It stands just north of the Henrietta Brewer House (now the Redclyffe Shore Motel), on a mostly-wooded parcel of more than 10 acres (4.0 ha).

The house is a large two-story wood-frame structure, with a roughly square main section, from which a rectangular ell extends from its northern corner.

The interior of the house retains elegant Federal period finishes, including two staircases, fireplace mantels, and wooden wainscoting, which on the ground floor consists of single planks of pine, 30 inches (76 cm) in width.

Brewer worked closely in business with partners across the river in New Brunswick, and served as a general in the state militia during the War of 1812.

During the American Civil War he served as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands, appointed by President Abraham Lincoln.