Nancy Bellzona's Picture Book
The Brewer's - Robert Brewer Family, Texas

Please give this space for a thank you to Robert Brewer with whom we have just become acquainted.  The wealth of knowledge he gave us via the computer offers this sharing of his meticulous research and it is very much appreciated. In this gentleman I can imagine a look backwards to the descriptions on paperwork of my gggrandfather, John W. Brewer.

The Georgia Trail
Research compilation by Rob Brewer

This is a working document, so it is not and may never be completely finished or without errors. Most of the information collected has been proven or has come from credible sources. Some of the speculated information is based on families that migrated together or ended up in the same areas. It is a composition of petitions, tax list, censuses and passed down folklore along with historical events of our country. Spellings of names varied on many documents so some have been corrected and some left the way there found. Through DNA testing it has been determined this Brewer line descends from George Brewer and Sarah Lanier.

Wilkes County Georgia is where many of our ancestors migrated to in the late 18^th century. Located near Augusta where the first settlement began at Fort Heard sometime after 1720.

White settlers that had colonies along the Savannah River were kept out of the Little River area by the Indians. In 1763, a treaty was signed between the Colonial governors of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia and the Indians proclaiming Little River as the boundary between them and the white settlers. But the white men drew the Indians into making trades and building a debt they could not pay. So as concession they offered up the land for their indebtedness even though they were suspicious of the white man.

In 1773, The Cherokee and Creek Indians relinquished more than two million acres in the upper/middle northern part of Georgia. This was called “The Ceded Lands” which soon would be known as Wilkes County and eventually split off into other counties such as Franklin, Jackson, Clarke, Baldwin, Hancock, Warren and others. Settlers from South Carolina, Virginia and from as far away as Scotland came to purchase large tracts of land for no more than five schillings an acre. Some of the land was given by Bounty Grants to veterans of the Revolutionary War. Early records show on October 15, 1773 Benjamin Thompson with his wife and 12 sons and 5 daughters received 750 acres on Rocky Creek, north side of Little River including improvement made by Thomas Crocker. Thomas and Arthur Crocker and Benjamin Thompson were found on a petition filed by James Hammett in Spartanburg, 96^th, South Carolina on July 5, 1771 in a dispute over land. James and brothers John, William and Robert Hammett were showing up on early court and tax records for Wilkes County Georgia as early as 1779. Thomas Crocker, listed as a planter, shows up again as administrator of will for Joseph Harper on January 15, 1784. That same year was when numerous families from several Counties of Virginia migrated to the same area of Georgia. The families included Brewer, Crowley, Fletcher, Hooper, Myrick, Strong, Wakefield, Moore, Thompson and Young. Jeffrey Crowley, William Strong and George Young Sr. traveled together from Pittsylvania County Virginia that winter. This is the same year that William, Burwell and George Brewer Jr. along with families and cousins were said to have come from the Brunswick County Virginia area. Howell Brewer was also on a petition signed in Wilkes County that year. The Howell Brewer that was found in Georgia from 1784-1805 was probably Howell Jr. the son of Howell Brewer Sr. and nephew of Burwell, cousin to William. Howell Brewer Sr. born C1720 was the youngest son of George Brewer & Sarah Lanier. After Sarah died George Brewer married Alice Burwell and had son Burwell. Howell Jr. was born C1742 and whose mom was either Rebecca Willis or Marian May, depending on who you ask. Howell Sr. & Jr. were listed on a petition in Randolph County North Carolina in 1785. Nimrod, Isaac and Reuben Brewer also were listed on this petition that was trying to have the court house moved to a more central location. It is assumed that most of those who were on the petition lived in the lower Southeast part of Randolph county. Nimrod shows up as a single male living in Moore County North Carolina in 1790. Howell Sr. is listed on the Randolph County census with 2 other males above age 16 and 8 females. Isaac states in his revolutionary war deposition that he left North Carolina at the age of 24 or 25 and went to live in Hancock County Georgia. At that age this would’ve been in the year 1787/88. Isaac’s brother Simon was born in 1775 that is how I’ve concluded that the Howell listed on the 1790 census is Howell Sr. because no males are listed under age 16. By1794 Howell Jr., Isaac and Nimrod are all three found in Hancock County Georgia. They all stayed in the area that was once Wilkes County with each migrating at different times to the Northwestern frontier.

It is unknown but a possibility that most if not all that left Virginia and were in Wilkes County Georgia by 1785 may have traveled together. November 27, 1786, Peter, Daniel and Jacob Bankston of Wilkes County Georgia are shown selling land to Matthew Wood. This land belonged to their father Laurence, born 1704, and was willed to their mother Rebecca Hendricks. The land was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and stands recorded in the Docket of the State of Penna.

