taken a Y-Chromosome DNA test. His results match those of the other descendants of Adam Brouwer. The Charles Brouwer, husband of Cornelia (Anderson) Brower whose will is abstracted above, may somehow fit, somewhere, among this branch of Adam Brouwer's descendants. More research in Westchester County needs to be conducted, and if there is anyone out there with more insight or records, please use the Comments section to relate them to the rest of us.

We will continue through the 1800s in New York County in a future post.

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Late 18th Century Wills Recorded in New York County, New York

Surnames BROWER and BREWER found in books of the New York County Surrogate's Court. In this post we are covering the years 1778 to 1795. The images are online at FamilySearch.org in their collection titled New York Probate Records, 1629-1971 > New York County.

Nicholas Brower, 10 June 1778, 33: 10 (12), 41. Codicil at p. 12 (15). At Albany AB, No. 120 (image 690). The will is dated 17 Sep 1777, with codicil dated 21 Sep 1777, recorded at the Surrogate's Court 17 Jun 1778. He is calls himself Nicholas Brouwer of Albany, yeoman. He mentions his wife Sarah, his brother Cornelis and his own children, Nicholas Jr., David, William, Jeremiah, Jacob, Jane (wife of William Conklin), Sara, Catherina, Elisabeth. Sarah Brower, executrix appeared before Judge Thomas Treadwell of the Probate Court at Dutchess County, New York on 10 Jun 1778. Nicholas Brower, as executor appeared before the Surrogate Court in Dutchess Co., 31 Aug 1778. This Nicholas was married twice, first to Mary Dutcher (six children) and second to Sarah Drake (seven children) who afterwards married Stephen Callow. He is a son of Adolphus Brouwer (1693-1742) and Jannetje Verdon (daughter of Jacob Verdon and Femmetje Westervelt). Nicholas is a great-grandson of Adam Brouwer, of Gowanus, L. I. Nicholas was born 11 June 1714 (according to a Bible record) and was the Brouwer responsible for establishing the mills at Wappingers Falls in Dutchess County, New York.


Johannes Brewer, 13 Jan. 1780, 33: 149 (223), 152. Begins at the very bottom of page 223. The will is dated 19 June 1778. Proved 13 Jan 1780. Johannis Brewer, of the Manor of Philipsburgh in Westchester County, being in perfect health. My will is that my son Jacob shall have all my improvements where I now live, on condition that he gives his sister Peggy Brewer a good maintainance. I leave to my daughter Peggy a good bed and furniture. I leave all household goods to my four sons and three daughters viz: Deliverance, Peter, Matthew, Jacob, Angeltie wife of John Sispen, Lena wife of Peter Mabie and Peggy, and all my moveables. I make my friend William Yurksea and John Yurksea, executors. Witnesses: Johanis Britt, William Britt, William Davids. Johannes/John, called Brewer in the will, was baptized in 1702 at the Reformed Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow. He was a son of Samuel Brouwer and Grietje Smith, a grandson of Matthys Brouwer and Marietje Pieterse (Wyckoff) and a great grandson of Adam Brouwer of Gowanus, L. I.

James Brewer, 7 Dec. 1780, 33: 196 (299), 191. Begins at the bottom of page 196 (299). Dated 20 November 1780, proved 7 Dec 1780. James Brewer of the Manor of Cortlandt in Westchester County, being weak and sick. I leave to my son Joseph, seventy pounds in gold or silver. To my wife Hannah, my horse and riding chair. After all debts are paid I leave the rest to my wife Hannah and my seven children, Sarah, Mary, Joseph, James, Daniel, Phebe and Samuel. I make my wife and my son Joseph and my brother-in-law Abijah Lee, executors. Witnesses: Justus Sherwood, Josiah Ingersoll, Joseph Lee, Jr. James Brewer was baptized in July 1740 at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He is a son of Daniel Brewer (b. 1704, Watertown, MA) and Phebe Locke. He is a great-great grandson of John Brewer (b. abt. 1621, Cambridge, England) who was at Sudbury, Massachusetts by October 1642. John Brewer had a son, John (1642-1691) who married Elizabeth Rice, and a daughter Hannah (1645-1697) who married Daniel Goble. Two descendants of the immigrant ancestor, John Brewer (his wife was named Anne) have taken Y-DNA tests with the Brewer DNA Project. Advanced SNP testing with Big-Y (FTDNA) and analysis at YFull, now has them identified as haplogroup R-FGC46823 (which is an update from the post of April 22, 2016). James Brewer's wife was Hannah Lee, a daughter of Joseph Lee who died in 1790 in Westchester County.

