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1. GEORGE1 BREWER was born about 1670 in Isle of Wright County, Virginia. He died on 7 Dec 1743 in Brunswick County, Virginia. He was buried in the family cemetery at Rattlesnake Creek, Meherrin Parish, Brunswick County, Virginia.
George’s father is often listed as John Brewer III, but DNA testing has proven this relationship to be false, thus causing a broken link between George’s descendants and the notorious John Brewer I, who was one of the early settlers/planters of Jamestown in the Virginia Colony. I bring this up in hopes of helping to prevent errors for those who are new to researching this family. Logic suggests that these two men are still related, given their surname and that they both lived in the same area, even though there is not a father/son connection, but I don't know if they actually are or what their relationship might be.
This disconnected John Brewer III appears to have been quite an interesting fellow, and still warrants more detailed mention here. This Virginia blacksmith is considered to have been a rebel of his time, suspected of taking part in Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676. However, somehow he avoided being included on Governor Berkeley’s hanging list.
Just a little side note – One of my ancestors through another line, Nathaniel Bacon, who led the rebellion, lived on the north shore of the James River (the Brewers were on the south side). Nathaniel was exiled to Virginia on a tobacco ship by his father because his unauthorized marriage greatly upset the English folks in his community, they having believed that Nathaniel cheated another young man out of his inheritance.
Interestingly, men from the south side of the James River sent one of our ancestors of the Brewer line, John Lanier (probably Sr), along with John Woodlief to see Governor Berkeley about defense against the Indians. Both John Lanier Sr, and his son, John Lanier Jr, were rebels who took part in Bacon's Rebellion. John Lanier Sr represented the people of Charles City to the Governor, and John Jr joined the fighting forces.
Source - Pegsters Family Tree ➚
John Lanier (likely Jr) is said to have camped at Jordon's Point with Nathaniel Bacon during this time. (Jordon's Point was in Virginia, along the south bank of the James River in Charles City County, in a part that became northern Prince George County 1703.)
Now, back to our Brewers… In 1694, almost 20 years after Bacon's Rebellion, John Brewer (assumed to be the above mentioned John Brewer III, but might not be) charged his servant with fornication, resulting in her being sentenced to a brutal whipping. A few months later, this servant girl was again in a court battle, this time accused of having a child out of wedlock. She caused an uproar in the courtroom when she accused John Brewer of being the father. Though she was again sentenced in like manner as before, the court transferred the case to a higher court. John was enraged and tried to sell her to another man, surely to get the situation out of his hair, but she balked at the transfer. The fight dragged on for a year as she argued that John was trying to prevent the expiration of her contract, but she was eventually set free. I have not seen the documents, but it sounds to me like she was an indentured servant rather than a Negro slave. Either way, I’d say this teenage girl had some spunk!
As far as I understand, we don't know who George's parents are. One possibility that I have seen referenced is Nicholas or Henry Brewer and Elizabeth Rice, with his grandfather being another man by the name of George Brewer. I do not know the reasoning for this assumption, but have included it here as a reminder to do more research on the matter.
I am not at all convinced that George’s middle initial was “G”, as often appears in online family trees. I suspect that this assumption was made at some point, based on him signing his name with a “G” instead of an “X”, as shown on his Last Will and Testament, transcribed below, and that the assumption has been passed along and assumed by others to be accurate. It seems to be fairly common for people to sign their name as the initial of their given name. For example, I have also seen a John Brewer make his mark as "J" rather than "X".
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900: This record indicates that he was born in 1670 or 1680 (there are two entries).
The aforementioned database originates from a variety of sources such as family groups sheets, wills, letters, queries etc. Though it is a helpful place to start, I wouldn't rely on it fully at this point without knowing which source this particular information originated from. An un-sourced family group sheet, for example would be of little use in providing concrete proof of genealogical information.
Settlers who lived south of the James River throughout the mountains and valleys of Brunswick County, the residence of many of the Brewers of this time period, were a tough lot and tended to be less dedicated in their faithfulness to the king. There were a lot of rebels there that surely caused some headaches for the more loyal subjects of the colony. I admire the courage of the Brewers and others, who dared to stand strong and unflinching. The Brewer name was well respected in the area.
In 1723 George lived on the lower side of Reedy Branch in Prince George County, which was formed from land on both sides of the James River. This land was, at one time, a part of Charles City County, Virginia.