Burwell Brewer’s son William born 1756 was married to Elizabeth Holman and had daughters Elizabeth & Sarah who were married to Leslie Coates & Simeon Coates Bankston, sons of John Bankston. John Bankston born 1754, married to Henrietta Coates, was the son of Jacob Bankston born 1731 & Elinor Cox. Jacob & Elinor also had a son named Elijah born 1756 who was the father of Elijah Jr. born C1792 who married Rachel Crocker, daughter of Arthur Crocker & Elizabeth Wakefield. Elizabeth Wakefield was believed to be the daughter of Henry Wakefield and Elizabeth Alexander and her brother Charles B. Wakefield born 1780 married Anna Wakefield who was the daughter of Rachel Martha Bankston born 1760 and another Charles Wakefield who was said to be a distant cousin of Charles B. & Elizabeth. Rachel’s brother James born1765 married Judith Lee and had son Andrew Bankston born 1787 in North Carolina. Rachel Martha and James were children of Andrew Bankston born 1727 who was also the son of Laurence and Rebecca.

In 1789 Thomas Crocker was living in Greene County Georgia in the William Houghton district along with Charles, John and George Brewer. Thomas Crocker, in 1793, is among tax defaulters list for Washington County Georgia.

In 1794 on the Hancock County Georgia tax list Howell, Isaac, Nimrod and John Brewer along with Thomas, John, Elijah and Clement Moore were all listed in the Sanford district and tax payers list for 1795. Arthur Crocker and Nimrod Brewer were both found on the tax list of Hancock County, Georgia, Sanford district in 1796. Arthur was a resident of Hancock County on the 1805 land lottery. James Crocker, in 1798, is listed on a tax list for the Sanford district. Howell Brewer is then found on the tax list in Clarke County Georgia, Reynolds district in 1802 along with Elijah Bankston Sr. These two men are also listed as residents of Clarke County Georgia on the 1805 land lottery list along with Jacob & John Bankston, William Crocker & John Wakefield and many other Bankston’s. William Crocker also owned and sold land in Greene County in 1807. The Creek and Cherokee Indians occupied the upper region of Georgia starting at about the Jackson and Hall counties border in the early 1800’s until they were forced out about 1830. Residents of Georgia could register as early as May of 1803 for Indian land that was ceded in 1802 for the first land lottery to be held in 1805. Also in 1805, the government negotiated the Treaty of Tellico with the Cherokees and the Treaty of Washington with the Creeks allowing the right to open and operate roads through Indian lands.

The road that would be used to connect white settlers with new frontier in Tennessee, Kentucky and Illinois was known by several names. The most used name was The Federal Road also known as Georgia and Cisca Road. Much of this route followed an old Cherokee trading path and would later be part of what is known as the Trail of Tears. The Federal Road also had a route that ran from the same area in Georgia to the lower part of Alabama to Fort Mims close to the Mississippi border. Some of the interconnected family members did leave Georgia before many of the others. Henry Wakefield, father of Elizabeth Wakefield Crocker, was in Smith County Tennessee with second wife Mary Simpson by August 1800 when their second son John was born. This is where Elizabeth’s brother, Charles B. Wakefield married Anna Wakefield, as mentioned, in Smith County, Tennessee in 1801. In documents titled “The Territorial Papers of the United States” was a petition to congress signed by inhabitants of Randolph and St. Clair Illinois Counties. This petition to the Senate and House of Representatives was asking as true citizens who left the more thickly populated parts of the United States they be granted every possible right to purchase the land in what was most Southern Illinois as soon as the land was put up for sale by the government. A reference was made to the fact that Spain was inviting them to move across the Mississippi to Missouri. The names were many of those who later settled into Shelby County. These included Charles Wakefield Sr. and Charles Jr., James Wakefield and Andrew Bankston. The first settlements east of Silver Creek were made by these men and others in the year 1804. By 1807 these squatters were allowed to make application for land. Andrew Bankston is shown situated on Silver Creek joining James Crocker. Nimrod Brewer is found as early as 1803 in the Randolph County Illinois area which was still considered Indiana territory. He is listed on an early census for that area in 1806 and 1807.The 1806 census had many that had come from Georgia. Listed were Andrew, Charles, Silas and James Bankston, Thomas and John Crocker, Obadiah and James Hooper and Charles Wakefield. There was a Martin Brewer listed whom I haven’t placed and is not found again. Elijah Bankston Jr. was the son of Elijah Sr. who remained in Georgia. Elijah Jr. probably migrated to Illinois with the other Bankston’s or Bankson’s as it was sometimes spelled.

It appears that many of those in Georgia who did not receive land in the 1805 lottery left Georgia and headed northwest to Tennessee, Kentucky or Illinois or went west to Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas or Louisiana. Jacob Fletcher Brewer born 1794 in Georgia and was married to Edeith Crocker, also daughter of Elizabeth and Arthur Crocker who was last found in Georgia on an 1807 Baldwin county tax list along with Isaac Brewer. Arthur and family left Georgia not long after this if not that year. Around the time Illinois became a territory, marriage records for St. Clair, Illinois show that Elizabeth “Betsy” Crocker married Simeon Wakefield on June 5, 1808. Andrew Bankson married Elizabeth Moore on May 1, 1808 and Elijah Bankston Jr. married Rachel Crocker on November 28, 1809. Much of St. Clair County was un-ceded Indian lands in 1810, especially the northern and eastern areas. Elijah Jr. and Andrew were both great-grandsons of Laurence Bankston and Rebecca Hendricks. There was a St Louis Missouri census in 1810 and 1811 in which the residents were listed as petitioners. Among the names listed were Jacob Brewer, Daniel, James and Wholman Bankston and Daniel, John and Thomas Moore, William Hooper and John Carson. It would be hard to prove if these were part of the families that migrated from Georgia to Illinois. But with St. Louis being right across the river from St. Clair and Randolph County Illinois it would have been a huge coincidence if they weren’t.