Jurre Brower, 11 Feb 1784, 36: 228 (272), 183. His will dated 18 September 1754 was not proved until nearly 30 years later on 4 February 1784. We know he was living in 1778 when he owned a seat at the Brooklyn Reformed Dutch Church. His name appears variously as Jeury, Jurian and Jeremiah, and was no doubt named for his maternal grandfather, Jurian Caljer. Jurre Brower was the son of Abraham Brouwer and Cornelia Caljer, and a grandson of Adam Brouwer. Jurre and his brother, Abraham received from their father, the mills and property at Gowanus, L. I. In his will he calls himself a miller. He was married twice, first to Elizabeth Hilton (his first cousin) with whom he had eleven children, and second to Charity Stillwell (no children). His will mentions three sons, Abraham, William and Adolph, who receive his whole estate, real and personal in "Brookland." He mentions his wife, Geertje (Charity is an anglicization of Geertje, which in Dutch is pronounced closely to Charity), and the goods she brought to the estate. Daughters, Maria, Cornelia, Jannetje, Elizabeth, Sara and Lena, who are all not yet married. Daughter Annatie, the wife of Henry Taylor. The three sons are executors and Jacob Bennet, Jurie Bennet and Simon Boerum witnessed the will.


Jacob Brower, 5 April 1784, 36: 366 (440), 280.  His will is dated 23 October 1781, proved 5 Apr 1784. Jacob Brouwer of the City of New York, masoner. Devises to son Jacob, five pounds to be paid to him before the remainder of the estate is to be divided. Names sons, Jacob, Abraham and William; daughter Petronella; daughter Anna, wife of Cornelius Cooper; daughter Jane, wife of Henry Van Winkel; heirs of daughter Mary deceased, meaning Gitty and Mary Permilliar. Should any of my deceased father, Jacob Brouwer's, estate be recovered after my death, it is to be divided into four shares. One fourth equally unto my within named heirs; another unto the heirs of my brother John Brouwer deceased; another unto my brother Everardus Brouwer; the remaining fourth unto my brother Abraham Brouwer. Names sons Jacob and Abraham, and nephew Jacob Brouwer, hatter, all of New York City, as executors. Wit: George Lindsay, Nicholas Hillaman, Abraham Brouwer. Dated at Kakiat, New York, in the fifth year of American Independence. Jacob was baptized on 24 September 1710 at the Brooklyn Reformed Dutch Church. He was a son of Jacob Brouwer and Petronella de La Montagne. His grandparents were Jacob Brouwer and Annatje Bogardus through whom descendants claim descent from Anneke Jans Bogardus. He is a great grandson of Adam Brouwer. This Jacob Brouwer was married to Maria de Lanoy, a daughter of Abraham de Lanoy and Jannetje Roome. Jacob and Maria had ten children, all baptized at the New York City Reformed Dutch Church between 1737 and 1758. Both Jacob and Maria are recorded as witnesses to numerous baptisms in the church's records. Apparently late in life he lived at Kakiat in Orange County (now Rockland Co.), New York, likely escaping British occupied New York City during the Revolutionary War years. He was a mason.

William Brower, 12 June 1786, 39: 123 (140), 110. At Albany AB No. 139 (image 759). The will is dated 4 September 1782 and can be found in both the New York County Surrogate's Court records and on file in the Clerk's Office at Albany. It was probated 12 Jun 1786. In the will he calls himself "William Brower of Rumbout Precinct, Dutchess County, farmer, being weak of body but of sound mind and memory...". Names his wife Mattya, son Jeremiah to receive 10 shillings for his birth right & "to my real and personal estate upon Long Island and Staten Island I allow to be sold and fifty pounds a piece to be given to my children viz: Garrett Brower, William Brower, Letty Brower & Cornelius Brower in lieu of fity pounds given to my son Jeremiah some time ago." The remaining "part of said estate" to be divided among all the children (Jeremiah, Garret, William, Letty, Cornelius). Names as executors, his wife Mattya Brower, sons Garrett and William Brower, and Abraham Hoagland. Witnessed by Francis Bogardus, John Ackerman, and James Wills. On 18 Nov 1786, Garrett and William Brower executors of the will of William Brower deceased appeared before Judge Thomas Treadwell, City of New York "duly sworn to the true execution and performance of the said will." William apparently left Long Island for the safety of Dutchess County after the Battle of Long Island in 1776. He was a son of Jeury Brouwer (Jurre Brower, above) and Elizabeth Hilton, and so died only a few years after his father. William's wife was Meclitta Van Duyn, daughter of Gerrit Van Duyn and Aaltie Van Nostrand. His children remained in Dutchess County. The daughter, Lette, or Aeltje, married Abraham Hoagland. William is a great grandson of Adam Brouwer.


