BREWSTER, ROBERT
Robert Brewster was born at Glen Hall, nine miles from Giant's Coffin, in the picturesque county of Derry, north Ireland, on the 7th of March, 1812. He is not of Irish blood, however. His parents, Joseph and Nancy Weir Brewster, were both natives of Glasgow, Scotland, the father coming of a long line of Scotch ancestors, and the mother being of Welsh extraction. Robert Brewster was reared in the city of Glasgow, in the schools of which city he received his education. His father was a farmer by occupation, but the sons, four in number, either by chance or from natural inclination, all entered mercantile pursuits, Robert learning the business of linen merchant, which he followed in youth and early manhood in Scotland, north Ireland and England as an itinerant.
In 1840, his father having died and his widowed mother and two brothers and a younger sister having emigrated to America, he decided to come to this country also, and sailed in March of that year from Liverpool, England, by the packet ship Sheridan, of the Black Ball line, reaching New York twenty-eight days later. The spring and summer of that year were spent by him with his people in New York. An older brother, Andrew, who had been in the mercantile business for three or four year at New Orleans, had but a short time previously settled in Houston, and, learning of this, Robert came to Texas in November (1840), and took up his residence in this city. Being still single and in sympathy with the adventurous spirit of the times, he was easily interested in the Santa Fe expedition, which was set on foot the following spring, and but for the timely interference of his brother Andrew he would have joined the expedition and would of course have shared the fate of its members. Embarking in the mercantile business in Houston in 1841, he was so engaged for about seven years. In the meantime, having decided to make this his home, he married July 8, 1846, taking for a companion Miss Mary C. Andros, then a resident of Houston, but a native of Niagara Falls, New York.
In 1858 Mr. Brewster became Assessor and Collector of Taxes for the City of Houston and held this office until the opening of the civil war. He then gave it up, and, not having any particular fondness for public position, has not held any other since, except that of Alderman of the city. He is a Democrat in politics, and, beginning with Lewis Cass in 1848, has voted for the regular Democratic nominee in every presidential election since, as well as for the nominees of his party in all State elections.
In 1844 Mr. Brewster was made a Mason, joining Holland Lodge, No. 1, at Houston. He is also a member of Washington Chapter, No. 2, Ruthven Commandery, No. 2, and San Jacinto Lodge of Perfection. He is an enthusiastic Mason, having taken all the degrees in the Ancient York rite up to and including that of Knight Templar, and also those in the Scotish rite up to and including the thirty-second. He became Secretary of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter in 1863, at which time he was also made Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery of the State, both of which positions he held continuously up to January 1, 1894. At that date he was relieved of the former office, but is still Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery. He has attended the triennial conclaves of the Grand Commandery of the United States for twenty-odd years, and has a personal acquaintance with many of the most eminent members of this ancient and honored craft.
With his faithful companion, who is still spared to him, Mr. Brewster resides in his large and elegant home, on the corner of Milam street and Walker avenue, where the house, the grounds and all of the appointments are suggestive of the well-ordered lives, the intelligence, good taste and generous hospitality of the occupants. Mr. and Mrs. Brewster have had six children, four of whom died in infancy or early childhood. They have a daughter, Mrs. Jane Hart, living in Galveston, and a son, Rev. Mathew D. Brewster, an Episcopal minister, residing in New Orleans, where he holds a charge in his church. Mr. Brewster has but few other near relatives. His mother died at the residence of her son in New York city, New York, in 1865; his eldest brother, Andrew, died in Houston in 1841; his second brother, Joseph, still lives in New York, where he settled in 1835; Sarah, his eldest sister, died in Philadelphia, in 1840, the wife of Hugh McIntyre; Elizabeth died in New York, in 1841; Abram also died in New York, where he had settled many years ago, and Jane died unmarried, in the same State; in 1880. All of the family were communicants of the Episcopal Church.