On June 14, 1812 the United States had declared war with Great Britain. Many of the men already mentioned were now found on the muster rolls in the Illinois territory. In Captain Jacob Short’s Company of mounted rangers Andrew Bankston is Second Lieutenant. The Privates listed were: Elijah Bankston Jr., Jacob and Thomas Crocker, James and William Moore, Charles, George and John A. Wakefield. These men were called into actual service from February 27, 1813 to May 31, 1813 by Governor and Commander-in-Chief Ninian Edwards.

In Captain Nathan Chambers Company of militia listed James Bankston as a Sergeant and James Crocker as a Corporal. The Privates were: Patton Bankston, William and John Crocker, Robert Moore, Simeon and William Wakefield. They were called into service from April 12, 1813 to May 12, 1813. Jacob Fletcher Brewer is believed to have married Edeith Crocker C1813 with their first daughter being born in 1814. Since Jacob was not among those enlisted in Illinois may prove that he was in Missouri at that time.

It is part of the Moultrie County Illinois history that Elizabeth Crocker would not allow her daughter Keziah to be married at home because her other daughters had ran off to get married against her wishes and considered it bad luck for Keziah to be married at home. Her oldest two daughters were Rachel and Edeith. On December 18, 1828 Keziah Matlida Crocker married James Carson which was to be the first in the county and was performed by Charles Wakefield in Boiling Springs.

Thomas Crocker was the first of the Crocker family to purchase land in the Illinois area on September 10, 1814 in St. Clair County. He acquired 480 acres in all which eventually is acquired by his wife Elizabeth. It is assumed that Thomas had died before this since he is not found on the 1818 or 1820. Assuming from his will I have determined that Thomas is probably the youngest brother of Arthur. And that they both may descend from the Thomas found in Georgia in 1784. It has not been proven which family in Georgia that Jacob Sr. descended from and whether or not they migrated the same time as the other families mentioned. He is more than likely a son of Nimrod who lived in Hancock County Georgia with Arthur Crocker and migrated to Illinois about the same time as Thomas Crocker and many Bankston’s. Many of the Brewer’s that migrated to Illinois and Missouri between 1800 and 1850 were from North Carolina. The only Brewer’s found that were born in Georgia were Howell Nimrod born 1791/93, Jacob Fletcher born 1794/95 and Erwin or Irwin born C1800. All three of these Brewer’s from Georgia eventually settled and died in different Counties of Missouri. I also believe that Nimrod is a son of Howell Brewer Jr. Some of this is not proven and may never be, for now it can only be speculated.

Howell Brewer Jr.

Howell Brewer Jr., as mentioned is the son of Howell Sr. and grandson of George Brewer and Sarah Lanier. Much of the information published, mostly on the internet, is wildly speculated because there are no real records to verify. One of the biggest debates is which children descended from Sr. or Jr. It was almost impossible to trace daughters during this time. The list I have made is for the possible sons of Howell Jr. starting with Isaac Brewer who was born in Wilkes County Georgia on May 15, 1763. Isaac filed a revolutionary war deposition in 1852 which gave a wealth of information but still left room for speculation. He claimed to have had seven children and raised two orphans but only gave the names of two. So I based my speculation on Isaac’s deposition and various petitions, tax list and census. It also may be noted that most of Howell Jr.’ son’s names are biblical. Isaac, Nimrod and Reuben were all on the North Carolina Petition, as previously mentioned, along with Howell Jr. and Sr.

Names of any daughters may never be known. Here are some of the speculated sons:

Isaac Brewer born May 15, 1763 in Wilkes County Georgia died 1853 in Talladega County Alabama

Nimrod Brewer born C1767

Reuben Brewer born 1769 in North Carolina died April 22 1855 Clinton County Ohio

George Brewer born 1773

Simon Brewer born 1775

Nimrod Brewer

The only information found on Nimrod is the places he was found which most of the time was near where Howell Brewer Jr. and/or Isaac Brewer were found. That along with his probable son, Howell Nimrod that is how I’ve concluded him as a son of Howell Jr. Although he could be part of the Lanier or Lanier Brewer Jr. descendants. The reason I believe that he is the father of Jacob Fletcher Brewer Sr. is that he lived in the same County in Georgia as Arthur Crocker and then migrated to Illinois as early as 1803 along with a few Crocker’s, Bankston’s and Wakefield family members. Howell Nimrod Brewer was born 1791/93 in Georgia and lived and died in Missouri. There is a tax listing for a Nimrod Brewer in Lawrence County Missouri in 1815. At the time Lawrence County stretched across the bottom Southern part of Missouri. It is possible this record was for Howell Nimrod who was later found in Iron and Madison Counties. The timeline for Nimrod is:

