Dutchess County, New York Wills

Dutchess County, New York, one of the twelve original counties of New York was formed in 1683. For a time Dutchess County was annexed to Ulster County and some records up to 1713 may be found in Ulster County. In 1812, the southern part of Dutchess County was set off as Putnam County. Prior to 1812 Dutchess County bordered the north boundary of Westchester County. Genealogical research in Dutchess County during the colonial period can be difficult. This is due to a number of reasons including gaps in the records of the then existent churches, a low rate of land ownership among those who lived in the county (most were tenant farmers) and a lack of burial records and surviving grave markers. Wills and other probate records help to fill in some gaps. During the colonial period, most wills written by residents of Dutchess County, were probated and/or filed in either New York County or at Albany, and some may be found in Ulster County. Once the State of New York was formed (after the Independence of the United States) the recording and filing of wills and other probate records were handled by the Surrogate's Court within each county.

An index for Dutchess County Wills can be found at FamilySearch.org in their "New York Probate Records, 1629-1971" collection. This link will take you to the first page of entries that begin with the letter B. The entries are arranged by year and then in the order of how they appear in the will books. Essentially, they are in a chronological order. They are not alphabetized, so one has to scan through each page looking for a name of interest. Here are the BROWERs and BREWERs. The will books for Dutchess County begin in the year 1787. The format used below is Name-Year-Book:Page followed by a brief abstract. Please don't simply rely on the abstract, consult the original. The link takes you to the will. Please note that the first ten pages of this index, beginning with image 6, and ending with image 16, lists the wills of Dutchess County residents that were filed in Albany. These wills pre-date 1787. The pages for this list are not collated alphabetically. Included in this list is the 1780 will of William Brower, which is not included below.

Cornelius Brewer - 1805 - B:575. Dated 8 February 1805. Cornelius Brewer of Poughkeepsie being in good health and perfect memory. Eldest son Nazareth. My sons Nazareth Brewer, John Brewer, Cornelius Brewer, Charles Brewer and Jacob Brewer. The heirs of the body of my daughter Elizabeth, deceased. My daughters Mary, Ann and Sarah. Debts owed by Ferdinand Van Sicklen to be taken out of the share of the heirs of daughter Elizabeth. Mentions his daughter's husbands, Bernardus Swartwout, Andrew Lawson and Samuel Pinkney, Junr. Appoints sons Nazareth and John Brewer as executors. No mention of a wife. Proved 23 October 1805.

Garret Brower - 1812 - D:100. Dated 3 March 1812. Garret Brower of Fishkill, weak in body but of sound mind and memory. Son Henry, three acres of land on the east end of my farm...when he is of lawful age. Property for the use of my wife Mary so that she may educate my children (not named). Mentions "all my children," but not by name and implies that they are under age. Catherine Chatterton "the woman who is living in my family," to be provided for, for life, out of my estate. Appoints as executors his wife Mary Brower, brother William Brower and Theodorus W. Van Wyck. Proved 2 June 1812.

Nazareth Brewer - 1815 - E:347. Also see the post of November 3, 2011. Dated 5 August 1817. Nazareth Brewer of Poughkeepsie. Mentions "my wife Deborah and my children under age." One hundred dollars for Nazareth Taylor son of John Taylor when he comes of age. Remainder of estate to be equally divided among wife Deborah and children viz: John, Charles, Henry, William, Philip Van Cortlandt, Robert, James, Jane, Mary, Elizabeth, Harriet and Sally. Executors: James Dearin, Samuel Luckey, Junr., and Samuel Bogardus. Proved 19 November 1817. [Note: Nazareth Brewer was married three times and had fifteen children].

