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2. GEORGE2 BREWER II, (GEORGE1) was born in 1700 (often listed elsewhere as 1718) in Surry County, Virginia. He had slaves, a mill, and hundreds of acres of land. He died after 16 Aug 1760 (will) at Beaver Pond Creek, Brunswick County, Virginia and was buried on the north side of Falling Run in Brunswick County, Virginia, on land willed to his son, William (graveyard mentioned in land sale, see Diane Daniel's comment). George married ABIGAIL WYCHE, (proven by mother's will) daughter of HENRY WYCHE and FRANCES, on 4 Mar 1734/1735 in Brunswick County, Virginia. Abigail was born about 1718 in Brunswick County, Virginia. She died before 16 Aug 1760 (not mentioned in husband's will) in Brunswick County, Virginia and was buried on the north side of Falling Run in Brunswick County, Virginia, on land willed to her son, William (land sale).
George had slaves and also owned a mill on Beaver Pond Creek after 5 Mar 1741/1742 in Brunswick County, Virginia. He lived along this creek, where it crossed the Virginia/North Carolina line.
On Oct 1748 and Apr 1749, residents of Brunswick County, Virginia voted for representatives of the House of Burgesses. Names included on this poll list were George and William Brewer, and George, William, and Peter Wyche, among others.
Source - William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 26, No. 1, p. 59, Brunswick County VA, 1748 Poll List ➚
His will was written 16 Aug 1760 and proved 27 Oct 1760 in Brunswick County, Virginia. He died about 24 Oct 1760, the date likely being estimated based on the assumption that he would have died a few days before his will was proved. An inventory of his property was filed 26 Jul 1762 in Brunswick County, valued at 300 pounds - 48 hogs (7 pounds). A scan of his will can be found here ➚
In reading his will it can be determined that his youngest children, who were not yet 21 (born after 1739), were William, Henry, Elizabeth and Abigail. William must have been the oldest of those four children and turned 21 shortly before his father's death, as only Henry, Elizabeth and Abigail are listed as orphans in the court records thereafter, under the guardianship of their brother, John Brewer. Their records are shown in the Third Generation page of this website.
Transcription -
In the Name of God Amen. I, George Brewer of Brunswick County and parish of Meherrin being very sick but of sound Judgment and memory do make & Ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say.
Imprimis. I give and Bequeath unto my son John Brewer my Tract of Land Situate on the North side of the Beaver Pond Creek, Containing two hundred & Twenty Acres, also Two Hundred and Forty five Acres the Lower part of another Tract on the said Creek Containing four Hundred and ninety Acres Beginning at the mouth of the Ready branch and thence to the Back line to include the aforesaid Quantity to Give Him and his Heirs forever likewise I give unto my said son John my Negro girl Patt and five sheep to him and his Heirs forever.
Item. I give and Bequeath unto my Son George Brewer Two Hundred and forty five Acres of Land on the Beaver Pond Creek the upper part of my Tract Containing four Hundred and Ninety Beginning at the Mouth of Ready branch and thence to the back line to include lake, my Negro Boy Will, one Cow and Calf and five Sheep to him and his Heirs forever.
Item. I give and Bequeath unto my Son Wm Brewer all that part of the Tract of land I now live on, on the north side of the Falling River granted me by 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 creek on the north side of the Falling River at the upper end of the great Meadow and thence to my back line to include the aforesaid Quantity, also my Negro man Peter, my Horse Ball, and one young man and one Feather Bed and furniture to him and his Heirs forever.
Item. I give and Bequeath unto my son Henry Brewer all that part of that Tract of Land. Whereon I live which lies on the South of the Falling river, also one Hundred and Thirty Acres of Land the Lower part of a Tract adjoining the Land I live on also my Negro boy Jacob, and one Feather Bed and furniture to him and his Heirs forever.
Item. I give unto my Daughter Sarah Vincent one Negro Girl named Lucy, one Cow and Calf and Two Sheep to her and her Heirs forever.
Item. I give unto my Daughter Frances Wyche my Negro girl Nan, three Cows and Calves and Sex pewter plates to her and her Heirs forever.
Item. I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Brewer my Negro Wench Hannah to her and her Heirs forever.
Item. I give unto my Daughter Abigail brewer my Negro Wench Milley to her and her Heirs forever.
My will is that my Still with all the residue of my Estate not heretofore given away, be sold and the money arising therefrom be Equally Divided amongst my four youngest Children William, Henry, Elizabeth, and Abigail and if other of my last remaining Children should die before they arrive to the age of Twenty one or Married then my will is that their part be Equally Divided among my Surviving Children their age not to be Regarded.
I do Constitute and Appoint my Son John Brewer and George Brewer Executor of this my last will & Testament, Revoaking Disannuling and making void all other Wills theretofore by me made. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Sixteenth Day of August one Thousand seven Hundred and Sixty.
Signed, Sealed, Established, and Delivered in Presence of
James Wall
John Rossen
Daniel Cator
At a court held for Brunswick County the 27th day of October 1760. This will was proved by the Oaths of John Rossen, and Daniel Cator two of the Witnesses thereto, and on the motion of John Brewer the Executor therein named who made Oath thereto according to Law and together with George Wych & William Brewer his curriters [sic. curators?] ordered into and Acknowledged their Bond in the penalty of one Thousand pounds Conditioned as the Law Directs Certificate was granted for Moving of probate thereof in one form and word at a Court held for the said County the 26th of January 1761. The said will was further proved by the Oath of James Wall the other Witness thereto and Ordered to be Recorded.
Test. John Robinson C. J. Curr.
Source - Clerk of the Court's Office, Brunswick County, Book 3, page 344 (image ➚)
Henry lived in the same area as did the Brewer family. Henry patented 370 acres on the north side of Meherrin River 22 Jun 1722.
He was appointed processioner of the land in his precinct 6 Dec 1735. His responsibilities would have been to go to each property and re-mark the boundaries between each land owner and his neighbor. Any disputes were to be reported. Those chosen for this responsibilities were generally honest landowners of good standing in the community, and these processions were performed every four years.
Sources -
Wyche Family, William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Papers, page 103 ➚
Processioning in Colonial Virginia ➚
Henry's will was proved in Brunswick County, Virginia 4 Mar 1740.
Therein was named the following -
Sons - Henry Wyche and William Wyche
Daughters - Abigail Brewer (m. George Brewer II), and Rebecca and Elizabeth Wyche
Frances Wyche (wife)
Source - Wyche Family, The William and Mary Quarterly, Vol 14, pages 59-60 ➚
Frances Wyche's will was proved in Brunswick County, Virginia in 1747.
She named the following in her will -
Daughters - Abigail Brewer (m. George Brewer II), Rebecca Lucas (m. Samuel Lucas) and Elizabeth Lucas (m. Willaim Lucas)
Grandchildren - William Lucas (son of Samuel and Rebecca), John Brewer and Frances Brewer (children of George and Abigail)
Son-in-laws - William Lucas (m. Elizabeth Wyche) and George Brewer (executor, m. Abigail Wyche)
Son - William Wyche
Source - Wyche Family, The William and Mary Quarterly, pages 60 ➚
RESIDENCE
George had slaves and also owned a mill on Beaver Pond Creek after 5 Mar 1741/1742 in Brunswick County, Virginia. He lived along this creek, where it crossed the Virginia/North Carolina line.
BRUNSWICK COUNTY VOTING LIST -
On Oct 1748 and Apr 1749, residents of Brunswick County, Virginia voted for representatives of the House of Burgesses. Names included on this poll list were George and William Brewer, and George, William, and Peter Wyche, among others.
Source - William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 26, No. 1, p. 59, Brunswick County VA, 1748 Poll List ➚
WILL OF GEORGE BREWER II -
His will was written 16 Aug 1760 and proved 27 Oct 1760 in Brunswick County, Virginia. He died about 24 Oct 1760, the date likely being estimated based on the assumption that he would have died a few days before his will was proved. An inventory of his property was filed 26 Jul 1762 in Brunswick County, valued at 300 pounds - 48 hogs (7 pounds). A scan of his will can be found here ➚
In reading his will it can be determined that his youngest children, who were not yet 21 (born after 1739), were William, Henry, Elizabeth and Abigail. William must have been the oldest of those four children and turned 21 shortly before his father's death, as only Henry, Elizabeth and Abigail are listed as orphans in the court records thereafter, under the guardianship of their brother, John Brewer. Their records are shown in the Third Generation page of this website.
Transcription -
In the Name of God Amen. I, George Brewer of Brunswick County and parish of Meherrin being very sick but of sound Judgment and memory do make & Ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say.
Imprimis. I give and Bequeath unto my son John Brewer my Tract of Land Situate on the North side of the Beaver Pond Creek, Containing two hundred & Twenty Acres, also Two Hundred and Forty five Acres the Lower part of another Tract on the said Creek Containing four Hundred and ninety Acres Beginning at the mouth of the Ready branch and thence to the Back line to include the aforesaid Quantity to Give Him and his Heirs forever likewise I give unto my said son John my Negro girl Patt and five sheep to him and his Heirs forever.
Item. I give and Bequeath unto my Son George Brewer Two Hundred and forty five Acres of Land on the Beaver Pond Creek the upper part of my Tract Containing four Hundred and Ninety Beginning at the Mouth of Ready branch and thence to the back line to include lake, my Negro Boy Will, one Cow and Calf and five Sheep to him and his Heirs forever.
Item. I give and Bequeath unto my Son Wm Brewer all that part of the Tract of land I now live on, on the north side of the Falling River granted me by 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 creek on the north side of the Falling River at the upper end of the great Meadow and thence to my back line to include the aforesaid Quantity, also my Negro man Peter, my Horse Ball, and one young man and one Feather Bed and furniture to him and his Heirs forever.
Item. I give and Bequeath unto my son Henry Brewer all that part of that Tract of Land. Whereon I live which lies on the South of the Falling river, also one Hundred and Thirty Acres of Land the Lower part of a Tract adjoining the Land I live on also my Negro boy Jacob, and one Feather Bed and furniture to him and his Heirs forever.
Item. I give unto my Daughter Sarah Vincent one Negro Girl named Lucy, one Cow and Calf and Two Sheep to her and her Heirs forever.
Item. I give unto my Daughter Frances Wyche my Negro girl Nan, three Cows and Calves and Sex pewter plates to her and her Heirs forever.
Item. I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Brewer my Negro Wench Hannah to her and her Heirs forever.
Item. I give unto my Daughter Abigail brewer my Negro Wench Milley to her and her Heirs forever.
