The Younger Sons of Oliver Brewer of Chatham County, North Carolina

The post of January 15, 2015, covered the three (believed to be) older sons of Oliver² Brewer (George¹), of Chatham County, North Carolina. This post will cover Oliver Brewer's three (believed to be) younger sons, Henry, Christopher, and George.

Henry³ Brewer (Oliver², George¹) is named in his father's will dated 14 October 1791. He is one of the sons, along with William and Christopher, who are to divide the land "of the North side of Wards branch," between themselves. On 9 July 1823, "Henry Brewer, son of Oliver Brewer dec'd, of Randolph Co., North Carolina, to Thomas Farrar of Chatham for $300. All my distribution share of Father Oliver Brewer dec'd that is in my mothers hands at this time and at the death of my mother, consisting of negros and also all my distributive share of my mother Rebecca Brewer at her death, consisting of negros, cattle, horses and hogs, household and kitchen furniture, money, monies or whatever it may consist in."* The mention in his father's will and the deed of 1823, clearly establish that Henry was a son of Oliver Brewer, and that Henry's mother was Rebecca. It also establishes that Henry was living in Randolph Co., North Carolina in 1823.

Marvin T. Broyhill in his 1992 "working draft," covers Henry Brewer at page 97, and assigns him the number G23. Foy E. Varner, Jr., in his 2003, Brewer Families of Southeast America, begins his discussion of Henry Brewer at page 276. As Broyhill points out, in addition to Oliver's son Henry, George¹ Brewer, named a son Henry, who in turn named one of his son's, Henry. Broyhill also suggests that John² Brewer (George¹) also had a son Henry, and although this claim is not so certain, we do have evidence that there were more than a few men named Henry Brewer living in North Carolina, and in Tennessee and Kentucky during the time that Henry³ Brewer (Oliver², George¹) was alive. Some, but certainly not all, are descendants of George¹ Brewer, of Brunswick Co., Virginia. Sorting out the numerous records in which there appears a Henry Brewer, will not be easy, and has to be done carefully.

The Henry Brewer that we are interested in has been established as residing in Randolph Co., North Carolina in 1823. Randolph County was created in 1779 out of Guilford County, and is directly west of Chatham County which was created in 1771. A move from Chatham to Randolph County was not that great of a move in terms of distance, yet there were not many BREWERs found there on the census records from 1790 to 1850. In 1790 there are two, Howell Brewer and John Brewer. In 1800 there are two, Henry Brewer and Edward Brewer, in addition to six BROWER households including Jacob Brower (see the post of June 4, 2012). In 1810 there is Henry Brewer and William Brewer. The 1820 U.S. census records for Randolph County do not survive (they were destroyed or lost). In 1830 we have two Edwards (Sr. & Jr.) and a Betsey Brewer, age 30-39, with two males age 5-9. In 1840 there is one Edward Brewer, and Elizabeth Brewer, still age 30-39, with two males 15-19, and one female age 5-9. In 1850 there are households headed by O. C. Brewer and Edward C. Brewer (grandsons of Edward Brewer from the post of January 15th), Alfred Brewer (age 29), as well as a number of households named BROWER.**

Starting with the 1800 U.S. census there are two records of interest. A Henry Brewer is enumerated in the Hillsborough District, Chatham Co., North Carolina, with a household of one male 16-25, and two slaves. Gideon Kirksey and William Kirksey are enumerated on the same sheet. In the same year, in Hillsboro District, Randolph Co., North Carolina, is a Henry Brewer with a household of  2  free white males under 10, 1 free white male 16-25, 1 free white female under 10, 1 free white female 16-25.*** In 1810 a Henry Brewer is enumerated in Randolph County with a household of 1 free white male under 10, 2 f.w. males 10-15, 1 f.w. male 26-44, 3 f.w. females under 10, 1 f.w. female 10-15, 1 f.w. female 16-25, 1 f.w. female over 45. The 1820 U.S. census for Randolph County does not survive, and so cannot be consulted, and in 1830, no man named Henry Brewer is found in Randolph County.

Henry Brewer, 1800 U.S. census, Hillsboro, Randolph Co., NC (NARA via Ancestry.com)

On 17 November 1796, Henry Brewer of Chatham Co., sold to Wm. Kirksey of the same, 50 acres on the north side of the Haw River. Back in 1780, Gideon Kirksey had purchased land from North Carolina that was described as adjoining land of Oliver Brewer, on Wilkinsons Creek, and in a second transaction on the same day (April 1) purchased land adjoining Henry Brewer on the north side of the Haw River. The Henry Brewer of this 1796 deed is more likely Henry³ Brewer (Henry², George¹).

On 12 December 1795, Nathaniel David of Pendleton, South Carolina, sold to Henry Brewer of Randolph County, North Carolina, 50 acres in Randolph County, on the Uwarie (sic) River.**** This was the first of a series of five deeds in which Henry Brewer of Randolph Co. was acquiring land on the Uwharrie River. The grantors in these deeds were James Patterson (13 Dec 1796, 200 acres), John Sheets (4 Mar 1806, 179 1/2 acres) and Edward Carrell (two deeds of 3 Oct 1811, 93 acres and 96 acres). In addition, there is a North Carolina land grant of 200 acres in Randolph Co., on the waters of Big Creek. According to Broyhill's abstract in his Part II supplement (page 131), this grant was entered 3 Nov 1796, although the abstract is not clear and the original record should be consulted. Henry Brewer appears on the tax roll in Randolph Co. in 1813, in "Rushes District," with 388 (sic) acres and one poll. He appears on the tax list in 1818 in "Capt. Michael Rushes district" with 368 acres on Uhary, and one poll. On 18 January 1820, Henry Brewer of Randolph Co., sold three tracts of land on the Uwharrie River to Ezra Beckerdite. The first tract was 179 1/2 acres acquired from John Sheets. The second tract was 96 acres from Edward Carroll adjoining John Sheets. The third tract was 93 acres on the south side of the Uharie (sic), near a large branch, bounded by John and Frederick Sheet's corner, and John Sheet's line. Total of 368.5 acres. Assuming all of the deeds belong to only one man named Henry Brewer, it appears that he still owned the 200 acres he was granted (likely the 200 bought of Patterson), and the original 50 bought of Nathaniel David (his first two purchases). Then in 1823, we have the above mentioned deed, whereby Henry Brewer, of Randolph Co., son of Oliver Brewer, dec'd, sold to Thomas Farrer, of Chatham Co., for $300, all his share of his father's estate now in the hands of his mother, Rebecca Brewer.

Although the period that the above records covers, spans about 28 years, there is no evidence that would lead one to believe that there were two different men named Henry Brewer. Only one man of the name appears on the two surviving census records of 1800 and 1810, and only one man of the name appears on the tax rolls of 1813 and 1818. We have to conclude that the Henry Brewer of Randolph County was the son of Oliver² Brewer (George¹). From the 1810 census it appears that he did have children, one son and two daughters, born between 1795 and 1810. They have not been identified. Henry is not found on the 1830 census in Randolph County. He may have left the area, although there is a Betsey Brewer, age 30-39 (b.1790-1800). In 1840, and Elizabeth Brewer (also age 30-39) is found in Randolph County. Although too young to be the mother of Henry's presumed children of 1810, she may have been a second wife who was widowed by 1830. Needless to say, more accurate records, possibly later deeds, need to be located. No record of probate or estate settlement has yet been found for Henry Brewer in Randolph County.

From the above, it appears that Henry could have been born around 1775 (first deed in 1796). He may have been close in age to his brother William who was covered in the post of January 15, 2015. If this estimate of his birth is correct, then we must assume that his mother, Rebecca, was older than the age 26-44 she is said to be in 1810. Rebecca may have been born in the decade of the 1750s, and it is still likely that she was a second, younger wife of Oliver Brewer.

 Christopher³ Brewer (Oliver², George¹) is named in his father's will of 14 October 1791. With his brothers William and Henry he was to divide all "the land of the North side of Wards Branch." During the May 1796 term of the Chatham Court, Christopher Brewer, chose as his guardian, John Croe (Crow) who posted a bond with John Ferrington. Unless things were different in North Carolina, my understanding and experience with guardianship rules from other locations, was that upon reaching the age of 14, a minor could chose his or her own guardian. Prior to 14, a guardian was assigned by the court. Christopher Brewer would have turned 14 by May 1796, so he was born sometime between June 1781 and May 1782. Christopher Brewer is not found as a head of household on the 1800 U.S. census. On 14 March 1807, Christopher Brewer of Chatham Co., sold to Wm. Kirksey for £50, a tract in Chatham Co. "belonging to the orphans of Oliver Brewer that is part of the tract of land where sd Brewer lived last, beginning on east side of Wilkersons Cr on waters of Haw River." This was Christopher's share of the land he inherited from his father. In 1810, Christopher Brewer is found on the U.S. census in Chatham Co., North Carolina with a household of 4 free white males under 10, 1 male free white 26-44, 1 free white female 16-25. He is enumerated next to Rebecca Brewer, who is most likely his widowed mother. Although Rebecca can be found on the 1820 census in Chatham County, Christopher has not been found as a head of household. But at the November 1822 term of the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions, $90 worth of goods and chattels of Christopher Brewer were sold by the Sheriff to cover a debt owed by Christopher to Vincent May. Christopher Brewer is found on the 1830 U.S. census in Pittsboro, Chatham Co., North Carolina with a household of 1 male 5-9, 1 male 15-19, 2 males 20-29, 1 male 40-49, 1 female under 5, 2 females 10-14, 1 female 40-49. A Henry Brewer (likely Henry³ Brewer (Henry², George¹) is enumerated on the same census sheet. Christopher Brewer is on the 1840 U.S. census in Chatham Co., with a household of 1 free white male 15-19, 1 f.w. male 30-39, 1 f.w. male 60-69, 1 f.w. female 10-14, 1 f.w. female 50-59, 1 f.w. female 80-89, 1 person employed in agriculture, 3 persons over age 20 who cannot read and write. His age in this census is overstated. He is one household away from Jemima Brewer, with Nancy Williams between them.

