Unplaced Genetic Descendants of Adam Brouwer Who are Positive for the SNP E-FTC5921

 The Brewer DNA Project, initiated back in the early 2000s when FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA) first came online has since grown to 434 members (or participants) dispersed among 23 different groups of genetically related participants. That is to say, those participants within any one group are related to one another in genetically, through comparison of Y-DNA test results, within a genealogically meaningful period of roughly the past 400 years. In other words, the Brewer DNA Project includes 23 genetically different families named BREWER, or some variation of the name such as BROWER, BROUWER, BRUER, etc. The 23 groups can be seen on the Project's public results or "Y-DNA Colorized Chart" page. With the advent of FTDNA's Big-Y tests, back in the early 2010s, and with increased participation, the Brewer DNA Project has been able to sub-divide a few of the larger groups, which are seen as "Sub-Units" on the public chart page. This post is focused on one such Sub-Unit within the Adam Brouwer, Gowanus, L.I. group.

Brewer DNA Project: Adam Brouwer Group: Sub-Unit A: E-FTC5921. Multiple lines from the most recent common ancestor, a son or grandson of Adam Brouwer

As the title suggests, the participants assigned to this sub-unit have all taken the advanced Big-Y test (either at the initial 500 STR marker level or at the more recent and improved 700 STR marker level), and all are positive for the SNP E-FTC5921. The remaining attribute that all here have in common is that of the current 16 participants, all of whom are certainly genetic descendants of Adam Brouwer, none have been able to complete their direct paternal (Brewer/Brower/Brouwer) line back to Adam Brouwer. The 16 participants found in this sub-unit are descendants of a number of different Earliest Known Ancestors (EKAs). The pages of this blog, over the years, has included information, profiles, etc., on all of the EKAs. The purpose now, with this post, is to consolidate the known EKAs into one place, with brief descriptions, and in a follow up post we'll suggest possible directions to take for concentrating efforts of traditional genealogical research, with the ultimate goal of identifying the connection to Adam Brouwer. As noted in the title, the common ancestor for the 16 participants is one of the known sons of Adam Brouwer (i.e. they all are descendants of the same son) or one grandson (i.e. a grandson of Adam Brouwer who is a son of the thus far unidentified son from which all 16 are descendants). To be clear, it is possible, that the participants in this sub-unit are descended from more than one son of the unidentified son, meaning, they may be descendants of different grandsons of Adam Brouwer. 

In Short - the sixteen participants who are all positive for the SNP(haplogroup) E-FTC5921 share as their common paternal ancestor one of the seven sons of Adam Brouwer. The sixteen may be descendants of just one individual grandson of Adam Brouwer, OR they may be descendants of multiple grandsons of Adam Brouwer.

E-FTC5921 is the parent SNP (haplogroup) for this Sub-Unit. All of the participants in the group are positive for E-FTC5921. As of this writing six of the sixteen members seen on the public results page show E-FTC5921 as their haplogroup. The other ten are identified by haplogroups that are sub-branches (sub-clades, sub-haplogroups) of E-FTC5921. There are seven EKAs for the sixteen participants. They are:

