Charity Brewer

Born: 15 April 1788

Married: 3 May 1806 James Smock

Married: 14 Jul 1831 Garrett Sorter

Died: 8 May 1860 Rochester, IN

FATHER

Johannes Brouwer

MOTHER

Jannetje Van Arsdalen

HUSBAND

James Smock

Garrett Sorter

CHILDREN with James Smock

1. John Robert Smock
    b. k5 May 1807

2. Harvey Smock
    b. 1809
    d. 1809

3. Jane Smock
    b. 9 Apr 1811
    d. 9 May 1854

4. Abraham Smock
    b. Abt. 1813

5. Sarah Smock
    b. 1815
    d. 5 Jan 1846

6. David Brewer Smock
    b. 8 Jul 1817
    d. 5 Sep 1844

7. James Smock
    b. Abt. 1820
    d. May 1847

8. Martha Ann Smock
    b. 26 Jan 1824
    d. 10 Jan 1880

The Brewer's 300 years in America 1642-1942 by Bertha Spencer pg. 30

  My grandfather, Abram V Brewer, told many tales of his step-mother's ill tempers.  Here are two which I remember. (2nd one is on page for Samuel Brewer)

"Sister Charity" tired of drudging under unpleasant circumstances and having to submit to Polly's constant nagging, decided to run away from home and go to live with one of her married brothers.  She started out.  When she got of the top of the pasture she heard her step-mother's shrill cry for "Charitee! Charitee!" The girl called back: "Call, darn you! You may call as much as you like, but I am never coming back."  Only Charity used a stronger word than "darn."  it is difficult for us moderns to realize how irrevocably wicked that oath appeared in Charity's estimation. She undoubtedly thought she might be struck dead for such blasphemy.  Those were the days when people believed in infant damnations, a real sulphurous hell prepared for those who uttered oaths,---especially women. At that moment "Sister Charity" was willing to forego a future heaven to get away from an earthly hell. Well, she lived to marry a man named Sorter, and never did return to her father's house, except as a visitor.  I have no information as to what, if any, children she had, nor where they lived.  All I know is that there is an item in Grandfather Brewer's handwriting in his family Bible: "Sister Charity died May 16, 1860."  That was just one month and two days before the death of Abram Brewer's brother Garret.  Mother often talked of an "Aunt Nancy Sorter."  Who she was, I do not know. Perhaps an unmarried sister of the step-mother, Dinah, or sister-in-law of "Sister Charity."

.

.