Peter Brower, 12 Feb. 1788, 40: 79 (62), 70. Peter Brower's will is dated 15 May 1767, and was not proved until 22 January 1788. He was a bricklayer of New York City. To son Jacob, six shillings. Also all my wearing apparel and all residue of my estate, both real and personal, to my daughters Ann, now the wife of John Walker, mariner of New York, and Elizabeth, wife of Henry Ustick, shopkeeper, of New York, to be divided equally between them, their heirs, forever. My son Jacob to recieve 1/3 part of the rents and profits of my real estate during his natural life. I appoint my brother-in-law William Woynants, and my cousin Everardus Brower, hatter, executors. Wit.: Luke Jno. Kierstead, Charles Phillips, yeoman, Charles Morse. Proved 22 Jan 1788. On 12 Feb 1788, William Woynants having since died, Everardus Brower, the other executor, having refused to serve, the Court appoints Peter Ustick, merchant of New York, to administer the estate. Peter Brower, or Pieter Brouwer, was said to have been born 29 March 1699 (according to the notorious "Hill Manuscript"). A record of his baptism has not been found, as he was likely born at Gowanus (Brooklyn) at a time when many of the Reformed Church records there are lost. Based upon witness recording at baptisms, he appears to have been a son of Jacob Brouwer and Annatje Bogardus, and so a grandson of Adam Brouwer, and a great-grandson of Anneke Jans Bogardus. Pieter/Peter was married three times. By his first wife, Elizabeth Quackenbosch, daughter of Benjamin Quackenbosch and Classje Webber, he had eleven children, all baptized at New York between 1722 and 1742. His second wife was Catharina Thong (m. 14 April 1750), and his third was Sara Kip (m. 17 October 1751), a daughter of Pieter Kip and Immetje Van Dyck. No known children by his second and third wives. The "brother-in-law, William Woynants," who served as an executor, was the husband of Leah Quackenbosch, who was a sister of Peter's first wife. The "cousin Everardus Brower," would actually be a nephew; a  son of Jacob Brouwer and Petronella de La Montagne, which supports the placement of Peter as a son of Jacob Brouwer and Annatje Bogardus. Although he had eleven children, the will only mentions three - son Jacob, and two married daughters, Anna and Elizabeth. While four others are known to have died early, it is possible that all or some of the remaining four were still living, but may have left the New York City area for parts west. The son Petrus Brouwer (bapt. 1740) appears to have been the Peter Brewer who died in Williamsburg, Clermont Co., Ohio in 1842, age 102 (he was recorded as age "over 100" on the 1840 U.S. census at Williamsburg), while it is conceivable that his son Benjamin (bapt. 1728) may be the Benjamin Bruer whose estate was administered in 1778 in the old Yohogania County, Virginia, having lived at which was soon after, Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania. (More on this in a future post).


