Brewster cousins!

 

Photo by Dave Brewster

I enjoyed a special luncheon gathering in May 2027 with my second cousin Stuart Brewster (left in photo above) and many of his Brewster relatives, including his niece Louise and his daughter Andrea (at right). 

Stuart had come east from his home in California and spent a week in Danvers, revisiting old places and reconnecting with family. Much of his childhood had been spent in Danvers, living at "Pine Knoll," the Nichols family home built in 1861 by our great-grandfather Andrew Nichols (1837-1921). 

From childhood I have many memories of Stuart and his older brothers, David and Dudley. They shared many interests and activities (e.g., skiing, sailing, square dancing) with my father, who – being a bit older – often referred to them as "the Brewster boys." 

Ah, how the years have passed!  At the May gathering I mingled with two younger generations of Brewsters, all descended from those three brothers. Some of the youngest had no idea who I was, since I'm not at Brewster descendant, but a cousin on another branch of the Nichols family tree.

My grandfather was the youngest son of that original Pine Knoll family, whereas Stuart's grandfather was the oldest son, a naturalist named Andrew. Annie Nichols, daughter of that Andrew, married a Brewster, and had three sons: David, Dudley and Stuart. I remember Annie very well. I had piano lessons with her for many years on an old upright piano at Pine Knoll.

I'm so glad that Stuart invited me to this family reunion. Here are a few of my photos taken May 27, 2023:  

I enjoyed the story-telling, especially when Stuart stood up to speak about the 1939 World's Fair. His great uncle John drove him there from Danvers to NYC. Two of the great aunts, May and Margaret, also came on that trip. I asked if they had used Aunt May's 1932 Ford (which she later gave to my parents, so I grew up with it in the 1940's and 50's -- even learning to drive on it in the 1960's). No, Uncle John drove his own car.  As Stuart spoke, many of the dozen or so younger relatives in the room lifted cell phones to record his stories. Memorable!