1. Benjamin Brewer, born 24 April 1755, died 6 May 1834 in Washington Co., Indiana. He married Catharine Mellinger, 18 May 1781 in Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania. He is found on a tax roll at Tyrone Twp., then in Westmoreland County in 1783. In 1785, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania is formed and Tyrone Twp. is found in this new county. Benjamin, along with his wife Catharine, are last recorded in Tyrone Twp. on 9 Feb 1797 when they executed a deed for land in Tyrone Twp. to Joseph Alexander. In 1800, Benjamin Brewer is recorded on a tax roll in Jefferson Co., Kentucky (est. 1780). A War of 1812 Militia Roll places Benjamin Brewer in Harrison Co., Indiana (est. 1808 when Indiana was a territory). We find Benjamin Brewer on both the 1820 and 1830 U.S. census records in Washington Co., Indiana (est. 1814 out of Harrison and Clark Counties). In 1832 Benjamin applied for a pension for his service during the Revolutionary War stating that he served in the militia out of Fayette County in a company under Capt. Huston. Both Benjamin and Catharine (d.1839) are buried in Cooley-Brewer Cemetery inn Washington Twp., Washington Co., Indiana. Benjamin Brewer can be found on the Brouwer Genealogy Database (BGD). Please keep in mind that the BGD was last updated seven years ago in late 2015, and information found there today may be outdated. The BGD shows Benjamin Brewer with a possible father, Benjamin(?) Brewer. This is a suggestion, it is not fact. As of this writing Benjamin Brewer's father is not known. Also see the post of November 16, 2013, "Some Unplaced Brewers of Western Pennsylvania and Kentucky." Again, some statements found here are now outdated. Two participants identified by E-FTC5921 are confirmed descendants of Benjamin Brewer and Catharine Mellinger. Both are descendants of their son Benjamin Brewer (1792-1861) and his wife Rebecca Blair. One participant is a descendant of their son Peter Brewer (1814-1869, m. Mira M. Lutz) and the other is a descendant of son Benjamin B. Brewer (1831-1878, m.1 Nancy A. Westfall).
2. Peter Brewer, age 70-80 on the 1830 U.S. census and age 80-90 on the 1840 U.S. census so born during the decade of 1750-1760, died between 2 November 1840 and 19 April 1841, dates when he wrote his will and when it was proved (Hardin Co., Kentucky Wills E:48-9). He married Margaret Hobach. Peter Brewer is on the tax roll of 1783 in Huntington Twp., Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania. He is on tax rolls there in 1785, 1786 and 1787 as well. I do not find him on the 1790 U.S. census in Westmoreland Co., nor is he found on the 1800 U.S. census. He is found on the 1810 U.S. census at Elizabethtown, Hardin Co., Kentucky. In 1820 he is at Little York, Hardin Co., Kentucky. On the above referenced 1830 and 1840 censuses he is at Hardin Co., Kentucky (specific town or location not indicated). A profile for Peter Brewer is on the BGD. Also see the post of November 16, 2013. The July 5, 2018 post, "A Suggested Ancestry for Peter Brewer of Hardin Co., Kentucky," might also be of interest, but it must be emphasized - this is a speculative suggestion that is not proved by acceptable genealogical research standards, nor by genetic genealogy. Four descendants of Peter Brewer have tested positive for E-FTC5921. All are descendants of Peter's son Valentine Brewer (b.ca.1808-will proved 27 July 1885). The four are first cousins and have a common identifying SNP E-BY6245. This SNP would have first formed sometime between the generation of Valentine Brewer and the participant's common grandfather (early 1900s). 
3. Henry Brewer, age 80-90 in 1840 so born in the decade of the 1750s. Since the last BGD update in late 2015 we have consolidated two men named Henry Brewer into one. The two are found on the BGD here and here. This paragraph is then in effect a correction to the BGD. The decision to consolidate the two Henry Brewers into one is based on BigY test results of four participants, one, a descendant of the first linked Henry Brewer and three descended from the second. Together, the four share a unique SNP, E-FT40569, a sub-branch of E-FTC5921. There is uncertainty regarding the wives of Henry Brewer. He had at least two, and possibly three. The baptism of Henry's son, also named Henry, 10 October 1788 at the German Church in Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania, names Henry's wife as Anna Maria ____. Henry's sons Benjamin Brewer (1796-1883, of LaPorte Co., Indiana) and John Wesley Brewer (1806-1890, of LaPorte Co., IN and Burt Co., Nebraska) both are said to be sons of Henry's wife Jane ____, who was previously identified as Jane Hurdley or Hundley, but this identification has since been questioned. All three of the just mentioned sons are represented by advanced Y-DNA testing. A wife named Honour ___, has also been attributed to Henry, but evidence of her existence has yet to be found. Son Benjamin was born in 1796 in Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. In 1810 Henry is in Donegal, Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania (U.S. census). In 1820 he is at Charlestown, Clark Co., Indiana. In 1840 he is found at Clay, Owen Co., Indiana where he is said to have died (date not found). Note that there is an eight year gap between sons Henry and Benjamin and then a ten year gap between sons Benjamin and John Wesley (with an eighteen year gap between Henry and John Wesley). There may well have been other, yet identified, children of Henry Brewer.
   