My will is that my Still with all the residue of my Estate not heretofore given away, be sold and the money arising therefrom be Equally Divided amongst my four youngest Children William, Henry, Elizabeth, and Abigail and if other of my last remaining Children should die before they arrive to the age of Twenty one or Married then my will is that their part be Equally Divided among my Surviving Children their age not to be Regarded.
I do Constitute and Appoint my Son John Brewer and George Brewer Executor of this my last will & Testament, Revoaking Disannuling and making void all other Wills theretofore by me made. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Sixteenth Day of August one Thousand seven Hundred and Sixty.
George Brewer (Seal)
Signed, Sealed, Established, and Delivered in Presence of
James Wall
John Rossen
Daniel Cator
At a court held for Brunswick County the 27th day of October 1760. This will was proved by the Oaths of John Rossen, and Daniel Cator two of the Witnesses thereto, and on the motion of John Brewer the Executor therein named who made Oath thereto according to Law and together with George Wych & William Brewer his curriters [sic. curators?] ordered into and Acknowledged their Bond in the penalty of one Thousand pounds Conditioned as the Law Directs Certificate was granted for Moving of probate thereof in one form and word at a Court held for the said County the 26th of January 1761. The said will was further proved by the Oath of James Wall the other Witness thereto and Ordered to be Recorded.
Test. John Robinson C. J. Curr.
Source - Clerk of the Court's Office, Brunswick County, Book 3, page 344 (image ➚)
ABIGAIL WYCHE'S FATHER (HENRY WYCHE)
Henry lived in the same area as did the Brewer family. Henry patented 370 acres on the north side of Meherrin River 22 Jun 1722.
He was appointed processioner of the land in his precinct 6 Dec 1735. His responsibilities would have been to go to each property and re-mark the boundaries between each land owner and his neighbor. Any disputes were to be reported. Those chosen for this responsibilities were generally honest landowners of good standing in the community, and these processions were performed every four years.
Sources -
Wyche Family, William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Papers, page 103 ➚
Processioning in Colonial Virginia ➚
Henry's will was proved in Brunswick County, Virginia 4 Mar 1740.
Therein was named the following -
Sons - Henry Wyche and William Wyche
Daughters - Abigail Brewer (m. George Brewer II), and Rebecca and Elizabeth Wyche
Frances Wyche (wife)
Source - Wyche Family, The William and Mary Quarterly, Vol 14, pages 59-60 ➚
ABIGAIL WYCHE'S MOTHER (FRANCES)
Frances Wyche's will was proved in Brunswick County, Virginia in 1747.
She named the following in her will -
Daughters - Abigail Brewer (m. George Brewer II), Rebecca Lucas (m. Samuel Lucas) and Elizabeth Lucas (m. Willaim Lucas)
Grandchildren - William Lucas (son of Samuel and Rebecca), John Brewer and Frances Brewer (children of George and Abigail)
Son-in-laws - William Lucas (m. Elizabeth Wyche) and George Brewer (executor, m. Abigail Wyche)
Son - William Wyche
Source - Wyche Family, The William and Mary Quarterly, pages 60 ➚
George2 Brewer II and Abigail Wyche had the following children.
15 M i. JAMES2 BREWER was born in 1736. He died after 1757.
16 M ii. JOHN3 BREWER was born in 1737. He died about 24 Jul 1826.
17 M iii. WILLIAM3 BREWER was born about 1738.
18 F iv. SARAH3 BREWER was born about 1740. She died after 1760.
19 M v. GEORGE3 BREWER III (Patriot) was born about 1743. He died on 14 Jun 1802.
20 F vi. ELIZABETH3 BREWER was born about 1744. She died after 1760.
22 M viii. HENRY3 BREWER was born about 1746. He died after 1767.
23 F ix. ABIGAIL3 BREWER was born about 1748. She died after 1769.
3. JOHN2 BREWER (GEORGE1) was born in between 1722 in Surry County, Virginia. He died about 10 Jan 1780 in Hertford County, North Carolina. John married ANN.
In the Name of God Amen, I John Brewer of Hertford County and Province of North Carolina Planter being of Perfect mind & Memory but knowing the uncertainty of life think it necessary to make some Disposition of what it pleas'd the Almighty to bless me with, In the first place I recommend my soul to God & my Body to the Earth to be Decently Intered at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned and as touching what worldly Estate I have I Dispose of it in manner and form following. to Wit.
Imprimis, I give unto my loving wife my best new Feather bed Furniture belonging to it, as also half of my household Furniture of every kind whatsoever, During her life or Widowhood.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my Son John Brewer Five Shillings Sterling Money of Great Britain.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my Son Reace Brewer Five Shillings Sterling Money of Great Britain.
Item, I give and bequeath to my Son Jacob Brewer Five Shillings Sterling.
Item, I give unto my Son Jesse Brewer the sum of Five Shillings Sterling Money of Great Britain.
Item, I give unto my Daughter Pacience Five Shillings Sterling Money.
Item, I give unto my Daughter Elizabeth the sum of Five Shillings Sterling.
Item, I give unto my Daughter Ann the sum of Five Shillings Sterling Money.
Item, I give unto my Daughter Frances one Feather bed the Smalest I have by me at this time with two Sheets one Blanket and one Rugg.
Item, I give unto my Son Hardy Brewer One Feather bed and Furniture to wit, one rug two Sheets & one Blanket also I give him one half of my household Furniture not as yet Disposed of Also my ['will' omitted] and Desire is that if my Son Hardy Shou'd die without marrying, then I desire that what I have herein Given him Shou'd descend to my Son Henry.
Item, I give to my Son Henry every part of my Estate which I have Given to my wife after her death or Widowhood and in Case my Son Henry Shou'd die without marrying or Heir then & in Such wise I desire that it my Devote [sic] to my Son Hardy.
And lastly I do hereby appoint my loving wife & my Son Hardy Brewer Ex.r to this my last will & Testament Hereby Ratifying this & no other to be such.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal this [blank]
Signed Sealed publish'd & declared in presence of us:
George Little
Abram Poter
her
Rebecca X Morgan
mark
At a Court held for the County of Southampton the 10th day of Jan'y 1780 This Will was presented in Court by Ann Brewer & Hardy Brewer the Executors therein named & proved by the Oaths of Geo Little, Abram Poter & Rebecca Morgan the Witnesses thereto & Ordered to be Recorded And on the motion of said Executors who made oath according to law Certificate is granted them for obtaining a Probate in due form: giving Security whereupon &c
Source - Southampton Co., VA, Will Book 3, 1772-1782, p. 295 Image ➚
The Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA - Southampton Co. Microfilm Reel 16
His will was recorded in Southampton County, Virginia even though he lived in North Carolina. This could be because many who migrated from Virginia to North Carolina continued to own lands in both places, in neighboring counties. Also, the will would likely have been recorded in the nearest county seat or wherever the nearest probate court was, even if it was not in the same colony. Southampton County was very close to Brunswick County.
JOHN BREWER'S WILL -
In the Name of God Amen, I John Brewer of Hertford County and Province of North Carolina Planter being of Perfect mind & Memory but knowing the uncertainty of life think it necessary to make some Disposition of what it pleas'd the Almighty to bless me with, In the first place I recommend my soul to God & my Body to the Earth to be Decently Intered at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned and as touching what worldly Estate I have I Dispose of it in manner and form following. to Wit.
Imprimis, I give unto my loving wife my best new Feather bed Furniture belonging to it, as also half of my household Furniture of every kind whatsoever, During her life or Widowhood.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my Son John Brewer Five Shillings Sterling Money of Great Britain.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my Son Reace Brewer Five Shillings Sterling Money of Great Britain.
Item, I give and bequeath to my Son Jacob Brewer Five Shillings Sterling.
Item, I give unto my Son Jesse Brewer the sum of Five Shillings Sterling Money of Great Britain.
Item, I give unto my Daughter Pacience Five Shillings Sterling Money.
Item, I give unto my Daughter Elizabeth the sum of Five Shillings Sterling.
Item, I give unto my Daughter Ann the sum of Five Shillings Sterling Money.
Item, I give unto my Daughter Frances one Feather bed the Smalest I have by me at this time with two Sheets one Blanket and one Rugg.
Item, I give unto my Son Hardy Brewer One Feather bed and Furniture to wit, one rug two Sheets & one Blanket also I give him one half of my household Furniture not as yet Disposed of Also my ['will' omitted] and Desire is that if my Son Hardy Shou'd die without marrying, then I desire that what I have herein Given him Shou'd descend to my Son Henry.
Item, I give to my Son Henry every part of my Estate which I have Given to my wife after her death or Widowhood and in Case my Son Henry Shou'd die without marrying or Heir then & in Such wise I desire that it my Devote [sic] to my Son Hardy.
And lastly I do hereby appoint my loving wife & my Son Hardy Brewer Ex.r to this my last will & Testament Hereby Ratifying this & no other to be such.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal this [blank]
his
John J Brewer (Seal)
mark
Signed Sealed publish'd & declared in presence of us:
George Little
Abram Poter
her
Rebecca X Morgan
mark
At a Court held for the County of Southampton the 10th day of Jan'y 1780 This Will was presented in Court by Ann Brewer & Hardy Brewer the Executors therein named & proved by the Oaths of Geo Little, Abram Poter & Rebecca Morgan the Witnesses thereto & Ordered to be Recorded And on the motion of said Executors who made oath according to law Certificate is granted them for obtaining a Probate in due form: giving Security whereupon &c
Sam Kello Cl
Source - Southampton Co., VA, Will Book 3, 1772-1782, p. 295 Image ➚
The Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA - Southampton Co. Microfilm Reel 16
His will was recorded in Southampton County, Virginia even though he lived in North Carolina. This could be because many who migrated from Virginia to North Carolina continued to own lands in both places, in neighboring counties. Also, the will would likely have been recorded in the nearest county seat or wherever the nearest probate court was, even if it was not in the same colony. Southampton County was very close to Brunswick County.
John2 Brewer and Ann had the following children.
25 M i. JOHN ISAAC3 BREWER was born about 1742 in Chatham Co, North Carolina.
26 M ii. REACE3 BREWER was born about 1744.
27 M iii. JACOB3 BREWER was born about 1746.
28 M iv. JESSE3 BREWER was born about 1748.
29 F v. PACIENCE3 BREWER was born about 1750.
30 F vi. ELIZABETH3 BREWER was born about 1752.
31 F vii. ANN3 BREWER was born about 1754.
32 F viii. FRANCES3 BREWER was born about 1756.
33 M ix. HARDY3 BREWER was born about 1758.
34 M x. HENRY3 BREWER was born about 1760.
4. LANIER2 BREWER (GEORGE1) was born about 1716 in Surry County, Virginia. He died about 1795 in North Carolina. Lanier may have married a Cherokee woman. He married JOANNA in 1744. She was born in 1718.
