The Narrow Escape


Captain John Mebane (Patriot), son of Alexander Mebane I (Signer of the Regulator petition of 1768 - Image ➚, 1789 Will - Image ➚), was born in 1757 (age 76 in 1833) along the Haw River at Haw Old Fields (now Hawfields), Orange (now Alamance) County, North Carolina. 

John Mebane was in the Orange County Militia during the Revolutionary War. It was said of him in his pension file that, when he was put in prison at Hillsborough, North Carolina the 12th of September, 1781, he danced across the floor! I guess he had a bit of a sense of humor! His brother, Alexander Jr, for whom Mebane, North Carolina was named, barely avoided being captured by leaving a very valuable horse to distract the Tories at Hillsborough, while fading into the tall weeds on foot back home to Hawfields to alert the Whigs.

Later that afternoon, after the Tories pillaged the town, the prisoners were moved to a British-occupied Wilmington, North Carolina and imprisoned on a ship. However, another of John Mebane's brothers, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Mebane of the Continental Army ➚, was alerted of John's capture by their father, and Robert soon negotiated John's paroled so that he might return home to Orange County. The other prisoners were taken to South Carolina and kept there for quite some time. Robert was in the Battle of Lindley's Mill around this time. After negotiating John's parole, but before the release actually took please, Robert was killed, Oct 1781, in Williams Twp, Chatham County, North Carolina by a Tory. John later became a militia Colonel. The link to the above write-up on Robert also states that John married the widow of a fellow prisoner who did not survive the trip home. I don't know if this was Lucy3 Brewer (Nathaniel2, George1) or a previous or subsequent wife. John applied for a pension 30 Mar 1833 in Chatham County, North Carolina. John's pension file states that he died 13 Sep 1837 and that the executor of his will was James Mebane. (Pension Application #S9403 - Transcription ➚ and Images ➚)

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

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!



JohnBrewer, (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.

Hertford County, North Carolina

This is very close to the Brewer lands in Brunswick County, Virginia even though it is located in North Carolina.

Location details as boundaries changed:
1727 - 1738      Bertie Precinct, Province of North Carolina
1739 - 1758      Bertie County, Province of North Carolina
1759 - 1788      Hertford County, Province of North Carolina
1789 - present  Hertford county, North Carolina 

PATENT/PURCHASE
EACH TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF ALL OR PART OF ORIGINAL
John2 Brewer (George1)
Patents 540 acres

1 Dec 1727

Bertie Precinct, NC
So side Meherrin River

Boundaries:
Coyinroy Creek?
Thomas Mandew's line

Witnesses:
R Everard

Source - NC Archives ➚
(Public Domain)
Henry3 Brewer
Would inherited
father's estate after
his mother's death

After 10 Jan 1780
(will proved)

This assumes that the John Brewer, whose will was written in Hertford County, North Carolina and proved 10 Jan 1780 in Southampton County, Virginia was the same John Brewer as was the one who was a son of George1.


In his will, John called himself a planter, which indicates that he owned a fair bit of land. As pertaining to Henry's inheritance he stated, "I give to my Son Henry every part of my Estate which I have Given to my wife after her life or Widowhood and in Case my Son Henry Shou'd die without marrying or Heir then & in Such wise I desire that it [descend?] to my Son Hardy." Yet, John only  specifically   willed


household furniture to his wife. "I give unto my loving wife my best new Feather bed Furniture belonging to it, and also half of my household Furniture of every kind whatsoever, During her life or Widowhood." So it is unclear whether any land was considered to be part of his estate, though surely it was, such as the land on which his widow's house was located. No land is specifically mentioned in the will.


Note -
Bertie Precinct was formed in 1722 and became a part of Hertford County, North Carolina in 1759. John2 was among those appointed to clear a road to Beaver Pond Creek in Brunswick County, Virginia with his father and brothers, suggesting that he still lived there by 1736. Thus, the North Carolina land record, shown above, might not be for the same man. I am also unable to prove, at this point, that the will mentioned is for the correct John Brewer. Since these families repeatedly named relatives after each other, it is very difficult to know for sure. I will leave it as is for now.