4. Henry Brewer, born May 1765, died 20 February 1829 in Adams Co., Ohio. Henry married Sarah Hawke, 14 February 1786 in Berkeley Co., Virginia which is today in the State of West Virginia (admitted as a state 20 June 1863). Henry Brewer filed an application for a pension on his service during the Revolutionary War, stating that he served out of Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., Virginia. In 1810 Henry is found on the U.S. census in Berkeley Co., Virginia (census records for 1790 and 1800 in Virginia are lost). As Henry Brower he is found on the 1820 U.S. census at Jefferson, Adams Co., Ohio. His record of marriage in 1786 records his name as Henry Bruer. A D.A.R. membership application of a descendant calls him Hendrick Brower. Henry Brewer is on the BGD. Also see the post of May 9, 2013, "Henry Brewer of Berkeley Co., Virginia and Adams Co., Ohio." One direct male descendant has participated and is identified by E-FTC5921. He is a descendant of Henry's son Charles Brewer (ca.1802-liv.1860, m. Hannah Cook).
5. Mathew Brower/Brewer, probably born between 1755 and 1760, date of death unknown but found on the 1820 U.S. census at Richhill, Greene Co., Pennsylvania, age over 45. His wife was an Emery, as stated in an 1898 memoir of his grandson James A. Brewer. Her given name has been suggested as Elizabeth, or as Mary Magdalena. In 1793 a Mathias Brewer is found on a tax roll in Lebanon, Hunterdon Co., New Jersey. As Mathew Brewer he is on the 1800 U.S. census at Bethel and Belfast, Bedford Co., Pennsylvania. In 1810 he is at Morris, Greene Co., Pennsylvania. And as stated, in 1820 he is at Richhill, Greene Co., Pennsylvania. Mathew Brower is found on the BGD. The note regarding an application dated 17 July 1815 for land in Buffalo, Union Co., Pennsylvania does not apply to this Mathew Brower. It belongs to a younger man of the same name (mentioned below under Thomas Brewer). Also see the post of September 11, 2013, "Mathew Brower of Greene County, Pennsylvania." Three descendants of Mathew Brower have been identified with the SNP E-FTC5921. One is a descendant of Mathew's son Conrad Brewer (1798-1854, m. Rachel Anderson). The other two are brothers who are descendants of Mathew's son John B. Brewer (b.ca.1794 in New Jersey). The two brothers are further identified by the SNP E-BY114218. This sub-branch was therefore formed sometime between the generation of Mathew Brower's son John B. Brewer and their father's generation.
6. Thomas Brewer, is found on the 1820 U.S. census at Annville, Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania, his age given as between 26 and 44 years, so born between 1776 and 1794. In the household are two males under age 10, one female under age 10, and one female age 16-25, no doubt his wife, one young daughter and two young sons. Thomas was living on 18 April 1828 (a deed executed between heirs of his father-in-law John Stroh) but was deceased by 1830 when his wife Mary Brewer was enumerated as the head of a household on the U.S. census at Annville. She was also there in 1840. She was Anna Maria Stroh, born 6 October 1795, baptized 8 February 1796 at Hill Evangelical Lutheran Church, North Annville, daughter of John Stroh and Anna Maria Muese. Her birth in 1795 may suggest that Thomas was closer in age to 26 years than to 44 years when enumerated on the 1820 U.S. census. One descendant has participated. He is a descendant of Thomas' son Israel Brewer, born at Annville on 8 Dec 1826 (and so NOT counted on that 1820 census), died 4 April 1897 at Carthage, Jasper Co., Missouri. The descendant is identified by the SNP E-FTC5921 (the parent SNP for this group). Thomas is not included on the BGD. In 1810, a Thomas Brewer (probably this one) is found on the U.S. census at East Buffalo, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, a male age 16-25, with no other household members. He is enumerated next to a Mathias Brewer (or Brower) and the older (than Thomas and Mathias) John Brewer, who was born 4 July 1749 in Hunterdon Co., New Jersey. See the post of October 28, 2012, "Unplaced: John Brewer, Revolutionary War Patriot of New Jersey and Pennsylvania," with the caveat that the suggestion that John Brewer was a descendant of Jan Brouwer of Flatlands, L.I. is now unlikely, as stated in the post of February 25, 2022, "Update: John Brewer, Revolutionary War Patriot of New Jersey and Pennsylvania." This latter post also introduces Thomas Brewer. It is conceivable that both Thomas Brewer and Mathias Brewer, found in 1810 in East Buffalo, PA, are sons of the older John Brewer and his wife Hannah Timpson.
   
