Will of Lewis Brewer Grayson County Virginia, book 2, pages 3 & 4. I Lewis Brewer of the County of Grayson and the state of Virginia, do make this my last will and testament. First I give unto my sons Mastin and Rufus Brewer, the track of land I now live on, to be divided between them as I have shown them and my beloved wife Agatha to be supported by Mastin and Rufus living her natural life, to have a home peaceably on the track of land I now live. House etc. at her will & the track of land I bought of John
Dickerson Virginia, 100 acres or more I give to Rufus & Mastin Brewer. I give unto my children namely, Sally Parks, William Brewer, Linneer Brewer, my track of land lying on the head waters of Peach Bottom and Grayson County to be equally divided or the proceeds of the same, as they choose. I give unto my wife my young man (I do not know who he meant as I never found a slave listed with him in any census) to belong to her. The balance of my perishable property and my outstanding debts to be collected and my just debts and funeral expenses paid and the remainder to belong to Rufus and Mastin Brewer with the exception of my clock I give to Samuel Brewer, and my large family bible to my daughter Sally Parks
and the balance of my books to be divided amongst my children as they wish. I appoint my son Mastin
my executor of this my last will and testament given unto my my hand this February the 21, 1839. Attest
Steven Hale Jr. Timothy Roark, W. Hail sign with a seal.

Lewis Brewer was born about 1760 in Devonshire England. Lewis and his mother came to America when Lewis was about 14 years old. Along with them were other Brewer families. The ship they sailed on was ship wrecked somewhere near Cape Hattererus North Carolina. Lewis and his mother Mary Elizabeth was sponsored by Samuel Russell of Burke County, North Carolina. After living on Samuel Russell's plantation for awhile Mary Elizabeth married Samuel Russell. Lewis being young and living on the farm, was sometimes referred to as Lewis Russell. In that time of history, emigrants that had endured many hardships to come to America, were about to loose their freedoms, that they had so sacrificed for. Lewis then decided he would join the war to try and keep the freedoms that was being taken from them. At the age of 18 giving his legal name joined the Revolutionary War. On July 20, 1778, Lewis Brewer enlisted in the 10th Regiment as a Private in the North Carolina, Continental Line. He was assigned to the "Ballards Company" he served 9 months (taken from Roster of Soldiers from North Carolina, in the American Revolution).

After the war Lewis migrated into Virginia. In the tax list you will find Lewis and Agatha in 1790 in Wythe County, Virginia. In 1792 Grayson County Virginia, was formed from Wythe County Virginia, Lewis and Agatha decided to become freeholders of land in the new County. They went into the area that they later called Elk Creek and Peach Bottom, and staked out 583 acres land. Lewis obtained the land by drawing a hand drawn map of the land he wanted to own, and sent the homemade map to the Governor of Virginia, for the seal of the State. He paid taxes on the land, making the title approved. The survey was made on the 23 February. 1795. Lewis Brewer was known as a Pioneer Free-holder of land in Grayson County Virginia. Lewis and Agatha remained in Elk Creek Grayson County, Virginia, until there deaths. Lewis was one of the first 8 families to live in the new County and had a share in erecting the Providence Church; he was a very educated man, he also taught school on occasion.

The tax record for 1799 Lewis Brewer owned 133 acres on waters of Elk Creek West 13 miles from court house house value per acre 33 total 4443, tax 22, 100 acres on waters of Elk Creek, west 16 miles from court house, value per acre 25, total 2500.

December 26, 1803 Lewis purchased land from Robert Nuckoll, 75 acres on Bull Run part of the Plantation where George Holland formerly lived. Deed book 2, page 32.

1806-1810 served on the Grand Jury of Grayson Co., VA.
A record dated May 13, 1811 lists Lewis Brewer in Grayson County, Virginia Superior Court Order Book 1809-1821 (Research Source: Timothy J. Barron):

"At a Superior Court begun and held for the county of Grayson on Monday the 13th day of May 1811. Present Peter Johnson recently elected a Judge of the General Court by the General Assembly, commissioned as such by the executive and alloted to the thirteenth circuit by order of the privy council or Council of State bearing date the eigth day of Februay last. The following persons were returned as Grand Jurors to wit: Minitree Jones, George Currin, John A. Grigg, Joshua Hanks, Benjamin Cooley, William Hail, Joshua Stoneman, John K. Cunningham, Francis Hail, Lewis Brewer, Abraham Noblett, Henry Snider, Lewis Hail, Stephen Bourn and Enoch Cox, who being sworn received a charge from the Court and retired to consider their presentments and after some time returned into court, and adjourned untill tomorrow morning ten o'clock."