Christopher Brewer has not been found post 1840. The date and place of his death has not been discovered. He was clearly married and had children, including sons, but their identities and that of any descendants have not yet been found. As of this writing no probate record or estate file has been found in Chatham County for Christopher Brewer. Broyhill in his 1992 "working draft," Brewer Families of Colonial Virginia, 1626-1776, covered Christopher Brewer at page 98 and assigned him No. G24. There is little here. Varner, in Brewer Families of Southeast America (2003) covers Christopher Brewer on page 284. The account here is short, and there is no mention of the census records stated above.

George³ Brewer (Oliver², George¹). Marvin T. Broyhill (1992) covers George Brewer at page 95 and assigns him No. G21. He guesses his age at "1760??" and places him as Oliver Brewer's oldest son. This is very much incorrect. George Brewer was obviously Oliver Brewer's youngest son and was not born until about 1783 or 1784. Foy E. Varner, Jr. (2003) covers George Brewer beginning at page 257, and picks up right away on Broyhill's error.

Of Oliver Brewer's children, his son George is mentioned first among children in his 1791 will. Oliver devised his plantation and land to his wife, Rebecca, and it was then left to George upon Rebecca's death. When it came time to list his children for the purpose of equally dividing the residue of his estate, George was listed last among the sons. In May 1797, the court at Chatham County, appointed John Crow as George Brewer's guardian. George Brewer was under age 14 in May 1797. In February 1798 and again in February 1800, John Crow was required to return his account regarding his guardianship of George Brewer, which tells us that George was still likely under age 18 in 1800.

George Brewer is not found as a head of household on any U.S. census record. He died in 1806, in his early twenties leaving a widow, Jemima, and two children, John and Rebecca. Administration on George Brewer's estate was granted to his widow, Jemima, and John Sparrow, in November 1806. James Smith and Joseph Brantly were sureties for the bond. On 13 November 1806, Thomas Farrer posted his bond as guardian of John Brewer. Also, James Smith, William Edwards and John Ferrington were ordered to lay off and allot one years provisions to the widow, Jemima Brewer. On 10 December 1806 Jemima Brewer and John Sparrow submitted an account of the sale of the goods and chattels of George Brewer, deceased.

Broyhill suggests that Jemima's family name may have been Sparrow, and he may well be correct but further evidence needs to be located. In addition to the fact that John Sparrow was a co-administrator of George Brewer's estate, on 20 January 1822, in the accounting of John Sparrow's own estate, $10.67 was paid out to Jemima Brewer. Jemimia outlived her husband by at least 54 years and there is no evidence that she remarried. On the 1860 U.S. census she is found in the Eastern Division of Chatham County, as Jemimie Brewer, age 73, in the household of Hamilton Williams. Her real estate is valued at $1000 and her personal estate at $5000. Hamilton Williams was the husband of George and Jemima's daughter, Rebecca Brewer. He was born about 1808 and inventory on his estate was filed in 1863. Hamilton and Rebecca had at least seven children, the youngest known born about 1832, as found on the 1850 and 1860 census records. Rebecca is age 45 on the 1850 U.S. census, so born about 1805. She is not found in the household on the 1860 census and so is presumed to have died prior to it's taking (7 July 1860). Proof of Rebecca as a child of George and Jemima is found in a deed dated 13 December 1829, in which, "Hamelton Williams & Rebecah his wife of Chatham Co. (convey) to John Brewer of same for $100, 1/3 of an undivided tract of land willed to George Brewer dec'd by his father Oliver Brewer in Chatham Co. on the West side of ___ Branch, 58 acres." Jemima was also found on the 1850 U.S. census, in the household of Hamilton and Rebecca Brewer, as "Mimay Brewer," age given as 60. In 1830 she was found as the head of a household of 1 female under 5, 1 female 10-14, 1 female 30-39, 1 female 40-49, 1 female slave under 10.

George and Jemima Brewer's son, John Brewer, was probably born about 1804. As mentioned above, Thomas Farrer was appointed his guardian in November 1806. In 1829, he bought his sister's 1/3 of their inherited estate. He is probably the male under age five, found on the 1810 U.S. census in the household of his grandmother, Rebecca Brewer. It is probable, but not yet proved, that he is the John Brewer found on the 1850 U.S. census in Lower Regiment, Chatham County, age 46, a farmer with real estate valued at $2100. His (presumed) wife's name on this census is Aisley, and she is age 50. They (presumably) have four daughters, Mary (age 26), Rebecca (24), Sarah (18) and Permelia (16). He is enumerated next to the household of Abel Brewer who is age 68. The 1860 U.S. census gives us the household of John S. Brewer, in the Eastern Division, Chatham Co., with an age too difficult to decipher although the second digit is a 4. His wife is called "Aley" and she is age 60. They are followed by Mary (age 27), Rebecca (26), Sarah (23) and Permelia (21). Same names as the 1850 census, but clearly a large error in their recorded ages. The middle initial "S" in John S. Brewer, could certainly stand for Sparrow. In 1870, John Brewer, age 67 (b. ca. 1803) is found at "Pittsboro Road North Side," Chatham County. In the household are "Ailsey" Brewer, age 70, Mary Brewer, age given as 38, Permelia Brewer, now age 27, Sarah Brewer, with age as 26, plus Fanne Brewer (23) and Charles Brewer (18). As of this writing the family has not been located in 1880, and additional research is needed to confirm the connecting of George and Jemima's son, John, to the John Brewer of the 1850, 1860 and 1870 census records.

Additional data and source citations will be found online in the Brewer-Lanier Database when it is launched. Those interested in a timeline of Randolph County might wish to look at "Notes on the History of Randolph County."

*Broyhill, Marvin T. The Brewer Families of Colonial Virginia, 1626-1776: Supporting Documentation Part II. (Estill Springs, TN: Brewer Researcher, 1996), page 103. Chatham Co., NC Deed Abstracts 1772-1840. Z-110.

**The Brower families of Randolph County, North Carolina were descendants of Hubert Brower, who arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1726 from "Nenwild in the Palentine. Two of his grandsons, Christian Brower and Adam Brower, sons of Hubert's son John Brower, migrated to Randolph Co., from Chester Co., Pennsylvania in roughly 1783 and 1788 respectively. The BROWERs were more numerous in Randolph Co., than were the BREWERs.

***The Hillsborough/Hillsboro District was a census district that in 1800 covered Chatham, Randolph and Orange Counties. The present day town of Hillsborough is in Orange County, and neither Chatham nor Randolph have a town by that name. In 1800 you will find Brewers enumerated in all three locations: Hillsborough District, Orange Co., Hillsborough District, Chatham Co., and Hillsboro District, Randolph Co.

****The Uwharrie River runs north to south along the western edge of Randolph County, adjacent to present dayDavidson County which had been created out of Rowan County in 1822. It flows into the Pee Dee River. (See this map).

BGB 446

The Older Sons of Oliver Brewer of Chatham County, North Carolina

This post will cover the sons of Oliver² Brewer (George¹). Oliver Brewer, of Chatham County, North Carolina was a son of George Brewer, of Brunswick County, Virginia, and most probably George's second wife, Alice (___). As a reminder, and to those who are new to this series of posts, the objective is to identify provable pedigrees for participants in the Brewer DNA Project who believe they are descendants of George Brewer, of Brunswick County, Virginia. Participation in the Project is open to all direct male descendants who are interested and willing to take a Y-Chromosome DNA test. We encourage those who have researched their Brewer ancestry to join, and we also suggest that current members review, and if needed, update their current pedigrees which are currently posted online at Brewer-Family.org.

The sons of Oliver Brewer will be considered in the order of how I believe they were born, oldest to youngest. This order will differ from that presented by Marvin T. Broyhill in his 1992 "working draft," Brewer Families of Colonial Virginia, 1626-1776. It is strongly suggested that researchers also consult Foy E. Varner, Jr.'s, Brewer Families of Southeast America (2003).