7. Daniel Brewer, age 60-70 in 1830, so born 1760-1770, perhaps closer to 1760 as his wife is age 70-80 in 1830, U.S. census at Mahoning, Indiana Co., Pennsylvania. His wife is said to be Margaret Bennett. His will dated 31 January 1842, proved 14 March 1842, Belmont Co., Ohio (Belmont Co., OH Wills G:321) names eleven children but not his wife. In 1800 he is found on the U.S. census at Washington, Northumberland Co., Indiana along with Paul Brewer (age 45+), Henry Brewer (age 26-44) and a second Daniel Brewer (age 45+). In 1810, 1820 and 1830 the U.S. census places him in Mahoning, Indiana Co., Pennsylvania. In 1840 he may be the older male in the household of his son Daniel Brewer (1790-1854) at Union, Belmont Co., Ohio. Daniel Brewer is NOT found on the BGD, nor is he mentioned within the pages of this website. Daniel is a newly discovered descendant of Adam Brouwer. There are two direct male descendants in the Brewer DNA Project, one of whom just recently took the BigY-700 test, his results showing a positive for E-FTC5921. This participant is descended from Daniel Brewer's son Daniel (1790-1854, Belmont Co., OH, m. Mary Brady). The other participant (standard STR marker test) is a descendant of the elder Daniel's son Peter Brewer (1792-1852, m. Letitia Work) lived at East Mahoning, Indiana Co., Pennsylvania. The 1880 U.S. census record for the elder Daniel Brewer's daughter, Margaret (Brewer) Hendricks (1812-1895), at Washington, Harrison Co., Iowa, records that her (Margaret's) parents were both born in New Jersey. It must be taken into account that Northumberland County, Pennsylvania in 1792 was a much larger county than it was in 1850. It encompassed much of the northern half of the interior of Pennsylvania in 1792. In 1795 Lycoming County was created out of Northumberland, taking much of interior Pennsylvania. In 1806 Indiana County was created out of both Lycoming Co. and out of Westmoreland Co.
    

Before moving on we also want to mention one Benjamin Bruer (as his name is spelled in the one record that we have found for him) whose estate was administered in the extinct county called Yohogania, then within the jurisdiction of the Virginia Colony. Administration on his estate was granted there on 25 May 1778 to Mary Bruer. Joseph Beeler, Sr., Christopher Hays, John Mellander and John Morecroft were ordered to make an inventory of Benjamin's estate. The inventory was returned by the appraisers on 26 October 1778, and this is the last we here of it. In the post of July 5, 2018 and before that the post of June 29, 2018 (under Peter Brower) I suggested that Benjamin and Mary (___) Bruer could be parents of, in particular, no. 2 above, Peter Brewer, and also of of 1. Benjamin Brewer and 3. Henry Brewer, and that this Benjamin Bruer may be one and the same with the Benjamin, bapt. 11 February 1728, at the New York Reformed Dutch Church, son of Pieter Brouwer and Elizabeth Quackenbosch. It has to be emphasized here that this is a possibility and NOT fact. It is a potential lead for a situation in which to date we have no other leads. No evidence has yet been found that would in prove this notion as fact. For one, we have no idea how old Benjamin was when he died in 1778. For all we know he may have been a young man. Perhaps he was a brother to one or more of our EKAs above. Perhaps he was a first cousin to some. Perhaps even a second cousin. Perhaps there was no relationship between Benjamin Bruer and the others. I doubt this last possibility, but without more evidence, it cannot be ruled out.