Lanier patented land in Brunswick County, Virginia in 1748, sold it 1750 and 1752. He probably went to North Carolina about this time, as he no longer appears in Brunswick County, Virginia records.
There was a Lanier Brewer in Moore County, North Carolina in 1777. I have found this written online, but I'm not sure what record it is that has given this impression, so I can't say for sure whether this was him or his son by the same name.
There was also a Lanier Brewer in Fayette District, Moore County, North Carolina in the 1790 Census, but this was probably his son, although Lanier Sr could have been living with him. In this household there were 2 males 16 and over, 4 males under 16, and 4 females. his sounds like a young family to me, indicating that the head of this household was Lanier Brewer Jr. In the same district were his son, Drury, his brother, Ambrose, and Nimrod Brewer, who might be his nephew.
He was married two or three times, and one of his wives was a Cherokee Indian (might have been Joanna).
Source - Descendants of Lanier Brewer Sr ➚ (I don't know whether this information can be relied upon, as I am unaware of where this theory originated or what documentation exists to prove it.)
LAND RECORDS -
Lanier patented land in Brunswick County, Virginia in 1748, sold it 1750 and 1752. He probably went to North Carolina about this time, as he no longer appears in Brunswick County, Virginia records.
RESIDENCES -
There was a Lanier Brewer in Moore County, North Carolina in 1777. I have found this written online, but I'm not sure what record it is that has given this impression, so I can't say for sure whether this was him or his son by the same name.
There was also a Lanier Brewer in Fayette District, Moore County, North Carolina in the 1790 Census, but this was probably his son, although Lanier Sr could have been living with him. In this household there were 2 males 16 and over, 4 males under 16, and 4 females. his sounds like a young family to me, indicating that the head of this household was Lanier Brewer Jr. In the same district were his son, Drury, his brother, Ambrose, and Nimrod Brewer, who might be his nephew.
POSSIBILITY OF A CHEROKEE WIFE -
He was married two or three times, and one of his wives was a Cherokee Indian (might have been Joanna).
Source - Descendants of Lanier Brewer Sr ➚ (I don't know whether this information can be relied upon, as I am unaware of where this theory originated or what documentation exists to prove it.)
Lanier2 and Joanna had the following children.
35 M i. LANIER3 BREWER was born about 1746. He died in 1824.
36 M ii. DRURY3 BREWER was born about 1750.
5. HOWELL2 BREWER SR (GEORGE2) was born in about 1709 or before 1715 in Surry County, Virginia. He spent most of his life in North Carolina, and sided with the Regulators in Orange County in 1768. Howell married REBECCA WILLIS about 1741 in Brunswick County, Virginia. Rebecca was born about 1727 in Virginia. She died about 1756 in Orange County, North Carolina.
Howell may have been named for his maternal grandmother's brother, Howell Edmunds. His middle name might have been Lanier, but I don’t know if there is any proof of where this idea came from.
One point of reference when estimating Howell Brewer Sr's birth date is an assignment he received on 6 Dec 1736. More specifically, George Brewer Sr (Howell Sr's father) and Howell, William, John, and Lanier Brewer (presumably George's sons) were among those assigned to clear a road from William Wall's Road about half a mile from the River to Beaver Pond Creek. Although it is possible that they were as young as 16 (born in or before 1720), and still be able to perform such duties, it is more that they were already land owners and, thus, at least 21 (born in or before 1715).
In addition, it has been suggested that he was one of the older children listed in his father's will, rather than one of the younger ones, since he wasn't given much. The argument is that he likely already had his own land by this time. He was also the executor, suggesting that he was at least 21 years old in 1741. Again, this puts his birth before 1720.
Source - The Family of George Brewer, of Brunswick County, Virginia ➚
Furthermore, Howell Brewer (surely Sr) was listed in the 1755 Tax Digest in Orange County, North Carolina. This indicates that he was born before 1734, in order to have been 21 or over in 1755. It is very unlikely that Howell Sr was any younger than 19 years old when Howell Jr was born (if he fathered him at age 18). It is more realistic to assume that Howell Sr was older than this. It was not real common during that time for men to marry until their mid twenties. If he was 19, that puts Howell Sr's birth at about 1715. If Howell Sr was in his mid twenties, say 25, when Howell Jr was born, that would put Howell Sr's birth at about 1709, give or take, which is probably more likely.
All in all, I would say that Howell Brewer Sr's birth may have been as late as 1715, but was more likely several years earlier. I no longer agree with the 1724 estimate.
Howell was called by the nickname of Howell (Dutchman) Bruer, and was said to have been at Deep River by 1754. I don't think this nickname necessarily indicates Dutch decent, but rather might have had something to do with his repeated trouble with the law such as having unpaid debts (for which I don’t fault him, given the prevalence of debt defaulting and the economic difficulties of the era). One definition for a dutchman is something that is used to repair faulty workmanship. But it's really hard to say if this has any relevance whatsoever in this case. There were several other men who had the same nickname in this county. I have written to the Moore County Historical Society to see if anyone there knows the meaning of the word in this context.
Source - "History of Moore County" page 194, under the heading of “Permanent 18th Century Settlers”
I am not offering an opinion one way or the other at this point, pertaining to the following suggestion, and I do not know where proof of this can be found, but am including it here for the sake of interest:
"It has been said that Howell Brewer Sr. 'got around', and that one of the known sons (Isaac Brewer) of that Howell Brewer stated that he was not sure who his father was." This is an interesting bit of information and I hope to eventually learn what the background to it is, what exactly Isaac said and in what context.
Quotation Source - White - Brewer Research Notes: Who was the father of Jacob "Jake" White? ➚
In 1741, his father willed him “a young horse that we call Snip and feathers to make him a bed”. It is suspected that he left Brunswick County, Virginia to go to North Carolina shortly after his father's death. It would be interesting to know whether he brought the horse, Snip, with him.
When he first left Virginia and went to North Carolina, he left his wife, Rebecca, behind probably because they had young children and it was too dangerous for them on the frontier until he got a place established for them and assessed the safety of the area. Rebecca eventually joined him in about 1746. There was some place they were supposed to go (court?) and neither showed up, indicating that they were together elsewhere.
Source – George Brewer’s estate settlement: Court records in Brunswick County, Virginia in 1745-1757 and 1749-1750 court records in Surry County, Virginia (I need to find these records!)
In 1749 and 1754, Howell Brewer Sr had land grants on Deep River in Bladen County, North Carolina. In 1752 Orange County was formed from parts of Bladen, Granville, and Johnson County, North Carolina, and his land was not located anywhere near present day Bladen County. In 1769 he was also deeded property in Orange County.
Howell's 200 acre land grant of 27 Feb 1754 - (Image)
Howel Brewer two Hundred acres Bladen Lying on the NE side of Deep River beginning above three miles above Tices Creek - at a forked Hickory standing by the mouth of a gutt [or ravine] Runing [sic running] west 155 po [sic poles] to a stake then So [sic south] 200 poles to a stake then Et [sic East] 205 Poles to an Oak then Down the River to the first Station. Signed this 27th day of Feb'y 1754 Jab [sic Jacob] Johnston By his Honour's Command Jas [sic James] Murray Sec [Land Office Secretary]
Howell's other 200 acres land grant of 16 May 1754 - (Image)
Howell Brewer 200 Acres Bladen on Deep River beginning at a red oak on the river Bank thence So [sic south] 5 Et [sic east] 180 pole to a pine thence So [sic south] 85 Wt [sic west] 125 pole to a red oak on the river Bank opposite to Howell Brewers Corner thence down said River No 30 Wt 193 pole to a pine thence No [sic north] 85 Et [sic east] 203 pole to the red oak at the Beginning - May 16th 1754 Matt Rowan.
It has been said that he moved around a lot and traveled North Carolina quite extensively, but from what I have found he remained in the Haw and Deep River region the whole time he lived in North Carolina. County divisions and formations, as well as boundary changes, can be quite deceiving. For example, he never lived in what is now Bladen County. This county used to be very large, and has been broken into quite a few different counties since its formation.
Howell Brewer Sr. had several run-ins with the law. Court records state that he was accused of trespass, assault and defaulting on debts. North Carolina had suffered terribly from drought, and then wealthy merchants and lawyers moved into these rural neighborhoods from the coast cities and took over the government. Being short on supplies and funds, many of the original settlers found it necessary to make purchases on credit from these newcomers. Before long their debts were called in and they could not pay their debtors. The accusations were taken before the court, which was by then run by these same wealthy invaders. Land was even confiscated in some cases as payment. Corruption ran rampant in the government. Tax collectors were corrupt, showing up unannounced demanding payment, confiscating livestock if the farmers could not pay their taxes. At times the funds or livestock “went missing” and the tax collectors returned to collect a second time. The complaints of the old settlers went largely unheeded. These hard economic times, combined with the prevalent corruption to which the settlers were not accustomed in their frontier region, is why I am not one to state that Howell Brewer Sr was a scoundrel who had run-ins with the law because of poor moral character. He might have been, but I prefer to look at the larger picture, and the fact that many of his neighbors were in the same boat at that time because of circumstances over which they had no control. This is the era of the Regulators, of which Howell Brewer Sr. was a supporter, as indicated by his signature on the Regulator Advertisement #9 ➚, a petition protesting high recording fees. Their county charged significantly higher deed recording fees than other areas. His brother, Nicholas, also signed this petition, and Nicholas was in the Battle of Alamance ➚, though Howell was not.
It is thought that Howell Brewer signed his name simply as "H", which replaced making his mark "X" in about the 1760s, and that Howell Brewer Jr. could sign his name. (Many of the early settlers who could not read or write signed legal document with the customary, generic “X”. Signing differently would help differentiate between different men of the same name.)
Source – “Brewers of Southeast America” p295
Howell Brewer Sr (spelled Hawell Bruer on the roster) served in the Chatham County, North Carolina Militia in 1772 under Captain Joab Brooks' Company, along with his siblings, Nicholas Bruer and George Bruer, and his sons William Brewer and Howell Brewer (Jr, spelled Howel).