Susan Brower - 1850 - Q:383. Dated 11 November 1846. Susan Brower of Fishkill, being of sound mind and memory. Household furniture to my two daughters, Letty wife of John L. Tanner, and Susan Eliza wife of William Brewster. Three sons, Abraham, Joseph and Sylvester, the sum of fifty dollars. Three grandchildren, Susan Louisa Brower, Cornelia Brower and William Brower, the children of my son William Brower, deceased, the sum of twenty dollars. Residue to above named daughters Letty and Susan Eliza. Executor: friend William Baxter. Signs with her mark. Witnesses: Anthony Armstrong and William Baxter, both of Fishkill. Proved 23 July 1850 by Anthony Armstrong. Doctor Baxter was in California at the time. [She is Susannah Green, the wife of William Brouwer/Brower (1753-1841). The deceased son William is the William W. Brower named in the will of his brother Abraham Brower, below].

Abraham Brower - 1858 - U:487. Dated 18 April 1851. Abraham Brower of Fishkill, being of sound mind and memory. Leaves to beloved wife Jane Ann and her heirs, all debts due to her in her name. Most of his estate is left to his wife Jane Ann, but legacies are left to the "children of my brother William W. Brower deceased," named as Susan Louisa Brower, Caroline Brower and William Brower. Executor: friend Samuel H. Jones of New Hamburgh. Witnesses: Elias Brower, Charles Griffin, Junr., Joseph L. Jones, all of New Hamburgh. Probate 4 October 1860. The probate records mention Sylvester Brower and Joseph Brower, and identify Jane Ann as Jane Ann Farrington. [see Susan Brower's will above].

Mahala Brewer - 1867 - Y:135. Dated 28 December 1859. Mahala Brewer of East Fishkill, being of sound health to the body and mind. "All of my property having been made by my own earnings and savings..." Leaves legacies to Theodorus Polhemus Van Wyck of Davenport, Iowa; Rev. Polhemus Van Wyck of West Farms, Westchester Co., New York, "in consideration of my attachment to him since childhood..." then to his oldest son should he die. Mentions the children of Theodorus J. Van Wyck of Davenport, Iowa as Jacob B. Van Wyck and Maria B. Van Wyck. Brother William Brewer of Stanford, Dutchess County. Sister Betsey Tuttle, wife of Jessey Tuttle of New Paltz in Ulster County. Property otherwise not disposed of after debts are paid to be given to Hannah Maria Rapalie, wife of Lawrence Rapalie of East Fishkill (no specific relationship stated). Appoints friend T. Van Wyck Brinkinhoff of East Fishkill as sole executor. Witnesses: Abraham Adriance and Isaac C. Adriance, both of East Fishkill. Proved 23 April 1867.

James C. D. Brower - 1872 - 2:33. Dated 1 July 1871. James C. D. Brower of the Town of Fishkill, being of sound mind and memory. Names his wife Rachel Ann Brower. What is left to her is to be given to son Edgar Brower, after her decease. Mentions daughter Emmeline and "my other children" (not by name). Appoints as executors, my said wife Rachel Ann Brower of Wappingers Falls, Dutchess County, and Edmund S. Phillips of Matteawan. Witnesses Edmund S. Phillips and Rebecca Phillips of Matteawan, Dutchess Co., New York. Proved 10 October 1872.

Peter Brower - 1872 - 2:170. Dated 23 Nov 1872. Peter Brower of Poughkeepsie, aware of the uncertainty of life and being of sound mind and memory. Daughter Catharine E. Brower, six hundred dollars. Son George W. Brower, two hundred dollars. Daughter Eliza, widow of Jacob Van Horn, my family Bible to be retained by her and kept in the Brower family "thinking as I do that the older it is the more it will be prized." Son John Brower, one hundred dollars. Executor empowered to sell my house and lot on the main road heading to New Hamburgh from Wappingers Falls, with proceeds to be divided among children Catherine ($600), George ($200) and John ($100). Lawful debts and funeral expenses and the erection of a monument in the memory of my beloved wife to be paid out of estate. Remainder to be divided among my children viz: John Brower, William H. Brower, Richard M. Brower, Martin V. B. Brower, Eliza widow of Jacob Van Horn, Lottie M. wife of Roswell R. McCulla, and Susan wife of Samuel Spudling. Appoints George Delavergne of Fishkill as executor. Signs with his mark. Witnesses: John Rusk and Alonzo DeLaVergne, both of Wappingers Falls. Proved 28 February 1873.