Moving on. Based on Y-DNA test results of the direct male descendants of the above seven EKAs, it has been concluded that all share one of (1) Adam Brouwer's seven sons as a common ancestor. Which one of those seven sons is not certain, however, we can with help from Y-DNA test results conclude that this common son of (1) Adam cannot be (7) Abraham Brouwer, and that it is very likely not (8) Nicholas Brouwer. (4) Willem Brouwer is also very unlikely as it may well be that he does not have any direct male descendants living today. (3) Matthys Brouwer also has to be considered as unlikely (no confirmed tested descendants are in the DNA Project). (2) Pieter Brouwer and (5) Jacob Brouwer are possible candidates, however, to date none of the tested descendants of either (2) Pieter or (5) Jacob are positive for E-FTC5921. To this we add, that not all of either (2) Pieter's or (5) Jacob's sons (Adam Brouwer's grandsons) have direct descendants who have taken a BigY DNA test. The search here would benefit from advanced BigY testing of more descendants of both (2) Pieter and (5) Jacob. (6) Adam Brouwer, despite the fact that we to date have no confirmed descendants in the Brewer DNA Project, also remains a possibility, and based on the fact that his one known son (26) Hendrick Brouwer had sons baptized at Raritan in Somerset Co., New Jersey and at Three-Mile Run in Middlesex Co., New Jersey leads me to believe that both (6) Adam Brouwer and (26) Hendrick Brouwer should be strongly considered as ancestors to the seven listed above. But again, and as with (3) Matthys Brouwer, no confirmed descendants of (6) Adam Brouwer are in the DNA Project. The western counties of New Jersey (Hunterdon, Somerset and Middlesex included) were after all, during the second half of the 1700s, a stepping off place for migration into the interior and western regions of Pennsylvania.

Future posts will focus on the 24 grandsons of (1) Adam Brouwer. In the meantime it might be helpful to get an idea of just where in time and in which generation or generations the above seven EKAs might connect with the sons and/or grandsons of (1) Adam Brouwer. With the exception of 6. Thomas Brewer, the EKAs above were apparently born between the years 1750 and 1770. Assuming that their fathers were at least 20 years old when any one of the EKAs were born and maybe no more than 50, we might assume that the fathers of these six EKAs were born between 1700 and 1750. We know that (1) Adam Brouwer's sons were born between the years 1646 and 1672, and this largely rules them out. What I'm saying here is that none of our EKAs are themselves grandsons of (1) Adam Brouwer. The 24 grandsons of (1) Adam Brouwer were born between the years 1673 and 1707. It is conceivable that one or more of the younger grandsons of (1) Adam Brouwer could be a father to one or more of the EKAs. The sons of the grandsons of (1) Adam Brouwer (i.e. Adam's great grandsons) were born between about 1700 and about 1740 or so. The next generation, sons of the great-grandsons of (1) Adam Brouwer, in other words his great-great grandsons first appear in the early 1720s and a large number of them were born prior to 1750. These last two mentioned generations, the great grandsons and great-great grandsons, or generations 4 and 5 in a standard compiled genealogy of (1) Adam Brouwer's descendants, are the most likely places where the father's of the EKAs above will be found.

BGB 741

Brewer Records in Wyandot County, Ohio

Wyandot County, Ohio was formed in 1845 out of parts of four Ohio counties, Marion, Crawford, Hardin and Hancock. We know that Daniel Brewer was in Marion County, Ohio in late 1838, and perhaps he lived in that part of Marion County that became Wyandot County. On the 1850 U. S. census he is in Wyandot County (see the November 3rd post).

Wyandot Land Records have been filmed by the Family History Library, and digital images are online. Here we are looking at image 299 of FHL film #007209574, Grantor Index v. A-G 1846-1926. This page begins the entries for those whose surname begins with BRE. It continues on for a few more images. There are a lot of Brewer deeds here (and this is just the grantor index), but we'll just look at those that concern Daniel Brewer and those who are likely a part of his family. Links to digital images of all the Wyandot County Land Books are found on this page.

