The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-04-26
JOHN BREW sTER.

Descendant of Brewster, the Pilgrim
Leader
At o'clock Tuesday evening John
Brewster passed away at the Brewster
homestead in Ledyard. His health had
been poor for several years, but he had
been confined to his bed only week.
The deceased was born in Preston
May Is, 1915 the son of John and Mary
Morgan Brewster He descended from
the distinguished Pilgrim leader, Will
liam Brewster, "the excellent elder OF
Plymouth" whose son, Jonathan, was
the first town clerk of New London, For
over so years Mr. Brewster lived in Led
yard ON what had previously been
known as the old Morgan farm. The
house is about 200 years old.
John Brewster was the last Of a fam
lily of four children. He followed farm
ing about all his life. His farm consist
ed Of lao acres and was a model. When
Is years old Mr.. Brewster enlisted in a
rifle company that was made up largely
of Groton and Stonington boys. He
served about seven years and rose to
the rank of captain. For years he was
known as Captain Brewster He at
tended the common schools and grad
uated from the Bacon Academy in Col
chester He taught school in the Win
ter when young man.
In addition to tilling his farm Mr..
Brewster bought wool in company with
the late L. w. Carroll and was also
wool buyer for the Yantic Wooden COM
pany. Tn the capacity of appraiser,
trustee and administrator he assisted in
settling estates, some of them involv-
Ing large amounts of property and
knotty legal problems. He never failed
to give satisfaction and charged only
nominal fees for his services.
Mr.. Brewster was an active republican
but was always fair to those who diff
fered with him politically. He repre-
scented Ledyard in the legislatures of
1S47, 1851 and 1878, and the Tenth sem
atorial district in 1860 1885 and 1885,
His influence was always felt in legis-
lative halls. For several years he held
the office of selectman of Ledyard. He
had been Judge of probate in Ledyard
and president of the Hill Library asso-
citation For years Mr. Brewster was
interested in banking in Norwich. For
WE'VE years ne WAS president Oh tHe
Merchants National bank and at the
time of his death was first vice resi
dent Of the Norwich Savings society
and ITS oldest officer He had also held
the office of president, director and
treasurer of the New London County
Agricultural society and for several
years was a member of the state board
Of agriculture.
Mr.. Brewster was married April 2,
1870, to Mary Esther Williams, daugh-
Ter of Denison Billings Williams and
Hannah Avery of Stonington. Mrs.
Brewster was the eldest of nine chill
lren. She survives her husband to-
sether with son and two daughters
Frank w. Brewster of Ledyard, Mrs
Benjamin f. Lewis Of this city and
Mrs. Thomas I'll. Geer of Cleveland, o.
Another son, John d. Brewster, of this
,ity, died in 1894. Five grandchildren
md two great grandchildren also sur
rive.
Mr. Brewster was always conspicu-
,us for broad intelligence and sound
Judgment He was honest, Kind heart |
d and generous to fault, He and his |
amily attended st. James Episcopal |
hurch in Poquetuck of which Mr.. |
Brewster was liberal supporter.
Mr.. Brewster was well known and |
cid in high regard in Norwich and in
act throughout New London county
Pacord A nril %