Now, in his eighty-second year, Mr. Brewster presents the appearance of a man whose life has been well ordered. His temperate and moral habits are unexceptionable. He never indulged in the ruinous pastimes of youth, and, hence, has reached and enjoyed manhood in health, superadded to a sound and practical mind. In disposition he is genial and lively, sanguine in temperament and full of pleasantry; as the old Roman wrote, " a man, and as such interested in all things that concern his kind." Source: History of Texas Biographical History of the Cities of Houston and Galveston (1895)
Robert Brewster was born at Glen Hall, nine miles from Giant's Coffin, in the picturesque county of Derry, north Ireland, on the 7th of March, 1812. He is not of Irish blood, however. His parents, Joseph and Nancy Weir Brewster, were both natives of Glasgow, Scotland, the father coming of a long line of Scotch ancestors, and the mother being of Welsh extraction. Robert Brewster was reared in the city of Glasgow, in the schools of which city he received his education. His father was a farmer by occupation, but the sons, four in number, either by chance or from natural inclination, all entered mercantile pursuits, Robert learning the business of linen merchant, which he followed in youth and early manhood in Scotland, north Ireland and England as an itinerant.
In 1840, his father having died and his widowed mother and two brothers and a younger sister having emigrated to America, he decided to come to this country also, and sailed in March of that year from Liverpool, England, by the packet ship Sheridan, of the Black Ball line, reaching New York twenty-eight days later. The spring and summer of that year were spent by him with his people in New York. An older brother, Andrew, who had been in the mercantile business for three or four year at New Orleans, had but a short time previously settled in Houston, and, learning of this, Robert came to Texas in November (1840), and took up his residence in this city. Being still single and in sympathy with the adventurous spirit of the times, he was easily interested in the Santa Fe expedition, which was set on foot the following spring, and but for the timely interference of his brother Andrew he would have joined the expedition and would of course have shared the fate of its members. Embarking in the mercantile business in Houston in 1841, he was so engaged for about seven years. In the meantime, having decided to make this his home, he married July 8, 1846, taking for a companion Miss Mary C. Andros, then a resident of Houston, but a native of Niagara Falls, New York.
In 1858 Mr. Brewster became Assessor and Collector of Taxes for the City of Houston and held this office until the opening of the civil war. He then gave it up, and, not having any particular fondness for public position, has not held any other since, except that of Alderman of the city. He is a Democrat in politics, and, beginning with Lewis Cass in 1848, has voted for the regular Democratic nominee in every presidential election since, as well as for the nominees of his party in all State elections.
In 1844 Mr. Brewster was made a Mason, joining Holland Lodge, No. 1, at Houston. He is also a member of Washington Chapter, No. 2, Ruthven Commandery, No. 2, and San Jacinto Lodge of Perfection. He is an enthusiastic Mason, having taken all the degrees in the Ancient York rite up to and including that of Knight Templar, and also those in the Scotish rite up to and including the thirty-second. He became Secretary of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter in 1863, at which time he was also made Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery of the State, both of which positions he held continuously up to January 1, 1894. At that date he was relieved of the former office, but is still Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery. He has attended the triennial conclaves of the Grand Commandery of the United States for twenty-odd years, and has a personal acquaintance with many of the most eminent members of this ancient and honored craft.
With his faithful companion, who is still spared to him, Mr. Brewster resides in his large and elegant home, on the corner of Milam street and Walker avenue, where the house, the grounds and all of the appointments are suggestive of the well-ordered lives, the intelligence, good taste and generous hospitality of the occupants. Mr. and Mrs. Brewster have had six children, four of whom died in infancy or early childhood. They have a daughter, Mrs. Jane Hart, living in Galveston, and a son, Rev. Mathew D. Brewster, an Episcopal minister, residing in New Orleans, where he holds a charge in his church. Mr. Brewster has but few other near relatives. His mother died at the residence of her son in New York city, New York, in 1865; his eldest brother, Andrew, died in Houston in 1841; his second brother, Joseph, still lives in New York, where he settled in 1835; Sarah, his eldest sister, died in Philadelphia, in 1840, the wife of Hugh McIntyre; Elizabeth died in New York, in 1841; Abram also died in New York, where he had settled many years ago, and Jane died unmarried, in the same State; in 1880. All of the family were communicants of the Episcopal Church.