Edward³ Brewer (Oliver², George¹) is covered by Broyhill at page 98 (No. G26), and by Varner at page 287. Edward Brewer served out of Chatham Co., North Carolina during the Revolutionary War, and applied for a pension in 1834 while living in Randolph Co., North Carolina. He gave his date of birth as 19 October 1762, and he is the only son of Oliver Brewer, and I believe, the only grandson of George Brewer, for whom we have a specific date of birth. In his application file is an inquiry from a Mrs. C. J. McCombe of Gastonia, North Carolina, dated 1919, in which she states that she has spoken with a granddaughter of Edward Brewer, who stated that Edward was an aid to Gen. George Washington, and that he married a daughter of George Washington's sister, who she thinks was named Mary Strickland. Needless to say, the George Washington connection is fiction (Edward, who signed deeds with his mark X, could not be an aid to any officer, and George Washington's only sister Elizabeth (known as Betty) was married to Col. Fielding Lewis, and not to a Strickland). A search of the surname, STRICKLAND, on the 1790 census in North Carolina finds a Jacob Strickland in Guilford Co., a few of the surname in Sampson Co., but none in either Chatham or Randolph Counties. The identity of Edward's wife as Mary Strickland, should be questioned and not accepted without more conclusive evidence.

Edward Brewer witnessed a deed in Chatham Co. in February 1786 in which George Brewer and Mary Brewer sold to William Thetford. On 2 January 1787, Edward bought 36 acres of land on the Haw River in Chatham Co., from his cousin Hubbard Brewer. On 1 January 1795, Edward sold this land to William Edwards. Edward is found on the 1790 U.S. census in Chatham Co. with a household of 2 males under 16, 1 male over 16, 2 females. In 1800 he is found in Randolph Co., North Carolina with a household of 2 males 10-15, 1 male 26-44, 3 females under 10, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 26-44. He is not found on the 1810 census in Randolph Co., but is on the tax roll there in 1812 and 1813 with 200 acres and 1 poll. In 1816, Edward bought 100 acres of Josiah Reaves, a tract on the "waters of Glady Fork of Bever Dam Creek." He is on the tax roll in 1818, again with 200 acres and 1 poll. The 1820 U.S. census for Randolph County does not survive, but Edward is found in 1830, in Regiment 1, Randolph Co., as Edward Brewer, Sr., with a household of 1 male age 60-69, and 1 female age 60-69. Edward Brewer, Jr. is enumerated one household away with William Russell in between. In 1840, Edward Brewer is found in the Southern Division, Randolph County, with a household of 3 males under 5, 1 male 5-9, 1 male 15-19, 1 male 30-39, 1 male 50-59, 1 male 70-79, 1 female 5-9, 1 female 10-14, 1 female 15-19, 3 females 20-29, 1 female 50-59, 6 persons employed in agriculture. As the younger Edward Brewer is not enumerated separately, it is assumed that the 1840 profile is that of a combined household, or put more simply, the elder Edward living with his son and his family. Numerous "Family Trees" found online give Edward's death as 24 March 1845, but, in true internet form, none provide a source. Edward does not appear on the 1850 U.S. census.

From the 1790 and 1800 census records it does appear that Edward could have had two sons. Only one has been identified, and that is Edward Brewer, Jr. (above) who is later found in 1850, in the Southern Division of Randolph Co., age 60, in the household of O. C. Brewer (age 35). Here Edward is enumerated as "Canney" Brewer, and it appears that his full name was Edward Cannon Brewer. Perhaps the name Cannon is a clue to the correct identity of Edward Brewer, Sr.'s wife. In 1860, Edward Brewer, age 73, is in the Southern Division, Davidson Co., as the head of a household, a shoemaker, with Mary Brewer (age 37), Melinda G. Brewer (18), James M. Brewer (12), Joseph A. Brewer (9). All born in North Carolina. The 1840 census implies that Edward, Jr. had a large family and the others listed in 1860 may be grandchildren. Perhaps Mary is a widowed daughter-in-law and the others are her children. The 1860 census does not specify relationships and so those interested should pursue these names further. Two sons have been identified for Edward Jr. The O. C. Brewer of 1850 was Oliver C. Brewer, b. ca. 1815 who is found with a family in Randolph Co. in 1860, 1870 and 1880, the last on the town of New Hope. The other son is Edward Cannon Brewer, who according to his North Carolina Death Certificate was born 3 November 1820 in Randolph County, and died 21 December 1911 in Troy, Montgomery Co., North Carolina. His death certificate records his father as "Eddy" Brewer and his mother as "Connie Lassy." Others (undocumented) have claimed her surname to be Lacy or Lang. She would be the wife of Edward Brewer, Jr., and was apparently deceased before 1850.

 Oliver³ Brewer (Oliver², George¹) is covered by Broyhill (1992) at page 98 (no. G25) and by Varner (2003) at page 284. Broyhill guesses at Oliver's birth date as "1758??" which is too early. He does not name a wife nor does he suggest children. Oliver Brewer is found on the 1800 U.S. census in Hillsborough, Chatham Co., North Carolina with a household of of 2 males under 10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 26-44, 1 female under 10, 2 slaves. This suggests that Oliver was age 26-44 in 1800 and so was born between 1756 and 1774. Assuming that Oliver is his father's second son (after Edward), then "born 1764 or 1765" might be a better guess. The 1800 census record also implies that Oliver had a family. However, that what became of that family has not yet been discovered. Oliver's descendants have not yet been identified in later records.

On 13 August 1792, Oliver Brewer, Jr., of Chatham County, sold to Oliver Brewer, Sr., of the same place, for £85, a tract of land on the north side of the Haw River, beginning at Edward Brewer's corner...containing 80 acres*. Oliver Brewer is found in a handful of records in Chatham County between the period of 1792 and 1796 regarding such things as road work, jury assignment, and being appointed a "patroller." It is noted that the 1800 census enumeration does not include a free white female of adult age. This may be an error on the census recorder's part, or it may be that whoever Oliver's wife was, had died prior to the taking of the 1800 census. The official enumeration day for this census was 4 August 1800. But then, on 23 September 1800, we have a deed in which "Oliver Brewer and Sarah his wife of Chatham County," sold to George Brewer of the same place, for £300, 152 acres of land on the north side of the Haw River. This record might imply that the 1800 census was in error. Either that or, Oliver and Sarah were married between 4 August 1800 and 23 September 1800, or, we have a situation of two men named Oliver Brewer. This last possibility is doubtful. On 16 August 1799, Oliver entered a land grant of 95 acres in Chatham County, and on 10 August 1801 that land was sold to George Brewer. Oliver's wife is not named in this last deed. In May 1807 there is recorded a bill of sale between Oliver Brewer and Bartholomew Lightfoot, to Elisha Stedman. This is the last entry for Oliver Brewer in Chatham County. He is not found there on the 1810 or 1820 census. There is no Oliver Brewer found in any southern state in 1810, though records for Georgia do not survive. The same is true for 1820, although the census for the eastern Districts in Tennessee do not survive. No will, record of probate, or record of estate settlement for Oliver Brewer has been found in Chatham County. What became of him, and any descendants, has not been discovered.

There is a record of a marriage bond in Knox Co., Tennessee, date 10 January 1804, for the marriage of an Oliver Brewer and Polly Henderson. An image of the record is online at Family Search. Oliver Brewer signs his name to this bond, and his fellow bondsman, Jeremiah Brooks, signs with his mark. Back in Chatham County, the Oliver Brewer of the 1792 deed signed with his mark, an X, while (as per Broyhill's abstract) the Oliver Brewer of the 10 August 1801 deed signed his name. A copy of this last deed should be obtained for a confirmation that Oliver did sign it, and for a possible comparison with the signature of the Oliver Brewer who was married in Knox Co., Tennessee in 1804.

William³ Brewer (Oliver², George¹) is covered by Broyhill (1992) at page 96 (no. G22), while Varner (2003) begins a lengthy discussion at page 261. Researchers are cautioned that because William Brewer was such a common name in the region where the descendants of George Brewer are found, that assigning records to particular individuals can be difficult and inexact. Broyhill guesses William's birth date as "1770??" and names his wife as Nancy (___). At page 96, Broyhill cautions that this William is not the William who served during the Revolution, filed a pension application (S3085) and later is found in Blount Co., Tennessee. He is correct on that account. The William Brewer of the Revolutionary War file S3085 was an uncle of Isaac Brewer, who by his own statement was a son of a Howell Brewer, and filed an application for a pension (R1185) from Talladega Co., Alabama. Isaac will be covered in a future post. Varner acknowledges the difficulty in sorting out the various William Brewers, and includes a long list of records regarding men named William Brewer, in reference to varied locations, that need to be sorted out. If one focuses on the records pertaining to immediate area of the Haw River where Oliver Brewer raised a family, we can narrow them down to see who our William Brewer was. Sorting out the many William Brewers is a task that is ideal for applying the principle of Occam's razor. In other words, assume as little as possible. In the case of this William Brewer we need to make only one assumption, that is, he remained close to the place he was born.

There is a William Brewer recorded on the 1790 census in Chatham County, with a household of 1 free white male over age 16, and 6 free white females, however, he is not Oliver's son named William. Although the census is recorded alphabetically by first letter of last name, the William on the census is found with other Brewers who lived in the Bear Creek area of Chatham County.** William's father, Oliver, is found on the 1790 U.S. census in Chatham County on the sheet (also somewhat alphabetical) that covered the Haw River area of the county. Oliver's son, William, is not found as a head of household in 1790.