Prince George County was formed from Charles City County in 1703. Brunswick County was formed along the southern border of Virginia, from parts of Prince George, Surry and Isle of Wright Counties in 1732. Thus, when the Brewers seemed to have migrated from one of these counties to another, they didn't necessarily actually move at all, although some surely did. A careful study of the evolution of these county boundaries should be done before assuming they had changed locales. For an interactive map of the formation of Virginia's counties go here ➚
Unknown. His will was written 13 Jul 1741 and proved 2 Aug 1744. Alternate death date given elsewhere is 2 Jul 1744.
In the name of God Amen: This 13th. Day of July 1741, I, George Brewer of the County of Brunswick, VA being very sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, so make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament. That is to say, principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it. And my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Exor. Not doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased Almighty God to bless me in this life, I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
Imprimis. I give devise and bequeath unto my son William Brewer that parcel of land whereon he now dwelleth beginning at the branch on this side of his house and all on the south side thereof to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give devise and bequeath unto my son Oliver Brewer all the rest of this tract of land whereon I now dwell to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give, devise and bequeath unto my son Henry Brewer all that tract of land between Fountain Creek and Rattle Snake Creek to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give, devise and bequeath unto my son Nathaniel Brewer two hundred and fifty acres of land lying on both sides of the old Roanoak Road, to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give devise and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Vick one hundred and fifty acres of land lying on both sides of of the old Roanoak aforesaid to her and the heirs of her body.
Item. I give and bequeath unto Alice my dearly beloved wife that estate whereon we now dwell together with all my household goods and stock both within doors and without doors for the maintenance of all my younger children that has pleased God to give me by her during her life or until she marry again.
Item. I give unto my son Lanier Brewer a young steer.
Item. I give unto my son George Brewer a young horse.
Item. I give unto my son Nicholas Brewer a cow and calf.
Item. I give unto my son John Brewer a cow and calf.
Item. I give unto my son Hoel Brewer a young horse that we call Snip and feathers to make him a bed.
Item. I give unto my son Henry Brewer a gun.
Item. I give unto my son Oliver Brewer a gun.
Item. I give unto my son Nathaniel Brewer a gun.
Item. It is my true will, intent and pleasure that when my wife dies or marries again that my personal estate together with all my household goods and stock both within doors and without doors may be equally divided among my younger children that it has pleased God to give me by her.
And lastly. I hereby constitute make and ordain my dearly beloved wife Alice my Exor. And my son Hoel Brewer my Exor. Of this my last will and testament to see that it be duly and honestly performed according to the true interest and meaning thereof. And I do hereby utterly, disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other former testaments, wills, legacies and requests and executions by me in any ways before named will’d and bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and none other for to be my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have here set my had and seal the day and year above written.
Signed sealed published and declared by George Brewer as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us the subscribers.
Douglas Powell, M. Shaw, John Norwood
At a court held for Brunswick Co. On the 2nd. Day of Aug. 1744 this will was presented in court by Alice Brewer and Howell Brewer the Exors. Therein named who made oath thereto according to law and was proved by the oaths of Douglas Powell and Middleton Shaw two of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of the said Exors. Certificate is grated them for obtaining a Probate in due form.
Test. Ster Clark, Cir Cur.
Sources -
Brunswick Co. Will Book 2 (1739-1785), p. 19-20
The Long Brewer Line, Colonial Family Genealogy” by B R Brewer, p 39-40
Note -
According to his will he owned a lot of land. Interestingly, he willed his “household goods and stock both within doors and without” for the maintenance of his younger children. I think that in saying “stock” he was referring to his slaves, since colonists reportedly used to think of “their” Negros as livestock in those early days. The African slaves could speak little or no English and clung to their old ways at first, having only recently been captured and removed from their native lands by the slave traders. This likely caused some fear or, at least, caution on the part of the settlers. Views would have been much different in that era than they were by the time of the Civil War. Of course, it is also possible that George simply meant his stock of supplies and food, rather than his slaves.
GEORGE'S PARENTAGE THAT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED AS INCORRECT -
George’s father is often listed as John Brewer III, but DNA testing has proven this relationship to be false, thus causing a broken link between George’s descendants and the notorious John Brewer I, who was one of the early settlers/planters of Jamestown in the Virginia Colony. I bring this up in hopes of helping to prevent errors for those who are new to researching this family. Logic suggests that these two men are still related, given their surname and that they both lived in the same area, even though there is not a father/son connection, but I don't know if they actually are or what their relationship might be.