Volume 1, p. 194. Daniel Brewer and "Sary" Brewer, wife of said Daniel Brewer, of the County of Marion and State of Ohio in consideration of the sum of six hundred dollars in hand paid by Paris C. Brewer of the State of Ohio and County of Wyandot. Daniel and Sary (Sarah) convey property in Wyandot County and Pitt Township. More specifically described are two lots in the Town of Little Sandusky, lots numbers 75 and 76, containing ten thousand square feet with fronting on Madison Street, extending west two hundred feet to "Munro" Stret (sic). Jacob A. Brewer is a witness to the deed. Dated 20 May 1845.

As mentioned previously, Daniel Brewer and P. C. Brewer are both found on the 1840 U. S. census at Salt Rock, Marion County, Ohio. In 1850, Paris Brewer, recorded as Parrish C. Brewer, is in Pitt, Wyandot Co., age 37, born in New York. His wife (although explicitly stated in 1850) was "Roene" (the Ancestry.com transcription) actually Roxanna, age 31, born in New York. There are two girls, Mary, age 10 and Ann E., age 5, and also Marvin M. Brewer, age 19, born in New York (certainly too old to be a son of Paris and Roxanna, but perhaps a younger brother, but more likely a nephew).

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

Paris C. Brewer died prior to 23 September 1852, when Roxanna Brewer, administrator of his estate, is recorded in the Wyandot County Probate Court (Wyandot Co. Administration Dockets 1:240). Those securing the bond of $6000 are H. H. Holdridge, James Brewer and Cornelius Brewer. The inventory of Paris' estate was recorded 29 November 1852 (Wyandot Co. Inventories and Appraisements 1:254). The account of H. H. Holdridge, guardian of Mary L. Brewer (age 14) and Ann Eliza Brewer (age 9) is recorded on 21 October 1854 (Wyandot Co. Administration Dockets 1:326).

In Wyandot County Deeds, vol. 6, p. 171, we have a deed from Emery Brewer of Fulton County, New York to Clark Shepherd for a parcel of land in Wyandot County (see deed for description). It is dated 31 December 1847. The 1850 U. S. census has Emery Brewer in Crane, Wyandot Co., Ohio. He is age 27, born in New York. In the household are Lucinda Brewer (age 18) and Elson Brewer (age 4/12, i.e. 4 months). Elson is a female. There is a Find-A-Grave memorial (with a photo of the headstone) for Alison F. Brewer, died 24 September 1850, daughter of Emery and Cynthia Brewer. It appears that Lucinda and Cynthia are one and the same (see the deed below). There are Find-A-Grave memorial for Emery (with a biographical sketch), Cynthia (Lapham) his wife, and other children.

Wyandot County Deeds, vol. 3, pp. 215-216.  Hannah Brewer of Wyandot County conveys to Peter Brewer, for $114, a parcel in Wyandot County, "beginning in the North West fraction of the South West quarter of section No. 30 in Township No. 3, South of Range No. 15, East of the Wyandot Reservation," containing 42 aces. Dated 17 August 1848. Hannah Brewer signs with her mark. No family relationship is mentioned between Hannah and Peter in the deed. On the 1850 U. S. census I find a Hannah Brewer, age 58, born in New Jersey, at Antrim, Wyandot County. In the household are Peter Brewer, age 25, born in Ohio, a farmer with real estate valued at $400, and William Brewer, age 22, born in Ohio, a laborer. There is nothing here that implies that this household came to Ohio from Fulton County, New York.

Wyandot County Deeds, vol. 5, pp. 92-93. George D. Stinebaugh and Rachel Stinebaugh, his wife, of Crawford Co., Ohio, convey to Emery Brewer of Wyandot County, for $120, "premises" in Wyandot County, "being in Lot number three hundred and thirteen (313)," in the town of Upper Sandusky. Dated 6 May 1850. This is followed on pages 93-94, by a deed from Emery Brewer and Cynthia Brewer, his wife, of Wyandot County, to Samuel Smith of the same place, for $125, the same lot Emery had bought of the Stinebaughs. Dated 5 March 1851.