Abraham Brower, 19 June 1792, 41: 27 (17), 43. Dated 6 July 1789, proved 19 Jun 1792, he calls himself, "Abraham Brower of the City of New York, carpenter, being in perfect health and of a sound mind, memory and understanding." Mentions, "my eldest son Garret Brower, all my carpenters tools and to concern for such further part of my estate as is herein after expressed further I will and order that my loving wife shall remain in the full possession of all my real and personal estate during her natural life and after her decease I will and order that my said estate both real and personal shall be equally divided amongst my children herein after named share and share alike that is to say one full sixth part to my son Garret Brower...one full sixth part to my son Abraham Brower...one full sixth part to my daughter Peter Nelly Post...one full sixth part to my daughter Effe Halsey...one sixth full part to my daughter Mary Brower...one full sixth part to my grand daughter Elsie Thew." Abraham appointed, "my loving wife sole executrix." He did not mention her name, however, she is called Effe Brouwer when administration of Abraham's estate was granted to her on 19 June 1792. Witnesses: George Stanton, Ahasuerus Turk, Cornelius Sebring (blacksmith). Abraham was baptized 6 February 1717 at the New York Reformed Dutch Church. He was another son of Jacob Brouwer and Petronella de La Montagne, and so a great grandson of Adam Brouwer and a great-great grandson of Anneke Jans Bogardus. Abraham married Aefje (Effe or Affe) Van Gelder (see immediately below), a daughter of Gerrit Van Gelder and Anna Quick, and of the Van Gelder family descended from Jan Van Gelder and Tanneken Montanac (and not of the Van Gelders descended from Evert Hendrickszen and Fytje Brouwer). They had nine children born between 1744 and 1772 (a 28 year span. Aefje would have been 47 years old when her son Abraham, mentioned in the will, was born). The will is recorded a second time here, Abraham Brower, 23 Nov. 1795, 41: 603 (438), 271. This second record appears after his widow's death, when son-in-laws Anthony Post and Jabez (a.k.a. Taber) Halsey, and son Abraham Brower, appeared before the Surrogate's Court.


Affe Brower, 29 June 1795, 41: 515 (373), 237. Her will was dated 12 June 1795 and proved 29 June 1795. She calls herself Affie Brouwer widow of Abraham Brower formerly of the City of New York deceased house carpenter, being sick in body but of a sound and disposing mind...I give and bequeath all the rest and residue of my estate real and personal unto such of my daughters as shall be living at my decease and to their heirs (daughters names not given)...I do nominate and appoint my son Abraham Brower, my sons-in-law Anthony Post and Jabez Halsey to be executors. Wit: George Ireland, John Divine, John Cresier. Affie was the widow of Abraham Brower mentioned just above, and a daughter of Gerrit Van Gelder and Anna Quick. She was baptized 25 August 1725 at the New York Reformed Dutch church.

Early 19th century wills of New York County coming in a future post.

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John Brewer of Sudbury, Massachusetts, Defined by SNP R-S1051

One of the two descendants of John Brewer, of Sudbury, Massachusetts, who has participated in the Brewer DNA Project (FTDNA), has received results of his Big-Y test and has had analysis completed by YFull. The analysis defines the descendant by SNP R-S1051, which is turn names his haplogroup on the Y-DNA Tree.

He can be found on YFull's Experimental YTree, v.4.3 (March 14, 2016) as id:YF05314.

The Brewer DNA Project now has seven ancestral lines defined and placed on the Y-DNA Tree. Links can be found on the Genetics Genealogy page.

More on John Brewer and some descendants can be found of the Brewer Families of New England website. I would like to note that we still do not have Y-DNA testing from a confirmed descendant of Daniel Brewer of Roxbury, Massachusetts. We would very much like to find one (or preferably two) such descendants join the the Project so that a Y-DNA signature can be established for Daniel Brewer. It is possible that we currently have a few descendants of Daniel Brewer who are unable to prove their complete ancestry. If we are able to compare Y-DNA test results from provable descendants we will be able to see if or how they match our current participants and hopefully the information will help them complete their Brewer ancestries.

Finally I will note that Family Tree DNA is running a sale on new DNA tests from April 21 through April 26, 2016.

PDF version of this post

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Brewer Families of New England Updated

The Brewer Families of New England website has been updated. The website serves as a genealogical research database for information, records and data collected on the various BREWER families who originated in colonial New England (and some of their descendants).

New to this updated edition is the inclusion of the results of a Y-DNA upgrade from 37 markers to 67 markers for a descendant of John Brewer who lived at Cambridge and then Sudbury, Massachuetts during the mid 1600s. We now have two descendants of John Brewer who have been tested at the 67 marker level. The results can be seen and compared on the DNA Analysis Page at the Brewer Families of New England website, and at the Y-DNA Results page at the Brewer DNA Project website. The advantage of the Y-DNA Results page at the Brewer DNA Project site is that it does allow for comparison between the numerous unrelated BREWER families that have been identified.

A simple chart showing the ancestries of the two participants in the Brewer DNA Project can be found on the Brewer Families of New England site. The two descendants match on 66 of 67 markers and their common ancestor is John Brewer (1669-1709), a grandson of the progenitor, who is often referred to as Lieut. John Brewer. He lived at Sudbury and Weston, Massachusetts and his wife was Hannah Jones (b. 1672).

