Benjamin Ward Avent Jr. was born to his namesake and Nancy Taylor Lytle.  Not much is known about his schooling.

Ben enlisted on April 1861 in the Company I, 1st Tennessee Infantry (CSA), detailed on special duty in medical department. The Rutherford Rifles (Company I, 1st Tennessee Infantry) was organized in Rutherford County with William Ledbetter, Jr., as captain.  They spent one week in daily drills in and about Murfreesboro.  On May 2, 1861, they met on Depot Hill to leave for Nashville, where they arrived at 11 a.m.  They marched around the square in Nashville to the tune of "Annie Laurie."  They were mustered into Confederate service on August 1, 1861.  The outfit fought at Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Kennesaw Mountain, the Atlanta campaign, and in Hood's invasion of Tennessee." 

After the war, Benjamin Avent served in law enforcement.  The Monitor newspaper states, "Murder of Benj. Avent:  This young gentleman, son of Dr. B. W. Avent, formerly of this city, was murdered near Holly Springs, Mississippo, on Sunday night last, by a desperado whom he attempted to arrest.

The Monitor, November 28, 1868, p. 3.