John Brew, 1824-1904

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John's Birth in the Parish Register, Chepstow, Wales

1824, March 7th. John, Son of Thomas & Honor Brew, Abode: Kendal Square, Trade: Ropemaker, James Davis, Vicar.

John's Marriage

St. Lukes, Parish of Charlton, in the County of Kent

24 May 1849 between John Brew, of full age, bachelor, [Black] Smith, resident in Charlton, father: Thomas Brew, Ropemaker, and Elizabeth Martha Jakman, of full age, spinster, resident in Charlton, father: George Jakman, Pork Butcher. Married in the Parish church by Banns, couple's signatures, witnesses: John Payne and Sarah Zusby [?], Robert G. Orchard, curate. 

[Note that the name "Jakman" has not been found anywhere else, implying that the recording of the name on the marriage certificate was probably a misspelling of "Jackman"]

John Brew was born 7 March 1824 in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales, and died on 14 September 1904 in Greenwich, Kent, England. He married Elizabeth Martha Jakman, who was born 22 August 1825 in St. Alphage Parish, Greenwich, Kent, England, the daughter of George and Elizabeth Jakman, on 24 May 1849 in St. Lukes Parish Church, Charlton, Kent, England. She died 13 February 1904 in Plumstead, Kent, England. Their children were:

  1. Elizabeth Brew, who was born 28 April 1850 in Plumstead, Kent, England; there is no further trace of her after her birth registration; she was not with the family at the 1871 census, but would have been 21 at the time, so may well have already married and/or moved away
  2. William Thomas Brew, who was born 18 March 1852 in Plumstead, Kent, England, and died of Phthisis on 8 January 1877 in Woolwich, Kent, England
  3. John George Brew, who was born 20 November 1853 in Plumstead, Kent, England, and died on 15 October 1886 in Bideford Bay, Devon, England. He married Jane Isabella Chater, who was born ca. 1855 in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England, the daughter of John Chater and Jane Wardle, on 15 July 1872 in Gateshead, County Durham, England. She died 25 September 1897 in South Shields, Durham. See the separate page with their details.
  4. Amelia Brew, who was born 18 June 1855 in Plumstead, Kent, England, who had illegitimate child:
  1. George John Brew, born 24 May 1876 in 7 Cage Lane, Plumstead, Kent, England, and died 24 May 1958 in Bromley Hospital, Bromley, Kent, England. He was adopted by his grandfather, John Brew, and brought up as his own son. He married Fanny Ray, born ca. 1877 in England, daughter of Robert Ray, on 27 May 1897 in St. Nicholas Parish Church, Plumstead, Kent, England: Fanny died 1956 in Bromley, Kent, England

Amelia then married George Hawkes, who was born ca. 1853, son of Reuben Robert Hawkes, on 18 June 1878 in the Parish Church, Plumstead, Kent

  1. Ellen Brew, who was born 18 June 1855 in Plumstead, Kent, England, and married Joseph Henry Furmenger, who was born ca. 1853, the son of William Ambrose Furmenger, on 18 June 1878 in the Parish Church, Plumstead, Kent. They had at least one child:
  1. Ellen Furmenger, born ca. 1869 in Plumstead, Kent
  1. Richard Brew, who was born 8 June 1857 in Plumstead, Kent, England; there is no further trace of him after his birth registration; he was not with the family at the 1871 census, although he would have only been 13 or 14 at the time
  2. Henry Brew, who was born 8 June 1857 in Plumstead, Kent, England, and died 14 May 1905 in Woolwich, Kent, England. He was found floating in the Thames. He married Emily (surname unknown), who died 16 August 1904
  3. Eliza Honor Brew, who was born 16 March 1859 in Plumstead, Kent, England, who married a man by the name of Percival
  4. Thomas Brew, who was born 17 October 1860 in Plumstead, Kent, England, and died 8 January 1935 in Dunmow, Essex, England. He married firstly Emily Wright, a widow, who was born ca. 1852, the daughter of John Holton, on 20 August 1892 in Brighton, Sussex, England. There was no issue and she died 31 October 1899 in Plumstead, Kent, after which Thomas married secondly Annie James, who was born ca. 1872 in Kent, England, on 20 June 1900 in the Parish Church, Plumstead, Kent. She died after 1932. See the separate page with their details
  5. Martha Brew, who was born 26 November 1862 in Lewisham, Kent, England, and married James Forward, who was born ca. 1853, son of James Forward, on 10 August 1887 in the Church of the Ascension, Lewisham, Kent, England. It is unknown if they had any children
  6. Albert Edward Brew, who was born 4 October 1865 in Lewisham, Kent, England, and died 05 January 1952 at 21 Sandy Hill Road, Woolwich, Kent, England. He married Jemima Major, who was born ca. 1871, the daughter of William and Annie Major, on 3 August 1890 in the Parish Church, Plumstead, Kent. She died 20 November 1917 in Woolwich, Kent, England. See the separate page with their details

1871 Census for Kent

39 Bloomfield Road, Plumstead: John Brew, head, 47, engine smith, Elizabeth, wife, 46, Amelia, daughter, 15, Ellen, daughter, 15, Henry, son, 13, scholar, Eliza, daughter, 12, scholar, Thomas, son, 10, scholar, Martha, daughter, 8, scholar, Albert E., son, 5.

