Three Forks of the Kentucky River Historical Association

Biography

Valentine S. Brewer

Written by Valentine Sevier Brewer, January 22, 1931, Travelers Rest, KY
Submitted by Theda Bowman Partin

I was born in Hancock County, East Tennessee on September 6, 1842. I continued there until six years of age. Then my father immigrated to Kentucky and settled in Owsley County on the Alcorn Fork of Little Sturgeon. My father's name was Howell Brewer. My mother's name was Polly Wolfe. My father was born in North Carolina. My Mother was born in East Tennessee. My father was married the first time to a woman by the name of (Louisa) Short. Their children's names are as follows:

1. Ambrose Brewer

2. (Joab) Joe Abb Brewer

3. (James M.) Jim Brewer

4. George Brewer

5. Howell Brewer

6. Bill Brewer

7. (Orville) Orval Brewer

8. (Mary) Polly Brewer

9. Nancy Brewer Seals

10.(Sarah) Sally Brewer Elrod

11.(Martha Patsy) Patty Brewer Isaacs

His last wife was Polly Wolfe and children's names as follows:

1. N. W. Brewer

2. John T. Brewer

3. Valentine Sevier Brewer

4. Morris b. Brewer

5. Emily Brewer McCollum

I stayed with my father in Owsley County until August 1861. That made me nineteen years of age. President Abraham Lincoln made a call for 76,000 soldiers. I enlisted in the Union Army for three years during the war. I was mustered in at Camp Dick Robison, August 19, 1861, and stayed there until September 19, 1861. I was then ordered to Camp Wildcat where we were engaged in our first battle, and from there we went to Cumberland Ford and there stayed for the winter.

In the Spring of 1862, we were ordered to move to Cumberland Gap, staying there through the summer. Leaving Cumberland Gap, we went to little Goose creek in Clay County, from there to Owsley, through to Beattyville. Ky., in Lee County. Then on through to Greenupsburg on the Ohio river. From there up the river to Point Pleasant, West Virginia. From there to Charleston, West Virginia, then back to Point Pleasant, W. V. Then we embarked the ship and sailed down the Ohio River to Louisville, Kentucky, then boarded the train for Seymore, Indiana. From there to Cairo, Illinois.

From there we sailed down the river to Memphis, Tennessee, then to Vicksburg, Mississippi where we stayed for the winter of 1862. Then we crossed the river and drawed 5 days rations. From there another battle ensued which lasted all day. From there we were ordered to Champion Hill, then we marched back to the Black River Bridge. From there to Vicksburg, Miss. Here another battle ensued which lasted two months, during the battle 8,000 rounds of cartridges were fired in one day. From there we were ordered to Jackson, Miss., where we were in battle 8 or 9 days. Then we went back to Vicksburg and went into camp for a short time. Then to Fort Hudson and from there to New Orleans. From there to Brasier City, a 40 mile march. Then we marched 100 miles to a place called Epillucis, Louisiana, stayed one night, then back to Brasier City, another 100 mile march. Then from there we marched to Plaguemine, Louisiana.

Then I was sent home as a recruiting officer to get more men for the army. Stayed at home 3½ months. This was in the spring of 1864. Then I was called back to the army at Baton Rouge, La.

After the war was over, I came home. I was discharged at Louisville, KY. On May 1865. I was married to Sarah Jane "Sis" Wilson, daughter of Col. Alfred C. Wilson. To us were born fourteen children. Out of that number twelve are living, two dead. Names are as follows:

1. Mary Brewer Burch

2. Alfred Brewer

3. Robert Brewer, deceased

4. Lucy Brewer Hartsock

5. Howell Brewer

6. William Brewer

7. Emily Brewer Roach

8. Morris Brewer

9. Wilson Brewer

10. Orlina Brewer Wilson

11. Norman Brewer

12. Sarah Martha Brewer Wilson

13. Lucian Brewer

14. Ruford Brewer, deceased July 20, 1913

Then I married Louvisa Deeds, January 3, 1914. I joined the Missionary Baptist Church and was baptized February 1872. I was born September 6, 1842. I am living at Travelers Rest and will be 89 years old next September, if I should live. This wrote January 22, 1931.

Valentine Sevier Brewer was named for the governor of Tennessee, Valentine Sevier. He and Sarah Jane Wilson Brewer lived at Sturgeon, Owsley County, Ky. After Sarah Jane died, Valentine married Louvisa Deeds and moved to Travelers Rest, Ky. Valentine Sevier Brewer died July 3, 1935 at 93 years of age.

Sarah Jane Wilson died July 20, 1913.