Wyandot County Deeds, vol. 8, p. 383. Jacob A. Brewer and Susannah Brewer, his wife, for $1 paid by William Simmons, quit claim to William Simmons a parcel of land in Wyandot County, "being part of the north half of the south east quarter of section twenty-four in the Township of Pitt, containing fifty-nine and fifty-three hundredths of an acre." Dated 18 March 1854. Jacob A. Brewer witnessed the 1845 deed of Daniel Brewer and Sary his wife to Paris C. Brewer (above). Jacob A. Brewer, age 35, born in New York, and Susannah Brewer, age 34, born in Pennsylvania, are found on the 1850 U. S. census in Pitt Towship. There are six children in the family ranging in age from one month to thirteen years. The household is enumerated next to that of John Simmons, age 56, who was born in New York, which includes William Simmons, age 22, born in New York. Jacob A. Brewer (the A is for Anthony, as per his marriage record) has a good number of descendants. He and his son Cornelius are found frequently in the grantor index. His ancestry does not appear to be known beyond his parents who are claimed to be a Jacob A. Brewer Sr. (1787-1832) and Hannah Stall (1792-1853). Jacob A. Brewer may be a key to identifying the family of Daniel Brewer (b. ca. 1771). We'll have to come back to Jacob A. Brewer at look at him in more depth.

U.S. census 1850, Pitt, OH, p.475 (NARA via Ancestry.com)

Wyandot County Deeds, vol. 10, p. 320. Hiram H. Holdings of Wyandot Co., guardian of the minor heirs of Paris C. Brewer, late of Little Sandusky, Wyandot County, deceased, conveys to Russel A. Kenyon of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, two certain town lots in the village of Little Sandusky. The minor heirs are named as Mary L. Brewer and Ann Eliza Brewer. Dated 17 May 1856. (See Paris C. Brewer above). Apparently Paris C. Brewer's widow, Roxanna (called Miller in trees on Ancestry.com) remarried this Russell A. Kenyon and they ended up in Logan County, Illinois where she died in 1880.

There are numerous deeds involving Brewers as the grantors, from later years in the 1800s, found on this page of the Wyandot County grantor index. For now, I'll leave them for any interested readers to explore.

Wyandot Co. OH Grantor Index Br (2nd page)

I did not find any Brewers listed in the grantee index.

Wyandot Co. OH Grantee Index page for Br (no Brower or Brewer here)

BGB 618

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Will of James Brewer of Wyandot County, Ohio, 1881

The will of James Brewer of Pitt, Wyandot County, Ohio is found in Wyandot County Wills, Volume 3, pages 78-80. Images are online at FamilySearch.org in Ohio Probate Records, 1789-1996, Wyandot County. An order was made on 22 April 1881 in the Wyandot County Probate Court on the matter of James Brewer's will, with a hearing scheduled for 2 May 1881. The widow and heirs were to be notified by the order. A copy of the will follows (pp. 79-80). James calls himself of the township of Pitt. He leaves to his beloved wife, in lieu of dower, "the farm on which we now reside situate in Pitt Township, Wyandot Co., O., containing about 21 acres during her natural life and all the stock and household goods, etc." At her death, five acres "of the north end of the real estate," are devised to his youngest son, Marion (sic) C. Brewer and his heirs. The balance, of about 16 acres, are left to Jacob Brewer, Philip Brewer, James W. Brewer, Mary E. Hall, and Sarah A. Stevens. He authorizes his heirs, after his wife's death, to pay her doctor bills and funeral expenses. The will is dated 8 April 1881, and James signs with his mark. Witnesses are John W. Holloway and Augustus Smith. Z. L. (or T) Smith is authorized to "hold" his will. Ordered to appear on 2 May 1881 at the Probate Court are Mary A. Brewer, widow, and Jacob Brewer, Philip Brewer, James W. Brewer, Mary E. Hall, Sarah A. Stevens and Marvin C. Brewer, "heirs at law of the said James Brewer, deceased." On the 23rd of April the heirs acknowledged the order by signing, with Jacob and Philip signing with their marks.

