Johannes (Brouwer) Brewer (1761 - 1822)

Born 30 Apr 1761 in Schraalenburg, Bergen, New Jersey colony

Ancestors

Husband of Jannetje (Van Arsdalen) Brewer — married 1781 in Conewago, York, Pennsylvania

Husband of Mary Polly (House) Brewer — married 27 Nov 1806 in Harrodsburg, Mercer, Kentucky, United States

Descendants

Died 14 Feb 1822 at age 60 in Harrodsburg, Mercer, Kentucky, United States

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Biography

Johannes (Brouwer) Brewer was part of the Low Dutch Settlements in Kentucky, 1780-1810

Johanes Brouwer was baptized to parents Daniel Brouwer and Maria Koning at the Dutch Reformed Church in Schraalenburgh, Bergen Co., NJ on 30 Apr 1761. ^[1] At the age of 20 he married Jannetje Van Arsdalen in Conewago Colony in PA on 3 Apr 1781. ^[2] Five years later, in 1786, the Indians burned thirty-five houses and terrified everyone. Their son, David Brouwer, had been baptized in Conewago on April 9, 1786. After that there is no further record of them in PA. The family left for Mercer County Kentucky.

John Brewer's brother-in-law, Cornelius Cozine, married to his older sister Mary Brewer, died in 1787 in KY. ^[3] On 25 Mar 1788, Peter Banta and John Brewer were appointed guardians to Daniel, Cornelius, Anne and Sarah Cozine. ^[4] Two years later in August 1790 two of these children, Daniel and Sara Cozine, were captured by the by Pottawatomie Indians. Daniel was aged about 11 and Sara about 9. Daniel's skull was "crushed by a tomahawk" and Sarah was scalped. They were held for five years, being released 14 Sep 1795. Some reports says Sarah escaped and reached the home of her mother. Sarah did go on to marry. There is not much information as to what happened to Daniel. ^[5]

John Brouwer's parents had travelled with him to Mercer County KY. They died there in 1791. "John Brower" was executor of his father's will on 15 Jan 1791. ^[6]  A year later "John Brewer" purchased 43 acres of land on salt River for £4. ^[7] Then his wife, Jannetje, died on 19 Jul 1793. ^[8] This was about 3 or 4 months after the birth of her last child. John Brewer had six young children to care for. Five months later on 3 Dec 1793, John Brewer married his second wife, Dinah Sorter. She had their first child just short of nine months later. ^[9]

John Brewer had been acquiring land. In 1794 he had 150 acres in Shelby Co. KY and 120 acres in Mercer Co. KY. The Mercer Co Tax for 1804 shows him with 180 acres on Salt River in Mercer Co. and 191 acres on Clear Creek in Shelby Co. ^[10] Then his second wife, Dinah Sorter, died on 8 Mar 1805 leaving him with an additional six children. His oldest son Garrett was 22 by that time, but his youngest son, Henry, was under two years old. His son, Abram, who was about 14 at that time, left an oral history with his heirs. He recalled the death of his step-mother. His father (John Brewer) had "sent him out into the neighborhood to spread the news of Dinah's death. Riding horseback, he went whistling along the turnpike. A neighbor, meeting him, asked: "What makes you so happy this fine morning. Abram?" The boy replied cheerfully: "My stepmother's dead", whipped up his horse and cantered on, taking up his olythe whistling where he left off." ^[11] You can imagine this household with then 12 children aged 22-2. The "step-mother" had not had an easy life. So, John Brewer had a household of young children. He married for the third time 27 Nov 1806. ^[12] And, he had another six children. In 1812 he still had 180 acres of land on Salt River. ^[13]

John's son, Abram Brewer, told many stories to his grandchildren which were published in 1942. His third wife Polly, must have had a hard time. When she married John Brewer in 1806 there were already several young children in the household, and she became pregnant very quickly. Polly must have been frazzled what with the bread making, butter making, candle making, cooking and laundry. There were only 3 girls among all those children. Charity was 18, Mary was only 13 and Jane 9. Polly, needing assistance, probably gave many orders to Charity. So one day Charity took off and moved in with one of her married brothers. ^[14] Both brothers, Garret and Daniel, were married by that time.