Brewers on the 1790 U.S. census in the area of Bear Creek, Chatham Co., NC (NARA, via Ancestry.com)

Brewers on the 1790 U.S. census in the area of Haw River, Chatham Co., NC (NARA, via Ancestry.com)

William is mentioned in his father's will of 14 October 1791, which gave "my sons namely William Brewer & Henry Brewer & Christopher Brewer all the land of the North side of Wards Branch to be equally divided between the three William part to joyn William Edwards line..." In August 1793, in Chatham Co., a William Brewer was remitted of one poll "he being under age." Although the location is not exact enough to ensure certainty, this is likely Oliver's son William. In November 1796, William Brewer and Oliver Brewer, with Elnathan Davis and Jesse Welt were appointed "patrollers" in Capt. Haile's and Capt. Lacy's Districts. On 4 February 1797, William Brewer, of Chatham Co., sold to William Kirksey, of the same place, 35 1/2 acres on both sides of Wilkerson's Creek on the north side of the Haw River. The land adjoined the land of William Edwards and was likely the land that William had inherited from his father (Henry Brewer had sold land in the same location to William Kirksey, in November 1796. On, or about, 18 May 1798, William Brewer bought (apparently) 36 acres from William Edwards on the north side of the Haw River. Ownership of this land had to be clarified in a long contract which demonstrated that this land had been bought by William Edwards from Edward Brewer, who had bought it from his cousin Hubbard Brewer, who had inherited it from his father, Henry Brewer. William Brewer is found on the 1800 U.S. census in Hillsborough, Chatham Co., North Carolina, with a household of 1 male under 10, 1 male 16-25, 2 females under 10, 1 female 16-25. Here, William is recorded as aged 16-25, and when the other records that pertain to him are considered, it is likely that William³ Brewer (Oliver², George¹) was born about 1775.

William Brewer's wife was Nancy (___). Here I am in agreement with Broyhill. Their children were a son Wesley, and daughters Candice, Rebecca and Nancy. The family is consistent with that found on the 1800 census mentioned above, save one daughter who was probably born between 1800 and the time William died, apparently late in 1806. During the November 1806 term of the Court in Chatham County, administration on the estate of William Brewer was granted to Nancy Brewer, his widow, and to John Sparrow.*** The bond was  £1000, and James Smith and Joseph Brantly were sureties. In November 1810, Nancy, widow of William Brewer, petitioned the Court of Chatham County for the distribution of her dower rights. This file can be found online in "North Carolina Estate Files." In the file, Nancy's children are named as Miley (later corrected to Wesley), Rebecca, Nancy (Nancy the widow being guardian for the three) and William Horton and his wife Candice. The court is asked to divide the remainder of the lands of William Brewer among them. The lands are described as lying on the north side of the Haw River, "one tract for thirty six acres, and one for sixty nine and a half more or less of all which lands the said Nancy is entitled to dower." The matter moves to the next session of the court, a jury is summoned to lay off the lands, and in May 1811, the lands are divided among Wesley Brewer, Rebecca Brewer, Nancy Brewer and William Horton and his wife, Candice.

Division of land to the heirs of William Brewer, 1811 (FamilySearch, NC Estate Files, Chatham Co.)

A Nancy Brewer is found as a head of household on the 1820 U.S. census in Chatham County, with a household of 1 male 10-15, 1 male 16-25, 3 females 16-25, 1 female over 45. 2 persons engaged in agriculture. This record, however, more likely refers to Nancy, the widow of Sampson Brewer, who died in 1806 or early 1807, and found among the Bear Creek group of Brewers (a Jeremiah Brewer is enumerated on the same sheet). William and Nancy's daughter Candice was married to William Horton and they are found in 1850 in Lower Regiment, Chatham Co., North Carolina. Candice is age 59 which places her birth as about 1791. Her husband was considerably older, age 83 in 1850. He wrote his will in 1839, names his wife Candice, his brother Benjamin Horton, and a number of children. There can be no doubt that Candice was not William Horton's first or only wife. The placement of his children with regard to who their mother was will require further research. William Horton's will was proved 2 February 1852 in Chatham County.

William Brewer's only son was Wesley Brewer. In the short amount of time put into the effort, I have not been able to identify him on later records. Land records in Chatham County for later dates than those abstracted by Broyhill will have to be searched. His complete name may have been John Wesley Brewer (it became popular to name children for this founder of Methodism), and there is a memorial at Find A Grave for a John Wesley Brewer which may be a possible starting point for further research.****

The remaining three sons of Oliver Brewer will be covered in a separate post.


*It has to be remembered that at third Oliver Brewer, Oliver³ Brewer (Henry², George¹), was living in 1778 and may have been present in Chatham County during the period in which records and deeds naming an Oliver Brewer are found. Accurate identification of just which Oliver Brewer is found in each record can be tricky, and may never be certain.

**The Brewers of the Bear Creek area in Chatham County are believed to be descendants of Nicholas² Brewer (George¹) and will be covered in a future post.

***The original Letters of Administration have not been located. This information comes from Broyhill (1996) Brewers of Colonial Virginia, Supporting Documentation Part II, p. 118, who gives as his source, Chatham Co., NC, Court Orders, vol. not specified (either 4 or 5), p. 115.

****This memorial is of interest because John Wesley Brewer is stated to have been born in North Carolina in 1790. His wife is Lois Smith, and we know that a Smith family did live in very close proximity to the Brewer families on the Haw River. Three children are listed and one is named Nancy, and another Rebecca, two names found in the family of William and Nancy Brewer. John Wesley Brewer died in 1850 and is buried in Bond County, Illinois, where he came by way of Kentucky.

BGB 445

Oliver Brewer of Chatham County, North Carolina

Oliver² Brewer (George¹) is identified in his father's will of 13 July 1741. He received from his father, "all the rest of this tract of land where on I now dwell to him and his heirs forever." Oliver Brewer wrote his own will 14 October 1791 in Chatham County, North Carolina. In it he identifies ten children including five sons, and his wife, Rebecca. From Oliver's will we have five confirmed grandsons of George Brewer of Brunswick County, Virginia.

Marvin T. Broyhill in his 1992 "working draft" titled, Brewer Families of Colonial Virginia, 1626-1776, covers Oliver Brewer beginning at page 94, and assigns him the number G2. The account of Oliver Brewer is incomplete and has errors. His accounts of Oliver's children, that follows, is confused and has significant errors. Those using this work should also consult Foy E. Varner, Jr., Brewer Families of Southeast America (2003) which is available from the author, for the asking.

I have been unable to locate online a copy of the original will of Oliver Brewer. Marvin T. Broyhill briefly abstracts it in two places. In his 1992 "working draft," Brewer Families of Colonial Virginia, it is mentioned at page 94, and the author gives as his source, "Chatham Will Book 14." This will book is not found in the online databases created by Family Search titled, "North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979," or "North Carolina, Probate Records, 1735-1970." Broyhill also abstracts the will in his 1996, supplement, Brewer Families of Colonial Virginia, 1626-1776, Supporting Documentation Part II..., at page 70. No source or location of the will is given here. Found online, at USGenWeb Archives, is a full transcription of Oliver Brewer's will contributed by Sue Ashby. She gives the repository for the will as "Chatham Co., Record of Estates, 1782-1799, Vol. 1, pg. 45 (b), 46, NC State Archives film # C.022.50001." Those researching Oliver Brewer should seek out the original will, or a copy of it.

As a result of his misinterpretation of the 1741 will of George Brewer, Broyhill in his "working draft," placed Oliver as George Brewer's second son, and guessed at his date of birth as "1707??" This is guess is off by a large margin. Oliver was one of the younger sons of George Brewer, who provided for his future in his will by leaving Oliver the rest of his own plantation and a gun. Oliver's mother was almost certainly his father's second wife, Alice (___). Oliver was not likely a son of George Brewer's first wife, Sarah Lanier. Oliver was more probably born during the decade of the 1720s, or possibly in the earlier part of the 1730s. The first record of Oliver as an adult is dated 5 May 1762, in which his brother Henry Brewer obtained for him a grant of 700 acres in Orange County, North Carolina. On 9 December 1762, Oliver Brewer received a patent on 690 acres in Orange County, North Carolina. The land is described as "on both sides of Wilkerson Creek of Haw River, joining Henry Brewer" (as abstracted by Broyhill in Part II (1996), p. 63. In a deed date 10 October 1763, recorded in Brunswick Co., Virginia, Oliver Brewer of Orange Co., North Carolina, conveyed to John Brewer of Northampton County, North Carolina, 200 acres on the south side of Beaver Pond Creek. This was most likely the land Oliver inherited from his father, and the grantee, John Brewer, was most likely his older brother. Oliver Brewer was established in Orange County, North Carolina by 1763, about ten years after his brother Henry Brewer had established himself there. In 1771, Chatham County was created out of Orange County, and Oliver's property was found in the new county. A map of Chatham County in 1777 is found online. Wilkinson Creek* (not labeled) is the branch flowing from the north into Haw River between Dry Creek and Smith's Creek, which flow into the Haw River from the south. Oliver is found on a militia roll in Chatham County in 1772. He is assigned to a road crew in 1765 and 1777. In 1780 his land is mentioned as adjoining land obtained by Robert Poe from North Carolina, on Wilkinsons Creek and the Haw River. He can be found on the 1790 U.S. census in Chatham County with a household of 2 males under 16, 4 males over 16, 2 females and 3 slaves (this family may include his son, Oliver Brewer, who is not found as a head of household himself). As mentioned above, Oliver Brewer wrote his will 14 October 1791. Broyhill states that it was proved in November 1792, although the online transcription by Sue Ashby does not include a date for the proving. On 13 August 1792, Oliver Brewer, Sr., sold to William Edwards, ten acres of land. On the same day, Oliver Brewer, Jr., sold to Oliver Brewer, Sr., land on the north side of the Haw River. If the November 1792 date stated as the date that Oliver's will was proved is correct, then it appears that Oliver died in either late summer or early fall of 1792.