This disconnected John Brewer III appears to have been quite an interesting fellow, and still warrants more detailed mention here. This Virginia blacksmith is considered to have been a rebel of his time, suspected of taking part in Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676. However, somehow he avoided being included on Governor Berkeley’s hanging list.
Just a little side note – One of my ancestors through another line, Nathaniel Bacon, who led the rebellion, lived on the north shore of the James River (the Brewers were on the south side). Nathaniel was exiled to Virginia on a tobacco ship by his father because his unauthorized marriage greatly upset the English folks in his community, they having believed that Nathaniel cheated another young man out of his inheritance.
Interestingly, men from the south side of the James River sent one of our ancestors of the Brewer line, John Lanier (probably Sr), along with John Woodlief to see Governor Berkeley about defense against the Indians. Both John Lanier Sr, and his son, John Lanier Jr, were rebels who took part in Bacon's Rebellion. John Lanier Sr represented the people of Charles City to the Governor, and John Jr joined the fighting forces.
Source - Pegsters Family Tree ➚
John Lanier (likely Jr) is said to have camped at Jordon's Point with Nathaniel Bacon during this time. (Jordon's Point was in Virginia, along the south bank of the James River in Charles City County, in a part that became northern Prince George County 1703.)
Now, back to our Brewers… In 1694, almost 20 years after Bacon's Rebellion, John Brewer (assumed to be the above mentioned John Brewer III, but might not be) charged his servant with fornication, resulting in her being sentenced to a brutal whipping. A few months later, this servant girl was again in a court battle, this time accused of having a child out of wedlock. She caused an uproar in the courtroom when she accused John Brewer of being the father. Though she was again sentenced in like manner as before, the court transferred the case to a higher court. John was enraged and tried to sell her to another man, surely to get the situation out of his hair, but she balked at the transfer. The fight dragged on for a year as she argued that John was trying to prevent the expiration of her contract, but she was eventually set free. I have not seen the documents, but it sounds to me like she was an indentured servant rather than a Negro slave. Either way, I’d say this teenage girl had some spunk!
GEORGE'S ACTUAL PARENTAGE -
As far as I understand, we don't know who George's parents are. One possibility that I have seen referenced is Nicholas or Henry Brewer and Elizabeth Rice, with his grandfather being another man by the name of George Brewer. I do not know the reasoning for this assumption, but have included it here as a reminder to do more research on the matter.
GEORGE'S FULL NAME -
I am not at all convinced that George’s middle initial was “G”, as often appears in online family trees. I suspect that this assumption was made at some point, based on him signing his name with a “G” instead of an “X”, as shown on his Last Will and Testament, transcribed below, and that the assumption has been passed along and assumed by others to be accurate. It seems to be fairly common for people to sign their name as the initial of their given name. For example, I have also seen a John Brewer make his mark as "J" rather than "X".
GEORGE'S BIRTH DATE SOURCE –
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900: This record indicates that he was born in 1670 or 1680 (there are two entries).
The aforementioned database originates from a variety of sources such as family groups sheets, wills, letters, queries etc. Though it is a helpful place to start, I wouldn't rely on it fully at this point without knowing which source this particular information originated from. An un-sourced family group sheet, for example would be of little use in providing concrete proof of genealogical information.
GEORGE'S RESIDENCES AND AREA HISTORY -
Settlers who lived south of the James River throughout the mountains and valleys of Brunswick County, the residence of many of the Brewers of this time period, were a tough lot and tended to be less dedicated in their faithfulness to the king. There were a lot of rebels there that surely caused some headaches for the more loyal subjects of the colony. I admire the courage of the Brewers and others, who dared to stand strong and unflinching. The Brewer name was well respected in the area.
In 1723 George lived on the lower side of Reedy Branch in Prince George County, which was formed from land on both sides of the James River. This land was, at one time, a part of Charles City County, Virginia.
Prince George County was formed from Charles City County in 1703. Brunswick County was formed along the southern border of Virginia, from parts of Prince George, Surry and Isle of Wright Counties in 1732. Thus, when the Brewers seemed to have migrated from one of these counties to another, they didn't necessarily actually move at all, although some surely did. A careful study of the evolution of these county boundaries should be done before assuming they had changed locales. For an interactive map of the formation of Virginia's counties go here ➚
GEORGE'S DEATH DATE SOURCE –
Unknown. His will was written 13 Jul 1741 and proved 2 Aug 1744. Alternate death date given elsewhere is 2 Jul 1744.