John Brewer began selling off some of his lands in Dec 1820, probably with the expectation of moving to Indiana. ^[15] He wrote his will on 27 January 1822 ^[16] and died 17 days later on 13 Feb 1822. ^[17] His estate was settled in KY. ^[18] He was buried, however, in Johnson Co, IN with his children. ^[19] He was 61 years old.

Name

Johannes Brouwer/ John Brewer/

Birth date: 30 April 1761Birth place: Schraalenburg, Bergen, NJ

Death date: 14 February 1822 Death place: Harrodsburg, Mercer, KY

Marriage date: December 1793Marriage place: Rev John Rice, Harrodsburg

Note

[1] John (Johannes) BREWER was born 30 April 1761 in Hackensack, Bergen Co., NJ to Daniel BREWER (of Hackensack) and Maria KONIG or KONING (of NY). He is given as being the 8th of 10 children, the 3rd of 4 sons. Daniel was about 42 when John was born and Maria was about 37. On 3 April 1781, John married Jane VAN ARSDALE b. 3 May 1757 NJ. Jane was 23 and John was 19. Steve BREWER wrote into the ROOTSWEB mailing list in 1999 that around 1760 a group of Dutch settlers moved from New Jersey and founded a colony at Conewago, York Co, PA, right outside Gettysburg. York Co. is sometimes also given as Adams Co., Adams Co., having formed out of York in 1800. The Rootsweb York County website [2] gives its Conewago has having formed from Dover in 1818, Dover having formed in 1745 as part of Lancaster, while the Rootsweb Adams Co. PA. website [3] gives Conewago as formed 1801 from York Co. Heidelberg and Manheim Townships. It's said these Dutch settlers lived in the Conewago area until the mid 1780s when some moved to the lakes area of New York, while most of the others established a colony at Pleasureville on the border between Henry and Shelby Counties in KY. A Vincent Akers wrote a book about this migration, giving that a group of these people then migrated into the Mercer Co. KY area around Harrodsburgh until the early 1800s when cheap Indiana land caused most to move into various counties of that state. Abraham BREWER, John's brother, was part of the Banta Group which went into Kentucky in 1780. "Father Henry Banta" led the group from Conewago, York County, Pennsylvania, over the Appalachian Mountains, late in 1779, to For Pitt (Pittsburgh), then in the spring of 1780 they traveled the Ohio River route arriving at "the Falls" in March or April 1780. This group numbered at least 75 persons 1/2 of which were children age 12 or under, and consisted of Abraham and Albert Banta; Simon Van Arsdale; Samuel Demaree Sr. and Peter and John Demaree; Geradus Riker; John and Christopher Westerfield; Sophia Voris (Vorhees); and Catharine Dorland. The single men who traveled with them were Henry, John, Cornelius and Jacob Banta; John, Samuel and Jacob Demaree; John Rike; Samuel Westerfield; James, John, Francis, Cornelius and Luke Voris; John and Lambert Dorland; and Abraham Brewer [4]. Daniel BREWER and Maria KONING would have been a Brewer family following this initial migration. Steve Brewer noted Daniel's son John married Jane VAN ARSDALE (daughter of Garret VAN ARSDALE and Lucretia HEGEMAN) while at Conewago around 1781. He states few documents survived from Conewago but most of the the baptismal records have survived, which can be found in the Somerset County Historical Quarterly Vol 4 - 1915. This lists two baptisms for John and Jane. Garret baptized 17 Nov 1782 and David on 09 April 1786. Traditional Dutch naming convention would have the first four children named after the couple's parents. Another family that was part of the migration was the DEMAREE family. They were French Huguenots who moved to the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam in 1663, from there to land purchased from Indians near what is now Hackensack, NY about 1677, from there to Conawago, Adams Co., PA, and then from there, with family and friends, to Harrod's Station, Mercer Co. KY. Families given in this migration can be found here [5] and include: COVERT, BERGEN, BRUNER, BANTA, BICE, LIST, MONFORT, CARNINE, LUYSTER, DITMARS, VOORHIES, BREWER, VAN NUYS, HENDERSON and VAN ARSDALL. Jane VAN ARSDALE BREWER died 18 July 1793 and the age of 36. As Mary is given as being born in 1793 it would appear that Jane's death had to do with Mary's birth. Nancy BENTON gives John BREWER as having married 2nd Dinah SORTER and 3rd Mary "Polly" HOUSE. Charity, daughter of Daniel, married Daniel SORTER. John BREWER died 14 Feb 1822 according to his will. He was 64.