Source – Roster of Captain Joab Brooks’ Company, as recorded in “Chatham County, 1771-1791” by Hadley, Horton, and Strowd, pages 4499-450 (Archives and History Library in Raleigh, North Carolina)
1743 - Was in Brunswick County, Virginia
1744 – He and his step-mother Alice Brewer settled his father George's estate in Brunswick Co
1749 – Land grant of 200 acres in Bladen (part formed Orange 1752) County, North Carolina
1754 – Land grant of 200 acres on the northeast side of Deep River 27 Feb 1754
1755 - On tax list in Orange County, North Carolina (some think Moore County, but incorrect, was not formed yet) along with Henry Brewer. While there he sold 200 acres of the above land on both side of Deep River to Zachariah Green 29 Aug 1758. 10 Aug 1767 he sold his second 200 acres land grant to John May (then in Cumberland County). On both documents he left his mark, but his wife must have been deceased because she did not.
1757 – Sept 3, received deed gift for 100 acres (to him and his second wife Marian May from John May, likely Marian's father)
1759 – June, was living on the south side of Haw River. court cases against him for debt
1765 – Feb, sued for debt
1765 – May, replaced as overseer of road by Charles Saxon
1767 – Sold land in Cumberland (formerly Bladen, some later Moore County) and Orange Counties of North Carolina
1768 - May, in Orange County, he was on petition to the Governor and Council protesting the high recording fees (with another Howell Brewer (spelled Brooer), probably Jr, and Nicholas Brewer (spelled Nickless), possibly Howell Sr's brother. This petition was known as the Regulators' Advertisement No. 9.
1769 – June 10, sold 100 acres in Orange County, given to him in 1757, to Joseph Dixon
1772 – North Carolina Militia in Captain Joab Brook's Company of Chatham (formerly Orange) County (with Howell Brewer Jr - 14 names apart on the list, one was spelled Bruer)
1772 – On list with Howell Brewer Jr, Isaac Brewer and Reuben Brewer (list of signatures requesting a central location for Randolph (formerly Orange, then Guilford) County public buildings). Howell Brewer Sr left his mark and others signed.
1806 - Hal (Howell?) Brewer was on Christian County, Kentucky tax list (I suspect that this is not him, but I'll include this entry for now, just in case)
NAME ORIGIN AND BIRTH DATE -
Howell may have been named for his maternal grandmother's brother, Howell Edmunds. His middle name might have been Lanier, but I don’t know if there is any proof of where this idea came from.
One point of reference when estimating Howell Brewer Sr's birth date is an assignment he received on 6 Dec 1736. More specifically, George Brewer Sr (Howell Sr's father) and Howell, William, John, and Lanier Brewer (presumably George's sons) were among those assigned to clear a road from William Wall's Road about half a mile from the River to Beaver Pond Creek. Although it is possible that they were as young as 16 (born in or before 1720), and still be able to perform such duties, it is more that they were already land owners and, thus, at least 21 (born in or before 1715).
In addition, it has been suggested that he was one of the older children listed in his father's will, rather than one of the younger ones, since he wasn't given much. The argument is that he likely already had his own land by this time. He was also the executor, suggesting that he was at least 21 years old in 1741. Again, this puts his birth before 1720.
Source - The Family of George Brewer, of Brunswick County, Virginia ➚
Furthermore, Howell Brewer (surely Sr) was listed in the 1755 Tax Digest in Orange County, North Carolina. This indicates that he was born before 1734, in order to have been 21 or over in 1755. It is very unlikely that Howell Sr was any younger than 19 years old when Howell Jr was born (if he fathered him at age 18). It is more realistic to assume that Howell Sr was older than this. It was not real common during that time for men to marry until their mid twenties. If he was 19, that puts Howell Sr's birth at about 1715. If Howell Sr was in his mid twenties, say 25, when Howell Jr was born, that would put Howell Sr's birth at about 1709, give or take, which is probably more likely.
All in all, I would say that Howell Brewer Sr's birth may have been as late as 1715, but was more likely several years earlier. I no longer agree with the 1724 estimate.
NICKNAME -
Howell was called by the nickname of Howell (Dutchman) Bruer, and was said to have been at Deep River by 1754. I don't think this nickname necessarily indicates Dutch decent, but rather might have had something to do with his repeated trouble with the law such as having unpaid debts (for which I don’t fault him, given the prevalence of debt defaulting and the economic difficulties of the era). One definition for a dutchman is something that is used to repair faulty workmanship. But it's really hard to say if this has any relevance whatsoever in this case. There were several other men who had the same nickname in this county. I have written to the Moore County Historical Society to see if anyone there knows the meaning of the word in this context.
Source - "History of Moore County" page 194, under the heading of “Permanent 18th Century Settlers”
HOWELL'S REPUTATION -
I am not offering an opinion one way or the other at this point, pertaining to the following suggestion, and I do not know where proof of this can be found, but am including it here for the sake of interest:
"It has been said that Howell Brewer Sr. 'got around', and that one of the known sons (Isaac Brewer) of that Howell Brewer stated that he was not sure who his father was." This is an interesting bit of information and I hope to eventually learn what the background to it is, what exactly Isaac said and in what context.
Quotation Source - White - Brewer Research Notes: Who was the father of Jacob "Jake" White? ➚
HOWELL'S INHERITANCE -
In 1741, his father willed him “a young horse that we call Snip and feathers to make him a bed”. It is suspected that he left Brunswick County, Virginia to go to North Carolina shortly after his father's death. It would be interesting to know whether he brought the horse, Snip, with him.
MOVED TO NORTH CAROLINA AFTER HIS FATHER'S DEATH -
When he first left Virginia and went to North Carolina, he left his wife, Rebecca, behind probably because they had young children and it was too dangerous for them on the frontier until he got a place established for them and assessed the safety of the area. Rebecca eventually joined him in about 1746. There was some place they were supposed to go (court?) and neither showed up, indicating that they were together elsewhere.
Source – George Brewer’s estate settlement: Court records in Brunswick County, Virginia in 1745-1757 and 1749-1750 court records in Surry County, Virginia (I need to find these records!)
LAND GRANTS -
In 1749 and 1754, Howell Brewer Sr had land grants on Deep River in Bladen County, North Carolina. In 1752 Orange County was formed from parts of Bladen, Granville, and Johnson County, North Carolina, and his land was not located anywhere near present day Bladen County. In 1769 he was also deeded property in Orange County.
Howell's 200 acre land grant of 27 Feb 1754 - (Image)
Howel Brewer two Hundred acres Bladen Lying on the NE side of Deep River beginning above three miles above Tices Creek - at a forked Hickory standing by the mouth of a gutt [or ravine] Runing [sic running] west 155 po [sic poles] to a stake then So [sic south] 200 poles to a stake then Et [sic East] 205 Poles to an Oak then Down the River to the first Station. Signed this 27th day of Feb'y 1754 Jab [sic Jacob] Johnston By his Honour's Command Jas [sic James] Murray Sec [Land Office Secretary]
Howell's other 200 acres land grant of 16 May 1754 - (Image)
Howell Brewer 200 Acres Bladen on Deep River beginning at a red oak on the river Bank thence So [sic south] 5 Et [sic east] 180 pole to a pine thence So [sic south] 85 Wt [sic west] 125 pole to a red oak on the river Bank opposite to Howell Brewers Corner thence down said River No 30 Wt 193 pole to a pine thence No [sic north] 85 Et [sic east] 203 pole to the red oak at the Beginning - May 16th 1754 Matt Rowan.
THE MYTH THAT HOWELL MOVED AROUND A LOT -
It has been said that he moved around a lot and traveled North Carolina quite extensively, but from what I have found he remained in the Haw and Deep River region the whole time he lived in North Carolina. County divisions and formations, as well as boundary changes, can be quite deceiving. For example, he never lived in what is now Bladen County. This county used to be very large, and has been broken into quite a few different counties since its formation.
RUN-INS WITH THE LAW AND INVOLVEMENT WITH THE REGULATORS -
Howell Brewer Sr. had several run-ins with the law. Court records state that he was accused of trespass, assault and defaulting on debts. North Carolina had suffered terribly from drought, and then wealthy merchants and lawyers moved into these rural neighborhoods from the coast cities and took over the government. Being short on supplies and funds, many of the original settlers found it necessary to make purchases on credit from these newcomers. Before long their debts were called in and they could not pay their debtors. The accusations were taken before the court, which was by then run by these same wealthy invaders. Land was even confiscated in some cases as payment. Corruption ran rampant in the government. Tax collectors were corrupt, showing up unannounced demanding payment, confiscating livestock if the farmers could not pay their taxes. At times the funds or livestock “went missing” and the tax collectors returned to collect a second time. The complaints of the old settlers went largely unheeded. These hard economic times, combined with the prevalent corruption to which the settlers were not accustomed in their frontier region, is why I am not one to state that Howell Brewer Sr was a scoundrel who had run-ins with the law because of poor moral character. He might have been, but I prefer to look at the larger picture, and the fact that many of his neighbors were in the same boat at that time because of circumstances over which they had no control. This is the era of the Regulators, of which Howell Brewer Sr. was a supporter, as indicated by his signature on the Regulator Advertisement #9 ➚, a petition protesting high recording fees. Their county charged significantly higher deed recording fees than other areas. His brother, Nicholas, also signed this petition, and Nicholas was in the Battle of Alamance ➚, though Howell was not.
HOWELL'S SIGNATURE -
It is thought that Howell Brewer signed his name simply as "H", which replaced making his mark "X" in about the 1760s, and that Howell Brewer Jr. could sign his name. (Many of the early settlers who could not read or write signed legal document with the customary, generic “X”. Signing differently would help differentiate between different men of the same name.)
Source – “Brewers of Southeast America” p295
MILITARY SERVICE -
Howell Brewer Sr (spelled Hawell Bruer on the roster) served in the Chatham County, North Carolina Militia in 1772 under Captain Joab Brooks' Company, along with his siblings, Nicholas Bruer and George Bruer, and his sons William Brewer and Howell Brewer (Jr, spelled Howel).
Source – Roster of Captain Joab Brooks’ Company, as recorded in “Chatham County, 1771-1791” by Hadley, Horton, and Strowd, pages 4499-450 (Archives and History Library in Raleigh, North Carolina)
TIMELINE / SUMMARY -
1743 - Was in Brunswick County, Virginia
1744 – He and his step-mother Alice Brewer settled his father George's estate in Brunswick Co
1749 – Land grant of 200 acres in Bladen (part formed Orange 1752) County, North Carolina
1754 – Land grant of 200 acres on the northeast side of Deep River 27 Feb 1754
1755 - On tax list in Orange County, North Carolina (some think Moore County, but incorrect, was not formed yet) along with Henry Brewer. While there he sold 200 acres of the above land on both side of Deep River to Zachariah Green 29 Aug 1758. 10 Aug 1767 he sold his second 200 acres land grant to John May (then in Cumberland County). On both documents he left his mark, but his wife must have been deceased because she did not.