GEORGE BREWER'S WILL -
Transcription:
In the name of God Amen: This 13th. Day of July 1741, I, George Brewer of the County of Brunswick, VA being very sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, so make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament. That is to say, principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it. And my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Exor. Not doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased Almighty God to bless me in this life, I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
Imprimis. I give devise and bequeath unto my son William Brewer that parcel of land whereon he now dwelleth beginning at the branch on this side of his house and all on the south side thereof to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give devise and bequeath unto my son Oliver Brewer all the rest of this tract of land whereon I now dwell to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give, devise and bequeath unto my son Henry Brewer all that tract of land between Fountain Creek and Rattle Snake Creek to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give, devise and bequeath unto my son Nathaniel Brewer two hundred and fifty acres of land lying on both sides of the old Roanoak Road, to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give devise and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Vick one hundred and fifty acres of land lying on both sides of of the old Roanoak aforesaid to her and the heirs of her body.
Item. I give and bequeath unto Alice my dearly beloved wife that estate whereon we now dwell together with all my household goods and stock both within doors and without doors for the maintenance of all my younger children that has pleased God to give me by her during her life or until she marry again.
Item. I give unto my son Lanier Brewer a young steer.
Item. I give unto my son George Brewer a young horse.
Item. I give unto my son Nicholas Brewer a cow and calf.
Item. I give unto my son John Brewer a cow and calf.
Item. I give unto my son Hoel Brewer a young horse that we call Snip and feathers to make him a bed.
Item. I give unto my son Henry Brewer a gun.
Item. I give unto my son Oliver Brewer a gun.
Item. I give unto my son Nathaniel Brewer a gun.
Item. It is my true will, intent and pleasure that when my wife dies or marries again that my personal estate together with all my household goods and stock both within doors and without doors may be equally divided among my younger children that it has pleased God to give me by her.
And lastly. I hereby constitute make and ordain my dearly beloved wife Alice my Exor. And my son Hoel Brewer my Exor. Of this my last will and testament to see that it be duly and honestly performed according to the true interest and meaning thereof. And I do hereby utterly, disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other former testaments, wills, legacies and requests and executions by me in any ways before named will’d and bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and none other for to be my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have here set my had and seal the day and year above written.
his
George G Brewer (LS)
mark
Signed sealed published and declared by George Brewer as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us the subscribers.
Douglas Powell, M. Shaw, John Norwood
At a court held for Brunswick Co. On the 2nd. Day of Aug. 1744 this will was presented in court by Alice Brewer and Howell Brewer the Exors. Therein named who made oath thereto according to law and was proved by the oaths of Douglas Powell and Middleton Shaw two of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of the said Exors. Certificate is grated them for obtaining a Probate in due form.
Test. Ster Clark, Cir Cur.
Sources -
Brunswick Co. Will Book 2 (1739-1785), p. 19-20
The Long Brewer Line, Colonial Family Genealogy” by B R Brewer, p 39-40
Note -
According to his will he owned a lot of land. Interestingly, he willed his “household goods and stock both within doors and without” for the maintenance of his younger children. I think that in saying “stock” he was referring to his slaves, since colonists reportedly used to think of “their” Negros as livestock in those early days. The African slaves could speak little or no English and clung to their old ways at first, having only recently been captured and removed from their native lands by the slave traders. This likely caused some fear or, at least, caution on the part of the settlers. Views would have been much different in that era than they were by the time of the Civil War. Of course, it is also possible that George simply meant his stock of supplies and food, rather than his slaves.
George1 Brewer married SARAH LANIER, daughter of JOHN JAMES LANIER JR and SARAH EDMUNDS, before 1700 in Charles City County, Virginia Colony. Sarah was born in 1686 in Isle of Wright County, Virginia. She died in Brunswick County, Virginia. She was buried in the Meherrin Parish Graveyard at Rattlesnake Creek in Brunswick County, likely laid to rest beside her husband.
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 (ancestry.com) indicates that she was born in 1686, but I don't know whether this date was extracted from a reliable document, so for now it must be taken with a grain of salt.
Her ancestors were French Huguenots, and she had a rich heritage of prominent musicians who entertained in the English king’s court. There is quite a bit of information on them to be found online.
Sarah's grandparents, John Lanier and Lucreece, along with 45 other people, were transported by Howell Pryce. (There was a provision made in Virginia back then that, if a man would pay for the transportation - cost of the ship voyage across the Atlantic Ocean- of immigrants, the man would be compensated with a certain number of acres of land per person transported.)
