The Brewster family of Scotia, Schenectady county, New York, descend from the Connecticut family of Brewster founded in that state by Jonathan, son of Elder Brewster, of Plymouth, Massachusetts. The present family was founded in [the] Hudson Valley by Gilbert Brewster, who settled in Rensselaer county, near the village of Lansingburg. He was a farmer. He married Elizabeth Ham, who survived her husband and died in Troy, New York. They reared a large family, including
- Orson, who died in California unmarried;
- Benjamin, who died in Troy without issue, and
- Valentine.
(II) Valentine, son of Gilbert and Elizabeth (Ham) Brewster, was born on the farm at Lansingburg, Rensselaer county, New York, in 1822, died in Troy, 1903. He settled in Troy when a young man and learned the trade of wheelwright. He later engaged in business, established a successful wholesale grocery house and became wealthy. He married (first) in Troy, Lucretia Bonesteel, of Grafton, New York, born about 1838, died 1892, daughter of Henry Bonesteel. He married (second) Anna B. Buffon, born in Ireland, died in Troy, 1906, aged forty-five years. Children of first wife:
- George H., see forward.
- Alfred V., born July, 1867; succeeded his father in business; unmarried.
- Jay Homer, born 1869, in Troy, associated with his brother in business; married and has Margaret and Homer.
- Edward, died in childhood.
Children of second wife:
- Warren, died young.
- Francis, died young.
- Child, died young.
- Cyrus, of New York City, unmarried.
- Frank, of Troy, New York, unmarried.
- Florence, twin with Frank, married Howard Edwards Harper, of Seneca Falls, now of Troy, New York; has a daughter, Mildred Harper.
- Mildred, of Troy, unmarried.
(III) George H., son of Valentine and Lucretia (Bonesteel) Brewster, was born in Troy, New York, March 26, 1865. He was educated at Troy Academy, and was for a number of years associated with his father and brother in business in Troy, New York. In 1890 he withdrew from the firm and purchased a valuable estate at Scotia, New York, where he has since resided. He has a large farm which he personally manages, and he lives the life of a gentleman farmer. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Baptist church. He married (first) October 29, 1890, Marcia Craig Marsellis, born in Scotia, 1870; educated at the Union Classical School; died in 1901; daughter of Charles W. and Patience Marsellis. Children, Charles V., born 1893, and Fred, born 1897. He married (second) June 1, 1905, in Scotia, Bertha Robinson Stephens, born in Troy, April 19, 1884, daughter of Frederick Seneca and Mary (Hughes) Stephens. Frederick Seneca Stephens was the son of Adam Seneca Stephens, of Cohoes, New York, who died in Troy, in 1902, aged sixty-eight years. Remarried Mary Robinson, who died August 5, 1910. Frederick Seneca Stephens was born December 8, 1856. Mary (Hughes) Stephens, his wife, born February 6, 1862, (now a resident of Scotia) is a daughter of John C. and Susan (Freeman) Hughes. John C. Hughes was a veteran of the civil war and died shortly thereafter from disease contracted in the army. He married Susan Freeman in Wales or England, and soon afterward came to the United States and settled in Troy, where they both died. He was a painter and decorator. Frederick Seneca Stephens and wife have resided in Scotia since 1894. Children of Frederick S. and Mary (Hughes) Stephens:
- Bertha Robinson, married George H. Brewster, mentioned above.
- Ethel M., born October 1, 1885, married Leon Latch, of Scotia; child, Ethel G.
- Helen, born 1887, a teacher of music.
- Ruth N.
- Edith R.
- Magdaline.
George H. and Bertha R. (Stephens) Brewster have a son, George Stephens, born December 18, 1906.