Family Tree DNA's relationship calculator predicts a 95% probability of a common ancestor within 8 generations for two participants who match on 66 of 67 markers and have the same surname. In this case, the common ancestor, John Brewer (1669-1709) is nine generations in the past for one of the participants and seven generations in the past for the other. The two descendants are 7th cousins, twice removed.

Having two descendants of this one New England progenitor, John Brewer of Cambridge and Sudbury, establishes a genetic identity for this BREWER family. Others who come along in the future, and are unsure of an ancestry back to John Brewer of Cambridge and Sudbury, perhaps because of incomplete or lost records at one generation in their direct ancestry, can now join the Brewer DNA Project and have a direct male descendant take a Y-DNA test. The ensuing test results will tell whether or not the participant is a member of this New England Brewer family.

Much Thanks to the two descendants who participated in the Brewer DNA Project. I have no doubt that their test results will be of value to some future researchers. Not only would we like to see more descendants of John Brewer of Cambridge and Sudbury join the Project, but we would also very much like to see descendants of the other New England Brewer families join and contribute as well.

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Brewer Families of New England Update

It's hard to believe, but it has been just over a year since the last update was made to the Brewer Families of New England website. The site has now been updated.

New to the site is the addition of a second descendant of John Brewer of Cambridge and Sudbury, Massachusetts who has participated in the Brewer DNA Project. The participant had suspected a line of descent from John Brewer, and results of his Y-DNA test confirm his ancestry. The participant matched the one other descendant of John Brewer who had previously had results reported, on 36 of 37 markers. While this second participant was tested at the 111 marker level, only the first 67 markers are shown on the DNA Analysis page. (This is due to limitations in the current version of TMG which only allows for 67 markers to be recorded in the data field). A chart of the ancestry of the two participants is also available. Hopefully, in the future, additional descendants of the various New England Brewer families will join the Brewer DNA Project. I'm sure it would be of interest to many to be able compare results from descendants of John Brewer with those descended from Daniel Brewer of Roxbury, Massachusetts, and with Thomas Brewer of Glastonbury, Connecticut.

There are no other changes to the database of note that need to be mentioned. In truth, I spend very little time on the New England families these days, pretty much only looking at them when a new participant joins the Brewer DNA Project. Nonetheless, I hope the website is of help to others.

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Brewer: New Marlborough, Massachusetts Vital Statistics

The Town of New Marlborough is in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Berkshire County is the western most county in the state and it borders the states of New York, Vermont and Connecticut. A number of BREWER families are found there beginning in the mid 1700s and through the 1800s. Most are descended from the New England Brewer families that originated in the eastern, coastal region of the state. Hastings Brewer, however, is one who was born in England, came to Connecticut and then settled at New Marlborough. His brother Samuel Brewer was residing at Staten Island, New York when he wrote his will.

Vital statistics at New Marlborough were recorded by the Town Registrar. The books have been filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah and are available on microfilm (#0250275). As of this posting they are not found on the Family Search website. The records, including images, are available at the AmericanAncestors.org website. Membership in the NEHGS is required to view the images there.

Extracts of BREWERs found in the birth, marriage and deaths are now available online. Researchers should use the extracts as a starting point and should always seek out the original to confirm accuracy.

Brewers Found in New Marlborough, Massachusetts Vital Statistics

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Brewer Families of New England: Update

The Brewer Families of New England Database website has been updated. A new DNA Analysis page has been added. This addition became possible by the participation of our first known descendant of one of the New England Brewer families in the Brewer DNA Project. I would like to thank the descendant for his participation and hopefully this will encourage other descendants of New England Brewer families to participate as well.

The participant is a descendant of John Brewer (1621-1646) who was at Cambridge and Sudbury, Massachusetts. Very little is known of John Brewer. He lived a very short life, dying at age 24 or 25 if the statements as to his birth and death dates are correct. His wife's name was Ann, and they had two known children, daughter Hannah who was married to Daniel Goble and then to Ephraim Roper, and son John Brewer, who married Elizabeth Rice and through whom all direct male descendants of the progenitor descend. Among John Brewer's descendants is U.S. President Calvin Coolidge.
The participants haplogroup subclade was predicted (by Family Tree DNA) to be R1b1a2. The Haplogroup R1b is the most frequently found Y-chromosome haplogroup in Western Europe. The subclade R1b1a2 (defined by the presence of SNP marker 269) is found in particularly high concentrations in Scotland and south-eastern England, and especially in north-western Ireland. It has certainly been assumed that John Brewer came to Massachusetts from the British Isles, and now the Y-DNA testing of a descendant is in agreement with that belief. The participation of additional descendants of John Brewer in the Brewer DNA Project would be helpful in confirming these results.

