BREWER Family of Devon

[Jason46]

I am having problems tracing my Brewer ancestors through the IGI and wonder what else I can do. My Gr Gr Grandmother was Mary Brewer, christened 17 Dec 1790, at Kenton Devon, to John Brewer and Martha Hartwill, who were married 18 Dec 1788, at Kenton. There is no trace of John Brewer's birth in Kenton, but a search of the IGI shows many John Brewers born prior to 1770, in many different locations in Devon, 4 to the south of Exeter and the rest in about a dozen locations, basically around Witheridge and Crediton. When I also check John's siblings and try to establish  commonality, there is still no clear picture. I feel sure that John moved to Kenton, probably for work, and have other members of the extended Carpenter family that moved to Kenton, from Kenn, Whitestone, Mariansleigh and Witheridge. Can anyone give me some advice about where to go from here?
Sincerely
Jason46

[Jason46]

Hi again
Does anyone have any suggestions about where I can go from here with my Brewers? This really is a dead end as far as I can see. Any suggestions, please?
Jason

[deb usa]

Hi Jason

I have been searching IGI and trying to figure out which John Brewer is yours.

I see that John Brewer and Martha Hartwill had several other children apart from your Mary b 1790. Their eldest son was Robert ...I wonder if he was not named after John's father?

There is a John Brewer christened:  17 SEP 1769   Saint Savior, Dartmouth
 parents ; ROBERT Brewer and Ann
IGI extracted

also:
John Brewer 07 FEB 1762   Stockleigh English, Devon
parents: ROBERT Brewer and Mary
IGI extracted

I searched IGI christenings circa 1768 +/- 20 years ...Those are the only two who have a dad named Robert...

who were John's siblings ?

I am not sure if this helps or not ...

deb

[Jason46]

Hi Deb
According to my findings, John andand Martha had 6 children;
Elizabeth b 15 Apr 1789 (not on IGI, Died before 1797)
Mary 1790
Robert ch 25 Nov 1792
Elizabeth ch 17 Dec 1797
Ann b 21 Nov 1800 ch 15 Feb 1801
Thomas b 14 Nov 1802 ch 5 Dec 1802

I believe that John was probably born at Crediton or Sandford, based on individuals there who fall within the 'right' age group. Martha was christened 5 Nov 1761. Martha and her brother George were both born at Kenton, the children of George Hartwill and Elizabeth Rogers. George I believe was born circa 1735 and was the son of John Hartwill, born circa 1700
I hadn't thought of Robert as a father but I will now.
Thanks very much for your help
Jason

[Willseetoit]

Jason,

         If you can trace the 'banns of marriage'  at the records office as apposed to the 'marriage certificate' for your ancestors in some if not most cases it will give the parish of origin for any outsider. It's worth a try!

Brian.

[Jason46]

Thanks Brian
I didn't realise that was a source. I'll see if I can find someone to do it for me. I do appreciate your advice
Jason

[Willseetoit]

Hello again Jason,

           Just a quickie, there is a John Brewer aged 70  at Kenton recorded  in  the  1841  census  that  you  may  not  aware of, it shows him living on his own a few doors away from the vicarage. This  fact  in  it's  self  doesn't  reveal much apart from narrowing an age group but maybe handy for future reference.

Brian.

[Jason46]

Hi Brian and Deb
I THINK I HAVE SOMETHING! I believe that my John Brewer is the son of Richard Brewer and Ann Lee, but is not on the IGI as there son, but is mentioned twice as being born "about 1764' in Crediton, once when the spouse is not mentioned and once when the spouse is mentioned as Mrs Hannah Brewer. I will tell you how I came to this conclusion, When I did a search of Brewer Christenings in Kenton, I found 8 individuals, 6 of whom were the children of John Brewer and Martha. The other two had the same parents, Richard Brewer and Ann, a generation earlier than the other 6. When I did a search of the children of Richard and Ann, I turned up two earlier children, Richard born 1762 in Bideford, and Mary born 8 Apr1765 in Crediton. Richard Brewer married Ann Lee 23 Aug 1761 at Crediton, and I believe that this "John" is another child. Tell me what you think. Is it worth asking someone to check the Crediton christening register for 1764 on the offchance that there is more information? Jason46