1757 – Sept 3, received deed gift for 100 acres (to him and his second wife Marian May from John May, likely Marian's father)
1759 – June, was living on the south side of Haw River. court cases against him for debt
1765 – Feb, sued for debt
1765 – May, replaced as overseer of road by Charles Saxon
1767 – Sold land in Cumberland (formerly Bladen, some later Moore County) and Orange Counties of North Carolina
1768 - May, in Orange County, he was on petition to the Governor and Council protesting the high recording fees (with another Howell Brewer (spelled Brooer), probably Jr, and Nicholas Brewer (spelled Nickless), possibly Howell Sr's brother. This petition was known as the Regulators' Advertisement No. 9.
1769 – June 10, sold 100 acres in Orange County, given to him in 1757, to Joseph Dixon
1772 – North Carolina Militia in Captain Joab Brook's Company of Chatham (formerly Orange) County (with Howell Brewer Jr - 14 names apart on the list, one was spelled Bruer)
1772 – On list with Howell Brewer Jr, Isaac Brewer and Reuben Brewer (list of signatures requesting a central location for Randolph (formerly Orange, then Guilford) County public buildings). Howell Brewer Sr left his mark and others signed.
1806 - Hal (Howell?) Brewer was on Christian County, Kentucky tax list (I suspect that this is not him, but I'll include this entry for now, just in case)
HOWELL also married MARIAN MAY, daughter of JOHN MAY and UNKNOWN, after 1756 in Orange County, North Carolina. Marian was born about 1722 in Virginia.Howell2 Brewer Sr and Rebecca Willis had the following children.
37 M i. JOHN3 BREWER (Patriot) was born about 1738 and died in May 1824.
38 M ii. HOWELL3 BREWER Jr (Patriot) was born about 1742. He died before 1851.
39 M iii. WILLIAM "BILL"3 BREWER (Patriot) was born about 1752. He died on 14 Feb 1837.
40 M iv. AMBROSE3 BREWER (Patriot) was born 1753. He died after 25 Jan 1855.
41 F v. ANN3 BREWER was born in 1753. He died 31 Aug 1824.
42 M vi. JAMES3 BREWER born 1755.
I have seen it written that Marian died in western Tennessee. I don’t know if anyone has proof of this, or if has been assumed from the pension file of her grandson, Isaac Brewer. Therein he stated that his father, Howell, married a second wife and had children by her, and had since moved to western Tennessee. The problem is that some researchers seem to not be aware that there was a Howell Sr and a Howell Jr, and that Isaac was the son of Howell Jr. Therefore, I do not feel comfortable in assuming that his grandmother, Marian, ever lived in western Tennessee. Howell Brewer Sr supposedly died in Kentucky, although I don’t know if that is accurate either. I suspect that he has been confused with the much younger Howell Cobb Brewer.
Howell2 Brewer Sr and Marian May had the following children.
43 M vii. ORVILLE3 BREWER was born 1757.
44 F viii. POLLY3 BREWER was born 1759.
45 M ix. HENRY3 BREWER (Patriot) was born in 1760. He died after 5 Sep 1837.
46 M x. ISAAC3 BREWER was born in about 1764 (same as Isaac born 1763? Need to delete?)
47 M xi. SIMON3 BREWER born abt 1775. (Same as son of Howell Jr? Need to delete?)
6. WILLIAM2 BREWER (GEORGE1) was born in Between 1700 and 1715 in Surrey County, Virginia. He died in 1773. An alternate birth year estimate is 1705. William married SUSANNAH. She was born about 1710.
William2 and Susannah had the following children.
48 M i. WILLIAM3 BREWER was born about 1730.
49 M ii. JAMES3 BREWER was born about 1732.
50 F iii. SARAH3 BREWER was born about 1734.
51 F iv. MISS3 BREWER was born about 1736.
52 F v. MISS3 BREWER was born about 1738.
21 M vii. JESSE3 BREWER was born about 1745. He died Jul 1800.
7. NICHOLAS2 BREWER (GEORGE1) was born in Between 1705-1715 in Surrey County, Virginia. He died after Jul 1792 in Likely North Carolina. (alternate birth year is 1720) Nicholas fought on the side of the Regulators in the Battle of Alabamance. Nicholas married SARAH about 1740 in likely Brunswick County, Virginia. Sarah was born about 1719. She died about 1782.
Nicholas signed the Regulators' Advertisement No. 9 ➚ while living in Orange County, North Carolina in 1768. This was a petition compiled to protest the excessively high recording fees for marriage and land deeds. Also on the petition was his brother, Howell Brewer Sr. Nicholas' name was spelled "Nickless" in this instance. I don't know if he was a part of the Hillsborough riot, but he was in the Battle of Alamance ➚ 17 May 1771.
THE REGULATORS AND THE BATTLE OF ALAMANCE (NORTH CAROLINA) -
Nicholas signed the Regulators' Advertisement No. 9 ➚ while living in Orange County, North Carolina in 1768. This was a petition compiled to protest the excessively high recording fees for marriage and land deeds. Also on the petition was his brother, Howell Brewer Sr. Nicholas' name was spelled "Nickless" in this instance. I don't know if he was a part of the Hillsborough riot, but he was in the Battle of Alamance ➚ 17 May 1771.
Nicholas2 and Sarah had the following children.
53 F i. MISS3 BREWER.
54 F ii. ELIZABETH3 BREWER.
55 M iii. WILLIAM3 BREWER was born in about 1743. He died in about 7 Apr 1833.
56 M iv. BENJAMIN3 BREWER was born in about 1746. He died after 1830.
57 M v. NICHOLAS3 BREWER was born about 1749. He died before 10 Sep 1820.
58 M vi. THOMAS3 BREWER was born about 1750. He died in 1820.
8. SARAH2 BREWER (GEORGE1) was born before 1720 (about 1714?) in Surrey Co, Virginia. She died before 24 Dec 1789 in Meherrin Parish, Greensville (formerly Brunswick) County, Virginia (She wasn't in her husband's will on that date). Sarah married JOHN VICK JR, son of JOHN VICK SR and CATHERINE HOWELL about 18 Nov 1730 in Brunswick County, Virginia. John was born about 1715 in Lower Parish, Isle of Wright County, Virginia. He died between 19 Feb 1787 (will written) and 24 Dec 1789 (will probated) in Meherrin Parish, Greensville (formerly Brunswick) County, Virginia. John owned hundreds of acres and had slaves, as shown in his will.
ca. 1715 - John was born in Lower Parish, Isle of Wright County, Virginia. In March of 1715 his father had received a grant of 100 acres on the south side of Nottoway River in this county, in exchange for transporting two people (paying for their passage).
Before 27 Nov 1729 - left Isle of Wright County, Virginia with his parents and settled on his father's 300 acre tract in Buckhorn Woods, Bertie County, North Carolina, some of which county became Edgecombe County in 1741.
ca. 18 Nov 1730 - John married Sarah Brewer, supposedly in Brunswick County, Virginia. Did the marriage actually take place, instead, in North Carolina or had he already returned to Virginia. Perhaps, though he owned land in North Carolina, he was no longer living on it.
24 May 1742 - John sold 300 acres in Buckhorn Woods in Bertie County, North Carolina, previously owned by his father. This indicates that his father had died and willed him the land prior to this date.
4 Apr 1748 - Another parcel of land which his father had vested him was forfeited and re-granted to William Edwards because John had not cultivated it, as was expected.
1748 - A John Vick was in the tax records of Edgecombe (formerly Bertie) County, North Carolina, though it is unknown whether this is the same man.
20 Aug 1748 - John was granted 394 acres on the north side of Beaver Dam Branch in Brunswick County, Virginia
5 Jun 1765 - John obtained 385 acres with Henry Brewer, his wife's brother, in Brunswick County, Virginia
ca. 1780 - John operated a tavern within his house on Dry Bread Road in Brunswick County, Virginia and was forced to accommodate a British commander, Earl Cornwallis.
19 Feb 1787 - John was a resident of Meherrin Parish, Brunswick County, Virginia, as stated in his will. It appears that his wife, Sarah Brewer, had already passed away.
Source - "Mayfield, Vick, Gooch, Wilkins, & Woody Families" ➚
John Vick and his family were Whigs (Patriots) during the Revolutionary War. An interesting little story about John states that his house, which sat along the Dry Bread Road in Brunswick County, served more purposes than the usual, namely a stagecoach inn (Vick Tavern), before and after the war. I'm sure it was frustrating for him and his wife, but they were forced to host British commander, Earl Cornwallis, and his staff. There the enemy ate their supper, being delayed when part of his army became bogged down on a muddy hill west and below the site of the old tavern. One can only imagine the tension in that household, and the restraint that it would have taken to serve these men. Possibly, even, there was an underlying element of fear among family members and servants alike, as the British were known to have committed atrocities against the countrymen who supported the Patriots' cause. Surely a collective sigh of relief followed the departure of Cornwallis.
Source - Paraphrased from "Joseph Vick of Lower Parish, Isle of Wight County, Virginia - and his Descendants" by John D. Beatty and Di Ann Vick, 2004, as quoted here ➚
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN, I, John Vick of Brunswick County and Meherrin Parrish being sick and weak of body but of sound mind and disposing memory, bless God, for his Mercy do make and ordain this to be my Last Will and Testament.
IMPRIMIS, I give and bequeath unto my Son Howell Vick One hundred and twenty five acres of Land lying on Beaver Pond Creek, joining Captain Littleberry Robinson and George Collier's lines and to come up to what is called the Rocks, for a dividing line, between the Land on which I reside and that I cut off for him, ALSO one Negro man James, also my cross-cut saw, to him and his heirs forever.
ITEM I give and bequeath unto my son John Vick the remainder of my whole lands, only he shall find a Home for as many of my Daughters as choose, as long as they live single and ground to tend, also my still, and one large Iron pot, to him and his heirs forever. I also lend to him my Negro boy named Sharper during his life, and after his Decease my Will is that he be sold, and equally divided amongst all the Children of my said Son, lawfully begotten unto them and each of their heirs forever.
ITEM I give and bequeath unto my daughter Henrietta Vick, one Negro woman named Jenny, also one feather bed and furniture, to her and her heirs forever.
ITEM I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Vick, one Negro girl named Dorcas, to her and her heirs forever.
ITEM I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Clark thirty five pounds current money to her and her heirs forever.
