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Summary: Four years earlier, Brewster had published a well-received book arguing for the moral uplift of African-Americans. His dedication to this cause is clear given the stipulations of his will, which provides a legacy for uneducated men and women, the American Colonization Society, and the establishment of the ‘Hartford Free Press’ newspaper. It is signed by Brewster, has his original wax stamp and is in very good condition. Abel Brewster. Manuscript Document Signed, the “Last Will and Testament of Abel Brewster, of Hartford, Connecticut.” December 4, 1831, 4 p. Inventory# 20552 $1,800
“...All the rest of the avails of my property, I give and bequeath to the American Colonization Society, to aid and assist in the human, benevolent, and patriotic undertaking of sending a portion of our few people of color, of suitable constitutions, habits, and characters, to establish their independence, and to promote their own prosperity and happiness in a country by themselves, away from the domineering and overawing influence of white people; and at the same time to carry practical civilization into ignorant, oppressed, and degraded Africa; And thus improve the condition of the unfortunate African race in two hemispheres; For, when Liberia and Hayti [sic] shall present two independent, enlightened, and prosperous Nations of free people of color, people of color generally will become more respected, their rights better regarded, and their condition substantially improved…[He provides for a bequest of $5,000 for the support of twenty] honest, industrious, and prudent young men, of good constitutions and natural talents, of from twenty-one to twenty-four years of age, of common education, and brought up to some useful business, to consist of ten farmers and ten mechanics…This is designed as a Republican example in assisting deserving young men of little or no property to commence themselves, and to excite others to a meritorious course of life and conduct, in order to merit similar favors. Such a custom judiciously promoted, would have a powerful tendency to counteract the aristocracy and inequality that too generally results from the common course of Wills and the descent of property and at the same time teach a valuable lesson to ungrateful relations…[He provides, also, for the use of income from $2,000, from three years] for the encouragement and support of an actual Free Press, which may be called the ‘Hartford Free Press,’-the motto of which is to be- ‘Open to candid, well-digested, and useful information from all parties, and closed to none.’ The paper must be under the control of two editors, of the two principal leading political parties, who must not have been nursed in an aristocratic school of college learning; but they must act in the double capacity of Printers and Editors, and endeavor to give the public a candid and summary view of both or all sides, and make a fair and independent statement of all that concerns the public good. The paper must be particularly adapted to the interests of farmers and mechanics, the main pillars of society, whose welfare has been too generally trifled with or neglected, or sacrificed to the crooked and selfish views of few unprincipled leading politicians. [After three years, the principal is to be divided equally among ten] young women, of honest, industrious habits, of from eighteen to twenty-one years of age, of good constitutions and natural talents, of fair character, of little or no property, brought up to some useful business, and calculated to make good housewives…”
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