1785 Randolph North Carolina, with Howell Sr, and Jr., Isaac and Rueben

1790 Moore County North Carolina census as a single male

1794 Hancock County Georgia, with Isaac Brewer, Thomas Crocker

1796 Hancock County Georgia, with Arthur Crocker

1803 Randolph County Illinois petition (Indiana territory)

1806 Randolph County Illinois census (Indiana territory)

1807 Randolph County Illinois census (Indiana territory)

Family of Jacob Fletcher Brewer Sr.

Jacob Brewer Sr. and Edeith Crocker

Jacob Fletcher Brewer Sr. is shown on census to have been born in Georgia in 1794/95. Jacob Brewer Sr. was not found in Illinois until the 1820 census although He and Edeith would have had to marry sometime in 1813. Their oldest son, Seaburn, is shown on two censuses to have been born in Missouri. Their son John W. is shown to have been born in Missouri on one census then Illinois on another. Jacob was not among those enlisted in the war of 1812 as the Crocker’s and many others were. Also no marriage record has ever been found in Illinois for Jacob and Edeith. This could prove that this was the Jacob Brewer listed in St Louis in 1811. Jacob served on the first Grand Jury in Shelby County Illinois on September 16, 1828. On the 1830 census he is found again living next to Arthur and brother-in-laws John and William Crocker along with James Carson who was married to Keziah Crocker, Arthur’s daughter. This was in precinct 2 of Shelby County where Elijah Bankston Jr. and Hanson Middleton were also living. Elijah Bankston Jr. married Rachel Crocker, daughter of Arthur, on November 28, 1809 in St. Clair County Illinois. Hanson Middleton, found living next to Arthur’s son Thomas, would marry Jacob and Edeith’s daughter Surena in 1833.Jacob purchased land in Shelby County on March 21, 1837. And he is said to have purchased 40 acres from his son Seaburn and wife Mariah on December 31, 1838 with Mariah signing release of right and dower to the sale. Jacob and Edith and family remained in Shelby County Illinois until about 1852. Jacob first purchased land in Polk County Missouri on December 1, 1853. He purchased eighty acres at the Springfield land office. The register shows he was a resident of Laclede County Missouri, just east of Polk County. On June 1, 1859 he purchased 96 more acres.

Jacob Sr. and son John W. are listed in an 1854 tax assessment book for Polk County Missouri. By 1860 Jacob Sr. and Edeith are found in Polk Co. Missouri along with their sons John Wesley, Samuel, and Jacob Jr. with their families. On the 1860 census of Polk County Missouri it shows that neither Edeith nor Jacob could read or write. Jacob Sr. did well as a farmer with land value of $2,000 and $1,000 in other assets reported. In 1862, Jacob Sr. and Edeith are listed among many of the citizens of this area who signed loyalty oaths to protect, support and defend Provisional Constitution and Government of the U.S. It is believed that Jacob Sr. died sometime before 1865. Some time before August in 1863, Edeith along with Maranda’s father William Clark, traveled by horse and wagon to Cape Girardeau Missouri to bring home John W. who had been injured in the war. John W. died before August 13, 1863 when America filed for pension. This may indicate that Jacob Sr. was already deceased. Although on a tax assessment taken in September 1863 a Jacob Brewer is listed with total property value of $500, possibly Jacob Jr.

Neither Jacob Sr. nor Edeith are found on the 1870 census or thereafter.

Here are the censuses for 1820-1860:

Illinois

1820 Census:

Males: 2 under 10. 1- 18 to 25.

Females: 1 under 10. 1- 16 to 25.

1830 Census:

Males: 1 under 5. 1- 5 to 10. 2- 10 to 15. 1- 30 to 40.

Females: 1 under 5. 1- 5 to 10. 1- 15 to 20. 1- 30 to 40.

1840 Census:

Males: 1- 10 to 15. 1- 15 to 20. 1- 20 to 30. 1- 40 to 50.

Females: 1- 10 to 15. 1- 15 to 20. 1- 40 to 50.

1850 Census:

Jacob Sr. age 56 born in GA

Edeith age 56 born in GA

Jacob Jr. age 21 born IL

Margrett age 18 born IL (age had to be wrong according to 2 previous census)

probably born before census was taken in 1830.

Missouri

1860 Census:

Jacob Sr. age 65 born in GA can’t read or write

Edeith age 66 born in GA can’t read or write

Children:

1. Surena Laraney Brewer born Aug.26, 1814 in Illinois? died .April 7, 1856 in Illinois. Married to Hanson Middleton.

2. Seaburn Brewer, born C1816 in Missouri died after 1870 married January 23, 1838

to Mariah Walis born C1819

3. John Wesley Brewer, born C1817 in Illinois or Missouri died August 1863 in Polk County Missouri. Married to Mary America Hunter born 1814 in Kentucky

4. Samuel T. Brewer, born1819 in Illinois died after 1900 in Missouri. Married first to Lucinda Nance and later to Emaline Stillins.