Sarah Brower - 1893 - 12:64. Dated 6 February 1889. Sarah Brower of Wappingers Falls, being of sound mind and memory. All estate real and personal to be divided among my five children viz: Abraham S. Brower, Catharine A. Houseworth, Andrew S. Brower, Charles H. Brower and Susan E. Halstead. Appoints daughter Catharine A. Houseworth as executrix. Witnesses: James A. Redfield, James C. Turner, both of Wappingers Falls. Codicil dated 4 May 1891 regarding a debt due Sarah by her daughter Susie E. Halstead. Witnesses: George Wood, James C. Turner. Recorded 29 May 1893. Proofs recorded in Lib. 3 of "Proofs of Wills." [Note: Sarah is Sarah Lott, wife of Sylvester Brower who is a brother of the above Abraham Brower and son of the above Susan Brower].

Martin V. B. Brower - 1898 - 14:143. Dated 18 January 1898. Martin V. B. Brower of Poughkeepsie, being of sound mind and memory. One hundred dollars to be paid to Frank Gilmore the son of my deceased wife, in case of his death to be equally divided among my children. Three hundred dollars to be deposited in the Wappingers Savings Bank for Ethel Doxy, daughter of my deceased daughter Lillie M. Doxy, to be paid to her with interest when she is 21 years of age. My two sons Albert W. Brower and Henry F. Brower to receive rest and residue of estate. Aforementioned sons are appointed executors. Witnesses: Walter Farrington and John T. Vevine, both of Poughkeepsie. Recorded 21 March 1898. Proofs in Lib. 4 of Proofs of Wills.

James Brower - 1898 - 14:232. Dated May 1875. James Brower of Poughkeepsie. Personal property to wife Cordelia Brower. Empowers executors to mortgage or sell real estate. Wife Cordelia Brower to receive all rents from real estate, etc. After my wife's death all real estate to be devised to my children equally, share and share alike (children's names not recorded). Appoints wife Cordelia Brower and friend James Dearing as executors. Witnesses: Edward Crummy, Joseph P. English, David S. Alverson, all of Poughkeepsie. Recorded 5 July 1898. Proofs in Lib. 4 of Proofs of Wills.

Jeremiah C. Brower - 1899 - 14:415. Dated 23 April 1898. Jeremiah C. Brower of LaGange, being of sound mind and memory. Wife Mary E. Brower to be paid $1000 out of my estate within six months of my decease. She also to have my Singer Sewing Machine and my parlor bed furniture, in lieu of her dower. Remainder to my two sons, William H. Brower and Charles C. Brower. Executors to sell real estate at their discretion. Appoints his two sons executors. Witnesses: Edgar A. Briggs and Charles H. Hopkins, both of Poughkeepsie. Recorded 23 January 1899. Proofs in Lib. 4 of Proofs of Wills.

Caroline S. Brower - 1903 - 16:474. Will Book 16 has not been made available online.

Benjamin W. Brower - 18:282. Will Book 18 has not been made available online.

Some information in the above abstracts is not found on the current edition of the Brouwer Genealogy Database (BGD). Information in these abstracts adds to the profiles of a few of the individuals found on the BGD and in some cases adds new individuals or places previously unplaced individuals in existing families. For example, William W. Brower, named in the wills of Susan Brower and Abraham Brower, is not placed on the current BGD. He can now be added to the family of William Brower (1753-1841) and Susannah Green (1775-1850). Unfortunately, because of changes at RootsWeb Free Pages (which hosts the BGD pages) future updates to the BGD website will no longer be possible.

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BROWER in Saratoga County, New York Wills

Brief abstracts and links to the Wills of persons surnamed BROWER as found in the Probate Records of Saratoga County, New York. Saratoga County, along with Rensselaer County, was created from Albany County, New York in 1791. Digital images of the wills are found at FamilySearch.org under the collection titled "New York Probate Records, 1629-1971," sub-collection, Saratoga County.