A record dated October 14, 1816 lists Lewis Brewer in Grayson County, Virginia Superior Court Order Book 1809-1821 (Research Source: Timothy J. Barron):

"At a Superiour Court begn and held for the County of Grayson on Monday the 14th day of October 1816. Present Peter Johnston, esqr, Judge. The following persons were returned as Grand Jurors towit: Joshua Stoneman, Jabez Johnston, Levi Burcham, William Cloud, William H. Boyer, Francis Hail, Jacob Boyer, Coonrod Hackler, Barney Wells, George Ring, Samuel Fulton, Jacob Kirk, John Boyer, Charles Rowark, Samuel Byrd, Matthew Dickey, James Bedwell, Joseph Elliott, Jacob Wright, Stephen Hail, Isaac Garrison, Bennett Rector, and Charles Lewis who being sworn received a charge from the court and retired to consider their presentments and after some time returned into court and presented an indictment against Lewis Brewer for an assault and an indictment against John Hawks for compounding a felony, endorsed true bills and having nothing further to present were discharged."

Lewis Brewer was on the 1815 tax assessment list for Grayson County, Virginia, as follows; one farm on Elk Creek joining the lands of Lewis Hail 333 acres having theron one dwelling house of logs 30 by 18 feet, two stories one kitchen and barn valued at $700.

He was in the 1817 tax list, Grayson Co., VA.

He was in the 1820 Grayson County, Virginia, Census
1 male under 10
1 male 10 to 16
1 male 16 to 18
4 males 16 to 26
1 male 45 and over
1 female 10 to 16
1 female 45 and over

In 1830 Grayson County, Virginia, Census
3 males 20 to 29
1 male 60 to 69
1 female 15 to 19
1 female 20 to 29
1 female 60 to 69

By 1850 James, Aaron, Richard, and Rufus left Grayson County, leaving Samuel with a farm valued at $1000, William with a farm valued at $88O, Mastin with a farm valued at $1000, John with a farm valued at $1000, and Lineer with a farm valued at $658.

Lewis and Agatha are buried in the Rhudy Brewer Cemetery, behind the house where they all lived.

Lewis and Agatha was in Wythe County, Virginia 1790 tax list, Wythe County, was formed from Montgomery County, Virginia, in 1792 Grayson County, Virginia was formed out of Wythe and Patrick County's, Virginia.

The 1800 Grayson County, Virginia tax list Lewis Brewer one male over 21 and three horses.

Database; Abstract Of Graves Of Revolutionary Patriots Vol. 1, Lewis Brewer Burial Rudy Cemetery, Location Hwy 660, Independence, Grayson County, Virginia 77.

Database; Revolutionary War Muster Rolls, 1775-83 Lewis Brewer Private Roll Box 79 Roll Rec 246.