Other land patent entries for a John Brewer, which may or may not be for John2, are listed below -

145 acres on the west side of Farmer's Run, Prince George County, Virginia

50 acres on the south side of Three Creeks, Isle of Wright County, Virginia (possibly the Reedy Branch area)

200 acres on the south side of Beaver Pond Creek (many of the Brewers lived here, near the North Carolina line)

Deep River Region of North Carolina

Note that the original patents were in Bladen County. This county took up a huge portion of North Carolina at the time. It was later cut into several different counties, and Howell's land was nowhere near present day Bladen County.

Actual location over time, from patent date through county formations and boundaries changes:
1754 - Bladen (patent), then Cumberland (formed same year from Bladen)
1784 - Moore County (formed from Cumberland)

Cumberland County was formed from Bladen in 1754. The western part of Cumberland then became Moore County in 1784. Thus, Howell's property south of Deep River, is now in upper Moore County, right below where the southeast corner of Randolph (formerly Guilford) County and the southwest corner of Chatham (formerly Orange) County meet.

PATENT/PURCHASE
EACH TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF ALL OR PART OF ORIGINAL
Howell2 Brewer (George1)
Patented 200 acres

27 Feb 1754

Boundaries:
NE side Deep River

Source - NC Archives ➚
(Public Domain)





---------------------------------
Patented 200 acres

16 May 1754

Boundaries:
So side Deep River
adjacent his other corner

Source - NC Archives ➚
(Public Domain)



Howell2 Brewer
Sold 200 acres

10 Aug 1767

Boundaries:
NW side Deep River?
mouth of Teirs Branch
(same or not?)

Cumberland and
Orange Counties?

Signed:
Howell (x) Brewer
Witnesses:
Jacob Rogers
Thomas Hendress
----------------------------
Howell2 Brewer
Sold (?) acres

29 Aug 1758
to Zachariah Green

Both sides of Deep River
Red oak on river bank to Howell Bruer's corner

Signed by:
Howell (x) Brewer
Witnesses:
Thomas Collins
Robert (x) Cheek
Charles Campbell
---
Howell Sr was among those appointed to help clear a road to Beaver Pond Creek, indicating they still lived in that area in 1736.

Howell was the executor of his father's 1741 will, which was proved in 1744, but didn't inherit any land. George's land was between Fountain & Rattlesnake Creeks, and on both sides of Roanoke Road.

Both of Howell's early North Carolina tracts, shown to the left, were in the portion of Bladen County that later became Cumberland and Orange Counties.







  • Howell2 Brewer Sr (George1)
  • 27 Feb 1754: 200 acres on the NE side of Deep River, 3 miles above Tices (now Tyson's) Creek in Bladen County (now Moore County)

Howell Brewer Sr's 200 acre land grant
State Land Patent Books, Volume 2 Page 114
 (Call 12.14.33.528, File 525, Film S.108.160-1)

Same grant as on the left, recorded in another book
State Land Patent Books, Volume 10 Page 436
(Call 12.14.33.1240, File 1237, Film S.108.160-3)
Transcription: "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]" 
  • 16 May 1754: 200 acres on Deep River opposite the corner of Howell Brewer Sr's above property


Howell Brewer Sr's 2nd 200 acre land grant - Grant 1011, 
State Land Patent Book, Volume 13 Page 10 
(Call 12.14.33.1269, File 1267, Film S.108.160-3)

Same as on the left, recorded in another book 
State Land Patent Book, Volume 15 Page 10
(Call 12.14.33.1409, File 1407, Film S.106.160-4N)


Transcription: "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"

Chatham County, North Carolina

Actual location of these properties as county boundaries changed -
1756-  1770       Orange County, North Carolina
1771 - present   Chatham County, North Carolina

Ganville Land Grants in the Chatham Section of Orange County (PDF) ➚

PATENT/PURCHASE
EACH TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF ALL OR PART OF ORIGINAL
John May
Granted 520 acres

13 Feb 1756

Granville Land Grant
Orange County

Boundaries:
Both sides middle fork of Tick Creek, a branch of Rocky Run, waters of Deep River