Saratoga County Index to Wills, 1799-1893, Vols. 1-31. Letter B begins at image 18.

- Hendrick Brower, will dated 20 April 1813. Proved 7 January 1817. Vol. 5, pp. 16-18 . Hendrick Brower of Stillwater, Saratoga County, "being sick and weak of body but of perfect sound disposing mind and memory." All estate to be placed in the hands of loving wife (name not stated) for her use during her life. After her decease to be divided between my four daughters equally (daughter's names are not stated). Ordered that Jonathan Carr after my decease shall have and improve my farm as long as the lease lasts. My stock to be divided between my three sons or their children (names not stated). Appoints Jonathan Carr and Timothy Munger executors. Signs with his mark. Witnesses: Lucretia Chandler, Abigail Elms, Thomas Chandler.

The will of Hendrick Brower of Stillwater, NY (Image from FamilySearch.org)

- Elizabeth V. Brower, will dated 8 June 1882. Recorded 11 September 1882. Vol. 27, pp. 254-257 (the will is on page 256). Elizabeth V. Brower of Milton, Saratoga County. All real estate to my son Francis D. Brower. He is to make payments to my other sons, Sandy Clark Brower and William Russell Brower, and to his son (meaning Francis' son) William Clarence Brower, when he reaches the age of 21. Also to Alfred Brower, son of said William Russell Brower, when he attains 21 years of age. Should Alfred die before that time then payment is to be made to said William Russell Brower. Francis is also ordered to use the income from the real estate "for the support, clothing and maintenance of my husband Henry Brower..." Grandson Alfred Brower to have my gold watch. Adopted daughter Hattie the remainder of jewelry, one bed and bedding. The rest of personal property to Alice C. Brower wife of said Francis D. Brower. Son Francis D. Brower appointed sole executor. Signed Elizabeth V. Brower. Witnesses: James W. Verbeck of Ballston Spa, and Arnold Karley of Wocester County, Massachusetts.

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BREWER in Saratoga County, New York Deeds

A List of BREWERs in the Saratoga County, New York Deed Books

Saratoga County and Rensselaer County were created out of Albany County in 1791

Grantors Index Vol. 1, 1791-1869

Josiah and James Brewer of Malta to Peter Derby, et al, Vol. UU, p. 205 (Index page 246)

Amanda and Henry Brewer of Northumberland to George Brewer of Saratoga, Vol. 61, p. 306 (Index page 247)

William H. Brewer of Schuylerville to Daniel A. Bullard, Vol. 82, p. 267-268 (Index page 247)

Isaac Brewer of Saratoga to Robert Machburn, Vol. 83, p. 34 (Index page 247)

Isaac Brewer to Jacob Brewer, both of Saratoga, Vol. 88, p. 41 (Index page 247)

Daniel and Louisa Brewer of Saratoga to Amos Flansburgh, Vol. 90, p. 468 (Index page 248)

John and Sophronia Brewer of Saratoga to Richard Sherman, Vol. 102, p. 374 (Index page 248)

George and Nancy Brewer to Mary E. Brewer, all of Schuylerville Vol. 114, p. 376-377 (Index page 248)

Grantees Index Vol. 1, 1791-1869

Henry Brewer of Saratoga from Teunis Van Vechten of Albany, Vol. XX, p. 51 (Index page 247) 

George Brewer of Saratoga from George Strover, et al, Vol. 61, p. 303 (Index page 247) 

Daniel Brewer of Saratoga from Samuel Y. Rockwell, et al, Vol. 78, p. 288 (Index page 247) 

Elizabeth and Isaac Brewer of Saratoga from George Stover, et al, Vol. 83, p. 35 (Index page 247) 

Isaac Brewer of Saratoga from William Wilcox, et al, Vol. 83, p. 456 (Index page 247) 