1881 Census for Kent

39 Bloomfield Road, Plumstead: John Brew, head, 57, Smith, born Chepstow, Elizabeth, 56, wife, born Greenwich, Albert, 15, son, Smith Apprentice, born Plumstead, George, 3, [grand]son, born Plumstead

1891 Census for Kent

39 Bloomfield Road, Plumstead: John Brew, head, 66, pensioner arsenal, Elizabeth M., wife, 65.

Kelly's Directory for Kent 1891

Brew, John, coal merchant, 39 Bloomfield Road, Plumstead (residential address)

Brew, John, coal merchant, 7 Neptune Terrace, Trinity Street, Woolwich (commercial address)

John's Death

1904 Death in the Registration District of Greenwich in the County of London.

14 September 1904, the "White Hart", London Street, John Brew, male, 80 years, pensioner, formerly Foreman Woolwich Arsenal, cause of death: Old Age and Bronchitis, informant: Annie Brew, daughter-in-law, present at the death, the "White Hart", London Street, registered 15 September 1904, H.J. Raymond, Deputy Registrar.

John's Will

"THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me JOHN BREW late of 39 Bloomfield Road Plumstead in the County of Kent but now residing at 1 London Street Greenwich Pensioner and Coal Merchant I appoint my son Thomas Brew of the "White Hart" London Street Greenwich in the County of Kent Licensed Victualler sole EXECUTOR of this my will. I revoke all former wills and codicils heretofore made by me and I give unto my said son Thomas Brew all my estate of whatever nature whether real or personal for his own use absolutely. IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11_day of June One thousand nine hundred and three - JOHN BREW - Signed by the said testator John Brew as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses - JOHN HENRY RATLEY, 15 Quebec Street Brighton Sussex - JESSIE GRAHAM 16 Arngask Rd Catford."

"ON the 23rd day of September 1904 Probate of this will was granted to Thomas Brew the sole Executor."

Elizabeth Martha's Death

1904 Death in the Registration District of Woolwich in the County of London.

13 February 1904, 39 Bloomfield Road, Elizabeth Martha Brew, female, 79 years, Wife of John Brew, pensioned Foreman Woolwich Arsenal, cause of death: General Decay, Informant: Robert Jamieson, son-in-law, in attendance, 35 Bloomfield Road, Plumstead, registered 15 February 1904, J. Anderson, Registrar.

Elizabeth Martha's Will

"THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me ELIZABETH MARTHA BREW wife of John Brew of 39 Bloomfield Road Plumstead in the County of Kent Retired Government Store Inspector I appoint my son Thomas Brew sole EXECUTOR of this my will. I hereby revoke all former wills and testamentary documents heretofore made by me. I give and bequeath to my daughter Martha Furwood the sum of Twenty five pounds and to my son Albert Brew the sum of twenty five pounds and as to all the rest and remainder of my real and personal property I give devise and bequeath the same unto my husband the said John Brew absolutely IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand this third day of December One thousand nine hundred and three - E M BREW . Signed by the said testatrix Elizabeth Martha Brew as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us present at the same time who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses - FLORENCE MAUD JAMES 11 Huntingdon St Kingsland Nurse - HENRY SIMS 5 Clenrest Street Greenwich Job Marster [sic]."

"ON the 26th day of February 1904 Probate of this will was granted to Thomas Brew the sole Executor."

John and Elizabeth's Family

Name Birth Marriage Death
John (father) 7 March 1824 24 May 1849 14 September 1904
Elizabeth Martha (mother) 22 August 1825 24 May 1849 13 February 1904
Elizabeth 28 April 1850 Unknown Unknown
William Thomas 18 March 1852 Unknown - perhaps never 8 January 1877
John George 20 November 1853 15 July 1872 15 October 1886
Amelia 18 June 1855 18 June 1878 17 May 1918
Ellen 18 June 1855 18 June 1878 Unknown
Henry 8 June 1857 Yes, but unknown date 14 May 1905
Richard 8 June 1857 Unknown Had disappeared by 1871 census
Eliza Honor 16 March 1859 When? (to Percival) Unknown but still alive in 1905
Thomas 17 October 1860 20 August 1892 & 20 June 1900 8 January 1935
Martha 26 November 1862 10 August 1887 Unknown
Albert Edward 4 October 1865 3 August 1890 5 January 1952

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