Josiah Brewer facts for kids

Josiah Brewer (born June 1, 1796 – died November 19, 1872) was an American minister and author. He was also the father of David Josiah Brewer, who later became a justice on the United States Supreme Court.

Early Life and Education

Josiah Brewer was born in Monterey, Massachusetts. At that time, Monterey was part of Tyringham, Massachusetts. He was a bright student. He graduated from Phillips Academy in 1817. Then, he went on to graduate from Yale College in 1821.

After college, Josiah began studying to become a minister. He started at Andover Seminary in 1822. In 1824, he moved to New Haven, Connecticut. There, he finished his studies at the Theological Department of Yale College. He was part of the very first class to study there. For almost two years, from 1824 to 1826, he also worked as a tutor at Yale College.

Missionary Work Abroad

On May 10, 1826, Josiah Brewer became an ordained minister in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was sent as a missionary. In September of that year, he traveled to the East. He worked under the direction of the Boston Female Society. This group aimed to spread Christianity among Jewish people.

Josiah spent about two years working in Smyrna and Istanbul (which was then called Constantinople). Both cities are in modern-day Turkey. After his time there, he returned to the United States. While back home, he wrote a book about his experiences. It was called A Residence at Constantinople in the Year 1827, published in 1830.

On December 1, 1829, he married Emilia Ann Field. Emilia was the daughter of Reverend David Dudley Field I. She was also the sister of Stephen Johnson Field. Stephen later became a US Supreme Court justice, just like Josiah's own son would. In 1830, Josiah went back to Smyrna. He stayed there for eight more years. During this time, he worked as a missionary for the Ladies Greek Association of New Haven, Connecticut.

Return to America and Later Career

Josiah Brewer finally returned to the United States in 1838. For three years, he served as a chaplain at the Connecticut State Prison in Wethersfield. A chaplain is a minister who works in a special place like a prison or hospital.

After this, he briefly worked for the American Anti-Slavery Society. This group worked to end slavery in the United States. He also edited an anti-slavery newspaper in Hartford, Connecticut.

In 1844, Josiah opened a school for young ladies in New Haven, Connecticut. This school later moved to Middletown, Connecticut. He ran the school until 1857. After that, he moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts. For nine years, he served as a minister for the Congregational Church in nearby Housatonic. He then retired and lived quietly until he passed away on November 19, 1872.

Family Life

Josiah Brewer's first wife, Emilia, died on December 16, 1861. In May 1863, he married Lucy Treadwell Jerome. She was the daughter of Reverend Amasa Jerome.

Josiah had two sons who graduated from Yale. His elder son graduated in 1852. His son, David Josiah Brewer, graduated in 1856. David later became a famous justice on the US Supreme Court. Josiah had four daughters with his first wife. All of his children, except for his youngest son, survived him. His youngest son sadly passed away from typhoid fever. He got the illness while serving in the American Civil War.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Yale Obituary Record.