Oliver Brewer's wife was named Rebecca. Broyhill (1992) does not suggest a family name for her. It has been claimed that she was Rebecca Smith, and while there was a family of that name in the immediate vicinity of Oliver Brewer, to my knowledge this identification has not been proved. As "Rebeccah Brewer," she is found as a head of household on the 1810 U.S. census in Chatham County. She is recorded as age 26-44, which may be in error, or she may just be shy of 45 (her one confirmed son, Henry, seems to have been born about 1780). In her household is one male under 10, who may well be her grandson, John Brewer (more in a follow up post). She is enumerated next to Christopher Brewer. In 1820 "Rebecca Brewer" is head of a household in Chatham County of 1 free white male 16-18, 1  f.w. male 16-25, 1 f.w. female 16-25, 1 f.w. female over 45, 3 males slaves under 14, 1 male slave over 45, 3 female slaves under 14, 2 female slaves 14-25, 5 persons engaged in agriculture. She is enumerated between Oliver Owen and Thomas Powell. On 11 February 1823, Thomas Farrar, as administrator of the estate of Rebecca Brewer, posted bond in Chatham County with Mark Bynum and Isaiah Burnett, and so Rebecca was deceased by this date. The inventory, dated May 1823, amounted to $2409.05. The complete file can be found online at Family Search, in North Carolina Estate Files. It appears that Rebecca outlived her husband by about 31 years, and so may have been much younger than him. Although it is not certain, it has been assumed that she is the mother of all of Oliver's children. She may not be. It is conceivable that she was a second wife, and may have been mother of only some of Oliver's children. If Rebecca's age as recorded on the 1810 census is correct, then she can in no way be the mother of all of Oliver Brewer's children.

Rebecca Brewer, 1810 U.S. census, Chatham Co., NC (NARA via Ancestry.com)

On 24 May 1823, a final account of Oliver Brewer's estate was certified by William Edwards, executor of the estate of Oliver Brewer, deceased, and was entered at Chatham County. The executor had sold the remaining assets belonging to Oliver Brewer that had "come into his hands," upon the death of Oliver's widow, Rebecca Brewer. Hugh Edwards purchased a negro man, a negro woman and child, and two negro girls. Alice Farrar purchased a bed and furniture, and Abel Brewer purchased two "puter" (pewter) ? (uncertain). This estate file is online as well.

In his will of 14 October 1791, Oliver mentions his children as George Brewer, William Brewer, Henry Brewer, and Christopher Brewer, all of who received land, with George receiving the home plantation after the death of Oliver's wife, Rebecca, who was given the plantation, a horse and a negro woman named Jude. Son, Oliver Brewer, received sixty pounds. Daughter Frances Brewer, received a bed and furniture, and two cows and calves. The remainder of the estate was to be divided between "my six sons," named as Edward Brewer, Oliver Brewer, William Brewer, Henry Brewer, Christopher Brewer, and George Brewer, and "my daughters namely," Patti Blalock, Rebecca Edwards, Hannah Edwards, and Frances Brewer. The executors were wife, Rebecah Brewer, George Blalock and William Edwards. The witnesses were James Smith and Howell Hearn.

The order of birth of Oliver Brewer's children is not certain, however, the order in which he named them, after dividing them by sex, towards the end of his will when instructing how the remainder of the estate was to be divided, may well be accurate. That is, the sons were recorded oldest to youngest, and the daughters were recorded oldest to youngest. It is apparent from the bequests made by Oliver in the first half of his will, that Edward and Oliver were already established as adults, while the other sons, George, William, Henry and Christopher, each of who received land, were not. And once again, it is not certain that Rebecca was the mother of all of Oliver's children. It will be seen later that she was the mother of Henry, and therefore most certainly of Christopher and George. But for the others, it is not so clear. Oliver Brewer may have had two wives during his life, and Rebecca would have been the second.

Descriptions of the sons will be forthcoming in a follow up post. As of this writing we do not have any participants in the Brewer DNA Project, who claim a descent from Oliver Brewer. We do, however, have about nineteen participants who are genetically related to the group of participants claiming Geroge Brewer as their ancestor, who have not provided a pedigree to the group. Perhaps there is a descendant of Oliver Brewer among them. If so, we would like to hear from you.

*The correct name of the creek is Wilkinson Creek, not Wilkerson Creek as written by Broyhill. It is in present day Baldwin Township.

BGB 444

The Four Remaining Sons of Henry Brewer of Orange and Chatham Counties, North Carolina

Henry² Brewer (George¹) and his son George Brewer were covered in the post of January 9, 2015. In this post we will follow up with Henry's four remaining sons, Henry, Hubbard, Isaac and Oliver.

Henry³ Brewer (Henry², George¹) was mentioned in his father's will and received, "the land and plantaten from sd mouth of cr follow an east course to my back line." From this it can be surmised that Henry received improved land along the creek and adjacent to his father's land. Unfortunately, the will does not name the creek, but we do know that the elder Henry had established himself on the north side of the Haw River (see Paces Mill). Marvin T. Broyhill, Brewer Families of Colonial Virginia, 1626-1776 (1992) covers the son Henry Brewer at page 100 and assigns him the number G32. His account is brief, writes that he was born "1760??" which is a guess, and adds that he was "probably the one who received a federal pension based on his Revolutionary War service [Pension No. S39213]." He is not. The Henry Brewer of this pension application was age 63 in 1823 and was living in Christian Co., Kentucky. He had received 300 acres of land there in 1805. Although not found there on the 1810 U.S. census, the war veteran Henry Brewer was there in 1819 when he first filed an application, and can be found there on the 1820 and 1830 U.S. census records. In 1837 he was in Wilson Co., Tennessee as per his pension file, but so far the trail has run cold after this date. Foy E. Varner, Jr., picks up on the son Henry Brewer in Brewer Families of Southeast America (2003) at page 308. His analysis of the records regarding Henry demonstrates why he cannot be the same man as the Henry Brewer of Christian Co., Kentucky, and will not be repeated here. In short, Henry³ Brewer (Henry², George¹) appears to have remained in Chatham Co., North Carolina his entire life. Henry is found on deeds in Chatham County beginning in 1781. He can be found on the U.S. census there in 1790, 1810 and 1820. In 1830, a Henry Brewer (probably this one) is in Pittsboro, Chatham County, age 60-69. No other persons are listed in the household. On 8 November 1841, administration on the estate of Henry Brewer was granted in Chatham Co. to W. H. Powell, with Isaiah Burnett as fellow bondsman. If Henry was born by 1760 (old enough to convey land in 1781) and died in 1841, he lived into his 80s. On 6 February 1828, Henry Brewer of Chatham Co., conveyed land on the Haw River, to his son (as stated in the deed) Oliver Brewer. The land (100 acres) was bounded by Wm. Williams, Crow's line, Meadow Br., John Brewer and Brittan Brewer. Although he received land in 1828, Oliver is not found on the 1830 U.S. census in Chatham County as a head of household. On 8 January 1833, in Chatham Co., Oliver Brewer was bondsman on the marriage bond of Norris Lindsey and Anna Price. Two men named Oliver Brewer are recorded in Chatham Co., North Carolina in 1840. The first, called Oliver Brewer, has a household of 1 male 30-39, 2 females under 5, 1 female 20-29. The second, called "Oliver G. Brewer," has a household of 1 male under 5, 1 male 20-29, 1 female 20-29. Assuming that the former is Oliver⁴ Brewer (Henry³, Henry², George¹) then his birth is placed at between 1800 and 1810. In this case, Henry's son Oliver, may well be the Oliver Brewer who can be found in Warren County, Tennessee beginning with the 1850 U.S. census. An Oliver Brewer is found in Warren Co., Tennessee on the 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880 U.S. census records. The ages on the census consistently point to his birth as about 1805 or 1806. His place of birth is consistently recorded as North Carolina. This Oliver Brewer died in Warren Co., Tennessee on 13 June 1889 and is buried in the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Oliver's wife was Phebe Melton. They had at least ten children, and the youngest, Oliver Franklin Brewer died in 1948. His Tennessee death certificate names his father as Oliver Brewer, and states his father's place of birth as Chatham Co., North Carolina. More evidence is desired, before concluding that the two Oliver Brewers, born at about the same time in the same place, are in fact the same. Perhaps there are answers in land records in either Chatham Co., North Carolina, and/or Warren Co., Tennessee from the period of 1840 to 1850.