Marriage

Husband: Johannes Brouwer

Wife: Jannetje Van Arsdalen

1. Child: Garrett C. Brewer
2. Child: Daniel A. Brewer
3. Child: David Brewer
4. Child: Charity Brewer
5. Child: Abraham Brewer
6. Child: Mary Brewer
7. Child: Jane Brouwer

Marriage:

Date: 1781

Place: Conewago, York, Pennsylvania

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism of Johanes Brouwer http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~brookefamily/genealogy/brouwerjohannesbaptism.jpg
2. ↑ Marriage of Johanes Brouwer to Jannetje Van Arsdalen The Genealogical Society of Bergen County family files pg 1577 bottom record on page https://www.njgsbc.org/files/familyfiles/p1577.htm
3. ↑ Will of Cornelius Cozine written 9 Feb 1787 and probated 23 May 1787 Mercer Co, KY In the name of God, Amen. This is my last will and testament that I, Cornelus Cozine, do make to my wife and children, my real and personal estate as follows. I do give and bequeath to my loving wife Mary Cozine the the sorrel mare and saddle and all what she had when she came to me, such as cows and furniture. Likewise I do give and bequeath to my eldest son, Daniel, five pounds for his birthright and the remainder of my estate to be divided as follows. my sons Daniel and Cornelius must have at the rate of thirty pounds each and my daughters Anney and Sarah at the rate of twenty pounds each, and my loving wife a daughters part for her dowry. Thus I desire my estate shall be divided among my wife and children the the men I have chosen to be my executors, Samuel Demaree and Abraham Banta. The blessings of the Almighty God rest upon my wife and children. I say no more but set my hand and seal this 9th day of February, 1787 If my wife should bear and be delivered of a son or daughter in the space of nine months after my decease, it shall have an equal share with one of the rest of my heirs. Cornelius Cozine Witnesses present; John Banta, Simon Vanarsdale, Albert Vorhies and Luke Vorhies At a Court of quarter session held for the County of Mercer at the Courthouse on Wednesday the 23rd of May, 1787. This last will and testament was presented. Mercer Co Probate Record BK 1 pg 65-66 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GP32-9DM4?i=33&cc=1875188&cat=432073
4. ↑ 25 Mar 1788 Mercer Co KY Order BK 1 pg 190 film 191837 image 113: Peter Banta and John Brewer appointed guardians to Daniel, Cornelius, Anne and Sarah Cozine, orphans of Cornelius Cozine https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-GS62-V?cat=434368
5. ↑ Ancestry Story from Early Bergen County Families. Sara Cozine, bp. 15 April 1781 Ref Ch, Conewago Colony, Straban Twp., York Co., PA; d. about 1855 or after, IN; m. 28 Oct 1800 Shelbyville, Jesse Blanton. Draper Manuscript. 163176-177: "In 9 Aug 1790 nine year old Sarah "Parsains" Cozine, bapt: 1781-PA, she was scalped by the Pottowattomie Indians, but spared her life. She was a captive for 5 years being released 14 Sep 1795 (after the Treaty of Greenville). She married and lived until 1855. And her 12 years old brother Daniel Cozine, Bapt: 1799-PA were taken by the Pottowattomie Indians. Daniel's skull was crushed by a tomahawk (these were the children of Cornelius of Cornelius Cosyn and Mary Brower and Step-children of Samuel Demaree). "Sara escaped and found her way back to her mother's family. When they, Samuel Demaaree, Jr. and Mary Brouwer Cozine Demaree, went to Indiana, Sara went with them, about 1812, having married Jesse Blanton Oct 28, 1800, at Shelbyville." Demarees and Blantons settled on Indian Kentuck Creek about 6 miles NE of the present Madison, IN. Alarmed by the Pigeon Roost massacre by Indians near Henryville, IN, they hastened back to KY, but when the Indian troubles subsided they returned to IN. Sarah Cozine Blanton, probably a widow, lived in her later years in a home built for her near the home of William Underwood Demaree (son of her half brother, Daniel Demaree), known to all as Aunt Sally. She was regarded as eccentric for her following some Indian habits of her captivity time, would kindle a fire in the Indian way and in the summer lived in a tent or wigwam.https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/tree/12582559/person/190074875582/media/dd070d73-e76c-439e-98d8-2a9f7e30a757