We would also like to see descendants of all of the other progenitors of New England Brewer families participate as well. Please see the Brewer DNA Project website for details on how to join the project.

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Update on the Jonathan Brewers of New England

In the September 20, 2011 post I brought up the discovery that Col. Jonathan Brewer (1725/26-1784) did not marry as his second wife, Dorothy Fowle. She, instead, was married to another man named Jonathan Brewer, who had not yet been placed among the New England Brewer families. I now believe that the Jonathan Brewer, who married Dorothy Fowle, was a son of Moses Brewer (1728-1760), and a nephew of the above mentioned Col. Jonathan Brewer.
Jonathan Brewer died before 23 August 1793, when proceedings on estate began in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Images of the documents from his estate file (no. 2557) can be found online. The papers mention only two children, both minors, and both daughters, Polly and Betsey. Birth records for the two have not been found in the Massachusetts vital records. His wife is not mentioned by name, however, the "widow Brewer," is mentioned in one document. The piece of evidence that would connect Jonathan Brewer to Moses Brewer is a line in the inventory of the estate refering to "money paid Ebenezer Colburn by William Baldwin, executor of the estate of Moses Brewer, deceased." There is also an entry for money paid by John Fowle to Ebenezer Colburn for Jonathan Brewer's house in Watertown. See image no. 6.
Previous editions of the Brewer Families of New England Database, had shown Moses Brewer with a son, Jonathan Brewer, who resided in Tinmouth, Vermont, and died there in 1817. Placing the Jonathan Brewer, who married Dorothy Fowle and who died in 1793, as a new found son of Moses Brewer, now forces us to find a new family for the Jonathan Brewer of Tinmouth, Vermont. An educated guess might be that he is a son of Col. David Brewer (b. 24 Dec 1731), but further research is required.
The Brewer Families of New England database has been updated.

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Samuel Brewer of New York City, Will, 1815

Digital images of the will of Samuel Brewer of New York City, dated 1815 (New York County Surrogate's Court v. 15, p.205) have been placed online.
Identifying this Samuel Brewer had an unexpected outcome. Samuel lived in New York City and in Westchester County, New York. The name, Samuel, is very common among the descendants of Adam Brouwer, and a number of them lived in the greater New York City area. This Samuel Brewer, however, is not one of them. He is not descended from Adam Brouwer, nor is he a descendant of one of the other New Netherland Brouwer families. This Samuel is a New England Brewer, a descendant of John Brewer who was at Cambridge, Massachusetts during the first half of the 17th century. Samuel is a son of James Brewer, born 1740 in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and his wife Hannah Lee. The couple lived in Westchester County, New York prior to the Revolutionary War (James Brewer, a physician, was killed in 1780, apparently by accident, by fellow Patriots). James Brewer, his family and some descendants, can be found on the Brewer of New England website, and a descendant chart has also been placed online.
I would not be surprised if some of the other unplaced Brewers, found in New York, eventually are found to be of a New England ancestry, rather than a New Netherland ancestry.

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Brewer Families of New England

The website, Brewer Families of New England, has been updated. An important change in the database is the discovery that Col. Jonathan Brewer (1725/26-1784), a commander at Bunker Hill, did not marry as a second wife, Dorothy Fowle. This incorrect claim has appeared in published accounts of this family dating back to the late 1800s. I was recently contacted by Jean Brewer, who kindly provided documentation, to support the fact that Col. Jonathan Brewer could not have been the Jonathan Brewer who married Dorothy Fowle on 30 Dec 1772 at Watertown, Massachusetts. Col. Jonathan Brewer made his will in 1783, and in it he appoints his wife Frances (Buckminster) as executor. Frances outlived Jonathan by 39 years, and died at Woodstock, Vermont on 27 March 1823, age 84 years (Vermont Vital Records). The question now is, who is the Jonathan Brewer who did marry Dorothy Fowle in 1772? Is he another Jonathan Brewer who already is known? Or is he a yet undiscovered Jonathan Brewer? Research continues.