 Hubbard³ Brewer (Henry², George¹) is mentioned by Broyhill (1992) at page 100, and is given the number G33. The entry here is brief and incomplete. Varner (2003) covers Hubbard at pages 315-316. Hubbard is identified by his mention in his father's will of 2 September 1778. He received land adjoining Benjamin Brewer who has not been identified. Broyhill guesses at Hubbard's birth as "1736??" He is likely off by a large margin. Hubbard Brewer is found on the 1784 tax roll in Sampson County, North Carolina, and so we can venture that he was born by 1764. A James Brewer is found on the same roll. On 2 January 1787, Hubbard Brewer sold land on the Haw River to Edward Brewer (his cousin, son of Oliver², George¹). This deed calls Hubbard, "of Chatham County." A Hubbard Brewer is found on the 1790 U.S. census in Johnston County, North Carolina with a household of with a household of 2 males under 16, 1 male over 16, 3 females. A Hubbard Bruer is found on the 1800 U.S. census in Fayetteville, Sampson Co., North Carolina with a household of 4 males under 10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 16-25, 1 male 26-44, 1 female under 10, 2 females 10-15, 1 female 26-44. Although Hubbard is a less common given name, and although I suspect all of the above entries belong to the same man, that suspicion has not been proved. As of this writing it is not known if Hubbard Brewer left descendants, although I suspect he did. A more thorough search for a probate record and land records in other counties should be undertaken. The only man named Hubbard Brewer found on the 1820 census was in Scott, St, Clair Co., Illinois. The 1850 U.S. census does show a Hubbard Brewer, age 19, in Northern Division, Davidson Co., North Carolina, enumerated in the household of Madison Davis, age 38. He is found in the same location again in 1860, age 29, with a household of his own, including (assumed) wife Charlotte, age 23, and (assumed) son Uriah, age 11 months. If this later Hubbard Brewer is a descendant of  Hubbard³ Brewer (Henry², George¹) then he is likely a grandson.

Isaac³ Brewer (Henry², George¹) is listed by Broyhill (1992) at page 100, assigned the number G35, but is not discussed. Varner (2003) picks up a discussion of Isaac at page 317. Isaac is named in his father's 1778 will. He was to receive an equal share (with his brother Oliver) of the mill, after the death of Henry's wife Mary, who had received half the mill by the 1778 will. However, it appears that in 1786, George Brewer (Isaac's brother) and Mary Brewer (presumably Henry's widow) sold the mill. In 1791 an Isaac Brewer (and Valentine Brewer) are assigned to a road crew. The road leads from "the Barracks to Mathew Joneses Poison Field Plantation."* Isaac Brewer is not found as a head of household on the 1790 U.S. census in North Carolina. On 13 August 1792, Isaac Brewer of Chatham Co., sold to Oliver Brewer of the same place, 72 acres on the north side of the Haw River. Isaac cannot be identified as a head of household on the census records of 1800, 1810 or 1820 (an Isaac Brewer does appear in Hallifax, Martin Co., NC in those years though it is very likely he is another man of the same name). In 1850, an Isaac Brewer, age 87 (b. ca. 1763), born in North Carolina, is found in Hardeman County, Tennessee. His wife is Elizabeth (age 74, b. in Virginia), and they are enumerated next to the household of Isaac Brewer, Jr. (age 30, born in Kentucky).** Also in Hardeman Co. in 1850 is a Henry Brewer (age 34, born in Missouri) with a household that includes (assumed) wife Elizabeth (age 38, b. North Carolina), and (assumed) son Isaac (age 10, b. Tennessee). The older Isaac, who is about the same age as Isaac³ Brewer (Henry², George¹) would be, is also found in Hardeman Co. in 1840 and in 1830. The 1840 census also records Henry Brewer as a head of household, while the 1830 census may include a Benjamin Brewer (the census sheet is blurred and the name appears as "Beuers"). Hardeman County is in the western part of Tennessee and was created in 1823 from parts of Hardin County and "Indian Lands." There is enough evidence here to suspect that the Isaac Brewer of Hardeman Co., Tennessee was Isaac³ Brewer (Henry², George¹), but continued research is required. For now, this link must be regarded as tentative.

Isaac Brewer, 1850 U.S. census, Hardeman Co., TN (NARA via Ancestry.com)

Oliver³ Brewer (Henry², George¹) was also named in his father's 1778 will, and was to share in Mary's half of the mill, after her death, and with his brother Isaac. He also received a bay mare with the brand HB. Broyhill (1992) lists Oliver Brewer on page 100, assigns him the number G36, estimates his birth at "1742??" but adds no additional information. Varner (2003) begins his account of Oliver Brewer at page 320, but it is very brief. Broyhill's guess at Oliver's birth date is certainly too early. It is more likely that he was born in the decade of the 1760s. This Oliver Brewer is very difficult in that he had an uncle of the same name, and a cousin of the same name Oliver³ Brewer (Oliver², George¹), both of whom lived in Chatham County, and in the same local vicinity on the Haw River. Oliver cannot be identified as a head of household on the U.S. census records of 1790, 1800 or 1810 in Chatham Co., North Carolina. The Oliver Brewers who do appear on the census in those years are more likely his uncle and cousin. In 1792, his brother Isaac sold land on the Haw River to an Oliver Brewer, but just which Oliver Brewer this is, is not clear. It is suspected that it was his uncle Oliver² Brewer (George¹), although it may have also been his cousin Oliver³ Brewer (Oliver², George¹). As of this writing, what became of Oliver³ Brewer (Henry², George¹) cannot be determined.

Of the above four sons of Henry² Brewer (George¹), the most promising for further research is the son Henry who may have had a son Oliver who lived in Warren Co., Tennessee, and the son Isaac, who may be the Isaac Brewer who is found in Hardeman Co., Tennessee. Both left descendants. Of the "Brewer-Lanier" pedigrees currently posted online, only one (#N17443) claims a descent from Henry² Brewer (George¹) but the submitter lists a son Peter Brewer, for Henry Brewer, who is not proved. Henry did not name a son Peter in his will, and lacking other evidence that demonstrates that Henry did have such a son, we have to conclude that this pedigree is in error. It should be corrected to reflect the earliest, provable, ancestor.

*Recall that Isaac's brother George named a son Jones Brewer. Could George Brewer's wife have been a member of the family of Mathew Jones?

**Another Isaac Brewer, born in 1763, left a Revolutionary War pension application and was living in Talladega Co., Alabama in 1850. Although of the same age, this is a different Isaac Brewer. The family details found in his application are important and they will be covered in a future post.

BGB 443

Henry Brewer of Orange and Chatham Counties, North Carolina

Henry² Brewer (George¹) of Orange and Chatham Counties, North Carolina, was mentioned in his father, George Brewer's will dated 13 July 1741. Henry Brewer wrote is own will on 2 September 1778, it was proved in Chatham County, North Carolina. From this will we have a list of Henry's children which includes five sons. Identifying the five sons should be helpful towards proving pedigrees for descendants of George Brewer who have taken Y-DNA tests with the Brewer DNA Project.

First some background. Henry Brewer is covered by Marvin T. Broyhill in his "working draft," Brewer Families of Colonial Virginia, 1626-1776 (1992), beginning at the very bottom of page 103. Foy E. Varner, Jr., in Brewer Families of Southeast America (2003), begins his analysis of the records involving Henry, and Broyhill's interpretation of some of them, at page 291. As stated in earlier posts, researchers should not use Broyhill's work without also consulting Varner's work. Broyhill (1992) places Henry Brewer as George Brewer's third son, and assigns him an arbitrary birth date of "1710??" (meaning ca. 1710, but this is purely a guess). This placement and date of birth came out of Broyhill's misinterpretation of the intent of George Brewer's will (see the post of December 29, 2014). Henry Brewer was more likely one of George Brewer's younger three sons, the other two being Oliver and Nathaniel. He may have been born during the first half of the 1720s, but it is certainly possible that he was born a few years prior to 1720. At any rate, "b. ca. 1720" would be a better estimate than "b. 1710??" It is uncertain as to which of George Brewer's two wives, Sarah Lanier or Alice (___), is Henry's mother. Henry did name a daughter, "Alicen," which might lead us to suspect that Alice was his mother, but he also named a daughter Sarah. That he was one of the younger sons, and was treated in his father's will in the same way that Oliver and Nathaniel were, also gives us a lean towards Alice. That the three left Brunswick Co., Virginia to settle in Chatham Co., North Carolina, implies that the three had a close connection. However, from an examination of the patent and land records in Orange and Chatham Counties, it can be seen that Henry went there prior to Oliver and Nathaniel, and he did so at about the same time as his brother Howell Brewer, who was older than Henry and most certainly a son of Sarah Lanier. In short, based on what is known, the question of who is Henry Brewer's mother, cannot be answered with certainty.

Henry Brewer first appears in Orange County, North Carolina in 1752/1753 when he is found on the tax roll with 3 white persons. Howell Brewer is on this same tax roll with 1 white person. The three are found there again in 1755, and again Henry has 3 white, while Howell has 1 white. It is important to point out here that Orange County, North Carolina was created in 1752 from parts of Bladen, Granville and Johnston Counties. Howell had apparently acquired land in Bladen County, and received patents on these lands in 1754 (patents were often given and recorded some years after that land was acquired). It appears that it may have been Henry who followed Howell to this area of North Carolina. Henry Brewer can be found on numerous land records in Orange County through 1767. In 1771, Chatham County was formed out of Orange County, and in 1772, Henry Brewer begins appearing on land records in Chatham County. Henry did not move from Orange Co. to Chatham Co. A new county was created, and his land was located in the new county. Henry's property was on the Haw River, where he built a mill. A website of interest here is one titled, "The Old Mills of the Haw River Watershed," specifically the page regarding Paces Mill. On this page, the location of Henry Brewer's mill is at no. 9. Here, we can also see the locations of Dry Creek and Wilkinson's Creek, two creeks that are often mentioned in deeds involving Henry's brothers Oliver and Nathaniel, and some of their descendants. Henry Brewer maintained an interest in his original home of Brunswick Co., Virginia as evidenced by a patent that he and his brother-in-law John Vick received on land on Beaver Pond Creek in 1765. Henry sold his interest in this property to John Vick in 1767.

