This month's Grave Spotlight of the Month is for Elder John Vawter, a pioneer founder of Morgantown, Morgan County, Indiana, though as we will see later on in this blog, that may not be entirely the truth. 

John Vawter was born in Orange County (now Madison County), Virginia on January 8, 1782 to Reverend Jesse Vawter (1755-1838) and Elizabeth Watts Vawter (1762-1830), both natives of Virginia on January 8, 1782.  He was the eldest of 6 siblings, the other beings: William Vawter (1783-1868), James Vawter (1783-1873), Sarah "Sally" Vawter Stribling (1789-1871), Achilles Vawter (1794-1862), Ann Vawter Moncrief (1797-1887).  His family moved to North Carolina when he was an infant.  At some point his family must have also lived in Tennessee as one of his siblings was born there.  They also lived in Scott County, Kentucky for a time where he converted to Baptism and was licenses as a Baptist preacher before moving on to Madison, Indiana, where his father was also a preacher.

While in Madison John served in various public positions. He was the town's first magistrate, Sheriff of Jefferson and Clarke Counties and US Marshall from 1812/1814 to 1829. During the Indian Campaign from 1811-1813, he served as a frontier ranger.  He was also was State Legislator for Jennings, Brown and Bartholomew Counties in 1836.  John was a Civil Engineer by trade and was responsible for surveying Jennings County in 1813, platting the town of Vernon.  He also became its first permanent resident in 1815.  In 1820, he served as the first pastor of Vernon.  

John Vawter was a very busy man.  For nine (9) years, he served as the clerk of Silver Creek Association and then went on to hold the same position with the Creek Coffee Association for twenty-two (22) years.  During this time, he continued to preach and survey.

In 1835, he sent $3000 in merchandise to Morgantown to start a general store and in 1848, he moved to there. It is said that he presented a brick church to the Baptist congregation.  Now, while he was an important part of Morgantown's history, he was not the founder of the town as is stated in many places.  Morgantown was founded in 1831 by Robert Bowles and Samuel Teeters.  It was originally a mill town, possibly with little in the way of actual layout. So in 1836, Colonel Vawter arrived to help re-plat the town along with Isabelle Teeters, wife of the original founder, Samuel Teeters.

He was married four times in total.  His first wife was Polly M. Campbell Smith Vawter (1782-1825), who is buried in Vernon Cemetery, Vernon, Jennings County, Indiana. They were married on December 17, 1805. With her he had three children, as far as we are aware: Jane Vawter Storey (1809-1864), buried in Vernon Cemetery, Vernon, Jennings County, Indiana; Colonel Smith David Vawter (1806-1882), buried in Vernon Cemetery, Vernon, Jennings County, Indiana;  and Emily Vawter Campbell (1814-1877), buried in Vernon Cemetery, Vernon, Jennings County, Indiana.

 His second was Jane/Margaret Smith Vawter (1800-1826).  They were married somewhere around 1826 and it appears that she died shortly thereafter. She is buried in Vernon Cemetery, Vernon, Jennings County, Indiana.  There are no children listed for them.  

The third was Ruth Minton Vawter (1805-1850).  Their marriage date is not known. They had three children: Marion Vawter (1830-1880), buried in Old Baptist Church Cemetery, Morgantown, Morgan County, Indiana; Mary Ann Vawter Obenshain (1836-1897), buried in Old Baptist Church Cemetery, Morgantown, Morgan ounty, Indiana; and John Allan Vawter (1832-1874), buried in Old Baptist Church Cemetery, Morgantown, Morgan County, Indiana. She is buried in Old Baptist Church cemetery, Morgantown, Morgan County, Indiana.

Finally was Martha McGannon Pearce Wilson Vawter (1822-1892).  They were married around 1853.  She is buried in Vernon Cemetery, Vernon, Jennings County, Indiana. They had one child: Emma Vawter (buried in Old Baptist Church Cemetery, Morgantown, Morgan County, Indiana.  Her genealogical information states that she was killed by falling lumber. 

John Vawter died on August 17, 1862 at the age of 80 years old and is buried near many of his familiy in Old Baptist Church Cemetery.  

In September each year, the town of Morgantown celebrates his life and times with the Colonel Vawter Days Celebration.  There are lots of booths with food and crafts.  I have never been regardless of the fact that I lived there for several years.  Hopefully one day, I can go.

Thanks for taking some time to learn about John Vawter.

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RESOURCES:

Indiana History - Grinstead Family and Coffee Creek Association Collection

Morgan County History Museum - History Blog John Vawter

Morgantown, Indiana - Colonel John Vawter

Vawter Family in America