5. Lucinda Brewer born 1823. Married to Jackson Price.

6. Jacob Fletcher Brewer Jr., born June 4, 1829 Illinois, died November 15, 1878 Iowa, married first to Ruth Tipsword, born1831, Fayette, Illinois; died.C1852. . 2^nd marriage was to Maranda Clark, born August 16, 1834, Ohio; died November 3, 1903, Monona County Iowa.

7. Margrett Brewer born C1830. No information has been found on what happened to Margrett. She was last found on the 1850 census for Shelby County Illinois.

Surena Laraney Brewer and Hanson Middleton

Surena Laraney was the oldest child of Jacob Brewer and Edeith Crocker. Hanson was most likely the son of Rueben Middleton who served in the war of 1812 in the same company as Arthur, John & William Crocker. Rueben was found in Washington County in 1820 with a son Hanson’s age. Hanson was listed living next to Arthur’s son Thomas on the 1830 Shelby county Illinois census. This Thomas Crocker was the son of Arthur who married Nancy Middleton on March 26, 1827 in Shelby County by Simeon Wakefield. Nancy may have been a sister to Hanson. Seaburn Brewer and Hanson both were shown buying land in Shelby County in the same area but neither was found on the 1840 census. Hanson Middleton was born in 1803 and died December 10, 1856. He married Surena on October 24, 1833 in Shelby County and they are both buried side by side at Ridge Cemetery in Cold Spring Township where they were found on census in 1850.

Children:

1. Polly, born 1834 Illinois

2. Hanson, born 1837 Illinois

3. Jane, born 1839 Illinois

4. Amos, born 1845 Illinois

Seaburn Brewer and Mariah Walis

It is not known what family Mariah descended from but possible her surname may have been misspelled on the marriage certificate since this there are various ways of spelling that sound the same such as Wallace or Wallice. Jacob Sr. served on the first grand jury, in 1828, with a James Wallice who was found in Sangamon County Illinois in 1830. But Mariah was likely the daughter of Jacob Wallace who was in Gallatin County, in 1830, with daughters of Mariah’s age. Jacob Wallace was shown buying land in Shelby County from 1832 to 1850. It may have been his widow Mary in Christian County Illinois in 1860. Seaburn was mentioned in Arthur Crocker’s will receiving one yearling dated February 27, 1835. Seaburn is shown purchasing land in Shelby County on March 16, 1837 and August 13, 1839. Their youngest child, Samuel T., was shown being born in Illinois in 1859. They were found living in Christian County Illinois in 1860 and next found in Webster County Missouri on the 1870 census. It shows that neither Seaburn nor Mariah could read or write. The oldest child still living at home in 1860 was John N. who was born C1844 in Illinois also. They were married on January 23, 1838 in Shelby County Illinois so there are surely more children. A Joseph Brewer is listed next to Jacob Sr. on the 1861 tax assessment for Polk County. On the 1870 census for Cherokee, Kansas there is a Joseph listed born C1837 in Illinois. Census records were not always accurate with birth dates. Seaburn’s name was mistakenly transcribed by some as Izburn on the marriage license, but viewing it myself it was written as Seburn. On both censuses Seaburn is shown as being born in Missouri, possible but not proven.

Children:

1. John N. Brewer, born 1844 Illinois

2. Esther A., born1848 Illinois

3. James P., born 1851 Illinois

4. Alexander W., born 1851 Illinois

5. Mary, b.1858 Illinois, born 1858

6. Samuel T. born 1859 Illinois

John Wesley Brewer and Mary America Hunter

America Hunter was born in 1814 in Hopkins County Kentucky, daughter of David Hunter. John W. and America were married in Fayette County Illinois on February 25, 1841. John W. was shown purchasing land in Shelby County on August 13, 1839 but was still living at home when the 1840 census was taken. Their first three children were born in Kentucky from 1844 to 1848. Then they are back in Shelby County Illinois by the 1850 census with America’s sister Hulda being part of the household. Hulda was married to Jacob Jr.’s father-in-law, William Clark, after his first wife died in 1856. According to the place of birth for daughter Eda, they were in Missouri by 1852. As mentioned earlier. Some time before August in 1863, John’s mother Edeith along with Maranda’s father William Clark, traveled by horse and wagon to Cape Girardeau Missouri to bring home John W. who had been injured in the war. John W. died before August 13, 1863 when America filed for pension.