Source - NC Archives ➚
(Public Domain)
Howell2 Brewer (George1)
Gifted 100 acres

3 Sep 1757


Boundaries:

Given by John May


Part of 520 acre grant

Orange County
Deed Book 2,  page 535


Howell2 Brewer
Sold 100 acres

10 Jun 1769
to Joseph Dixon

Orange County

Wife - Marian


(all parties involved were "of Orange County", suggesting that they lived there, regardless of where else they might have owned additional land)
The deed gift of 1757 from John May is where the idea came from that Marian's maiden name was May. It has been assumed that the gift was a dowry from the bride's father. This also gives an approximate marriage date of 1757.








Henry Lanier2 Brewer (George1)

1756 - 456 acres along Haw River (incl. Brewer's Island & another small island), surveyed Aug 1754, granted Nov 1756
1759 - 585 acres along both sides of the fork of Terrells Creek, surveyed Oct 1757, granted Feb 1759


Brewer, Oliver (likely the next older brother of the above mentioned Henry Lanier Brewer)

1762 - 690 acres along both sides of Wilkinson Creek, waters of Haw River, adjoining the Haw River parcel granted to Henry Brewer in 1756

Scandalous or Stout-hearted?


I have read several times the assumption that Howell Brewer Sr was a bit of a scoundrel.  One account even suggested that he had questionable morals.  As to that particular claim, I cannot give an opinion one way or the other.

I would like to, however, consider whether or not he had what some might call criminal leanings.  For example, there are several cases in which Howell Brewer Sr was sued for unpaid debts while living in the old Orange County, North Carolina area.  I would like to give some background information that might be helpful, and grant us the ability to see the larger picture here.  

Something that should be noted is that Howell Sr's repeated run-ins with the law, involving unpaid debts, were not uncommon in that area at that time.  Therefore, it does not necessarily mean that he was a dishonest or conniving person.  These backwoods settlers had experienced a severe drought in 1758, and crop failures had diminished their income to the point of devastation.  

When wealthy lawyers and merchants migrated from the eastern cities, flooding the area in the 1760's, the old settlers were compelled to rely upon these merchants for supplies, causing them to fall into debt.  The number of court cases involving unpaid debts rose dramatically from 1765-1775.  In Orange County, for example, these charges increased from 7 to 111 per year during this time period.  Often the result in these cases was that the settlers lost their plantations to these wealthy newcomers as compensation.

In December of 1758 Howell Sr was found guilty of assault, having been accused by John Williams, and ordered to pay 1 pound and 10 shillings.  It would be difficult to determine conclusively who this John Williams fellow might have been, but there was a man by this name who once lived in the Hillsborough District of Orange County.  He was a wealthy planter with quite a number of slaves, and eventually went on to become a delegate to the North Carolina Congress in 1775.

Perhaps this information is significant for, if this is the right John Williams, he would have been exactly the kind of many toward whom animosity ran rampant among the back-country farmers.   Did they get into a heated argument over political or economic viewpoints?  Who's to say?  Knowing the background of the conflicting ideas of the two classes of people, though, as will be explained below, it is entirely possible.

In June of 1759 Howell Sr was sued by William Spruce for an unpaid debt.  Although, at first, he stated that he had paid it, he later admitted to the jury that he had not.  He was ordered to pay 3 pounds and 14 shillings, plus court costs.

In February of 1765, he was again sued for unpaid debt, this time by a man named Nathaniel Edwards in the amount of 2 pounds, 12 shillings and 1 penny.  Howell admitted his fault in the matter and was commanded to pay the debt as well as the court costs. By May he was replaced as overseer of road by Charles Saxon.  Whether this is relevant to the situation, I do not know. 

Judging from the economic crisis in which the poorer farmers found themselves following the drought, the influx of the wealthy merchants and their much needed supplies, as well as the unlawfully high taxes and fees the settlers were afterwards being charged, it is not difficult to understand how Howell could have fallen into debt that he had a difficult time paying.