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The Brewer Ancestry of U. S. President Calvin Coolidge

Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933), 30th President of the United States (1923-1929) was, through his paternal grandmother Sarah Almeda Brewer (1823-1906), a descendant of John Brewer of Cambridge, Massachusetts (1641) and Sudbury, Massachusetts.

President Coolidge's Brewer ancestors moved from Worcester, Massachusetts to Ludlow, Windsor County, Vermont in the early 1800s. His great-grandfather, Israel Chase Brewer, and some other relations later moved on to Wisconsin. During his time in office, President Coolidge made several trips to Wisconsin and looked up his relations who had established themselves there. Among those Brewers who he encountered were descendants of Jeremiah Brower/Brewer of Highgate, Vermont. As the story was related to me by present day descendants of Jeremiah Brower/Brewer (all of whom use the BREWER surname) their Brewer ancestors and President Coolidge believed that they were cousins based simply on the fact that both families had the surname, BREWER, and both had origins in Vermont. At the time, the Wisconsin Brewers descended from Jeremiah Brower/Brewer were clearly unaware of their own correct ancestry. Their correct ancestry has, since the time of President Coolidge, been discovered using both traditional genealogical research methods and DNA testing and comparison of descendants.

In here is the lesson that having a common surname, and a common place of origin (especially one as general as a State), does not ensure a relationship between two parties who share that common name and place in their ancestries.

An ahnentafel of President Calvin Coolidge's Brewer ancestry has been made available online. Additional details and sources for his ancestors can be found at the Brewer Families of New England website. Details regarding Jeremiah Brower (1738-1822) and his descendants can be found at the Brouwer Genealogy Database website.

PDF version of this post

(New Links: Ahnentafel of President Calvin Coolidge's Brewer Ancestry;  PDF version of this post; Brewer Families of New England

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Brewer Families of New England

The Brewer Families of New England database has been updated. Descendants of at least three 17th century New England Brewer family progenitors found their way to New York in the years just prior to or soon after the American Revolutionary War. Once in New York they settled in some of the same counties and areas as Brewer and Brower descendants of the original 17th century New Netherland progenitors. The Brewer Families of New England website is a result of working at identifying those New York Brewer families whose origins are in New England and not in New Netherland. I have witnessed cases in which persons today, researching their Brewer ancestors in New York, have begun with the assumption that since their ancestor was found in New York during the late 18th century, then certainly he or she must be a descendant of a New Netherland family. In many cases they then claim that their lineage stretches back to Adam Brouwer. Some of these lineages then appear in Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) applications and in lawsuit claims regarding the Anneke Jans "fortune." (Both of these topics will be covered in future posts). In many of these cases it is apparent that the researcher never even considered a New England ancestry.

In other instances, being unaware of the presence of New England Brewer families in New York, can simply make for confusing time when trying to complete research. A case in point here involves two men named Ira Brewer. The two Ira's were born about 18 months apart, both married women named Sally, and both are found in relatively close geographical proximity to each other through the mid 1800s. The first Ira Brewer was born 21 May 1809 in Tyringham, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, the son of Josiah and Polly Brewer, and is a descendant of John Brewer of Cambridge and Sudbury, Massachsuetts. Ira apparently made his way to Orange County, New York as a young man and there married Sally Armstrong on 29 June 1836. They had seven children and are found at Warwick in Orange County in 1850; at Greene, Chenango County in 1860; and finally at Binghamton, Broome County in 1870 and 1880. The second Ira Brewer was born on 30 Dec 1810 in Delaware County, New York, the son of Aaron Brewer and Sally Woodward, and a descendant of Jan Brouwer of Flatlands, Long Island. This Ira was married to a woman named Sally (family name not yet identified) by 1832. This couple also had seven children and are found at Orwell, Bradford County, Pennsylvania in the years 1840 through 1880. Bradford County, in northeastern Pennsylvania, boarders New York State and is in close proximity to both Chenango and Broome Counties in New York.

The Ira Brewer of New England ancestry, along with his family, can be found in the updated Brewer Families of New England database. Both Ira Brewer's will be included in the next update of the Brouwer Genealogy Database, which will likely happen later this summer.

New Link for the Brewer Families of New England Database

PDF version of this post

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