Hertford County, North Carolina


Hertford County, North Carolina was form in 1759, directly below Southampton County, Virginia and was still a part of the Meherrin River area even though it was across the line into North Carolina.

John 2 Brewer (1700/1715-1780)

Written on unknown date
Proved 10 Jan 1780
Recorded in Southampton Co, Virginia

Wife - mentioned, but not named
Children listed - John, Reace, Jacob, Jesse, Pacience, Elizabeth, Ann, Frances, Hardy, and Henry
Property mentioned - feather beds, sheets, blankets, rugs, furniture, money, estate (land included?)

Southampton Co Will Book 3, 1772-1782, page 295
Library of Virginia in Richmond
Image Source - The Brantley Association ➚
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 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 desend 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 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 [not dated]

his             
John   J   Brewer
mark            
Signed Sealed publish'd & declared in presence of us
Geo. 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 thereinnamed & proved by the Oaths of Geo. Little Abram Poter & Rebecca Morgan the Witnesses thereto & Ordered to be Recorded And on the motion of s'd Executors who made oath according to law Certificate is granted them for obtaining a Probat in due form giving Security whereupon &c 
Sam Kello Cl

Orange County, North Carolina


Katey Brewer

Several online family trees state that she was born in about 1760, and list her maiden name as Caty Lloyd, her husband as William Newitt Brewer, son of Sackfield Brewer and Martha White, and their children as Candice Caruthers, Charlotte, William Monroe and Mary Polly Brewer. I have not researched this part of the Brewer family, so I can't say if this information is accurate. Therefore, I include these details only as a point of reference.


Written 10 Jul 1800
Proved Feb 1801
Husband - not mentioned
Children named - Candice, Charlotte, William and Polly
Property listed - real and personal (specifics not given)

Orange County Will Book D, Page 30
Image Source - Family Search ➚
In the Name of God Amen. I Katey Brewer of Orange County and State of North Carolina being very sick and weak but of sound mind and memory Blessed be God. do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner and form following. To wit -

My Will is that all my Just debts and funeral charges be first paid and as to the worldly Estate that it hath pleased God to bless me with my Will is that the whole of my Estate real and personal be Equally divided at the direction of my Executors between my four children To wit, Candice Charlotte William and Polly to them and their heirs forever. 

Lastly I hereby nominate and appoint my trusty and well beloved friends Samuel Carothers and William Forsythe Executors of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking all other Wills as Witness my hand and seal this 10th of July 1800. Sign'd Seal'd published
Declared in presence of
William Strowd                                                          her
James X Floyd                                                  Katey X Brewer    (seal)
Eliza X Floyd                                                            mark

Orange County February Term 1801
The Execution of the forgoing Last Will and Testament of Katey Brewer Dec'd was duly proved in open Court by the oaths of James Floyd & William Strowd subscribing Witnesses and ordered to be recorded at the same time the executors therein named qualified accordingly.


Sackfield Brewer Sr

I'm not sure where Sackfield ties into the George Brewer and Sarah Lanier branch of the family, or for sure if he even does, but his ancestors lived in some of the same areas in Virginia and he was in the same part of North Carolina as some of our main Brewer line by the time of the creation of his will.

He had various slaves, but this was not uncommon among the Brewers of this era. However, I found it especially interesting that he seemed to be partial to Rachel, a Negro "wench", whom he wanted set free upon his death. He even willed her a fair bit of money, specifically $20. In the amendment to this will he also made mention of two Mulatto children that he willed to family members. I can't help but wonder if these were his children by Rachel, but of course this is only a hunch. I don't mean this as an insult to his posterity in any way. Such was common back in the day. I just found it to be fascinating that these things were hinted at in his will. Of course, I may be reading way more into his story than was actually there.

Written 2 Jun 1810
Amended 15 Aug 1811
Proved Aug 1813
Wife - not mentioned
Children listed - Thomas, Sarah Edwards (daughter-in-law?), Ezekiel, Elizabeth, Rebecca Hopson
Grandchildren - Patsey Lindsey, 2 of Sarah's children, Sackfield, Henry, Patsey Brewer, Polly, Mary Meachum
Great grandson - Peter
Possessions - 10 slaves (Rachel to be freed), Mulatto twins, land, money, feather beds, furniture, wagon and gears

Orange County Will Book D, Page 384
Image Source - Family Search ➚
In the name of God Amen. I Sackfield Brewer Sen'r of the County of Orange & State of North Carolina being in tolerable health for my time of life & of sound mind & memory, revoking all former ones, do make constitute & ordain this my last will and testament in manner & form following Viz -

In the first place I allow and grant to my son Thomas Brewer & confirm to him during his natural life, the full use, privilege and benefit of all that part & parcel of my land, which lies on the North side of the watery fork & at his death give & bequeath said tract & parcel of land to my Granddaughter Patsey Lindsey & to the two oldest children of my Granddaughter Sarah Edwards to be equally divided between said Patsey Lindsey and the two oldest children of Sarah Edwards aforesaid the two children together sharing as much as Patsey Lindsey alows

