Edward Vail (1717-1778) was a colonial official, politician, and militia officer who represented Chowan County in the colonial Assembly in 1754-1762, 1770-1771, and 1773-1774. In 1754, he raised troops to help defend Virginia during the French and Indian War. In 1755, he joined other merchants, traders, and planters in petitioning the Board of Trade for relief on trade restrictions. In 1777 & 1778 he signed two oaths swearing his allegiance to the State of North Carolina and promising to report any treasonous conspiracies that might threaten North Carolina's independence.