Seventh Generation

274. Peyton Winston Brewer was born on 16 Dec 1820 in Virginia.^371,372 He died on 8 May 1884 in McMinn County, Tennessee.³⁷²

• 1850 Census for McMinn County, Tennessee, shows Winston Brewer (mistakenly listed as Hurston Brewer in the ancestry.com census index), 29, a farmer born in Virginia, and his wife Angeline, also 29, born in N.C.

• 1860 census for McMinn County, Tennessee, shows P.W. Brewer, 38, a farmer born in Virginia who owns $600 real estate and $200 assets, along with wife Angeline, 33, born in N.C. Also in the household are two farm laborers, William and James Cooper, ages 22 and 20. There are no children listed.

• 1870 census for McMinn County shows Peyton W. Brewer, 49, a farmer born in Virginia. He is now married to a woman named Eliza J., 29, born in Tennessee, and they have two children, Ellen, 8, and Sarah, 5.

• He is again shown in 1880, this time as Winston Brewer, 59, with the same family (no new children, but Ellen and Sarah as still at home).

• A letter written by P.W. Brewer to Lorenzo Dow Bedwell (contributed by Charlie Tatum):

Nov. 6th, 1857
McMinn County, Tennessee

Dear Uncle,
I have taken pen in hand this morning to inform you that we are all well at present. Hoping these lines may find you and yours in good health, I re'cd yours of the 18th (Oct.)(which was mailed on the 26th ) on the 30th of the same month. Just four days after it was mailed, It seems almost strange to me to think that letters can pass from here thare and thare here in four days and yet thare has bin but fuw letters ritten by either of us for so many years, Twenty seven long years and six days have passed away since we saw each others face, altho the time has bin long since I saw you last I have not forgotten you nor the sweet moments of enjoyment that we have had together in the early part of our lives, I well remember our childish play and the hours we have spent together at school,
But childhood has past away manhood has came on and I begin to feel the affects of time, Age is creeping on and if I should live out my three score and ten my days are more than half spent. Time is short and we know not the day nor the hour that we will be called away from earthly things to giv a strict and impartial account of the deeds done in the boddy and if we meet no more on earth I hope we meet in heaven whare parting will be no more and sorrows never come, I have allways had it in contemplation to visit my native land and see you again in life but have put it off from time to time and have never come, I had thought of coming this fall but I have made my arrangements so that I cannot come now, You said something a bout comeing to see us this fall or winter. You have no idea how glad I would be to see you. If you will come you shall have as many sweet potatoes to eat as you want you need not have any fears of beeing disappointed about them, Mother says she wants you to come and see her if you can she send you her best love and respect, Rosamond + Lucinda is both married and has three children apeace Rosa has two ded an Cinda has one ded Jane H is single James S is a good boy to work he would rather work than go to school
I would like to know the true condition of things thar with regard to Grandfathers estate, Mother says that she is willing for those who took care of her father and mother in thair old days to have his estate, but that she does not want some to have all and others none without they have merited it and that she will not claim a part of it if they will all agre to let those who took care of the old folks have it; but if they do not she has as good a right to her part as any of the rest, and I would just say if thare be any that is contentious, and wasteful. And have not merited it mor than otheres, that they had better be careful. For it will not do them any good in this wourld mutch less in the wourld to come; a word to the wise is sufficient.
I must bring my letter to a close, you will please give my best love and respects to all inquireing friends and relations, Tell all my uncles and aunts that I esteem them them in the highest and that I think that it is as little as they could do to rite to me , I would rite to them but I dont know thair post office. I want you to rite to me as soon as you can
I remain as ever yours truly

P.W.Brewer

Peyton Winston Brewer and Angeline [--?--] were married. Angeline [--?--]³⁷¹ was born about 1821 in North Carolina.³⁷¹

Peyton Winston Brewer and Eliza J. Basinger were married. Eliza J. Basinger (daughter of Michael Basinger and Cynthia Peters) was born about 1840 in Tennessee. Peyton Winston Brewer and Eliza J. Basinger had the following children:

+905
i.
Florence Ellen Brewer.
906
ii.
Sarah A. Brewer¹⁹⁹ was born about 1865 in McMinn County, Tennessee.¹⁹⁹