BREWER, JOSEPH, B. 1820?
Joseph Brewer family papers, 1854-1915

Restrictions on Access

Unrestricted access.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.

Source

Purchased from William R. Day, 2011.

Custodial History

Purchased from donor, provenance unknown.

Citation

[after identification of item(s)], Joseph Brewer family papers, Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University.

Appraisal Note

Acquired by Curator of African American Collections, Randall Burkett, as part of the Rose Library's holdings in African American culture and history.

Processing

Processed by Sarah Quigley, October 2011.

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Biographical Note

Joseph W. Brewer was born in approximately 1820 in either Maryland or Pennsylvania, and married a woman from Virginia named Martha. Both are listed in the 1860 census as mulatto. Together they had four children, Augustus Brewer (born circa 1855), Joseph A. Brewer (born circa 1857), Martha Brewer (born circa 1860) and Maggie Brewer (born circa 1862). In 1860, Joseph W. Brewer worked as a waiter in Baltimore, Maryland, and he died between 1862 and 1870 in or near Washington, D.C. Joseph A. Brewer married a woman named Alice in 1886 and had four children of his own, Augusta Brewer, Alma Brewer, Martha Brewer and Joseph Brewer. He was an upholsterer and his wife was a dressmaker in Washington, D.C.

Scope and Content Note

The collection contains the records of Joseph W., Martha and Joseph A. Brewer from 1854-1891, including correspondence, financial records, and printed material. Correspondence includes letters to Joseph W. Brewer from his brother, letters to Martha Brewer from her husband and sons, and letters to Joseph A. Brewer from his brother Augustus. Of particular note are loan documents dated 1862 showing Joseph W. Brewer borrowing $80. Also included is one folder of notes taken by Joseph A. Brewer during English and math classes at a preparatory high school in the Washington D.C. area. Finally, in 1915, Joseph A. Brewer, along with William A. Brewer, patented a rake cleaner. Included in the collection are documents regarding the potential sale of that patent to L.F. Randolph and Company.

Arrangement Note

Arranged by family member, then record type.