Richard Brewer

During the early 1700s, Richard Brewer was an officer in the Albany garrison. His marriage record in 1702 noted that he was born in "Old England" - most likely during the 1670s. We seek information on his origins and path to Albany. Frequent spelling variations of his name ("Brnuwe" for one) give us pause that "Brewer" may not be the most accurate spelling. At the same time, he does not seem to have been related to the "Brouwer" family of Albany and beyond.

Perhaps he was the "Ric. Brewer, Junr" who, in 1692, was commissioned an ensign in the 12th Regiment of Foot commanded by Colonel Richard Brewer. The new officer was described as "a child." After stops in Ireland and the West Indies, some of the remaining men were sent to New York. By the end of 1700, Richard Brewer's name was appearing on the roll of a company destined for garrison duty at Albany and other places.

In October or November 1702, Albany Dutch church records noted that he married Catharina Scharp at the "groom's house." In August 1704, "Lieut. Brnwer" witnessed the baptism of Patrick Mc Gregory's son with one "Anna Hoges." Otherwise, his name seems to be absent from the extant records of the Albany church.

In June 1703, on behalf of the other officers and soldiers of the "major's garrison" posted in Albany," he requested that those newcomers be accorded the "freedom of Albany."

In March 1705, he acted as an attorney for Rensselaerswyck resident Cornelis T. Van Vechten. Significantly, his adversary was represented by John Collins, a fellow garrison officer and perhaps Albany's first professional lawyer.

During the first decade of the eighteenth century (1704-08), the upkeep of Lt. Brewer's house/quarters in Albany was underwritten by provincial officials. In 1706, he was boarded in the house of Albert Slingerland. In September, he escorted French prisoners from Albany to New York.

In October 1708, he identified himself as one of the executors of the will of "Thomas Sharpe, late gunner of Albany for pay due [the] deceased."

In December 1711, Brewer, sent a letter to Secretary Clarke requesting that he be commissioned a captain in the next expedition against Canada.

Richard Brewer died sometime thereafter. In May 1719, his widow married into the Schuyler family.

Sources: The life of Richard Brewer is CAP biography number 7414. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.

From DCR: "Oct. 17, [1702]. Reg. Ritchart Brewer, b. in O.E., and Katharina Scharp, y.d., b. in N.E. Ma., Nov. 22, at groom’s h."

We are indebted to Dexter Kenfield of Tucson, Arizona for sharing his substantial research on this subject during 2014.