With the family of James Brewer set by his will, tracking his descendants is relatively easy using Ancestry.com. What interests us, however, is James Brewer's ancestry. Just recently a direct male descendant of James Brewer took a Y-Chromosome DNA test and the results of his test match the others in the Brewer DNA Project who are descendants of Adam Brouwer of Gowanus, Long Island. The tested descendant tells us that James was born in Fulton County, New York in 1808. Fulton County was created in 1838 out of Montgomery County. Therefore, we will also need to look into Montgomery County records for possible parents for James. A number of Ancestry.com "trees," give James' parents as Daniel Brewer (1771-1849 or 1851 depending on the tree) and Sarah Clark (1773-1850). This is certainly possible, but we would like to see proof for this claim. Many of the "trees" found at Ancestry.com are poorly researched, and contain conflicting records regarding a Daniel Brewer within them. I won't go into details, and will just say that none leave me with enough confidence to consider them as correct. Having said that, there is a Daniel Brewer, age 79, born in New York, on the 1850 U. S. census at Pitt, Wyandot Co., Ohio. The age would place his year of birth as about 1771. This Daniel Brewer is enumerated in the household of David Williams, age 36, born in Pennsylvania, a farmer. The household also includes Sarah Williams, age 25, born in New York, and four (probable) children, including Daniel, age 6 and Sarah, age 3. I would suspect that Sarah Williams is a daughter of Daniel Brewer, but again, we want to see some further evidence.

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

Other BREWER heads of households on the 1850 census, found in Pitt Township, are: Parrish C. Brewer (age 37, born in New York), and Jacob A. Brewer (35, NY). In addition, we have back in Fulton County, New York, a Daniel Brewer of Broadalbin who died there in 1887. His gravestone gives his year of birth as 1796. I've placed some info on this Daniel Brewer online in this PDF. What catches my attention here is that Daniel (1796-1887) has a son named Parris Brewer. The 1850 U. S. census for James Brewer's household includes is (assumed) son, "Parrish H. Brewer." And as just mentioned, a Parrish C. Brewer, also heads a household in Pitt Twp. in 1850. With this unusual name, Parris, or Parrish, found in these Brewer families who lived in same locations, I have no doubt that all of these families are closely related.

1850 U.S. census, James Brewer household, Pitt Twp., OH (NARA via Ancestry.com)

This is not the first time we've encountered unplaced Brewer descendants of Adam Brouwer at Broadalbin, New York. The March 15, 2017 post, "John Brewer (1796-1849) of Broadalbin, New York," mentions the fact that we have a direct male descendant of this John Brewer in the Brewer DNA Project who also (by the results and matches of his Y-DNA test) tells us that he is a descendant of Adam Brouwer. 

And so with this, we have a start. What we are looking for is confirmation of the identity of the parents of James Brewer, who have been suggested as a Daniel Brewer and Sarah Clark. And secondly, how is James Brewer of Pitt, Wyandot Co., Ohio related to John Brewer (1796-1849) of Broadalbin, Fulton Co., New York? Are they brothers? Are they first cousins? (We know that both must be descendants of Adam Brouwer, and most likely through Adam's son Nicholas Brouwer).

Some links that should be helpful for continued searching:

Wyandot County, Ohio Probate Records - The records start in the year 1845 which is the year the county was created out of parts of Crawford, Marion, Hardin and Hancock Counties. All of these counties will have to be explored for records prior to 1845.

Here is the Wyandot County Wiki page. There are a lot of links and suggestions here, although not much with regard to deeds and land records which is what I was looking for. Not to fear, browse only deed records are online at FamilySearch via links on this page, Deed Records 1826-1886; index, 1826-1946. I'd be looking for any transactions between and/or involving Brewers, especially in Pitt Township. Perhaps there is record of the transfer of inherited property which would imply, or even specifically state, family relationships.

The Montgomery County, New York Wiki page has some general links, but I'd start with New York Probate Records, 1629-1971, Montgomery County, and New York Land Records, 1630-1975, Montgomery County. Montgomery County was the parent county of Fulton County.

Fulton County was created in 1838. Here is the Wiki page, New York Probate Records, 1629-1971, Fulton County, and New York Land Records, 1630-1975, Fulton County.

If anyone can add to and advance our efforts to find the connection between James Brewer and John Brewer, and the connections for both to Adam Brouwer, we'd appreciate input via the Comments for this post (below). Any help is appreciated. I anticipate having more to add with future posts as well.

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