ITEM I give and bequeath unto my daughter Edith Vick one Negro girl named Hannah also one feather bed and furniture, to her and her heirs forever (the bed called hers).
ITEM I give and bequeath unto my daughter Katy Woodruff one Negro girl named Dolley to her and her heirs forever.
ITEM. I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Vick one Negro boy named Tim. (Also my bed I generally lie on), and furniture, to her and her heirs forever.
ITEM It is my will and desire all my Estate not heretofore given away be sold and the money arising from such sale be equally divided between my six daughters, Henrietta, Sarah, Edith, Katy, Ann, and Mary to them and to each of their heirs forever. But if either of my aforenamed daughters should die leaving no heir, of her own body lawfully begotten then my Will is the part of the deceased be equally divided amongst my surviving daughters to them and to each of their heirs forever.
ITEM My will and desire is that my Estate be not appraised.
ITEM I do nominate and appoint my sons, Howell and John Vick, whole and sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament, revoking all others by me heretofore made, being null and void. IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this nineteenth day of February One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Seven.
Signed, Sealed and Published and Delivered in the presence of Nathan Johnson
John Vick
Hoses Johnson, Junior
At a Court held for Greensville County the 24th day of December, 1789. This Will as proved by the oaths of Nathan Johnson and Hoses Johnson, Junior. Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of John Vick one of the executors therein named who made oath thereto, and together with Person Williamson and Nathaniel Woodruff his Securities entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the Penalty of fifteen hundred pounds.Conditioned as the Law directs. Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, Liberty being reserved for the other. Executor therein named to qualify when he may think fit.
Exd.
TesteP. Pelham CC C
TESTE:
Robert C. Wren, Clerk
by Mary D. Lee, D.C.
Transcription Source - Rootsweb, Vick-L Archives ➚ (A sincere thank you to the transcriber, Ronald Vick!)
Physical Source - Will Book 1 at page 149, Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of Greensville (formerly Brunswick) County, Virginia.
RESIDENCES AND LAND GRANTS
ca. 1715 - John was born in Lower Parish, Isle of Wright County, Virginia. In March of 1715 his father had received a grant of 100 acres on the south side of Nottoway River in this county, in exchange for transporting two people (paying for their passage).
Before 27 Nov 1729 - left Isle of Wright County, Virginia with his parents and settled on his father's 300 acre tract in Buckhorn Woods, Bertie County, North Carolina, some of which county became Edgecombe County in 1741.
ca. 18 Nov 1730 - John married Sarah Brewer, supposedly in Brunswick County, Virginia. Did the marriage actually take place, instead, in North Carolina or had he already returned to Virginia. Perhaps, though he owned land in North Carolina, he was no longer living on it.
24 May 1742 - John sold 300 acres in Buckhorn Woods in Bertie County, North Carolina, previously owned by his father. This indicates that his father had died and willed him the land prior to this date.
4 Apr 1748 - Another parcel of land which his father had vested him was forfeited and re-granted to William Edwards because John had not cultivated it, as was expected.
1748 - A John Vick was in the tax records of Edgecombe (formerly Bertie) County, North Carolina, though it is unknown whether this is the same man.
20 Aug 1748 - John was granted 394 acres on the north side of Beaver Dam Branch in Brunswick County, Virginia
5 Jun 1765 - John obtained 385 acres with Henry Brewer, his wife's brother, in Brunswick County, Virginia
ca. 1780 - John operated a tavern within his house on Dry Bread Road in Brunswick County, Virginia and was forced to accommodate a British commander, Earl Cornwallis.
19 Feb 1787 - John was a resident of Meherrin Parish, Brunswick County, Virginia, as stated in his will. It appears that his wife, Sarah Brewer, had already passed away.
Source - "Mayfield, Vick, Gooch, Wilkins, & Woody Families" ➚
A TAVERN WITH A STORY TO TELL
John Vick and his family were Whigs (Patriots) during the Revolutionary War. An interesting little story about John states that his house, which sat along the Dry Bread Road in Brunswick County, served more purposes than the usual, namely a stagecoach inn (Vick Tavern), before and after the war. I'm sure it was frustrating for him and his wife, but they were forced to host British commander, Earl Cornwallis, and his staff. There the enemy ate their supper, being delayed when part of his army became bogged down on a muddy hill west and below the site of the old tavern. One can only imagine the tension in that household, and the restraint that it would have taken to serve these men. Possibly, even, there was an underlying element of fear among family members and servants alike, as the British were known to have committed atrocities against the countrymen who supported the Patriots' cause. Surely a collective sigh of relief followed the departure of Cornwallis.
Source - Paraphrased from "Joseph Vick of Lower Parish, Isle of Wight County, Virginia - and his Descendants" by John D. Beatty and Di Ann Vick, 2004, as quoted here ➚
WILL OF JOHN VICK JR - 19 Feb 1787
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN, I, John Vick of Brunswick County and Meherrin Parrish being sick and weak of body but of sound mind and disposing memory, bless God, for his Mercy do make and ordain this to be my Last Will and Testament.
IMPRIMIS, I give and bequeath unto my Son Howell Vick One hundred and twenty five acres of Land lying on Beaver Pond Creek, joining Captain Littleberry Robinson and George Collier's lines and to come up to what is called the Rocks, for a dividing line, between the Land on which I reside and that I cut off for him, ALSO one Negro man James, also my cross-cut saw, to him and his heirs forever.
ITEM I give and bequeath unto my son John Vick the remainder of my whole lands, only he shall find a Home for as many of my Daughters as choose, as long as they live single and ground to tend, also my still, and one large Iron pot, to him and his heirs forever. I also lend to him my Negro boy named Sharper during his life, and after his Decease my Will is that he be sold, and equally divided amongst all the Children of my said Son, lawfully begotten unto them and each of their heirs forever.
ITEM I give and bequeath unto my daughter Henrietta Vick, one Negro woman named Jenny, also one feather bed and furniture, to her and her heirs forever.
ITEM I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Vick, one Negro girl named Dorcas, to her and her heirs forever.
ITEM I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Clark thirty five pounds current money to her and her heirs forever.
ITEM I give and bequeath unto my daughter Edith Vick one Negro girl named Hannah also one feather bed and furniture, to her and her heirs forever (the bed called hers).
ITEM I give and bequeath unto my daughter Katy Woodruff one Negro girl named Dolley to her and her heirs forever.
ITEM. I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Vick one Negro boy named Tim. (Also my bed I generally lie on), and furniture, to her and her heirs forever.
ITEM It is my will and desire all my Estate not heretofore given away be sold and the money arising from such sale be equally divided between my six daughters, Henrietta, Sarah, Edith, Katy, Ann, and Mary to them and to each of their heirs forever. But if either of my aforenamed daughters should die leaving no heir, of her own body lawfully begotten then my Will is the part of the deceased be equally divided amongst my surviving daughters to them and to each of their heirs forever.
ITEM My will and desire is that my Estate be not appraised.
ITEM I do nominate and appoint my sons, Howell and John Vick, whole and sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament, revoking all others by me heretofore made, being null and void. IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this nineteenth day of February One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Seven.
John Vick (LS)
Signed, Sealed and Published and Delivered in the presence of Nathan Johnson
John Vick
Hoses Johnson, Junior
At a Court held for Greensville County the 24th day of December, 1789. This Will as proved by the oaths of Nathan Johnson and Hoses Johnson, Junior. Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of John Vick one of the executors therein named who made oath thereto, and together with Person Williamson and Nathaniel Woodruff his Securities entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the Penalty of fifteen hundred pounds.Conditioned as the Law directs. Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, Liberty being reserved for the other. Executor therein named to qualify when he may think fit.
Exd.
TesteP. Pelham CC C
TESTE:
Robert C. Wren, Clerk
by Mary D. Lee, D.C.
Transcription Source - Rootsweb, Vick-L Archives ➚ (A sincere thank you to the transcriber, Ronald Vick!)
Physical Source - Will Book 1 at page 149, Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of Greensville (formerly Brunswick) County, Virginia.
Sarah2 and John Vick had the following children.
59 M i. HOWELL3 VICK was born about 1737. He died before 29 Jan 1795.
60 M ii. JOHN3 VICK (Patriot) was born 14 Sep 1755. He died after 9 Nov 1835.
61 F iii. HENRIETTA3 VICK was born about 1740. She died after 1794.
62 F iv. SARAH3 VICK was born about 1745. She died before 29 Jan 1795.
63 F v. EDITH3 VICK was born about 1760. She died after 24 Jun 1790.
64 F vi. MARY3 VICK was born about 1762. She died after 25 Dec 1791.
65 F vii. ANN3 VICK was born about 1752. She died after 1795.
66 F viii. CATHERINE "KATY"3 VICK was born about 1750. She died after 1824.
9. OLIVER2 BREWER (GEORGE1) was born about 1707 in Surry County, Virginia. He died on 14 Oct 1792 in Pittsboro, Chatham, North Carolina. Oliver married REBECCA ANN SMITH.
There was an Oliver Brewer who got a Granville Land Grant in Chatham section of Orange County, NC, surveyed Jan 1762, granted Dec 1762, 690 acres, along Wilkerson/Wilkinson Creek, both sides of Haw River, adjoining land of Henry Brewer who had a 456 parcel along Haw River including Brewer's Island and a small island, and a 585 acre parcel along Terrelis Creek.
Source - Granville Land Grants ➚
In the name of God Amen I Oliver Brewer of the State of North Carolina and County of Chatham being weak of body but of sound mind and memory, thanks be to allmighty God for it, theirfore cawling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing tis appointed for all men once to die I do make and order this to bee my last Will and Testament in manner and form as followeth.
First I recom my immortal soule into the hands of my blessed redeemer who gave it to me.
Secdly I give my body to the Earth from which it was taken to bee Buried at the discretion of my executioner [sic executor] hearafter mentioned.
Thirdly my Will is that all my Just dets bee paid.
Item - I give to my beloved wife Rebecah Brewer the plantation whereon I now live during her natural life and widowhood and all the land of this side Ward's Branch joyning the plantation and after her decease to my son George Brewer to his heirs and assigns forever.
I give to my three sons namely William Brewer and Henry Brewer and Christopher Brewer all the land of the North side of Ward's Branch to be equally divided between the three - William's part to joyn William Edward's line. [William Edwards was married to Oliver's daughter, Rebeccah.] Henry's to bee next and Christopher's to be next and joyn Ward's Branch to them their heirs and assigns forever.
Item - I give to my son Oliver Brewer Sixty pounds to him his heirs and assigns forever.