Children:

1. Elizabeth Ann Brewer, born February 19, 1844, Hopkins Co., Kentucky; died November 4, 1926, Ralston, Oklahoma. Married to Nathaniel Stewart Collins, b. May 19,1845; d. August 22, 1902

2. Jacob Fletcher Brewer, born.1847, Kentucky. Married Allsa Elizabeth Collins June 3, 1866, 2^nd marriage was to Lydia Matilda Peters in 1880

3. Nancy Brewer, born 1848, Kentucky

4. Jeremiah Seborn Brewer, born 1850, Illinois

5. Angeline Brewer, b.1852, Illinois

6. Eda Brewer, born 1854, Missouri

7. John W. Brewer, born 1855, Missouri

8. Sarah M. Brewer, born 1856, Missouri

Samuel T. Brewer and Lucinda Nance

Samuel T. was never hard to find but was the most difficult trying to determine his age. He may also have outlived all his siblings or was just the last that was still to be found. Samuel married Lucinda Nance in Shelby County Illinois on April 21, 1842. Lucinda was born in Illinois on September 22, 1823.It is not known who Lucinda descended from but is assumed that the Elizabeth Nance that was born C1799 in Ohio was her mother. Elizabeth was living with Samuel and Lucinda on the1860 census in Polk County then the 1870 census in Dallas County Missouri. Lucinda died on May 1, 1891 and Samuel re-married to the widow Emaline E. Stillins sometime before 1896 when they showed up on Christian County Missouri tax index along with Pleas and a J. T. Brewer. They were last found on the 1900 Christian County census with Samuel’s date of birth being in 1827(?).

Children:

1. Elizabeth Brewer, born 1844, Illinois

2. Artissima Brewer, born 1846, Illinois

3. Eda Brewer, born 1848, Illinois

4. Amos B. Brewer, born March 1850, Illinois

5. Lafayette Brewer, born 1859, Missouri

6. Samuel Laycent Brewer, born 1860, Missouri.

Married to Martha Frances Julian Lakey

7. Nancy C. Brewer, born 1862, Missouri

8. Pleasant M. Brewer, born 1862, Missouri

9. Kisiah A. Brewer, born.1865, Missouri

Jackson Price and Lucinda Brewer

Lucinda Brewer married Jackson Price December 11, 1842 in Shelby County Illinois. Jackson may have descended from Thomas Price who was living in the same area of Shelby County with 2 sons of the right age. Thomas purchased land February 2, 1836 and. Jackson purchased land on December 19, 1838 in Shelby County in the same area as Seaburn Brewer and Hanson Middleton. I have not found Jackson and Lucinda together on census. Lucinda‘s son Sylvester shows up on the ledger from Thomas A. Peters that listed loyalty oaths given by residents of Polk County in 1862. It is assumed Jackson may have died in the war. Lucinda is found living in Nemaha County Nebraska in 1870. Lucinda, head of household with 2 sons and daughter with her 2 children. They are listed between George and Enoch Clark who were brothers to Jacob Jr.’s wife Maranda. She is then found living with Maranda and children in Monona County Iowa in 1880. The only known children of Jackson and Lucinda are the sons and daughter listed with her in 1870.

Children:

1. Alexandria, born 1844 in Illinois

2. Sylvester, born 1847 in Illinois

3. Gerome, born 1854 in Illinois

Jacob Brewer Jr. and Ruth Tipsword

Jacob Jr. was first married to Ruth Tipsword daughter of Isaac and Lucinda Tipsword of Effingham County Illinois. Although they lived in separate counties according to land records the Brewer’s and Tipsword’s were neighbors. Ruth was born around 1832 as she was 18 years old on the 1850 census. Jacob’s brother John W. signed an oath stating Ruth’s age. They were married in Fayette County Illinois on July 10, 1851. Ruth probably died given birth to Julia or shortly there after.

Child:

1. Julia Brewer, born July 28, 1852, Missouri. Married to William Smith on August 25, 1870 in Nodaway Co., Missouri.

Jacob Brewer Jr. and Maranda Clark

Maranda Clark was the daughter of William Clark and Rachel Starkey. She was born in Ohio on August 16, 1834. Jacob and Maranda were married in Polk County Missouri on December 15, 1855 not long after the family migrated there. They are listed on the 1860 census still in Polk County with three of their children plus Jacob’s daughter Julia. According to the place of birth of several of their children they were in Nebraska from 1866 to 1868. Jacob Jr. and family are found in Nodaway Co., Missouri on the 1870 census where Jacob Jr. is listed as a shingle maker. From there they moved to Monona Co., Iowa where Jacob Jr. died of Typhoid fever on Nov.15, 1878. He is buried in the Belvedere Cemetery in Monona Co., Iowa. Jacob Jr’s widow, Maranda, and family remained in Monona Co., Iowa. Two of their sons, William and Sylvester, would eventually marry sisters Dora and Libbie Piatt. They were the daughters of Lafayette Piatt and Eliza Cole. William and Sylvester’s brother, George, was engaged to Katie Piatt. She was said to already have the wedding dress when it was called off. Supposedly George was not well liked by Lafayette. Sylvester and Libbie would eventually divorce which was uncommon for the time. Will and Dora remained in Monona Co. and are both buried there along with their son Aaron and daughter Maude. Sylvester lived with Will and Dora at the time they were expecting their son along with a farm hand named Aaron. They both told Dora if she named the baby after them they would buy the baby’s first outfit. So she named their son Aaron Sylvester and both had to live up to his word. December 2, 1886, Maranda married Charles Henry Cooper, father of her son-in-law Charles Leroy Cooper (Sarah’s husband). Maranda died November 10, 1903 and is buried in the Belvedere cemetery in Monona Co., Iowa next to Jacob Jr.