The most important document applicable to the reconstruction of Henry Brewer's family is his will which was dated 2 September 1778. It was proved at the February 1779 session of the Chatham County Court, and therefore Henry Brewer died sometime between those two dates. A digital copy of the original will can be found online at FamilySearch in the "North Carolina, Probate Records, 1735-1970" collection. It is in a book of Unrecorded Wills in Chatham County.

The will of Henry Brewer, 2 September 1778

In addition we have a transcript of the will which has been placed online.

In his will Henry names his wife, Mary, who we assume to be the mother of his children (although we cannot be completely certain of this since we lack birth or baptism records for the children). She received the plantation where Henry lived and half of the mill. Henry's son George received the other half of the mill and land. Sons, Henry and Hubbard received land. Sons Isaac and Oliver were to receive Mary's half of the mill upon her death. Isaac and Oliver each received a mare. Daughter, Ann Parker received one shilling. Apparently she was the only daughter of Henry who was married at the time he wrote his will. The other daughters, Mary, Sarah, Rebeccah, Francis and Alisen, are all referred to with the surname, Brewer. For our objective, which is to discover provable lines of descent for males from Henry's father, George Brewer, we are given from Henry's will, five provable grandsons of George Brewer, namely: George, Henry, Hubbard, Isaac, and Oliver. We now look for leads with these five sons.

Son, George Brewer, who we could identify as George³ Brewer (Henry², George¹) to distinguish him from the other George Brewers in the extended family, was left half the mill and some land that is vaguely described in Henry's will. Broyhill (1992) covers George at page 99 and assigns him the number G31, while Varner picks up on George at page 296. George's wife may have been named Mary, but this is not certain. On 1 February 1786, George Brewer and Mary Brewer, of Chatham Co., sold a "tract of land his father Henry Brewer left him," which included the "Mill seat," to William Thetford. I have not examined the original deed (which should be done) but the abstract of the deed as written by Broyhill does not contain any description of a relationship between George Brewer and Mary Brewer. Therefore, Mary, may be George Brewer's wife, but also may have been Henry Brewer's widow, Mary, who had been left the other half of the mill. Note that the deed (as abstracted) in addition to not using the term "wife," also does not use the term "mother." This leaves open the possibility that Henry's wife, Mary, as named in his will, was a second wife, and was not the mother of (at least) George.

Henry Brewer's son George appears to have remained in Chatham County, North Carolina his entire life. He can be found there on the U.S. census records of 1790, 1810, and 1820 (though absent as a head of household in 1800). He is found on numerous deeds in Chatham Co. from 1786 through 1807. A deed of 14 January 1807 identifies a son, Jones Brewer. The land conveyed was on the North side of the Haw River, mentions the line of William Brewer, and was signed only by George Brewer. George's wife, if living, did not have a hand in this deed. On 10 November 1823, administration on the estate of George Brewer was granted to Jones Brewer in Chatham County. As of this writing, Jones Brewer, is the only provable son of  George³ Brewer (Henry², George¹). But there may have been others.

Jones Brewer can be found on the 1810 U.S. census in Chatham Co., North Carolina. Then, in 1812, he is found on the tax roll in District 2, Robertson County, Tennessee. Also on this roll are an Edmund Brewer, an Addison Brewer, and a John Brewer.

Robertson Co. TN 1812 Tax Roll (Tenn. State Library & Archives, via Ancestry.com)

Jones Brewer is found on the U.S. census in District 2, Robertson County, Tennessee in 1830, 1840 and, most importantly, in 1850. The 1850 census is, of course, the first in which the names of all members of a household were recorded. On 28 December 1829, in a deed recorded in Chatham Co., North Carolina, Jones Brewer, of Robertson Co., Tennessee, by his attorney Isaac Kirby, with Henry Brewer as attorney for Kirby, sold a tract of land in Chatham Co., North Carolina. Jones Brewer's wife was Sarah Norwood, as proved by a deed from 1805 involving heirs of Sarah's father. In 1853, Jones Brewer's estate was administered in Robertson County by Addison Brewer. In 1858, Addison Brewer was administrator for the estate of Sarah Brewer. This Addison Brewer was Jones Brewer's son, and it can be shown that Jones also had sons named Edmund (b. 1796) and John N. (b. 1813). Addison was born in 1810 and all are buried in a small family cemetery in Orlinda, Robertson Co., Tennessee. As mentioned above, Jones Brewer first appeared in Robertson County in 1812 with Edmund Brewer, Addison Brewer and John Brewer. Edmund Brewer had been there as early as 1805, when he witnessed the will of William Payne.

William Payne Will, 1805 (Robertson Co., TN Wills 1796-1825, via Family Search)

It is clear that the three, Edmund, Addison, and John, found with Jones Brewer on the 1812 tax roll, were not the sons of Jones by the same names. However, since Jones gave three sons these very names, there is reason to suspect that the three were brothers of Jones Brewer, and therefore sons of George³ Brewer (Henry², George¹). Further research, starting with land records for Robertson County, which unfortunately are not available online, is needed. Others found in Robertson Co., Tennessee, during the years that Jones lived there, and who may be related to Jones Brewer, are an Edward Brewer, a Henry Brewer (b. ca. 1803) and another John Brewer.

As a reminder, the purpose of this project is to identify provable pedigrees from George¹ Brewer to some of the numerous participants in the Brewer DNA Project who claim George¹ as their ancestor. Y-DNA Kit #58365, found on the current Brewer-Lanier Pedigrees page* claims an ancestry from Jones Brewer, through a son named William Brewer, "b. 1794, d. between 1850 and 1851 in Van Buren Co., Arkansas." In the short time I have looked at the family of Jones Brewer, I have not been able to prove that he had a son named William. If proof does exist, we would like to see it, for we would then have a provable pedigree from George¹ to a Y-DNA tested descendant.

The remaining four sons of  Henry² Brewer (George¹), Henry, Hubbard, Oliver and Isaac, will be covered in the next post. Additional details and source citations will be found on the, soon to be launched, Brewer-Lanier Database.

Thanks to Terry White, Diane Daniel and Sharon Dodge to helped with the transcription of Henry Brewer's will.

*Use caution with the pedigrees found on this page. Many are in error or are incomplete. It is hoped that by undergoing this project on George Brewer and his descendants, we can prove some of the pedigrees and correct those that are in error.

Map of Chatham County, North Carolina, 1777

 
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George Brewer, Jr., of Brunswick County, Virginia

George² Brewer (George¹), of Brunswick County, Virginia, was identified as a son in his father's will dated 13 July 1741. George² Brewer in turn left a will of his own dated 16 August 1760 which named eight children including three sons. It is hoped that through one of these three sons a direct male descendant can be found who has already taken a Y-DNA test with the Brewer DNA Project, or who will be willing to join the Project and take a Y-DNA test. Finding such a person will be a significant step in identifying an accurate Y-Chromosome DNA profile for George¹ Brewer. It is suggested that anyone reading this post also have on hand a copy of Marvin T. Broyhill's, Brewer Families of Colonial Virginia, 1626-1776, 1992, which can be found online through the FamilySearch catalog.

Marvin T. Broyhill in his "working draft" or "first draft" titled Brewer Families of Colonial Virginia (1992) covers George² Brewer beginning at page 103. He refers to George as "George Brewer II" and assigns him the number G7. We will not use either of these designations, but instead will use the superscript number 2, to identify George as the one of the second generation. Referring to him as "George, Jr." might also be confusing as George² had a son named George as well, and this son might also be referred to as "George, Jr." Broyhill, himself, seemed to have been confused by the "Jr." designation when writing about the inventories left by each of them. Broyhill's "working draft" of  George² Brewer's family has numerous errors and cannot be used as a source for constructing an accurate pedigree, or lineage, from George² Brewer. Two errors to quickly mention, are the inclusions of a son Jesse Brewer and a daughter Rebecca Brewer. Jesse (numbered G78 by Broyhill) is in fact a son of a William Brewer (probably the son of George¹ but not yet proved), while Rebecca is a daughter of George³ Brewer (George², George¹). Foy E. Varner, Jr., Brewer Families of Southeast America (2003) begins his review of George² Brewer at page 341. This work should be consulted when considering the numerous abstracted records accumulated by Broyhill in his two supplements, that involve men named George Brewer (of which there were more than a few).

The document that we will be using to identify the children of George² Brewer will be his will dated 16 August 1760, and proved in Brunswick County, Virginia on 27 October 1760. The original will is found in the Brunswick County, Virginia, Clerk of the Court's Office, in Book 3,  at page 344. A photocopy of the original was provided to me by Diane Daniel, and it has been placed online. The original was on three large (17 inch long) pages which had to be split so they could be scanned on a 11 x 8.5 scanner bed, creating five pages. There is overlap between pages 2 and 3, and between pages 4 and 5, so use care when reading this document. We will not transcribe this will in it's entirety, but will instead just highlight the mentions of George's children.

