Will of Edward Vawter, written 5 December 1778, proven 16 August 1779.
In the name of God Amen I Edward Vawter of Essex County and Parish of St. Anne's do make this my last will and testament. As followeth. In Premis I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body to the earth from whence it came in strong hope of the resurection to Eternal Life through Our Lord Jesus Christ who can change my vile body that it may be like his glorious body accourding to mighty working whereby He can subdue all things to himself.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Margaret Goodrich, my large scales and weights and warming pan and three pounds cash in lue of a small chest I was to give her.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my God Son, Edward Vawter, son of Richard Vawter, Five Pounds to be laid out immediately in books of education.
Item: All the residue of my estate both real and personal to be sold by my executors herein after mentioned and the money arising therefrom together with what cash I have and all my outstanding debts all to be divided into twelve equal parts.
Item: I give and bequeath to my oldest son Samuel Vawter two and a half of the above mentioned twelve parts.
Item: I give and bequeath to my son William Vawter one of said parts together with what he has of my estate in his hands.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Vawter one and a half of said parts.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Elliot Vawter two of said parts.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my son James Vawter two of said parts.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Benjamin Vawter and if he should die before he leaves the service of a soldier or has a lawful heir for his part to return to my estate.
Item: I give and bequeath unto William Boulware son of William Vawter one of said parts.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my grandson Edward Vawter, son of Thomas, half of one of said parts to be laid out chiefly in his education.
Item: I give Agnes Boulware, daughter of Benjamin Vawter five pounds.
Item: It is my will that my mullatto girl, Sene, should be freed from that time of servitude as she incured by having two bastards.
Lastly- I constitute and appoint Angus Vawter and Elliot Vawter my executors of this my last will and testament. Desiring that my estate not be appraised and that no inventory there on and that the executors be not obliged to give security. And in testamentary I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifth day of December One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Eight.
(Signed) Edward Vawter (Seal)
Signed and Sealed in presents of Lot Noell, Bernard Noell, Fredrick Clark.
At a court held for Essex County at Tappahannock the 16th Day of August 1779 this last will and testament of Edward Vawter Dec'd was proved by two of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Test. Hancock Lee, Clerk
[Source: Essex County, Virginia Will Book 3, pg. 249].
Edward "The Builder" Vawter Birth: 1707 Virginia, USA Death: Jan. 2, 1779 Essex County Virginia, USA
Vawter, Edward (b. ABT 1707, d. 02 JAN 1779) Note: Edward has been called "Edward the Builder" because according to family tradition, he helped build the Vauter Church. This is not verified, but his brother John was a vestryman of the church and they both were likely involved.