Now, in his eighty-second year, Mr. Brewster presents the appearance of a man whose life has been well ordered. His temperate and moral habits are unexceptionable. He never indulged in the ruinous pastimes of youth, and, hence, has reached and enjoyed manhood in health, superadded to a sound and practical mind. In disposition he is genial and lively, sanguine in temperament and full of pleasantry; as the old Roman wrote, " a man, and as such interested in all things that concern his kind." Source: History of Texas Biographical History of the Cities of Houston and Galveston (1895)
BREWSTER, ROBERT
Robert Brewster was born at Glen Hall, nine miles from Giant's Coffin, in the picturesque county of Derry, north Ireland, on the 7th of March, 1812. He is not of Irish blood, however. His parents, Joseph and Nancy Weir Brewster, were both natives of Glasgow, Scotland, the father coming of a long line of Scotch ancestors, and the mother being of Welsh extraction. Robert Brewster was reared in the city of Glasgow, in the schools of which city he received his education. His father was a farmer by occupation, but the sons, four in number, either by chance or from natural inclination, all entered mercantile pursuits, Robert learning the business of linen merchant, which he followed in youth and early manhood in Scotland, north Ireland and England as an itinerant.
In 1840, his father having died and his widowed mother and two brothers and a younger sister having emigrated to America, he decided to come to this country also, and sailed in March of that year from Liverpool, England, by the packet ship Sheridan, of the Black Ball line, reaching New York twenty-eight days later. The spring and summer of that year were spent by him with his people in New York. An older brother, Andrew, who had been in the mercantile business for three or four year at New Orleans, had but a short time previously settled in Houston, and, learning of this, Robert came to Texas in November (1840), and took up his residence in this city. Being still single and in sympathy with the adventurous spirit of the times, he was easily interested in the Santa Fe expedition, which was set on foot the following spring, and but for the timely interference of his brother Andrew he would have joined the expedition and would of course have shared the fate of its members. Embarking in the mercantile business in Houston in 1841, he was so engaged for about seven years. In the meantime, having decided to make this his home, he married July 8, 1846, taking for a companion Miss Mary C. Andros, then a resident of Houston, but a native of Niagara Falls, New York.
In 1858 Mr. Brewster became Assessor and Collector of Taxes for the City of Houston and held this office until the opening of the civil war. He then gave it up, and, not having any particular fondness for public position, has not held any other since, except that of Alderman of the city. He is a Democrat in politics, and, beginning with Lewis Cass in 1848, has voted for the regular Democratic nominee in every presidential election since, as well as for the nominees of his party in all State elections.
In 1844 Mr. Brewster was made a Mason, joining Holland Lodge, No. 1, at Houston. He is also a member of Washington Chapter, No. 2, Ruthven Commandery, No. 2, and San Jacinto Lodge of Perfection. He is an enthusiastic Mason, having taken all the degrees in the Ancient York rite up to and including that of Knight Templar, and also those in the Scotish rite up to and including the thirty-second. He became Secretary of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter in 1863, at which time he was also made Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery of the State, both of which positions he held continuously up to January 1, 1894. At that date he was relieved of the former office, but is still Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery. He has attended the triennial conclaves of the Grand Commandery of the United States for twenty-odd years, and has a personal acquaintance with many of the most eminent members of this ancient and honored craft.
With his faithful companion, who is still spared to him, Mr. Brewster resides in his large and elegant home, on the corner of Milam street and Walker avenue, where the house, the grounds and all of the appointments are suggestive of the well-ordered lives, the intelligence, good taste and generous hospitality of the occupants. Mr. and Mrs. Brewster have had six children, four of whom died in infancy or early childhood. They have a daughter, Mrs. Jane Hart, living in Galveston, and a son, Rev. Mathew D. Brewster, an Episcopal minister, residing in New Orleans, where he holds a charge in his church. Mr. Brewster has but few other near relatives. His mother died at the residence of her son in New York city, New York, in 1865; his eldest brother, Andrew, died in Houston in 1841; his second brother, Joseph, still lives in New York, where he settled in 1835; Sarah, his eldest sister, died in Philadelphia, in 1840, the wife of Hugh McIntyre; Elizabeth died in New York, in 1841; Abram also died in New York, where he had settled many years ago, and Jane died unmarried, in the same State; in 1880. All of the family were communicants of the Episcopal Church.