Children:

1. Hannah Jane Brewer, born January 25, 1857, Polk Co., Missouri; died March 12, 1934, married to Andrew Jackson Hutcheson on December 4, 1873, Mills, Iowa.

2. Zara Leonides Brewer (Lee), born February 24, 1859, Polk County Missouri; married on February 22, 1883 in Monona Co.,Iowa to Hannah Kesterson

3. Christopher Columbus Brewer (Lum), born February 13, 1861, Missouri; married September 17, 1881 to Ellen Troth, born 1861 Mills, Iowa

4. Elmer Elsworth Brewer, born June 28, 1863 (no info on this child, not found on census).

5. William Sherman Brewer, born February 20, 1866, Nebraska; died 1929, married September 17, 1887 to Dora Jane Piatt b. January 18, 1869, died November 20, 1952.

6. George McCllen Brewer(Twin), born March 11, 1868, Nebraska: married December 24, 1891 in Onawa, Monona Co., Iowa to Elsie Bell, born 1874, Iowa.

7. Sarah Ellen Brewer born March 11, 1868, Nebraska; died September 12, 1925, Castana, Monona Co., Iowa; married May 7, 1887 Onawa, Iowa to Charles Leroy Cooper b. April 29, 1860, Oswego Co., New York; died July 1, 1924, Castana, Iowa.

8. Sylvester Enoch Brewer born March 20, 1872, Missouri; married December 2, 1894 in Onawa, Iowa to Libbie Piatt, born 1876. Divorced before 1920.

9. Jacob Oscar Brewer, born August 23, 1874; died November 11, 1876.

10. Nancy M. Brewer, born April 18, 1878, Iowa; died December 4, 1878

Notes of Interest

George & Sarah Lanier Brewer lived in Brunswick County Virginia in the Rattlesnake Creek area where the Myrick and Fletcher families were found as well. There have been many Brewer’s found with Fletcher as middle name, one female included. No connection has ever been found.

Isaac Brewer stated in his Revolutionary war pension file that he was a son of Howell and his father had remarried and had another family living in Western Tennessee at the time of his death. There was a Hal Brewer listed on an 1806 Christian County Kentucky tax list.

Reuben Brewer migrated to Clinton County Ohio before 1820. He died and was buried there in 1855. Coincidently, William Clark and family had lived just two counties over in Butler County before migrating to Polk County Missouri in the 1840’s along with several other families.

William Brewer born 1756, son of Burwell, was married to Elizabeth Holman. Their daughters married Bankston brothers. Wholman Bankston was listed among those found in St. Louis Missouri in 1810/11.

No connection found between the Holman and Bankston families. But the unusual given name is interesting.

Crocker Connection. Lundy Green Crocker, born 1831 in Tennessee, was found in Polk County Missouri in 1854 on the tax record along with Jacob Brewer Sr. and family. In 1870 he was a neighbor of Seaburn Brewer in Webster County Missouri. Lundy was the son of Bailey who was the son of Jacob (born C1733) who had brothers named Thomas and Arthur. Bailey was born in Rutherford County North Carolina which neighbors Spartanburg South Carolina. As was the case among many families of this time. There were many with the same given name in this Crocker line. The list of Thomas, Arthur, Jacob, William & Anthony’s were numerous. And with records being what they were, it would be hard to tell who was a cousin or brother or even father. The oldest descendant of the Crocker’s from this North and South Carolina area appears to be Anthony “The Elder” Crocker born C1630 in Isle of Wright Virginia. Early Illinois records, 1807 census, when still considered Indiana territory there was a Benjamin Crocker listed in Knox County which was on the Eastern side. James Crocker was shown as a squatter in 1804 living close to Andrew Bankston. A quick breakdown of a few generations that may be linked is:

1. Anthony “The Elder” Crocker born C1630 Isle of Wright Virginia

2. William Crocker born C1670/80 married Katherine had sons

3. Anthony Crocker born C1710 married Darcus was father of Jacob

who was the father of Bailey

(3) Peter Crocker born C1712 had sons Benjamin born C1753 and

James born C1755

(3) Arthur Crocker born 1714 died 1794 Spartanburg South Carolina

Many resources were used in this research as well as the help and contributions of cousins and fellow researchers. Some only parts were used and changed or corrected as to what I believe. In other words I kept the good and left out the bad. Below is an excerpt from Grace Morrow Bryan’s book “Southern Kinsmen” researched back in 1977. Much has probably been uncovered since. But also much has been muddled from wild speculations, other than my own.