6. ↑ Mercer Co KY Will BK 1 pg. 49-50 film 191830 image 32 15 Jan 1791 Executor of father's will Daniel's will dated Jan 15, 1791 and proved Feb 22, 1791 "To my son John Brower one eight part to him and his heirs forever."  wearing Cloaths divded equally between my sons Abraham, John and Daniel Brower. Executors Abraham and John Brower and Samuel Demaree Senior. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GP32-9DNX?i=25&cc=1875188&cat=432073
7. ↑ 24 Jul 1792 Mercer Deed BK 1 pg. 397-399 film 191810 image 209 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4X-R952-4?cat=433593
8. ↑ Death of Janettje Van Ardalen https://www.njgsbc.org/files/familyfiles/p1577.htm
9. ↑ 9 Dec 1793 John Brewer married Dinah Sorter Mercer County KY fhl film 191840 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-YXSC-1K?i=959&cc=1804888
10. ↑ Mercer Co tax for 1794 shows John Brewer with 4 horses, 16 cattle and 150 acres in Shelby County KY and 120 acres in Mercer County KY. His brother Daniel has 4 horses and 15 cattle and 40 acres. Abraham's son Daniel Jr is listed below. fhl film 8156 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-ZHTJ?cat=156196 and 1804 Mercer Tax book. Garret Brewer 1 horse. John Brewer 2 horses. John Brewer 180 acres on Salt River in Mercer co. Land entered, surveyed and patented by David Adams. 191 acres on Clear Creek in Shelby Co. Land entered & surveyed by Squire Boone. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-ZZ9N?cat=156196
11. ↑ The Brewer's 300 years in America 1642-1942 by Bertha Spencer pg. 31 "Grandfather Brower ( Abraham Van Arsdale Brewer born 1791 ) used to tell this story at his own expense. An overgrown boy of fourteen, his father (Johanes Brouwer) had sent him out into the neighborhood to spread the news of Dinah's death. Riding horseback, he went whistling along the turnpike. A neighbor, meeting him, asked: "What makes you so happy this fine morning. Abram?" The boy replied cheerfully: "My stepmother's dead", whipped up his horse and cantered on, taking up his olythe whistling where he left off." https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/2716595/person/390068992649/media/edeec651-5b30-46f2-88ef-a098456936d2?_phsrc=XSF54937&usePUBJs=true
12. ↑ John Brewer married Polly Salter 26 Nov 1806 Mercer Co KY film 191843 image 394 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-YX9R-55?i=393&cc=1804888&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AV5ZX-H13
13. ↑ 1812 Tax Mercer Co, KY, film 8156 image 747 John Brewer has 180 acres on Salt River taxed at the 3rd rate and 10 horses. Garret Brewer has 60 acres taxed at the 2nd rate and 3 horses. David Brewer has 3 horses. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-ZHYJ?cat=156196
14. ↑ The Brewer's 300 years in America 1642-1942 pg. 30-31 by Bertha Spencer. (lineage: John Brewer and Janette Van Arsdalen, Abram Brewer and Delilah Rice, Anna Cozine Brewer and George W Spencer, Bertha Spencer) My grandfather, Abram V Brewer, told many tales of his step-mother's ill tempers. Here are two which I remember. "Sister Charity" tired of drudging under unpleasant circumstances and having to submit to Polly's constant nagging, decided to run away from home and go to live with one of her married brothers. She started out. When she got of the top of the pasture she heard her step-mother's shrill cry for "Charitee! Charitee!" The girl called back: "Call, darn you! You may call as much as you like, but I am never coming back." Only Charity used a stronger word than "darn." it is difficult for us moderns to realize how irrevocably wicked that oath appeared in Charity's estimation. She undoubtedly thought she might be struck dead for such