Jacob Brewer from Isaac Brewer, both of Saratoga, Vol. 88, p. 41 (Index page 247) 

John Brewer of Saratoga from Mary V. B. Barrett, et al, Vol. 97, p. 378 (Index page 248) 

John Brewer of Saratoga from John Benedict, et al, Vol. 97, p. 379 (Index page 248) 

William Brewer of Saratoga from Joshua Curtis, et al, Vol. 101, p. 513-514 (Index page 248) 

William Henry Brewer and Juda Brewer, his mother, of Saratoga, from Phineas Richardson, et al, Vol. 104, p. 536 (Index page 248) 

Mary Brewer from George Brewer, et al, all of Schuylerville, Vol. 114, p. 376 (Index page 248) 

George Brewer from Jacob Brewer, et al, all of Schuylerville, Vol. 114, p. 380 (Index page 248) 

Please use the Comments option below to report any bad links, or to share any additional information on any of the persons mentioned above. 

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BROWER in Saratoga County, New York Deeds

A List of BROWERs Found in the Saratoga County, New York Books of Deeds
Saratoga County and Rensselaer County were created out of Albany County in 1791

Grantors Index Vol. 1, 1791-1869

Jacob Brower of Duane Borough to Andrew McAdam, Vol. A, p. 371, 19 Oct 1792 (Indexed at page 274)

William Brower of Westchester County to Matthew Marricke, Vol. A pp. 234-235, 17 Feb 1795 (Index p. 274)

Jeremiah Brower of Clinton, Dutchess County to Teunis Swart, Vol. B, p. 2, 27 Apr 1797 (Index page 274)

Sperry D. Brower & Wife of Albany to Benjamin Lattimore, Vol. YY, p. 389, 1 May 1847 (Index page 276)

S. Douglas Brower, et al to Henry Stevens, et al, Vol. 61, p. 451-452 (Index page 276)

Abigail and John Brower of Saratoga Springs to William S. Turner, Vol. 67, p. 252 (Index page 277)

Elizabeth Brower of Cornith, New York, et al to Beriah Palmer, Vol. 91, p. 218 (Index page 277)

Catharine and John Brower of Galway, Saratoga Co., to William H. Jansen, Vol. 101, p. 117 (Index page 278)

Grantees Index Vol. 1, 1791-1869

Sperry D. Brower of Albany from George Hoyt, Vol. YY, p. 134, 18 Jan 1843 (Index page 275) 

John Brower of Saratoga Co., from Phebe Denton, Vol. 65, p. 530-531 (Index page 276) 

Nicholas and Rhoda Brower of Balston Spa, from Jonathan S. Beach, et al, Vol. 88, p. 405 (Index page 277) 

John C. Brower of St. Johnsville, Montgomery Co., from Daniel Yanney, et al, Vol. 96, p. 370 (Index page 277) 

Abigail Brower of Cornith, from Franklin Carpenter, Vol. 97, p. 79 (Index page 277) 

Elizabeth Brower of Cornith, from Betsey Raymond, et al, Vol. 98, p. 467 (Index page 277) 

Elizabeth V. Brower of Milton, from Otis Bentley, Vol. 107, p. 551 (Index page 278) 

Elizabeth A. Brower of Cornith, from Mary A. Bradley, Vol. 109, p. 196 (Index page 278) 

Please use the Comments option below to report any bad links. 

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The Monmouth County, New Jersey Estate and Proceedings Indexes

Locating wills, estate files, probate and guardianship records in Monmouth County, New Jersey is not easy. Only a genius could come up with the cumbersome, convoluted and time consuming method of indexing that is used for Monmouth County estate records. The procedure involves first finding the individual you are targeting in the Estate Index, which then tells you where to find that individual in the Proceedings Index. The individual's entry in the Proceedings Index, then tells you where to find specific documents in the various books and dockets (Wills, Inventories, Minutes, etc.). Of course the Estate Index is not arranged in strict alphabetical order, but instead by that old time system which uses "key letters." On a positive note, these indexes are now online at FamilySearch.org. In the past, using them required either ordering multiple films from the Family History Library, or making a visit in person to Monmouth County. After about a half hour of maneuvering around the online images I was able to locate the pages for those named BROWER, BREWER, BRUER, BRUERE.