I also grant, loan, & allow to my said son Thomas Brewer the service & use of my Negroes Candis & Aaron (remaining now in my possession during his life as aforesaid & at his death I give and bequeath Negro Candis & her issue to the two oldest children of my Grand daughter Sarah Edwards & Negro boy Aaron to my Grand daughter Patsey Lindsey

Item. I also grant, loan, & allow to my son Ezekial Brewer & confirm to him during his natural life, the full use benefit and privilege of all that part & parcel of my land which lies on the south side of the aforesaid watery fork and after his death I give & bequeath said tract or parcel of Land to my Grandson Sackfield Brewer son of S'd Ezekial

Orange County Will Book D, Page 385
Image Source - Family Search ➚
I also loan & allow to my said son Ezekiel during his life the service and use of my Negro boy Pompey now in my possession then I give and bequeath said Negro Boy Pompey to my Grandson Henry Brewer son of said Ezekiel

And I also give & bequeath to my aforesaid Grandson Sackfield Brewer my Negro Girl Rachel,

And to my Grand daughter Patsey Brewer daughter of said Ezekiel my Negro Girl Nan,

And to my Granddaughter Polly Brewer daughter of said Ezekiel one Feather bed & furniture

& to my son Ezekiel my Waggon & Gears

Item. I give & bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth Brewer all that track or parcel of Land lying on the west side of Cane Creek belonging to me which adjoins the lands of William Hopson, my Negro Girl Sylvia, Negro boy Charles, & my feather bed & furniture

Item. I give and bequeath to my Grand daughter Mary Meachum my Negro Girl Jinny

& also to my great grandson Peter Brewer son of my Grandson Peter give one hundred dollars to be placed in the hands of Jesse Meachum & by him let out on interest till said infant Peter shall come to full age & then & not till then to receive and have both principal & interest which shall have accrued

Item. I give and bequeath to my Grand daughters Sarah Edwards and Patsey Lindsey fifty Dollars apiece

Item. I give and bequeath twenty dollars to my Negro Wench Rachel & it is my will & pleasure & I do hereby emancipate said Wench Rachel & set her at liberty from the service of any person whatever after my decease

Item I give and bequeath my Negro Gilbert to the next oldest child which shall be living at the time of my Grandson Peter Brewer to his son Peter, who is one of the Legacies herein mentioned

Orange County Will Book D, Page 386
Image Source - Family Search ➚
Item. & lastly I give and bequeath after all my Just debts are paid an equal share to each of my four surviving children Ezekiel & Thomas Brewer, Elizabeth Brewer & Rebecca Hopson, all my money outstanding debts, my still, livestock and other property of whatever kind, to be divided in equal parts or lotts if they can agree on that way among themselves, or otherwise to be disposed of at Public Sale & the proceeds divided as above directed.

& I do hereby constitute and appoint Ezekiel & Thomas Brewer my aforesaid sons & Col' Charles Christmas the executors of this my last will & testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and annex my seal, this Second day of June A Dom 1810
Test
R Stanford          }                                                                        Sackfield Brewer (Seal)
William Moore   }

Orange County Will Book D, Page 386
Image Source - Family Search ➚
In the name of God Amen I Zackfield Brewer being in a tolerable state of health for my age & infirmities & in sound mind & memory Constitute this a part of any last will & testament as above written which I hereby confirm & continue except the part where I have given one hundred dollars to my Great Grandson Peter Brewer son of my Grandson Peter, which part I hereby revoke so far, & so far only as to reduce the sum of one hundred to fifty dollars, to be managed kept & paid over to him when he come to full age by Jesse Meachum as above directed

& except also the Item that gives my Negro Girl Sook which I hereby entirely revoke, & give said Girl Sook to my daughter Elizabeth Brewer

Also I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Brewer the one of the Mullatto twin children born since my above will was written say the one called Anderson & to my son Ezekiel Brewer the other of said twins, understood to be called Jim

In witness whereof I do hereby subscribe my name and affix my seal this 15th day of August A Dom 1811
Test                                                                                           Zackfield
R Stanford                                                                            his      X        mark (seal)
                                                                                                    Brewer

Orange County August Term 1813
The Execution of the foregoing last will & testament of Zackfield Brewer dec'd was duly proved in open Court by the oaths of Richard Stanford & William Moore. Also the part annexed by Richard Stanford Subscribing Witness thereto & ordered to be recorded at the same time & Tho's Brewer two of the exectuors named in Said Will were qualified
Test'r

Chatham County, North Carolina


Henry 2 Brewer (George 1)

Born - about 1720 in Surry County, Virginia
Married - Mary (date unknown)
Died - Jan/Feb 1779 in Chatham County, North Carolina

Written 2 Sep 1778, Proved Feb 1779
Unrecorded Wills, held at Pittsboro, North Carolina

Wife - Mary
Children - George, Henry, Hubbard, Isaac, Oliver, An Parker, Mary, Sarah, Rebecca, Frances, and Alisen
Property mentioned - mill, land, horses (branded HB), money, beds and furniture

Image Source - FamilySearch ➚
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 belove 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 

Signed & Sealed in presents [sic presence] of us

James Smith                                                                                                  his
Moses X Smith [his mark]                                                                  Henry X Brewer {{seel}}
Howel H Brewer [H was his mark]                                                             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.