Now, in his eighty-second year, Mr. Brewster presents the appearance of a man whose life has been well ordered. His temperate and moral habits are unexceptionable. He never indulged in the ruinous pastimes of youth, and, hence, has reached and enjoyed manhood in health, superadded to a sound and practical mind. In disposition he is genial and lively, sanguine in temperament and full of pleasantry; as the old Roman wrote, " a man, and as such interested in all things that concern his kind." Source: History of Texas Biographical History of the Cities of Houston and Galveston (1895)
Robert Brewster was born at Glen Hall, nine miles from Giant's Coffin, in the picturesque county of Derry, north Ireland, on the 7th of March, 1812. He is not of Irish blood, however. His parents, Joseph and Nancy Weir Brewster, were both natives of Glasgow, Scotland, the father coming of a long line of Scotch ancestors, and the mother being of Welsh extraction. Robert Brewster was reared in the city of Glasgow, in the schools of which city he received his education. His father was a farmer by occupation, but the sons, four in number, either by chance or from natural inclination, all entered mercantile pursuits, Robert learning the business of linen merchant, which he followed in youth and early manhood in Scotland, north Ireland and England as an itinerant.
In 1840, his father having died and his widowed mother and two brothers and a younger sister having emigrated to America, he decided to come to this country also, and sailed in March of that year from Liverpool, England, by the packet ship Sheridan, of the Black Ball line, reaching New York twenty-eight days later. The spring and summer of that year were spent by him with his people in New York. An older brother, Andrew, who had been in the mercantile business for three or four year at New Orleans, had but a short time previously settled in Houston, and, learning of this, Robert came to Texas in November (1840), and took up his residence in this city. Being still single and in sympathy with the adventurous spirit of the times, he was easily interested in the Santa Fe expedition, which was set on foot the following spring, and but for the timely interference of his brother Andrew he would have joined the expedition and would of course have shared the fate of its members. Embarking in the mercantile business in Houston in 1841, he was so engaged for about seven years. In the meantime, having decided to make this his home, he married July 8, 1846, taking for a companion Miss Mary C. Andros, then a resident of Houston, but a native of Niagara Falls, New York.
In 1858 Mr. Brewster became Assessor and Collector of Taxes for the City of Houston and held this office until the opening of the civil war. He then gave it up, and, not having any particular fondness for public position, has not held any other since, except that of Alderman of the city. He is a Democrat in politics, and, beginning with Lewis Cass in 1848, has voted for the regular Democratic nominee in every presidential election since, as well as for the nominees of his party in all State elections.
In 1844 Mr. Brewster was made a Mason, joining Holland Lodge, No. 1, at Houston. He is also a member of Washington Chapter, No. 2, Ruthven Commandery, No. 2, and San Jacinto Lodge of Perfection. He is an enthusiastic Mason, having taken all the degrees in the Ancient York rite up to and including that of Knight Templar, and also those in the Scotish rite up to and including the thirty-second. He became Secretary of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter in 1863, at which time he was also made Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery of the State, both of which positions he held continuously up to January 1, 1894. At that date he was relieved of the former office, but is still Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery. He has attended the triennial conclaves of the Grand Commandery of the United States for twenty-odd years, and has a personal acquaintance with many of the most eminent members of this ancient and honored craft.
With his faithful companion, who is still spared to him, Mr. Brewster resides in his large and elegant home, on the corner of Milam street and Walker avenue, where the house, the grounds and all of the appointments are suggestive of the well-ordered lives, the intelligence, good taste and generous hospitality of the occupants. Mr. and Mrs. Brewster have had six children, four of whom died in infancy or early childhood. They have a daughter, Mrs. Jane Hart, living in Galveston, and a son, Rev. Mathew D. Brewster, an Episcopal minister, residing in New Orleans, where he holds a charge in his church. Mr. Brewster has but few other near relatives. His mother died at the residence of her son in New York city, New York, in 1865; his eldest brother, Andrew, died in Houston in 1841; his second brother, Joseph, still lives in New York, where he settled in 1835; Sarah, his eldest sister, died in Philadelphia, in 1840, the wife of Hugh McIntyre; Elizabeth died in New York, in 1841; Abram also died in New York, where he had settled many years ago, and Jane died unmarried, in the same State; in 1880. All of the family were communicants of the Episcopal Church.
Now, in his eighty-second year, Mr. Brewster presents the appearance of a man whose life has been well ordered. His temperate and moral habits are unexceptionable. He never indulged in the ruinous pastimes of youth, and, hence, has reached and enjoyed manhood in health, superadded to a sound and practical mind. In disposition he is genial and lively, sanguine in temperament and full of pleasantry; as the old Roman wrote, " a man, and as such interested in all things that concern his kind." Source: History of Texas Biographical History of the Cities of Houston and Galveston (1895)
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