The Brewer family papers contain photographs, correspondence, biographical material, and ephemera documenting the lives and relationships of Joseph Henry and Mary Augusta (Hillyer) Brewer and their son Joseph Hillyer Brewer. Of particular note is the extensive documentation of Joseph Hillyer’s life. These papers document his education at Dartmouth, Oxford, and his career as a publisher, college president, and, to a limited degree, college librarian. Brewer wrote poetry as well as several dramas which are included. Of note are his Olivet College papers, which extensively detail the opposition Brewer experienced there, and his ultimate resignation. His Olivet correspondence contains letters from Henry Russell Hitchcock and other national and international figures. Included in the family photo album are photos of William Alden Smith and Arthur Vanderberg. The collection also includes material related to Joseph Henry and Joseph Hillyer Brewer's ancestors and relatives; the Brind, Escott, Brewer, Birge, Curry, and Pierce families. Included is Brind family genealogy, biographical material, and letters; notably letters from Henry Escott to Anne Brind prior to their marriage, and a letter Henry wrote to Anne’s mother confessing his love for Anne. The collection also contains ephemera and invitations addressed to Henry and Anne Escott’s daughters, Sarah and Annie.



Correspondence between Annie and Lucien Brewer during the Civil War is housed in the collection, as well as letters from Lucien to his half-brother, Bryon Brewer, who was killed at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May of 1863. The letter notifying Alzono Brewer of his son, Byron’s death is also in the collection along with Union and Confederate currency. The collection contains family letters and newspaper clippings, and an 1895 family portrait of Lucien and Anne Brewer, Sadie and Chester Birge, and Ruth Birge in front of the Brewer residence; 298 Cass Avenue in Grand Rapids. The obituary of Commander Manning Davidson Birge (1839 - 1908), brother-in-law of Sadie Birge, and a Civil War veteran who fought at Gettysburg, is included in the collection, along with Birge, Curry, and Pierce genealogy.