Many of his peers were having the exact same problem.  To assume that Howell Sr was careless in his financial dealings or dishonest by nature, does not seem to be a provable judgment at this time.  I would rather say that he was a victim of circumstance.  It may or may not be realistic to suggest that part of the reason for his decision to sell some of his land could have been so that he could pay his debts and court fees.

From 1765-1777 the War of the Regulation, also called the Regulator Movement or the Regulator Uprising, was in full force as the settlers fought to rid themselves of this deeply resented minority who had taken over their government and engaged in greed and extortion, to the settlers' detriment.

This uprising greatly effected the Cumberland and Orange County region, where Howell Brewer Sr and others of his family lived.  Of the eight thousand Orange County residents, about six or seven thousand of them supported the uprising.  It would be my assumption that, whether or not Howell Sr was actively involved, he undoubtedly agreed with the movement.   

These men regularly committed minor violent crimes in the area to vent their frustrations or to get their voices heard, so to speak. They were tired of being charged higher taxes than was lawful, having tax collectors come at random times and steal their livestock if they could not pay, being treated unfairly in the courts and, basically, being ruled by a group of people who they felt were greedy, unlawful and completely out of touch with their plight.  It was not a rebellion against the king, but rather against unjust representation and abuse of the laws.  

In May of 1768 Howell Brewer Sr and his brother, Nicholas, signed the Regulator Advertisement #9 ➚ petition protesting high recording fees.  After numerous pleas to the governor, and professing their loyalty to the king (possibly in order to protect their leaders from execution as traitors), but having their petitions not taken seriously, some of the regulators finally resorted to a more open rebellion.  In September of 1770 a group of Howell's peers broke into the Hillsborough Courthouse and dragged lawyers out into the streets and beat them with clubs, and pretty much pillaged the town.  

By the evening of 16 May 1771, the situation had escalated, and both the governor's militia and the regulators were camped near the Great Alamance Creek.  It is interesting to note that the governor had a hard time gathering militia members to go against the regulators.  He allegedly had to offer them a 40 shilling bonus in order to convince them.  The governor demanded they agree to be loyal subjects, and turn their arms and their leaders over to him within an hour and ten minutes, or fight to the death.  They determined to fight.  

It has been reported that the governor's men fired the first shot, prior to the expiration of the allotted time, and the conflict ensued.  During the Battle of Alamance ➚ the regulators resorted to guerrilla warfare, wisely using the woods for cover, while the governor's troops marched in conventional British formation.  This made them easy targets for the backwoods sharpshooters. However, the settlers lacked proper leadership and sufficient ammunition and were, thus, soon forced to give up their fight and their dreams for the time being.  Several of their leaders were hanged.   

Though both signed the Regulator Advertisement, as mentioned above, Nicholas was in the battle, but Howell Sr was not.  It is hard to say why he wasn't there.  Does this mean that he backed down in the heat of the moment?  I highly doubt it.  The Brewers were notoriously stouthearted and unflinching in the face of opposition, as indicated later in Revolutionary War pension records by those who knew them well.

Can we assume that Nicholas was a violent, blood thirsty, man for being actively involved in the conflict?  Absolutely not. He was simply standing up for the rights and laws of his countrymen and trying to put an end to the abuse of power inflicted by the deeply resented rich elite.  In fact, many of the regulators who gathered at the Alamance thought that the governor was finally going to listen to their petitions, letters and pleas.  They did not come with the intention of battling, and only fought that day when it was forced upon them.

We may never know for sure whether or not Howell Brewer Sr was scandalous by nature, or if he was, instead, unflinchingly stouthearted and determined to stand up for what he believed was right, even if it led to a conflict.  Was he a rebel or a hero, or both?  Was he dishonest or a poor money manager, or had he simply fallen on hard times as had many of his peers?  You will have to judge for yourselves, I suppose.

I don't think it is possible to say with absolute certainty, one way or the other, but I am not inclined to look harshly upon his decisions.  I would like to think that he was a brave man, one who courageously blazed the trail in the backwoods frontier.  Certainly, things did not always go his way, and he saw his share of trials and hardships.  He made mistakes, undoubtedly, as we all do, but I believe that he had the perseverance to keep going, despite injustice and financial setbacks.