Item - I give to my well beloved wife Rebeccah Brewer one horse that is Cauled hurs to hur & hur heirs and assigns forever and one Negroe woman called Jude during her natural life time of widow hood and the bed whereon she lies and furniture.
Item - I give to my daughter Frances Brewer the bed that is calld hurs and furniture and two cows and calves.
The residue of my wourld Estate I leave to my six sons Namely Edward Brewer and Oliver Brewer and William Brewer and Henry Brewer and Christopher Brewer and Georg Brewer and my daughters Patti Blalock Rebeccah Edwards and Hannah Edwards and Frances Brewer to be equally divided amongst them all after makeing them equal that has nothing given with them that has.
Lastly I constitute and appoint my beloved wife Rebecah Brewer and George Blalock [Patti's husband] and William Brewer as extrs. of this my last Will and Testament and witness my hand and seale this 14th day of October 1791.
James Smith
A Copy Test. John Ramsey C C.
Transcription Source - An Arkansas Connection ➚
Original Source - Record of Estates, 1782-1799, Volume 1, page 45b, 46 North Carolina State Archives, Film #C.0022.50001
LAND GRANTS -
There was an Oliver Brewer who got a Granville Land Grant in Chatham section of Orange County, NC, surveyed Jan 1762, granted Dec 1762, 690 acres, along Wilkerson/Wilkinson Creek, both sides of Haw River, adjoining land of Henry Brewer who had a 456 parcel along Haw River including Brewer's Island and a small island, and a 585 acre parcel along Terrelis Creek.
Source - Granville Land Grants ➚
OLIVER BREWER'S WILL -
In the name of God Amen I Oliver Brewer of the State of North Carolina and County of Chatham being weak of body but of sound mind and memory, thanks be to allmighty God for it, theirfore cawling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing tis appointed for all men once to die I do make and order this to bee my last Will and Testament in manner and form as followeth.
First I recom my immortal soule into the hands of my blessed redeemer who gave it to me.
Secdly I give my body to the Earth from which it was taken to bee Buried at the discretion of my executioner [sic executor] hearafter mentioned.
Thirdly my Will is that all my Just dets bee paid.
Item - I give to my beloved wife Rebecah Brewer the plantation whereon I now live during her natural life and widowhood and all the land of this side Ward's Branch joyning the plantation and after her decease to my son George Brewer to his heirs and assigns forever.
I give to my three sons namely William Brewer and Henry Brewer and Christopher Brewer all the land of the North side of Ward's Branch to be equally divided between the three - William's part to joyn William Edward's line. [William Edwards was married to Oliver's daughter, Rebeccah.] Henry's to bee next and Christopher's to be next and joyn Ward's Branch to them their heirs and assigns forever.
Item - I give to my son Oliver Brewer Sixty pounds to him his heirs and assigns forever.
Item - I give to my well beloved wife Rebeccah Brewer one horse that is Cauled hurs to hur & hur heirs and assigns forever and one Negroe woman called Jude during her natural life time of widow hood and the bed whereon she lies and furniture.
Item - I give to my daughter Frances Brewer the bed that is calld hurs and furniture and two cows and calves.
The residue of my wourld Estate I leave to my six sons Namely Edward Brewer and Oliver Brewer and William Brewer and Henry Brewer and Christopher Brewer and Georg Brewer and my daughters Patti Blalock Rebeccah Edwards and Hannah Edwards and Frances Brewer to be equally divided amongst them all after makeing them equal that has nothing given with them that has.
Lastly I constitute and appoint my beloved wife Rebecah Brewer and George Blalock [Patti's husband] and William Brewer as extrs. of this my last Will and Testament and witness my hand and seale this 14th day of October 1791.
Signed Oliver Brewer
James Smith
A Copy Test. John Ramsey C C.
Transcription Source - An Arkansas Connection ➚
Original Source - Record of Estates, 1782-1799, Volume 1, page 45b, 46 North Carolina State Archives, Film #C.0022.50001
Oliver2 and Rebecca Ann Smith had the following children (probably not in order - births estimated).
(Proven as children of Oliver - mentioned in his will as his children, 1791 in Chatham Co, NC.)
67 M i. GEORGE3 BREWER was born in 1735. He died after 1791.
68 M ii. OLIVER3 BREWER was born in 1740. He died after 1791.
69 M iii. WILLIAM3 BREWER was born in 1752. He died on 14 Mar 1835.
70 M iv. CHRISTOPHER3 BREWER was born in 1755. He died after 1791.
71 F v. FRANCES3 BREWER was born in 1756. She died after 1791.
72 F vi. HANNAH3 BREWER was born in 1758. She died after 1791.
73 M vii. HENRY3 BREWER was born in Jan 1760. He died after 1819.
74 F viii. REBECCA3 BREWER was born in 1760. She died after 1837.
75 M ix. EDWARD3 BREWER (Patriot) was born on 19 Oct 1762. He died in 1845.
76 F x. PATTI3 BREWER. was born after 1756. She died between 1791 and 1830.
10. HENRY LANIER2 BREWER (GEORGE1) was born in 1710 in Surry County, Virginia. He died on Jan/Feb 1779 in Chatham County, North Carolina. I'm not sure if his middle name is documented, or simply assumed because Lanier is the maiden name of his father's first wife. Sometimes a child would be named in such a manner to honor the deceased or to show an ancestral connection. Henry Lanier Brewer married MARY about 1730. She was born about 1712. She died after 1779.
Henry obtained land in the Granville Land Grant of the Chatham section of Orange County (456 acres surveyed Aug 1754 and granted Nov 1756 along Haw River including Brewer's Island and a small island, and another parcel 585 acres along Terrelis Creek surveyed Oct 1757 and granted Feb 1759. His 456 acre parcel adjoined that of Oliver Brewer who had 690 acres along Wilkerson Creek and Haw River.
Source - Granville Land Grants ➚
1756 and 1759 Poll tax 1755 in Orange County, North Carolina
Written 2 Sep 1778, filed in Pittsboro, North Carolina and proved Feb 1779
In the Name of god amen I Henry Brewer of Chatham County North carolina being weak of Body But of Sound mind and memory thanks be to almighty god for the same therefore Calling to mind the mortality of my Body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die do make and order this to be my Last will and testament in manner and form as followeth first and principle I recommend my immortal soule into the hands of almighty god that gave it me hoping through the merits of my blessed redeemer to inherit life Everlasting and as to my mortal body I Commit it to the earth from whence it was taken to Be Buried at the discretion of my executor hereafter mentioned
first my will is that all my just debts be payd
Secondly I leave my wordly Goods as followeth
first I give to my son George Brewer half the mill and the land above strate from the mouth thence Strate to the spring whare he lives and from thence down the branch to the river [missing words, page torn] to him his heirs and assigns forever
Item I give to my son Henry Brewer the land and plantation from sd mouth of cr follow an east Course to my back line to him his heirs and assigns forever
Item I give to my son Hubbard Brewer the land from the great spring Branch from an oak tree a south Course to a point above the field that Benjamin Brewer Cleerd and and [sic] from thence to a pond neare the back line and so to the back line to him his heirs and assigns for Ever
Item leave to my beloved wife Mary Brewer the plantation whareon I now do liv and all the Land thereto belonging and half the mill dureing her natural life or widow[hood] and after her death or marriage to be equally divided between my son Isaac Brewer and my son Oliver Brewer to them their heirs and assigns for Ever
Item I give to my son Isaac Brewer one black mare branded thus HB and her increase to him his heirs and assigns for Ever
Item I give to my son Oliver Brewer one Bay mare branded thus HB to him his heirs and assigns forever
Item I give to my daughter An Parker one Shilling Sterling to her her heirs and assigns forever
Item I give to my son Hubbard Brewer the bed and furniture that he lays in for Comunion to him his heirs and assigns forever
Item I give to my daughter Mary Brewer one bed and furniture to her her heirs and assigns forever
Item I give to my daughter Sarah Brewer one bed and furniture to her her heirs and assigns forever
Item I give to my three daughters namely Rebeccah Brewer and Francis Brewer and Alisen Brewer ten pounds apeace to them their heirs and assigns forever
Lastly I constitute and appoint my beloved wife Mary Brewer and my son George Brewer executrix and executor of this my Last will and testament in witness whare of I heareunto set my [hand] and affix my Seele this Second day of September in the year of oure Lord Christ one thousand Seven hundred Seventy Eight
James Smith
Moses X Smith [his mark]
Howel H Brewer [H was his mark]
February Court 1779
The above Will Hereby Executed in Open Court by the Oath of Moses Smith and Ordered to be registered.
Test. A Clark C.C.
LAND GRANTS -
Henry obtained land in the Granville Land Grant of the Chatham section of Orange County (456 acres surveyed Aug 1754 and granted Nov 1756 along Haw River including Brewer's Island and a small island, and another parcel 585 acres along Terrelis Creek surveyed Oct 1757 and granted Feb 1759. His 456 acre parcel adjoined that of Oliver Brewer who had 690 acres along Wilkerson Creek and Haw River.
Source - Granville Land Grants ➚
TAX RECORDS -
1756 and 1759 Poll tax 1755 in Orange County, North Carolina
HENRY'S WILL -
Written 2 Sep 1778, filed in Pittsboro, North Carolina and proved Feb 1779
In the Name of god amen I Henry Brewer of Chatham County North carolina being weak of Body But of Sound mind and memory thanks be to almighty god for the same therefore Calling to mind the mortality of my Body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die do make and order this to be my Last will and testament in manner and form as followeth first and principle I recommend my immortal soule into the hands of almighty god that gave it me hoping through the merits of my blessed redeemer to inherit life Everlasting and as to my mortal body I Commit it to the earth from whence it was taken to Be Buried at the discretion of my executor hereafter mentioned
first my will is that all my just debts be payd
Secondly I leave my wordly Goods as followeth
first I give to my son George Brewer half the mill and the land above strate from the mouth thence Strate to the spring whare he lives and from thence down the branch to the river [missing words, page torn] to him his heirs and assigns forever
Item I give to my son Henry Brewer the land and plantation from sd mouth of cr follow an east Course to my back line to him his heirs and assigns forever
Item I give to my son Hubbard Brewer the land from the great spring Branch from an oak tree a south Course to a point above the field that Benjamin Brewer Cleerd and and [sic] from thence to a pond neare the back line and so to the back line to him his heirs and assigns for Ever
Item leave to my beloved wife Mary Brewer the plantation whareon I now do liv and all the Land thereto belonging and half the mill dureing her natural life or widow[hood] and after her death or marriage to be equally divided between my son Isaac Brewer and my son Oliver Brewer to them their heirs and assigns for Ever
Item I give to my son Isaac Brewer one black mare branded thus HB and her increase to him his heirs and assigns for Ever
Item I give to my son Oliver Brewer one Bay mare branded thus HB to him his heirs and assigns forever
Item I give to my daughter An Parker one Shilling Sterling to her her heirs and assigns forever
Item I give to my son Hubbard Brewer the bed and furniture that he lays in for Comunion to him his heirs and assigns forever
Item I give to my daughter Mary Brewer one bed and furniture to her her heirs and assigns forever
Item I give to my daughter Sarah Brewer one bed and furniture to her her heirs and assigns forever
Item I give to my three daughters namely Rebeccah Brewer and Francis Brewer and Alisen Brewer ten pounds apeace to them their heirs and assigns forever
Lastly I constitute and appoint my beloved wife Mary Brewer and my son George Brewer executrix and executor of this my Last will and testament in witness whare of I heareunto set my [hand] and affix my Seele this Second day of September in the year of oure Lord Christ one thousand Seven hundred Seventy Eight
his
Henry X Brewer
mark
Signed & Sealed in presents [sic presence] of usHenry X Brewer
mark
James Smith
Moses X Smith [his mark]
Howel H Brewer [H was his mark]
February Court 1779
The above Will Hereby Executed in Open Court by the Oath of Moses Smith and Ordered to be registered.