Source - Pegsters Family Tree ➚
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 (ancestry.com) which was compiled from various sources, some reliable and some not.
The widely accepted marriage date of 1705 was likely estimated by various researchers. George and Sarah were probably married much earlier, if the birth date of their oldest child (1700) is accurate.
Source - The Family of George Brewer of Brunswick County ➚
There are two records found on ancestry.com under “US and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900” for the marriage of George Brewer and Sarah Lanier. One indicates that George was born in 1670 and married Sarah in 1705. The other suggests that he was born in 1680 and married Sarah in 1700. Either or neither might actually be correct. Both agree that they were born in Virginia and that Sarah was born in 1686. Below, I have combined the two indexed records into one:
Name – George Brewer
Gender – Male
Birth Place – Virginia
Birth Year – 1670 (1680)
Spouse Name – Sarah Lanier
Spouse Birth Place – Virginia
Spouse Birth Year – 1686
Marriage Year – 1705 (1700)
Marriage State – Virginia
She was willed a cow in 1719 by her father. While this may have been a sizable gift back then, it is also likely that she received other gifts previously or that there was a dowry granted upon her marriage to George Brewer. This could be why she was not given more in her father's will.
Transcription -
In The Name of God Amen: I, John Lanier, in the County of Prince George, being very weak and ailing in Body, but in perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God, therefore it is appointed for all men once to dye, I do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all, I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and for my body I commend it to the Earth to be buried in a Christian Like and Decent manner, to the Discretion of my Executor, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection, I shall receive the same again, by the mighty power of God, and as touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, devise and dispose of the same in the manner and form.
First, I give to my son Robert Lanier, one Shilling.
Secondly, I give to my son John Lanier, one Shilling.
Thirdly, I give to my son Sampson Lanier, one Shilling.
Fourthly, I give to my Daughter, Sarah Brewer one cow or heifer of three years old.
Fifthly, I give to my grandson John Lanier, the son of Nicholas Lanier my son, a feather bed and bolster and blankets and rugs all new and good and a small gun well fixt, and I give to him two pewter dishes and basin and one chest with lock and key and six spoons, one iron pot, and pothooks and frying pan and a small pair of steelyards and two combs and a young horse of three years old, and three sheep.
Lastly, I give to my son Nicholas Lanier, all the land which I now live upon, and all my land on the Otterdams, to him and his heirs forever, and I give to my son Nicholas all my movable and immovable. I do make my son, Nicholas Lanier, my whole and sole Exor. of this my last Will and Testament, to see that it is performed as Witness by hand and seal this the 5th day of January 1717.
Probated April 14, 1719, in Prince George County.
John Lanier (Sealed with red wax)
Witnesses:
William Peebles
Henry Peebles
Thomas Burrow
Sarah Lanier’s death has been estimated as 1728, possibly because it was assumed that George remarried (1730) within a couple of years after her death, but her death date still needs to be proven. From the above will we do know, at the very least, that she died sometimes after 5 Jan 1717/1718.
SARAH LANIER'S BIRTH DATE SOURCE –
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 (ancestry.com) indicates that she was born in 1686, but I don't know whether this date was extracted from a reliable document, so for now it must be taken with a grain of salt.
SARAH'S ANCESTRY -
Her ancestors were French Huguenots, and she had a rich heritage of prominent musicians who entertained in the English king’s court. There is quite a bit of information on them to be found online.
Sarah's grandparents, John Lanier and Lucreece, along with 45 other people, were transported by Howell Pryce. (There was a provision made in Virginia back then that, if a man would pay for the transportation - cost of the ship voyage across the Atlantic Ocean- of immigrants, the man would be compensated with a certain number of acres of land per person transported.)
Source - Pegsters Family Tree ➚
GEORGE AND SARAH'S MARRIAGE DATE SOURCE –
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 (ancestry.com) which was compiled from various sources, some reliable and some not.
The widely accepted marriage date of 1705 was likely estimated by various researchers. George and Sarah were probably married much earlier, if the birth date of their oldest child (1700) is accurate.