Members of Local D. A. R. Chapters Sedicate Marker In Grayson County In Memory of Revolutionary Soldier (From June 1, 1956 Issue of Southwest Virgiaia Enterprise, Wyrheville, VA)
An impressive service was held Saturday afternoon, May 26, at 2 p.m. at the grave of Lewis Brewer, Revolutionary Soldier, in the Brewer-Rhudy cemetery in Grayson County.
The Stuart and Wilderness Road Chapters, Daughters of the American Revolution, of Wytheville, dedicated the marker and had it unveiled before a large group of chapter members and descendants of Brewer.
Since 1929, Mrs. Lyle W. Blakely of Independence, Missouri, had hoped and worked for the ceremony which honored her great-great grandfather, Lewis Brewer, pioneer settler of Grayson County. Mrs. Blakely succeded in gaining the interest and aid of the Wytheville chapters and she was present Saturday to participate in the ceremony. Mrs. Blakely is a past regent of the Independent Pioneers Chapter, D. A. R. of Missouri.
Little Miss Jennings Unveils Gray Marker
Mrs. Bernard Ward, chaplain of Stuart Chapter, introduced guest and descendants, Mary Ann Jennings, daughter of Pat Jennings, Congressman from the Ninth District, and a great, great, great granddaughter of Brewer, unveiled the gray marker inscribed, "Private Lewis Brewer, N. C. Militia,
B. 1760--D. 1839"
Mrs. Richard Kincer, vice regent of Wilderness Road Chapter, led the introduction of the service, and Miss Charlie Cassell, Chaplain of Wilderness Road Chapter, gave the prayer.
Personal History
Personal history of the Revolutionary soldier was presented by Mrs. Walter D. Bohlken, Director of the Southwest District D. A. R. Mrs. Bohlken stated that Lewis Brewer was born in 1760 in England and that he was brought to this country at an early age. He enlisted July 20, 1778 and served nine months, according to the state Records of North Carolina in the 15th Regiment as a private. His wife Agatha Holland Brewer, was born in Virginia in 1769, and died in 1864 at the age of 93 years,
(according to the 1860 census), at the old family homestead near Elk Creek, Grayson County.
Lewis and Agatha Holland Brewer were married in 1787 and to this union fifteen children were born. After Lewis Brewer's death, his wife Agatha, made her home with her son, Mastin Brewer, on the family place; the land of 200 acres for which Lewis Brewer had laid out the pattern and for which he paid the tax ticket years before.
The cemetery where Lewis Brewer is buried is on a high knoll surrounded by a high rolling fields and mountains. The cemetery is now owned by Blake Rhudy, chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Grayson County. Some of the land surrounding the cemetery is now owned by Dr. J. C. Moxley.
The red brick house built in front of the original Brewer log house, is also owned by Dr. Moxley. The log house of Lewis Brewer was torn down about four years ago.
Dedication Ceremony
Dedication of the marker and grave was made by Mrs. Stuart B. Campbell, Jr. Regent of Stuart Chapter of Wytheville. The closing prayer was given by Mrs. B. C. Ward of Stuart Chapter.
A wreath of red and white carnations was placed on the grave beside the American Flag by Sandra Umberger, president of the Fort Chiswell Society Children of the American Revolution of Wytheville.
Rev. G. C. Rhudy, of Elk Creek, pastor of the Jerusalem Church of that vicinity also gave a prayer at the conclusion of the service.
The oldest direct descendant of Lewis Brewer, Miss Nettie May Brewer of Route 1, Independence, VA, Grayson County, also attended the service. Miss Brewer is a daughter of Stephen Brewer who was a son of Mastin Brewer, the 13th child of Lewis and Agatha Brewer. Miss Brewer exhibited the Brewer coat-of-arms at the service. The history sketched on the back read, "This family was originally of Devonshire, England and the first arms - a shield of red crossed by two wavy bands, the upper of silver and the loser of gold. In the crest, they used a mermaid with comb and mirror of gold, was used in natural coloring - the line which moved into Kent added a canton of Viar to the shield. The arms family became fixed by the Norfolk Branch which changed the canton to a Chief of Viar, this followed by its branch in Somersetshire and London, (recorded in Heralds College, London), which line added a mallet, (a star of five points), to the shield and one to the crest to denote it a Junior or Cadet line of the family."
This coat-of-arms copy was painted many years ago by the late Alice Delp Scott, wife of the late Dr. W. W. Scott of Wythe and Grayson counties.
Miss Nettie Brewer resides in her family home located on 74 and one half acres of land, a part of Lewis Brewer's original 200 acres, which was given to her father by his father Mastin Brewer.
Mrs. Blakely, who also supplied a great deal of the Brewer history, stated that " Lewis Brewer never left his home place in Grayson County to reside elsewhere; that he was very religious and a great influence in the Primitive Baptist Church; that he was well educated and taught school."
Many From Here Attend (Wytheville)
Among those attending the services Saturday were; Mrs. Stuart B. Campbell Sr., Mrs. Stuart B. Campbell Jr., Mrs. William E. Fulton, Mrs. Jouett Boyd, Mrs. Bernard C. Ward, and Mrs. Joseph B. Repass of Stuart Chapter; Mrs. Richard C. Kincer, Mrs. D. L. Tuggle, Miss Charlie Cassell, Mrs. C. Albert Meyers and Mrs. Walter D. Donlken of Wilderness Road Chapter; Misses Sandra Umberger and Barbara Sumner of Fort Chiswell C. a. R.; Mrs. Lyle W. Blakely of Independence, Missouri; Miss Mary Ann Jennings and W. Pat Jennings Jr., of Marion; Mrs. Okie Jennings Sample of Honaker; Mrs. Emma R. Sullivan of Dilwyn, VA; Ruth B. Slemp of Sugar Grove; Mrs. W. F. Miller, Mrs. Raymond Miller, Mrs. Clemmie Elliot, Rosa Miller, Mr. And Mrs, Blake A. Rhudy, Rev. J. C. Rhudy, H. B. McWalters and Fred Miller all of Elk Creek. W. D. Bohlken of Wytheville; D. C. Cox of Camp; Miss Nettie May Brewer, Mrs. Grover Pollard, Mrs. Ruth Poe, Independence, VA, and Mrs. Martha McWalters of Camp, VA.
Research Source June Welsch e-mail [email protected]
I wrote a book on Lewis Brewer
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Lewis Brewer is on the Mont. Co. militia list. Lewis B. was born in England, 1760, died in Grayson Co., 1839. He was buried in the Rhudy Cemetery at Elk Creek. His Rev. War service also included service in Capt. Bynum's NC militia, 1781. In the Fields text his name is on the list of Pioneer Freeholders Prior to 1800 (p.57).