Test. A Clark C.C.
Henry Lanier2 and Mary had the following children (probably not in order - births estimated).
(Proven as children of Henry - mentioned in his will as his children, 1778 in Chatham Co, NC)
77 M i. GEORGE3 BREWER was born about 1731. He died after 1778.
78 M ii. HENRY3 BREWER was born about 1734. He died after 1778.
79 M iii. HUBBARD3 BREWER was born about 1736. He died after 1778.
80 M iv. ISAAC3 BREWER was born about 1738. He died after 1778.
81 M v. OLIVER3 BREWER was born about 1740. He died after 1778.
82 F vi. ANN3 BREWER was born about 1742. She died after 1778.
83 F vii. MARY3 BREWER was born about 1744. She died after 1778.
84 F viii. SARAH3 BREWER was born about 1746. She died after 1778.
85 F ix. REBECAH3 BREWER was born about 1748. She died after 1778.
86 F x. FRANCES3 BREWER was born about 1750. She died after 1778.
87 F xi. ALISEN3 BREWER was born about 1752. She died after 1778.
11. NATHANIEL2 BREWER (GEORGE1) was born on 12 Dec 1712 in Surrey County, Virginia. He died before 6 Apr 1804 in Chatham County, North Carolina. Nathaniel's wife is unknown.
Inherited 250 acres of land on both side of Old Roanoke Road in Brunswick County, Virginia, don't know what happened to it after he died.
NATHANIEL'S INHERITANCE -
Inherited 250 acres of land on both side of Old Roanoke Road in Brunswick County, Virginia, don't know what happened to it after he died.
Nathaniel2 and his unknown wife had the following children.
88 M i. DAVID3 BREWER.
89 M ii. NATHANIEL3 BREWER.
90 M iii. FRANCIS3 BREWER.
91 M iv. DANIEL3 BREWER.
92 M v. WILLIAM3 BREWER.
93 M vi. GEORGE3 BREWER.
94 M vii. JAMES3 BREWER.
95 F viii. PATIENCE3 BREWER.
96 F ix. LUCY3 BREWER.
97 F x. MILLY3 BREWER.
98 F xi. SUSANNAH3 BREWER.
99 F xii. NANCY3 BREWER.
There may be a broken link here, if it is true that Burwell is not a son of George Brewer (he is not mentioned in George's will), but I will leave him below for now:
12. BURWELL2 BREWER (GEORGE1) was born about 1730 in Surry County, Virginia. He died in Mar 1799 in Wilkes County, Georgia. Burwell Brewer married ELIZABETH PATRICK, daughter of PAUL PATRICK and AGNES MILLIKEN, about 1750 in North Carolina. Elizabeth was born about 1732 in Brunswick County, Virginia. She died in 1800 in Wilkes County, Georgia.
Info from Mike Brewer:
Burwell Brewer and other Brewers came to Wilkes County, Georgia (now Oglethorpe County) in 1784 with the Patrick family and George Brewer. They were Whiggs (supported America rather than Brittain). Thus much of their time was spend serving and their land was sometimes neglected as a result and wanting to start over could have been why they went to Georgia.
Georgia was then the inviting field, and Wilkes county the frontier. The "old patriarch, [Elizabeth Patrick's father] with his nine sons, his son-in-law Burrell Brewer, with a house full of children, and other relatives gathered their herds, loaded their wagons with their household goods, and in 1784, they transferred themselves to middle Georgia. They settled on Long Creek, then in Wilkes County, now in Oglethorpe County, near the present town of Lexington. There they laid their "head-rights". That is, they entered and obtained 640 acres of land for each family.
"Burrell Brewer's land was on a little stream which, in after years, bore his name "Brewer Creek" Here the newcomers erected log houses and opened fields. Burrell was the central figure in the immigrant group. He selected a high hill for his opening in the forest. The Indians were troublesome; so, the settlers built a "blockhouse" or fort. It took the name Fort Brewer, and was located ten miles below what is called "the Cherokee Corner", now the dividing line between Oglethorpe and Clark Counties. The Indians had agreed not to come below this line. But there were indian forays and threats to the blockhouse. The inhabitants had little security after the battle of Jack's Creek. A treaty was signed to remove the indians beyond the Oconee River. Burrell Brewer appears to have been a prosperous farmer.
"There were born thirteen children to the Burrell Brewer family. One died at age four. He and his wife reared five sons and seven daughters, though he did not live to see all of them grown and married. He died in March 1799, and some of the children had not reached the age of majority. His widow remained on the farm and was assisted in the care of the family by her daughter Agnes. But she survived her husband by only one year. They were members of the Baptist church.
March 1799 - Estate Administration, William Brewer Admin, Book F. Folio 7, p. 65, also Bk G. Folio 31 - slow settlement. Nancy married George Brittain July 23, 1800 and George received 1 bed and furniture. The girls got beds and furniture. George Britain rec. 1 bed and furniture, Sam Bolling - 1 bed and furniture, Agnes Brewer 1 bed and furniture, Rebecca Brewer, 1 bed and furniture, Tilley Boyd - 1 bed and furniture, Betsy Brewer - 1 bed and furniture.
By 1778 - was in Wilkes County, Georgia
1782 - was on tax list with William and George Brewer in Wilkes County, Georgia
Burwell's land - on Naked Creek
William's land - Big Sandy Creek
George's land - south side of Yadkin River
Burwell Brewer and other Brewers came to Wilkes County, Georgia (now Oglethorpe County) in 1784 with the Patrick family and George Brewer. They were Whiggs (supported America rather than Brittain). Thus much of their time was spend serving and their land was sometimes neglected as a result and wanting to start over could have been why they went to Georgia.
Georgia was then the inviting field, and Wilkes county the frontier. The "old patriarch, [Elizabeth Patrick's father] with his nine sons, his son-in-law Burrell Brewer, with a house full of children, and other relatives gathered their herds, loaded their wagons with their household goods, and in 1784, they transferred themselves to middle Georgia. They settled on Long Creek, then in Wilkes County, now in Oglethorpe County, near the present town of Lexington. There they laid their "head-rights". That is, they entered and obtained 640 acres of land for each family.
"Burrell Brewer's land was on a little stream which, in after years, bore his name "Brewer Creek" Here the newcomers erected log houses and opened fields. Burrell was the central figure in the immigrant group. He selected a high hill for his opening in the forest. The Indians were troublesome; so, the settlers built a "blockhouse" or fort. It took the name Fort Brewer, and was located ten miles below what is called "the Cherokee Corner", now the dividing line between Oglethorpe and Clark Counties. The Indians had agreed not to come below this line. But there were indian forays and threats to the blockhouse. The inhabitants had little security after the battle of Jack's Creek. A treaty was signed to remove the indians beyond the Oconee River. Burrell Brewer appears to have been a prosperous farmer.
"There were born thirteen children to the Burrell Brewer family. One died at age four. He and his wife reared five sons and seven daughters, though he did not live to see all of them grown and married. He died in March 1799, and some of the children had not reached the age of majority. His widow remained on the farm and was assisted in the care of the family by her daughter Agnes. But she survived her husband by only one year. They were members of the Baptist church.
March 1799 - Estate Administration, William Brewer Admin, Book F. Folio 7, p. 65, also Bk G. Folio 31 - slow settlement. Nancy married George Brittain July 23, 1800 and George received 1 bed and furniture. The girls got beds and furniture. George Britain rec. 1 bed and furniture, Sam Bolling - 1 bed and furniture, Agnes Brewer 1 bed and furniture, Rebecca Brewer, 1 bed and furniture, Tilley Boyd - 1 bed and furniture, Betsy Brewer - 1 bed and furniture.
By 1778 - was in Wilkes County, Georgia
1782 - was on tax list with William and George Brewer in Wilkes County, Georgia
Burwell's land - on Naked Creek
William's land - Big Sandy Creek
George's land - south side of Yadkin River
Burwell2 and Elizabeth Patrick had the following children.
100 M i. PATRICK3 BREWER.
101 F ii. ADELIA3 BREWER.
102 M iii. JAMES3 BREWER.
103 F iv. NANCY3 BREWER.
104 F v. SUSAN3 BREWER.
105 F vi. REBECCA3 BREWER died in Burke County, Georgia. She had a large family.
106 F vii. SARAH3 BREWER.
107 F viii. ELIZABETH3 BREWER.
108 F ix. AGNESS3 BREWER.
109 M x. JOHN3 BREWER was born about 1752. He died in South Carolina.
110 M xi. WILLIAM3 BREWER (Patriot) was born about 1758. He died after 1818.
George Brewer II's son James is not the James who died in 1816. That James was son of William Brewer (George I).
ReplyDeleteI'm looking for information about James Brewer. Trying to fit it into my family tree. Do you have a tree that I can look at? How do you fit in?
DeleteWilliam Brewer, son of George I, was married to a Mary (last name unknown). He had five proven sons: William (d. ca. 1811); James (d. 1816); Henry (d. 1804); Jesse (d. 1800) and John who died in 1826, all in Brunswick County, Va. These are proven through wills, deeds, chancery cases and other court records. He probably had some daughters but none are known. Another William Brewer was in Brunswick in the 1740s through 1765 who was married to a Susannah.
ReplyDelete