And so, in order to save all those interested some time, here is a link to the very first page in the Proceedings Index for those individuals with the surname BROWER, BREWER, BRUER, BRUERE. The pages are in Volume 2 and run from page 65 (image 471) to page 77 (image 483). Each "block" contains the name of an individual and a list of documents regarding that individual and where those documents are located. Note that not all of the books or dockets containing the original documents have been placed online. As of this posting, those that are online for Monmouth County include Wills, Letters of Administrations, Minutes of the Orphans Court, and a few others.

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Educating Yourself About DNA Testing

I've been involved with using DNA testing as an additional tool and resource in solving genealogy problems, and co-administrator of the Brewer DNA Project for nine or so years now. Back in the mid 2000 this was a new area for all of us, and it still is new for many coming to it for the first time. There was (and still is) a lot to learn. One of my observations has been that many, probably most people who order DNA tests, do so without having acquired much knowledge or understanding about what their tests will tell them, and how their results can be used. I'm left with wondering why anyone would invest the money in purchasing tests (they're not cheap) but not invest the time in understanding the concepts and results of what it is they're purchasing. With that, here are some links and recommendations for online material that will help those who wish to get a better understanding of DNA testing and how it might help with your genealogy research. Many of these links (along with others) are also found on this website's Genetic Genealogy Page. My hope is that placing them in a post will increase their exposure to those who are looking to learn more.

The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy and Genetic Genealogy in Practice, both by Blaine Bettinger, both published in late 2016. If you are new to DNA testing start here. If you've been involved with some testing, read them as well. There is some duplication between the two, but I recommend both. Start with the first. Here are online reviews for The Family Tree Guide..., and Genetic Genealogy...

A bare bones synopsis of the absolute basics of Genetic Genealogy in a short blog post by Emma Young on the Family Search blog. An Introduction to Genetic Genealogy.

What is a STR (Short Tandem Repeat)? How are they used in Genetic Genealogy?

What is a SNP (Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism)? A bit more on SNPs from ISOGG. And more on Y-SNP Testing from ISOGG. And while you are there, don't be shy about exploring the entire ISOGG website. There are a lot of links, sources and material for you to investigate whatever aspect of Genetic Genealogy interests you.

Here is an older paper (PDF) from 2008 by Blaine Bettinger, "Interpreting The Results of My Genetic Genealogy Test, Now What?"

Thinking About a BigY Test at Family Tree DNA?, Blaine Bettinger, August 1, 2017. Some background and some basics on how to use your Big-Y test results. NEW and very relevant for our current Big-Y Test participants.

BigY at the Family Tree DNA Learning Center. Basics on the test with FAQs and a link to the BigY white paper, "Introduction to the BigY," from 2014. And a video on YouTube from FTDNA titled, "Getting to Know Your Big-Y Results."

How Y-DNA Can Help Your One Name Study Project, video by Maurice Gleason.

Some background on the YFull service from the Cruwys News website.

Family Tree DNA's Book and Video recommendations. This page may be a little dated and the two books by Blaine Bettinger mentioned above, and not on this list, is the place to start, but there may be specific topics of individual interest here to some. For those who want to take all of this even further here is FTDNA's Library of Scientific Papers.

This is just a start, and perhaps in time as new sites or sources appear I'll add them to this post. I also invite anyone who has recommendations (books, websites, videos) of their own to use the Comments option for the post as a vehicle to share them with others. And here is something I was told many years ago - Pick a subject, any subject, and spend one hour a day reading and learning about it. In one year you'll be an expert on that subject. I'll add to that something a bit more specific - what you get out of your investment in your DNA testing is going to correlate directly to just how much effort you put into learning about it.

Our Big Tree. Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

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