Transcription Source – Brouwer Genealogy ➚
I made minor changes. Many thanks to the transcriber.



Oliver 2 Brewer (George 1)


Written 14 Oct 1791 Chatham County, North Carolina
Record of Estates, 1782-1799, Volume 1, page 45b, 46 North Carolina State Archives, Film #C.0022.50001

Wife - Rebecah
Children - George, William, Henry, Christopher, Oliver, Frances, Edward, Patti Blalock, Rebeccah & Hannah Edwards
Property mentioned - land, money, horse, cattle, 1 slave, beds and furniture

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 ➚
A sincere thank you to the transcriber!



John3 Brewer, (Howell Sr2, George 1)


Administration Bond 10 May 1824 - Nathan Thomas4 Brewer
Agreement to inventory his deceased father's estate within 90 days, or pay the court $500

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA }
Chatham COUNTY                      }

Image Source - FamilySearch ➚
Know all Men by these Presents, That Nathan Brewer, John Bray & John Deaton are held and firmly bound unto Thomas Clegg Chairman, and other Justices of the County Court of Chatham, in the sum of five hundred dollars to be paid to the said Chairman, or his successors in office, or other Justices of the County of Chatham To the which Payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, or Heirs, Executors and Administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these Presents. Sealed with our seals, and dated this 10th day of May 1824.

THE Condition of the above Obligation is such, That if the above bounden Nathan Brewer

Administrator of all and singular the Goods and Chattles, Rights and Credits of John Brewer Senr decseased, do make or cause to be made, a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the Goods and Chattels, Rights and Credits of the said deceased, which have or shall come to the Hands, Knowledge or Possession of the said Nathan Brewer or into the Hands or Possession of any Person or Persons for him the said Nathan Brewer and the same so made do exhibit or cause to be exhibited to our said County Court of Chatham within ninety days after the date of these presents, and the same Goods, Chattels and Credits, and all other goods, Chattels and Credits of the said deceased, at the time of his death, or which at any time hereafter shall come into the Hands or Possession of the said Nathan Brewer or into the Hands or Possession of any other Person or Persons for for him do well and truly administer according to Law: And further do make or cause to be made, a true and just account of said Administration, within the time required by the Act of Assembly after the date of these presents, and all the rest and residue of the said Goods, Chattels and Credits, which shall be found remaining in the hands of, or due from, the said Administrat shall deliver and pay unto such person or persons respectively, as the same shall become due, pursuant to the true intent and meaning of the act of Assembly in that case made and provided. And if it shall appear that any Will or Testament was made by the deceased, and the Executor or Executors therein named, do exhibit the same in Court, making a request to have it allowed and approved of accordingly, if the said Nathan Brewer above bounden, being thereunto required, do render and deliver the said Letters of Administration, (Approbation of such Testament being first had and made in the said Court) then this Obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.
     Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of
     Tho's Ragland
Nathan Brewer (seal)
   his                  
John X Bray (seal)
mark                
his                     
John X Deaton (seal)
mark                   



Nathan Thomas4 Brewer (John3, Howell Sr2, George 1)


Written 6 Apr 1836 Chatham County, North Carolina
Proved in Chatham County (date not stated)

Wife - Polly
Children named - Elizabeth, Amey, Winney, Elenor, Amos, married children
Son-in-law mentioned - John Gee

Image Source - FamilySearch ➚
In the name of God Amen, I Nathan Brewer of the County of Chatham and State of North Carolina being of sound and perfect mind and memory (blessed be God) do this 6th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six make and establish this my Last will and testament in manner following that is to say: 

I send to my wife Polly all of my property both rail and pirsinal during her life or widdowhood and at the death or the widowhood of my wife then what property remains after paying all of my just Debts, 

Elizabeth, Amey, Winney and Elenor to have equal to them that have married and settled of and after they git equal then the balance to equally divided all of my children, that I had by my wife Polly,

I hereby make and I give my land to my son Amos after the death of my wife (Polly) and ordain my son in law John Gee Executor of this my last will and testament, 

In witness whereof, I the said Nathan Brewer, have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal the day and year above written.

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Nathan Brewer the Testator of his last will and testament in the presence of us who was present at the time of signing and sealing thereof.
Nathan Brewer (seal)
Geo Gee (Executor)
John Aderck

Chatham County } This certifies that the foregoing last will and testament of Nathan Brewer was proved in open Court by the oath of George Gee a subscribing witness thereto, and ordered to be recorded.
Testr N A Stedman C.C.C.