* Early life: Brearley was born in 1745 in New Jersey. He likely received a basic education in his youth, possibly attending a local school in New Jersey.
* Legal profession: He later studied law, likely under a local attorney. This was a common practice at the time, as there were no formal law schools in America then.
* Self-taught lawyer: There is no record of Brearley attending a university or a formal legal apprenticeship, suggesting he was largely self-taught.
* Early success: He quickly gained a reputation as a skilled lawyer, and by the late 1760s, he was already serving as a Justice of the Peace in New Jersey.
Therefore, while we know Brearley had a legal education, the specifics of its form and duration are unknown.
However, his achievements as a lawyer, judge, and politician demonstrate a clear intellectual ability and strong legal knowledge. His self-taught education, coupled with his ambition and determination, allowed him to become a prominent figure in New Jersey and a key player in the American Revolution.