Source - The Family of George Brewer of Brunswick County ➚
There are two records found on ancestry.com under “US and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900” for the marriage of George Brewer and Sarah Lanier. One indicates that George was born in 1670 and married Sarah in 1705. The other suggests that he was born in 1680 and married Sarah in 1700. Either or neither might actually be correct. Both agree that they were born in Virginia and that Sarah was born in 1686. Below, I have combined the two indexed records into one:
Name – George Brewer
Gender – Male
Birth Place – Virginia
Birth Year – 1670 (1680)
Spouse Name – Sarah Lanier
Spouse Birth Place – Virginia
Spouse Birth Year – 1686
Marriage Year – 1705 (1700)
Marriage State – Virginia
SARAH'S INHERITANCE -
She was willed a cow in 1719 by her father. While this may have been a sizable gift back then, it is also likely that she received other gifts previously or that there was a dowry granted upon her marriage to George Brewer. This could be why she was not given more in her father's will.
HER FATHER'S WILL -
Transcription -
In The Name of God Amen: I, John Lanier, in the County of Prince George, being very weak and ailing in Body, but in perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God, therefore it is appointed for all men once to dye, I do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all, I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and for my body I commend it to the Earth to be buried in a Christian Like and Decent manner, to the Discretion of my Executor, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection, I shall receive the same again, by the mighty power of God, and as touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, devise and dispose of the same in the manner and form.
First, I give to my son Robert Lanier, one Shilling.
Secondly, I give to my son John Lanier, one Shilling.
Thirdly, I give to my son Sampson Lanier, one Shilling.
Fourthly, I give to my Daughter, Sarah Brewer one cow or heifer of three years old.
Fifthly, I give to my grandson John Lanier, the son of Nicholas Lanier my son, a feather bed and bolster and blankets and rugs all new and good and a small gun well fixt, and I give to him two pewter dishes and basin and one chest with lock and key and six spoons, one iron pot, and pothooks and frying pan and a small pair of steelyards and two combs and a young horse of three years old, and three sheep.
Lastly, I give to my son Nicholas Lanier, all the land which I now live upon, and all my land on the Otterdams, to him and his heirs forever, and I give to my son Nicholas all my movable and immovable. I do make my son, Nicholas Lanier, my whole and sole Exor. of this my last Will and Testament, to see that it is performed as Witness by hand and seal this the 5th day of January 1717.
Probated April 14, 1719, in Prince George County.
John Lanier (Sealed with red wax)
Witnesses:
William Peebles
Henry Peebles
Thomas Burrow
SARAH'S DEATH DATE SOURCE -
Sarah Lanier’s death has been estimated as 1728, possibly because it was assumed that George remarried (1730) within a couple of years after her death, but her death date still needs to be proven. From the above will we do know, at the very least, that she died sometimes after 5 Jan 1717/1718.
George1 Brewer and Sarah Lanier had the following children.
(Proven - Each is listed as a child of George Brewer in his will in 1741)
2 M i. GEORGE2 BREWER II born 1700-1706. He died 16 Aug 1760 (will) - 27 Oct 1760 (proved). ➙
3 M ii. JOHN2 BREWER was born about 1703 or before 1715. He died about 10 Jan 1780. ➙
4 M iii. LANIER2 BREWER was born about 1706 or before 1715. He died in 1795. ➙
5 M iv. HOWELL2 BREWER SR was born about 1709 or before 1715. ➙
6 M v. WILLIAM2 BREWER was born about 1712 or before 1715. He died in 1773. ➙
7 M vi. NICHOLAS2 BREWER was born 1705-1715. He died after Jul 1792. ➙
8 F vii. SARAH2 BREWER was born before 1720. She died before 1787 ➙
George1 Brewer also married ALICE (BURWELL?) about 1730 in Virginia. Alice was born about 1674. She died after 1750 in Brunswick County, Virginia Colony. It has been widely accepted that Alice's maiden name was Burwell, but I don't know if any concrete documentation exists that can be used as proof.
George1 Brewer and Alice (Burwell?) may have had the following children.
(Proven - Each is listed as a child of George Brewer in his will in 1741)
9 M ix. OLIVER2 BREWER was born after 1721. He died after 14 Oct 1792 (will). ➙
10 M viii. HENRY2 LANIER BREWER, born by 1721-1726, d. 2 Sep 1778 (will) - Feb 1779 (proved). ➙
11 M x. NATHANIEL2 BREWER was born about 1730. He died before 6 Apr 1804. ➙
Some researchers also show Burwell, Joseph, and Boyce Brewer as George and Alice's children, but I am not aware of any information that proves this connection, and none of them were mentioned in George's will.
I'm a descendant of George Brewer and Alice Burwell. Have you been able to verify George's parents and grandparents? Has anyone?
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