It is first noticed that George Brewer does not mention or provide for his wife in his will. From this we can assume that she was deceased prior to 27 October 1760 when the will was written. She has been identified as Abigail Wyche, a daughter of Henry and Frances Wyche. "My daughter Abigail Brewer," is named in Henry Wyche's will dated 4 March 1735/36. Abigail was left "all the land belonging to me on the north side of Beaver Pond Creek in Brunswick County." For a transcription of Henry Wyche's will see "Brunswick County, Virginia, Deeds, Wills, Etc., No. 1, 1732-1740," The Virginia Genealogist Vol. 2 (1958), pp. 126-127.

In his own will, George Brewer first leaves to his son John, "my tract of land scituate on the North side of the Beaver Pond Creek containing two hundred twenty acres, also two hundred forty five acres the lower part of a nother tract on the said Creek containing four hundred and ninety five acres beginning at the mouth of the Ready branch and thence to the back line to include the aforesaid quantities to him and his heirs forever." John also was given a negro girl named Patt and five sheep. Marvin T. Broyhill in his 1992 "working draft," at pages 104-105, incorrectly assigns John³ Brewer (George², George¹) a wife named Mary and is of the belief that he did not leave children. Both are incorrect. John³ Brewer (George², George¹) married Bethia Morris, a daughter of Thomas Morris, and relocated to Hancock County, Georgia in the late 1780s. John Brewer left descendants and will be considered in a future post.

The testator, George Brewer, next leaves "unto my son George Brewer two hundred and forty five acres of land on the Beaver Pond Creek the part of my tract containing four hundred and ninety beginning at the mouth of Ready Branch then to the back line." The son George Brewer also was left a negro boy named Will, a cow and a calf, and five sheep. Broyhill's 1992 "working draft," mentions George³ Brewer (George², George¹) at page 107. The account is brief, no wife or children are mentioned, and the suggestion is made that he is the George Brewer "who shows up in Wilkes County, North Carolina," and states that he had an uncle Burwell Brewer. These suggestions are incorrect. George³ Brewer (George², George¹) outlived his father by only two years (an inventory of his estate was presented in Brunswick Co. Court on 26 July 1762), never left Brunswick County, and had a daughter, Rebecca, who was incorrectly assigned to George² by Broyhill.

"I give and bequeath unto my son Wm Brewer all that part of the tract of land where I now live, on the north side of the falling Run granted in my patent Bearing Date the eighth day of September one Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty Eight also one Hundred and fifty acres adjoining the lower part of said tract of Land beginning at the mouth of a small branch on the north side of the Falling Run at the upper end of the great Meadow thence to my back line to include the aforesaid quantity." William also received his father's "negro man Peter, my horse Ball and one young man and one feather bed and furniture." William Brewer is covered in Broyhill's 1992 "working draft" at pages 105-106, where his wife is stated to be Ann. While this claim appears to be correct, the remainder of Broyhill's account must be questioned. The suggestion is made that he may have moved to Wilkes Co., North Carolina, which is followed by a suggestion that he may have moved to Georgia. Two sons are listed, "William Brewer, Jr." and "James Brewer," but no evidence is provided for either.  William³ Brewer (George², George¹) needs further research. We would be interested to see if the claim made in the pedigrees for kit #s 50104 and 136385, found on the Brewer-Lanier Pedigree page, that William is the William Brewer found in Lancaster Co., South Carolina, can be proved. If so, we would then have a viable pedigree for two claimed descendants of George Brewer who have taken a Y-Chromosome DNA test.

George Brewer next leaves "unto my son Henry Brewer all that part of that tract of Land whereon I live which lie on the South side of the Falling Run, also one Hundred and Thirty acres of Land in the lower part of a tract adjoining the land I live on , also my negro boy Jacob and one feather bed and furniture." Broyhill's 1992 "working draft," covers Henry Brewer at page 108. Henry is assigned a wife named Cinthia, which appears to be correct. However, the claim is made that Henry³ Brewer (George², George¹) was the testator of the will dated 24 April 1802 and proved 25 January 1804 in Brunswick Co., Virginia. He is not. The Henry Brewer who was the testator of this will was a son of William Brewer and had brothers Jesse, James and John (this group to be covered in a future post). Henry³ Brewer (George², George¹) and his wife Cinthia are last found in Brunswick Co., Virginia in 1774, and it has been suggested to me that they then went to Orange County, North Carolina. Further research is needed on Henry, and whether or not he left descendants has yet to be determined.

George Brewer named four daughters in his will. Daughter Sarah Vincent received a negro girl named Lucy, a cow and her calf and two sheep. Daughter Frances Wyche received a negro girl named Nan, three cows and calves, and pewter plates. Daughter Elizabeth Brewer received "my negro wench Hannah." And daughter Abigail Brewer, "my negro wench Milly." The remainder of his estate was to be "equally divided amongst my four youngest children William, Henry, Elizabeth and Abigail," if any "of my last mentioned children should die before they arrive to the age of twenty one or are married," the remainder is to be divided among the surviving children "their age not to be regarded."

It is suggested by Broyhill (1992 "working draft," p. 107) that the daughter Sarah's husband was John Vincent as a John Vincent is named along with Sarah's father George Brewer in some Brunswick Co. Court Orders. A George Wyche is also found in some court orders, but another source suggests that the daughter Frances' husband was a Henry Wyche. Further research is required for both, and further research on both the Vincent and Wyche families as whole might shed more light on the Brewers of Brunswick County as well.

The children William, Henry, Elizabeth and Abigail, were all under age 21 on the day George Brewer wrote his will (16 August 1760). Entries found in the Brunswick County Court Order books show that John Brewer, undoubtedly their older brother, served as guardian for Henry, Elizabeth and Abigail. No appointment of a guardian is found for William and therefore he was likely at least age 18 when his father's estate was settled (the will was proved 27 October 1760). John Brewer was still guardian of Henry and Abigail in September 1767. He was also guardian of a Rebecca Brewer who was incorrectly placed as another daughter of  George². She was not. A correct reading of the court orders shows that Rebecca was a daughter of George³ Brewer (George², George¹). Rebecca's guardian was her uncle, John Brewer, and her mother has not been identified.

In addition to the above eight children mentioned in his will, George Brewer and Abigail Wyche had a ninth child named James Brewer. On 22 July 1757, George Brewer of Brunswick County conveyed to "James Brewer, son of the said George Brewer of same county, out of the Natural Love and Affection which he beareth unto the said James Brewer his son" and for 5 shillings, 270 acres in Brunswick on the south side of the Falling Run, land formerly granted to John Linch and by him conveyed to said George Brewer on Feb. 21, 1743. This deed was witnessed by George Wyche, Thomas Stagg and George Brewer, no doubt George³ Brewer (George², George¹). This son, James Brewer, is not mentioned in his father's will, and he may well have died between the dates of the deed (22 July 1757) and the date of his father's will (16 August 1760). Broyhill (1992 "working draft," p. 104) suggests otherwise, claiming that James Brewer was married to Ann and was the testator of a will dated 27 July 1815 in Brunswick Co., naming his wife, Ann, and ten children. He was not. The James Brewer who left the 27 July 1815 will was a son of William Brewer, and a brother of Jesse, John and Henry.

On 6 December 1771, John Brewer (being John³ Brewer (George², George¹) conveyed to Henry Brewer, "for 5 shillings and natural love and affection," Henry being John's brother, "270 acres on southside of the Falling Run and bounded by the most Ancient, and respected Bounds thereof which said Tract of Land was formerly granted to John Linch by Letters Patent and by said Linch conveyed to George Brewer." This was the same land that John and Henry's father, George Brewer, had conveyed to James Brewer (their brother) in 1757. Clearly something happened to James in the years between 1757 and 1771 for this property to then fall to John Brewer. Perhaps James conveyed the land to John, and then left the Brunswick Co., Virginia area, and that deed went unrecorded (as they sometimes do), or more probably, James died (prior to his father's will) without heirs, and the land reverted back to his father and then went to his oldest surviving son, who in 1771 was John (recall that the son George died in 1762 and the sons William and Henry were under age 21 in 1760).
James³ Brewer (George², George¹) appears to have died early and left no descendants.

Of the nine confirmed children of George² Brewer (George¹), of Brunswick County, Virginia, we are left with three sons, John, William, and Henry, who are possible links for living descendants of George¹ Brewer to connect to. We ask that any current participants who have taken a Y-DNA test with the Brewer DNA Project, and who believe that they are descendants of one of George Brewer's sons, to please contact us with proof for their pedigree so that we can begin to confirm the genetic identity of George¹ Brewer.

Thanks to Diane Daniel who supplied photocopies of the will of George Brewer, as well as copies of the inventory of his estate and of the inventory of the estate of his son George³ Brewer (George², George¹). Also thanks to Diane for helping to clarify and correct the identification of some of the descendants of George² Brewer (George¹). It is quite apparent that her work on the Brunswick County, Virginia branch of this family far exceeds, and is much more accurate and thorough than any published work on this family.

Additional details and source citations will be available online once the Brewer-Lanier Database in launched.

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