Avent - Person Sheet
Avent - Person Sheet
Name(AVENT), Elizabeth 
Death Dateabt 1756
Death PlaceSussex County, Virginia
Misc. Notes
Contrary to widely-held belief, there is no evidence that Col. Thomas Avent’s wife was named Margaret Elizabeth Gooch.
In 1716 the name of his wife was Elizabeth (Chowan Precinct, NC, Deed Book B1:363). Elizabeth Avent presumably died after 18 Aug 1755 when she witnessed the will of her son, John Avent (Sussex Co., VA Will Book A:36).
On 21 Sept. 1756, when her husband Col. Thomas Avent wrote his will, he did not mention a wife (Sussex Co., VA Will Book A:80)
In 1716 the name of his wife was Elizabeth (Chowan Precinct, NC, Deed Book B1:363). Elizabeth Avent presumably died after 18 Aug 1755 when she witnessed the will of her son, John Avent (Sussex Co., VA Will Book A:36).
On 21 Sept. 1756, when her husband Col. Thomas Avent wrote his will, he did not mention a wife (Sussex Co., VA Will Book A:80)
Spouses
1AVENT, Thomas 
, Source
, SourceBirth Date6 Jan 1671
Birth PlaceWembury, Devonshire, England
Death Date31 Oct 1757 Age: 86
Death PlaceAlbemarle Parish, Sussex County, Virginia
FlagsImmigrant
Immi Dateabt 1701 Age: 29
Immi PlaceVirginia
Memofrom England
FatherAVENT, John III (<1634-1716)
MotherEWENS, Fulyan (1640-1686)
Misc. Notes
THE definitive genealogy web site about the Avent family, by Steve Avent, is located here and I highly recommend it to any who have an interest in this family line.
Thomas Avent is frequently referred to as "Colonel". Though some have speculated that he was a Colonel in the English Army, there is no evidence to support this.
Garland Avent believed that the Avents emigrated to England from Brittany, France. Had no proof of this, however. Has visited 'Pont Aven' in Brittany.
Concerning allegations that Thomas Avent was a Huguenot:
"A letter dated 30 September 1969 from Herbert A. Elliot, Registrar of "The Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia: to Mrs. Travis H. Clark, R. 1, box 28, Moorehead, MS, 38761 states, "I know of no proof that Colonel Thomas Avent was of Huguenot descent, in fact, all available evidence indicates that he was not."
Another letter from Mr. Elliot to Mrs. Clark dated 14 November 1970 states, "I have examined the Avent record you left with me Sunday before last as presented by the Nanticoke Chapter to the NSDAR 1 March 1948. [These are the five pages of charts drawn by John Smith Avant, which on page one state Joseph Avent was born in France and descended from the Conde, Freeman and Bartlett lines.] An example of inaccuracy in the papers you left with me, the names given are all English names and no French names. This paper has Joseph Avant born in Brunswick County, Virginia Colony August 24, 1720. Officially there was no Brunswick County until 1732. A check of the records of Albemarle county did not list the name of Avant or any variation of the name. chronologically the Virginia and French references contained on page one of the records are perfect, but historically, they are completely inaccurate...I do not know who compiled the records or the source from which they are taken, but I suspect that this is the work of Sandy Miller...it is a complete fake." This same opinion was independently reached by Charles H. Hamlin about a year later. English genealogist, P. WIlson Coldham comes to the same conclusion.
Thomas Avent is frequently referred to as "Colonel". Though some have speculated that he was a Colonel in the English Army, there is no evidence to support this.
Garland Avent believed that the Avents emigrated to England from Brittany, France. Had no proof of this, however. Has visited 'Pont Aven' in Brittany.
Concerning allegations that Thomas Avent was a Huguenot:
"A letter dated 30 September 1969 from Herbert A. Elliot, Registrar of "The Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia: to Mrs. Travis H. Clark, R. 1, box 28, Moorehead, MS, 38761 states, "I know of no proof that Colonel Thomas Avent was of Huguenot descent, in fact, all available evidence indicates that he was not."
Another letter from Mr. Elliot to Mrs. Clark dated 14 November 1970 states, "I have examined the Avent record you left with me Sunday before last as presented by the Nanticoke Chapter to the NSDAR 1 March 1948. [These are the five pages of charts drawn by John Smith Avant, which on page one state Joseph Avent was born in France and descended from the Conde, Freeman and Bartlett lines.] An example of inaccuracy in the papers you left with me, the names given are all English names and no French names. This paper has Joseph Avant born in Brunswick County, Virginia Colony August 24, 1720. Officially there was no Brunswick County until 1732. A check of the records of Albemarle county did not list the name of Avant or any variation of the name. chronologically the Virginia and French references contained on page one of the records are perfect, but historically, they are completely inaccurate...I do not know who compiled the records or the source from which they are taken, but I suspect that this is the work of Sandy Miller...it is a complete fake." This same opinion was independently reached by Charles H. Hamlin about a year later. English genealogist, P. WIlson Coldham comes to the same conclusion.
Marr Datebef 1702
Marr PlaceNorthampton County, Virginia