Taken from the book “Southern Kinsmen”, published C1977.

By Grace Morrow Bryan

George Brewer was born ca.1680 in Isle of Wight Co., Virginia. He married probably in Surry County about 1705 to Sarah Lanier, b. ca..1686, daughter of John Lanier and 2^nd (or 3^rd) Mrs. Sarah Edmunds, widow of William Edmunds. George Brewer died in Brunswick County leaving a will written 12 July 1744 and proved 2 August 1744 in Brunswick Court by Alice Brewer, wife and Howell Brewer, son, the executors. It named the following: William Brewer, son; land where he dwelleth. Oliver Brewer, son; land whereon I now dwell and a gun. Henry Brewer, son; land between Fountain & Rattlesnake Creeks, horse “Patrick”, and a gun. Nathaniel Brewer, son; 250 A. on both sides of Roanoke Rd. Sarah Vick, daughter;150 A. on both sides of Roanoke Rd. Lanier Brewer, son; a young steer. George Brewer, son; a young steer. Nicholas Brewer, son; a cow and calf. John Brewer, son;a cow and calf. Howell Brewer, son; a young horse “Snip”, and the feathers to make him a bed. Alice Brewer, wife; the estate whereon we now dwell, the household goods and stock within the doors and without doors for maintenance of all my younger children that it hath pleased God to give me during her life or until she marries again. (Will Book 2, p.91, Brunswick Co., VA.)

Children of George Brewer & Sarah Lanier:

1.William Brewer b.C1705, married Susannah

2.Oliver Brewer b.C1708, married Rebecca

3.Henry Brewer b.C1710 d.1779, married Mary

4.Nathaniel Brewer b.C1712 d. bef. 1804

5.Sarah Brewer b.C1714 d. bef.1789, married John Vick Jr.

6.Lanier Brewer b.C1716 d.C1795, married Joanna

7.George Brewer Jr. b.C1717 d.1760, married Abagail Wyche

8.Nicholas Brewer b.C1720 d.C1792, married Sarah

9.John Brewer b.C1722 d.1780, married Ann

10.Howell Brewer b.C1723 d.?, married (1)Rebecca Willis (2)Marian May

Howell Brewer, son of George Brewer, is the first shown in Brunswick Co., Va. Records in 1743; after settling his father’s estate, along with his step-mother, Alice Brewer in 1744, he is not found in Brunswick Co. records except once when he witnessed a deed by Oliver and John Brewer, both of North Carolina at the time, and one infers that he was also. The deed was dated 1763. Howell Brewer first appears I North Carolina deeds when he received land grants in 1749 and again in 1754. In 1767 Howell Brewer sold land in Cumberland and Orange Counties, and in 1769 he and wife Marian sold land in Orange County.

Burwell Brewer, son of George Brewer and Alice Burwell, b.1730 d. 1799 Wilkes Co., GA, married Elizabeth Patrick d. 1800. This couple married in NC and then went to Georgia.

Burwell Brewer, or Burrell (as it was always pronounced), was given a Major's grant of land, as were some of his relatives and in-laws. From County Histories, more than several would qualify for Patriotic Service in the Revolution. 640 acres for each.

Lt. William Brewer, Revolutionary Patriot, son of Burwell, received 250 acres.

Children of Burwell Brewer & Elizabeth Patrick:

1. Patrick Brewer (Life ended in a duel)

2. Sarah Brewer married ------------Sojourner

3. Adelia Brewer (Delilah) m a Bird or Boyd Lived to be very old

4. William Brewer m (1) Eliz. Holman (2) Sarah Doggett

5. John Brewer lived in SC and Ga

6. Agnes Brewer b 22 June 1776, d 23 Oct 1869 married Geo. Washington Paschal is buried by the side of her husband in the cemetery on the hill overlooking Auraria, Lumpkin Co GA.

7. Elizabeth married John Paschal, nephew of George Paschal above

8. Rebecca Brewer married ____Lewis

9. Nancy Brewer married George Brittain

10. Susannah Brewer married (1) Alex Bolling (2) his brother Henry Bolling

11. Burrell Brewer, the youngest. Sol. in War of 1812. His life ended in a duel in

Louisiana

William Brewer b. 1756 in Isle of Wight VA. d After 1818 Oglethorpe Co GA

Married 1780 (1) Elizabeth Holman (2) Sarah Doggett

Children of William Brewer & Elizabeth Holman:

1. Burwell (Burrell) Brewer who died in England

2. Thomas Brewer

3 Sarah Ann Brewer, b.1792 d.1875 married Simeon Coates Bankston b.1791 d.1877

4. Elizabeth Brewer, b.C1794 married Leslie Coates Bankston b.1785

5. Daughter married Samuel Hale of Mass

6. Matthew Brewer married Elizabeth Hampton (Earl Leroy Brewer, governor of MS was

descended from this one.

7. William Brewer married Ann Clarke Bates US Congressman. Wrote AL History textbook

8. Willis Hamlin Brewer married Mary Spence