https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~fowler/genealogy/fowler3/aqwn01.htm
1. Godfrey Fowler Sr.
On January 22, 1717 Godfrey Fowler (ca.1670 ca.1747) and George Archer patented 500 acres On the North side of Appamattox river, in the parish of Bristol, adjoing (sic) the Land of Colo. Epes & Company. (Source: Land Patent database at University of Virginia (http://198.17.62.51/cgi-bin/drawer/disk19/CC150/0393/F0583? 1)) He received a land grant for his part in bringing colonists into the colony: "To Godfrey Fowler and George Archer 500 acres of land, Jan. 22, 1717. Henrico Land Grants, vol. 10, p. 347 (?) or 341. To all whom it may concern, know ye that for good causes and considerations, but especially in the importation of ten persons to dwell within our Colony and Dominion of Virginia, to wit, John Ironmonger, Philip Donalson, William Stiles, Matthew Ford, Jno. Ellington, Margaret Brook, Sue Fowler, Francis Merryman, Sarah Green, Flionoy Dawson, we have given and granted and confirmed and by these presents do give and grant onto Godfrey Fowler and George Archer one certain tract of Land containing 500 acres, lying and being on the north side of Appomattox River in the Parish of Bristol in the county of Henrico, and bounded as follows--Beginning at a corner butterwood tree and the line of Col Epes & Company and runneth thence along the line of Wm. Taylor, " &c, --"thence on the line of John Parkenson--crossing Cattail Creek at the fork --thence to a black oak on the line of Col. Epes & Company, to have and to hold, &c. (Signed) A. Spottswood."-From "Annals of the Fowler Family" Glenn Dora Fowler Arthur 1901 p.4 Will dated 29-JUN-1743 Henrico County Court records, Godfrey Fowler vs. Thos. Batt, 1 jun 1691. "A copy of the will of John fowler the elder, deceased, was produced in court, which will gave each of his three sons, John, Mark, and Godfey, an interest in the estate of 398 acres. The said Godfrey Fowler's two elder brothers, John and Mark, being dead, leaving no issue, the said Godfrey Fowler was declared the only heir at law." "Developed the family estae in Chesterfield, patenting with George Archer over 750A in Henrico. The will of Godfrey Fowler (the first), of henrico County, Va, June 29, 1743", as printed in Annals of the Fowler Family. In the name of God, Amen! I, Gidfrey Fowler of Henrico County, Va., being of perfect health and sound memory-thanks be to Dod!--but knowing the uncertainty of this life, do make, constiture, and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following: First, I desire that my son John Fowler may have the whole use and benefit and advantage of the plantation on which he now lives, with all the land on the nirth side of the Spring Branch, during his natural life, or his abode upon the said plantation. After his death or removal I give and bequeth the aforesaid plantation and tract of land to my grandson Godfrey Fowler son of Mark Fowler (i.e., the second Mark) to his heirs forever. Then I give my son Godfrey fowler" (i.e., the second Godfrey, know as the Quaker) "the plantation and tract of land whereon he now lives, lying on the south side of the aforesaid Spring Branch, crossing Cattail Creek to William Dunnifants Spring Branch, thence keeping the branch to the line, to him and his heirs forever. Then I desire that my daughter (in law) Phebe, widow of my deceased son Thomas Fowler, may have the whole use and benefit and advantage of the tract of land and Plantation whereon my deceased son dwelt containing two hundred acres, the same more or lsess, as ti is already laid off by Mark't Trees &c during her natural life or widowhood and after her death or marriage I give the aforesaid Plantation and Tract of Land to my two Grandsons William and Josaih Fowler, sons of my aforesaid son Thomas Fowler, to them and their heirs forever, to be equally divided between them. Then I give and bequeath to my son Mark Fowler the Tract of Land and Plantation on which he now lives containing 200 acres as is now laid off by Mark't Trees &c to hime and his heirs forever. Then I give and bequeath unto Thomas Ellis the Plantation and Tract of Land wheron he lately dwelt containing 200 acres more or less as laid off by Mark't &c to him and his heirs forever, it being the Tract of Land wch he bought of my son Joseph Fowler the right not yet conveyed. Then I give and bequeath unto John Smith 100 acres of land be the same more or less Joining upon land which I have given to Thomas Ellis to him and his heirs forever, he having fully satisfied me for the said land and the right not conveyed before. Then I give my Daughter Anne Hill one Sealskin Trunk. Then I give my Daughter Martha Vadin one leather Chair which she has now in her possession.I desire that my Estate may not be appraised. All of the rest of my Estate of (what) nature or kind soever I give unto my Son Godfrey Fowler, and I do constitute and appoint him my said Son Godfrey Fowler my whole and Sole Executor of my last will and Testament ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this
29th day of June, 1743. (Signed) " Godfrey Fowler Signed, Sealed, Published, and Declared by the sd Godfrey Fowler to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us... John Parkenson, Henry Dance, and Allick Moore. At court held in Henrico County the first Monday in May, 1747, this will was presented by the Ex'r and upon his Solemn affirmantion (he being a Quaker) and proved by John Parkenson and Henry Dance, two of the witnesses thereto, was admitted to record. Test: Bowler Cocke, C.C.
