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Bransford Vawter House
Lynchburg, Virginia
ca. 1818
Dismantled and in Storage
$29,000
Originally located at 409 Polk Street in Lynchburg, VA the Bransford Vawter has been dismantled and is available for sale. A fine example of a 19th century vernacular home of the Federal period, the house retains much of its original fabric and is well worth reconstructing to its original form. The house is frame construction, three-bays wide and one-and-a-half stories tall. The house has been removed from the English basement which was not saved. A later rear addition was too deteriorated to be dismantled and saved. However, reconstructing this rear wing space will make extra room available for a kitchen, baths and utilities and would bring the reconstructed house to about 2000 square feet. The house has its original mantels, pine flooring and doors.Bransford Vawter (1815-1838), known as Lynchburg's first poet, lived and died in this house at the early age of 23 from tuberculosis. As a young boy he showed an interest in poetry and was often taken to his fathers shop to recite for the customers. He was described as a "high-minded, chivalrous young man -- honorable in his feelings and distinguished by his winning modesty." Vawter's poem, "I'd Offer Thee This Hand of Mine," was published anonymously in the Southern Literary Messenger in 1834. The poem proved to be so popular that a prize was offered for the author. Bransford Vawter came forward to claim authorship and his career was born. The poem was soon set to music. The young lady to whom the poem was address is believed to be Miss Ann Norvell. Unfortunately, Ann's parent's frowned on the match and she married another. Her most treasured possession was a little album given to her by Vawter. Vawter was buried in the family plot in what is now Lynchburg's Old City Cemetery. Conditions of Sale and Restrictions: The house must be reconstructed in the City of Lynchburg. The Revolving Fund recommends that potential purchasers check to see if proposed plans for the reconstruction of the property comply with zoning and other city codes.
Contact:
Sarah Cooleen, Revolving Fund Manager
scooleen@apva.org
804-648-1889 ext. 320
Fax: 804-775-0802
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