Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 01.djvu/427

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BREWERTON.


BREWSTER.


Oology"* was published for him by the Smith- sonian institution, but the cost of the work was so great that the later volumes were not issued. In collaboration with Spencer F. Baird and Robert Ridgway he spent several years in preparing '• A History of North American Birds," of which three volumes were published in 1874, and "' The Water Birds of North America " (2 vols., 1884). In 1875-'T6 he made a visit to the principal musevmis of Em-ope and Great Britain, inspecting the oological collections and meeting many celebrated scientists. On this tour he wrote ■■ A Run through the Museums of Europe," which was published in the Popular Science Monthly for 1877 (vol. xi. ), and he translated Sumichrast's " The Geological Distribution of the Native Birds of the Department of Vera Cruz, with a list of the Migi-ating Species " (1869). He died in Bos- ton. Mass., Jime 28. 1880.

BREWERTON, George Douglas, author, was born in Rhode Island about 1820 ; son of Henry Brewerton, brigadier-general of engineers, U. S. A. He joined Stephenson's regiinent of " California volunteers" in 1846, and was commissioned 2d lieutenant in the regular army in 1847, and 1st lieutenant in 1850. He resigned from the service in 1852 and devoted himself to literature. His publications include: " The War in Kansas," " A Rough Trip to the Border Among New Homes and a Strange People" (1856); " Fitzpoodle at Newport " (1869), and " Ida Lewis, the Heroine of Lime Rock " (1869). During the civil war he published a series of books, ' ' The Automaton Regiment" (1862); " The Automaton Company " (1863), and "The Automaton Battery" (1863), intended for the instruction of recruits. He died in New York city, Jan. 31, 1901.

BREWERTON, Henry, soldier, was born in New York city. He was graduated at West Point in 1819, and after some months' service as 2d lieutenant of the corps of engineers was ap- pointed assistant professor of engineering at the military academy. From 1821 to 1861 he was engaged in engineering work' on fortifications, being regularly promoted for faithfvil service, and reaching the rank of lieutenant-colonel in Au- gust, 1861. He was engineer-in-chief of the forti- fications and defences of Baltimore harbor from 1861 to 1864, when he was promoted colonel of engineers, and given charge of the construction of defences at Hampton Roads, Va., and at New York city. In March, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier-general for "long, faithful, and meri- torious services," and was retired in 1867, ac- cording to law, having served for a continuous period of over forty-five years. Dickinson col- lege conferred upon him the degree of LL.D in 1847. He died at Washington, D. C, April 17, 1879.


BREWSTER, Benjamin Harris, cabinet ofla cer, was born in Salem county, N. J., Oct. 13, 1816; son of Francis E. and Maria Hampton Brewster. His first American ancestor was Wil- liam Brewster, the pilgrim, and on his mother's side he descended from the Hamptons of South Carolina. He was gradviated an A.M. from . Princeton in 1834, was admitted to the bar in 1838, and in 1846 was appointed by President Polk commissioner to settle the Cherokee Indian claims. He gained a high position as a lawj-er, and especially as an advocate at the bar. In 1867 he was appointed attorney -general for Pennsyl- vania, by Governor Geary, and was instrmnental in exposing and defeating the Gettysburg lottery scheme. On Dec. 19, 1881, President Arthiir ap- pointed him to his cabinet as attorney -general of the United States. Upon him devolved the prosecution of the postoffice officials charged with conspiring to rob the government, known as the " Star Route " trials. Dickinson coUege gave him the degree of LL.D., as did Princeton in 1867. His life was written by Eugene C. Sav- idge, M.D., of Philadelphia. He died April 4, 1888.

BREWSTER, Charles Warren, journalist, was born at Portsmouth, N. H., Sept. 13, 1802. He was a descendant of Elder Brewster, of May- floicer memory. His education was acquired in the public schools, and on Feb. 16, 1818, he foimd employment in the office of the Portsmouth Oracle, which a few years later became the Journal. He was soon promoted to foreman, and in July, 1825, became joint proprietor. In 1835 he bought out his partner, assuniing sole editor- ship and proprietorship of the paper. For nearly thirty years he was secretary of the Howard benevolent society, and treasm-er of the Ports- mouth Bible society. He was a trustee of the Portsmouth savings bank, and president of the mechanics and manufacturers association. He held local o^ces, and was twice representative in the state legislatm-e. He published " Rambles about Portsmouth" (2 vols., 1869). He died Aug. 3, 1868.

BREWSTER, Chauncey Bunce, fifth bishop of Connecticut and 183d in succession in the American episcopate, was born in Windham, Conn., Sept. 5, 1848; son of the Rev. Joseph and Sarah Jane (Bunce) Brewster; grandson of James Brewster and a descendant of Elder AYilliam Brewster, a leader of the Mayflower pilgrims who landed at Plymouth. His father, a P.E. clergy- man, was graduated at Yale, 1842, honorary A.M. Trinity, 1852. Chaimcey Bimce was graduated at Yale in 1868, received his A.M. degree in course and was a tutor there 1870-'71. He was ordained a deacon in the Protestant Episcopal church in 1872 and a priest in 1873. He was rector of Christ church, Rye, N.Y., 1873-'81; of Christ church.