Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1919-12-01
AN ANNAPOLITAN OF
THE LAST CENTURY
NICHOLAS BREWER, SR.

Joseph ana Jane brewer VINO were
cousins. Jane vas the daughter OF
John Brewer and Eleanora McCub-
bin. both husband and wife were de
seconded from John Brewer and Sarah
Ridgely. who were married about the
year 1855
Arriving at manhood in the last de-
cade Of the eighteenth century and
living until April IA. 1888. Nicholas
the superior Annapolitan OF the last
centenary.
He was an equity lawyer OF ability
register of the Court OF Chancory and
Paymaster in the Regular Army in
the war Of 1912 His descendants in
this city have his commission framed
and still intact
Nicholas Brewer was the annual
representative Of the city OF Annapo-
lis, year in and year out. from time
ont of mind. when Annapolis itself
had one delegate and the Legisla
ture met every year. Mr. Brewer was
beaten bat once in a general election.
Without doubt. from the environments
Of the incident. the young men Of the
town had become dissatisfied with
one representative always represent
ing the city. and broke from their
party allegiance, and elected Sprigg
Harwood over him by a majority OF
49, Major Sprigg Harwood had a high
opinion Of his opponent lie told the
author OF this article that. so superior
were the sentiments of Nicholas
Brewer, me couldn't even think OF
anybody doing wrong
The subject Of our sketch was an
ardent Wing. Like all Wings they
ioTed their party almost as though il
were an adorable personality.
Ny father. the late Elihu S Riley
who knew him. said that Nicholas
Brewer had bat one formula to fit all
fchanges in political relationships 1t
was II a man turned from a Demo
crat to a Wing me was a very nice
fellow" Should he leave the Wings
and Join the Democrats, the veteran
explanation Washed got to drinking
OF NIGHTS" On one occasion, having
given the latter reason for change OF
political affiliations. his son, Judge
Brewer. then young man. was highly
4 incensed. and said Pa, you ought
mot to say that about so respectable a
gentleman 1t transpired l.tilc
later, however, that the turn-coat had
( ,..-o..o 1o,, ;,,,b;ha, IN, bic onpe
Nicholas Brewer was of heroic
mould Long before the days OF an
aesthetics he had a severe surgical
operation performed upon him When
the time was at hand for the proceed
+ ing 10 take place. he barred his body
sat in his chair. lit his pipe, and sal,
TO the surgeons cut away, The
populacc described the matter in eX
act. though not technical, verbiage II
the statement that odd Mickey
Brewer" disrespect being meant in the
name but used to distinguish him
from his son of the same cognomen
was cut open. had his liver taken out
cleaned and put back"
On one occasion some of the resi-
dents Of the upper part of the city in
dulged in maraudfng expeditions upon
his farm near Annapolis. Not WISHING
10 proceed criminally against thC
/ thieves. Mr. Brewer thought he might
have recourse to the civil law to pre-
vent the parties coming upon his
farm. He applied to Justice william
(, r. Thompson to secure a peace war
/ rant MIR. Thompson told the author
of this that he knew that the appellant
! did no, know the nature OF the oath he
ihad taken for that legal instrument, sc
ne said: Mr. Brewer. do you know
! the nature OF the oath you will have tc
take" No" he replied The Justice
then said that you will have TO sweat
4 that you are in mortal dread Of your
/ lie from them Bringing his cane
down on terra frma with energy an6
+ in a voice Of equal positiveness. Mr.
+ Brewer exclaimed: Il never was
afraid Of any man in my life" That
ended the peace-warrant proceedings
i 1t might we'll the said OF Nicholas
1 Brewer that his heart was the largest
factor in his body. The late Harry
+ l.evely. Esq, OF this city, is my in
fornant OF this incident. One day
there was rap at Mr.. Brewers front
door. His wife answered the call. a
woman stood al the porch This was
the story: The constable had taken
sheir furniture for rent Their house
holi goods were in the street. The
snow was falling" This was immedi-
ately reported TO the head of the house
He az once placed his hand in his
pocket scarcely looking at the note he
drew out. but saw il was sufficient TO
pay the bill and handed it to his wife,
Her keen eye observed il was we'll over
the amount due and with a thrifty sen
'timent and a strong political bias said:
i"Nickey. he votes against us" Never
mind that" replied the generous bene-
factor.
The next election day rolled around
Nicholas Brewer was again the Whig
candidate for the Legislature from An