blasphemy. Those were the days when people believed in infant damnations, a real sulphurous hell prepared for those who uttered oaths,---especially women. At that moment "Sister Charity" was willing to forego a future heaven to get away from an earthly hell. Well, she lived to marry a man named Sorter, and never did return to her father's house, except as a visitor. I have no information as to what, if any, children she had, nor where they lived. All I know is that there is an item in Grandfather Brewer's handwriting in his family Bible: "Sister Charity died May 16, 1860." That was just one month and two days before the death of Abram Brewer's brother Garret. Mother often talked of an "Aunt Nancy Sorter." Who she was, I do not know. Perhaps an unmarried sister of the step-mother, Dinah, or sister-in-law of "Sister Charity."  The other story that Abram's half-brother Samuel had incurred his step-mother's displeasure and was sent to bed without his supper. Finding the little boy in bed crying because he was hungry, Abram went to the pantry, took a whole pic and a pitcher of milk, and gave them to Samuel. Polly, discovering the theft, pulled Abram's ears almost out of their sockets. https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/2716595/person/390068992649/media/edeec651-5b30-46f2-88ef-a098456936d2?_phsrc=XSF54937&usePUBJs=true
15. ↑ Shelby Deed BK R pg 182 film 259235 image 94 18 Dec 1820 John and Polly Brewer of Shelby County to John Beauchamp of Franklin Co for $995. land on Pyburns run a branch of Bullskin Creek near Othaniel Talbott, 89 acres.https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4L-Y3NV-V?cat=109965
16. ↑ 27 Jan 1822 Shelby County Will Book 5 (Bundle 5) pg.291. film 259251 image 444 Last Will and Testament of John Brewer of Shelby County. First I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Polly the tract of land where I now live. After 10 years Polly to have a third of said land laid off to her or have the land sold. She was also to have a quarter of the land in the state of Indiana. She was also to receive various live stock and household and kitchen furniture. To his son Abraham Brewer $5.00 To his son John Brewer $5.00 to his son Samuel Brewer $5.00 To his son Henry Brewer $50. To heirs of his son David Brewer, deceased, $5.00 each To my five other children: Garret Brewer, Daniel Brewer, Charity, Mary and Jane the whole of the profits of the sale of the above named land. Executors David Talbott and John Beauchamp https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9DP-23SH?i=443&cc=1875188&cat=109973
17. ↑ The Brewer's 300 years in America 1642-1942 pg. 30-31 by Bertha Spencer pg. 25 "John Brewer lived in Harrodsburg from 1791 until his death, which occurred on February 13, 1822." https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/2716595/person/390068992649/media/edeec651-5b30-46f2-88ef-a098456936d2?_phsrc=XSF54937&usePUBJs=true
18. ↑ Shelby KY Will Book 5 pg.291, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9DP-23SH?i=443&cc=1875188&cat=109973 Appraisements BK 6, pg. 18, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89DP-2SPD?i=544&cc=1875188&cat=109973 Sale Bill , Settlement of Executors BK 7 pg. 224 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9DP-24JD?i=245&cc=1875188&cat=109973
19. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6292991/johannes-brouwer

• Jackson, Ronald V., Accelerated Indexing Systems, comp. New Jersey Census, 1643-1890 Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 1999.Original data - Compiled and digitized by Mr. Jackson and AIS from microfilmed schedules of the U.S. Federal Decennial Census, territorial/state censuses, and/or census substitutes.

• Bradley James Watjen, Brøderbund Software, Inc., World Family Tree Vol. 2, Ed. 1, (Release date: November 29, 1995), "CD-ROM," Tree #5010, Date of Import: Jul 11, 1999. (1995), "Electronic," Date of Import: Jul 11, 1999.

See also:

• Space:Low_Dutch_Settlements_in_Kentucky