There is much to be learned from these strong, determined ancestors. Personally, some of these more colorful ones tend to be my favorites. You just never know what fascinating situations you might uncover when digging into their past.  

By Mary Andersen (2015)

The Boundary Blunder


Did Howell Brewer Sr, son of George Brewer and Sarah Lanier, really move around a lot while in North Carolina? At first glance, it certainly seems that he did, but let's take a closer look.

It is well known that in 1749, soon after his father's death, Howell Sr received a 200 acre land grant in the Deep River area of Bladen County, North Carolina.  Something that is important to consider is that within the boundaries of this county at that time was a very vast region.  It pretty much encompassed most of the western half of North Carolina.  Thus, it would be a mistake to think that he ever lived in present day Bladen County.  

A more accurate portrayal can be determined when one notices that the Deep River flows along part of the present day southern boundary of Chatham County and the northern border of Moore County. With this in mind, it becomes obvious that Howell Brewer Sr originally settled in the same part of North Carolina as the Brewers ended up remaining for generations.  I do not believe that he moved around very much while living in North Carolina.  Many of his relatives also lived along the Haw River, which is just north of the Deep River.  Present day Orange, Chatham, Randolph and Moore Counties were all part of the Brewer family's old stomping grounds beginning in the mid 1700s.  

Orange County was formed from Bladen County in 1752.  Cumberland County was formed from Bladen County in 1754.  That same year Howell Sr received another 200 acres land grant, this time on the northeast side of Deep River.  It appears that this plantation was located in what was then Cumberland and Orange Counties, some of which might have been in what later became Moore County.  

He was found in the Orange County tax records with Henry Brewer in 1755.  Henry was probably his brother, who had received a large land grant in the Chatham section of Orange County and soon obtained a great deal more land in the Haw River area.  

His land holding increased in 1757 when he received 100 acres from John May, presumably as a dowry for marrying the man's daughter.  It is assumed that his original parcel of land on Deep River was the same 200 acres on either side that he sold in 1758.  

By 1759 he was living on the south side of Haw River, possibly on the alleged dowry property or else on his second parcel, the 200 acres that was located on the northeast side of the Deep River.  Note that the latter property, then, was between Deep River and Haw River in Orange (later Chatham) County.  

He sold his Cumberland/Orange County 200 acre parcel to John May in 1767, but was still remaining in Orange County in 1768, as indicated by his being on a petition protesting high recording fees. Also on this petition were Howell Brooer (probably his son, Howell Brewer Jr), Nickless (Nicholas) Brewer (possibly Howell Sr's brother). The following year he sold the 100 acre dowry property.  

In 1771 Guilford County was formed from Rowan and Orange Counties, including the north end of Haw River. Chatham County was formed the same year from the southern portion of Orange County (the same area as Howell had been living for quite some time).  That year he was on a petition with another Howell Brewer (Jr?), Isaac Brewer and Reuben Brewer, to request that the public buildings be moved to a more central location.  Some say that that this petition was for Randolph County, but this county was not yet formed.  However, he may have been living in what became the southeast corner of that county.  

Howell Brewer Sr was in the Chatham County Militia in 1772 with his son, Howell Jr and others of the Brewer family.  In 1779 Randolph County was formed from southern Guilford County and included parts of the Deep and Haw Rivers.  

By 1790, Howell Brewer Sr was living in Randolph County, likely in the southeast portion near where Randolph, Chatham and Moore Counties meet.  Though he remained in close proximity all this time, he may have actually legitimately moved to Randolph County, rather than this particular instance simply being a case of county boundary changes and new county formations, as was the case before.  It is really tough to say for sure without a closer examination of land records and such.  

Suffice it to say that when it is stated that Howell Brewer Sr started out in Bladen County, North Carolina and then moved all over the central part of the state would not be accurate, as far as I can figure.  To simplify, I would feel more comfortable believing that he lived in the Deep and Haw River vicinity during the entire time that he lived in North Carolina, regardless of where the country boundaries were at various times.