Lee County Georgia Biographies - Thomas J. Avera


Submitted by Len Avera  lavera@netdoor.com
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THOMAS JEFFERSON AVERA
Born about 1838 - Died January 18, 1874

Thomas Jefferson Avera was born in Houston County, Georgia about 1838 to William and 
Elizabeth Avera.  He was obviously named after one of this country's great statesmen, 
Thomas Jefferson.
In 1852 Thomas Jefferson's father William Avera died leaving his wife, Elizabeth and 
eleven children, six of whom were not of age.
On December 4, 1854, DAVID AVERA, brother of William and the Uncle of Thomas Jefferson 
was named Guardian of Thomas Jefferson, Mary E. Avera, Benjamin F. Avera, Sarah J. Avera 
and Daniel G. Avera.  Security was posted by James Asberry Avera and William R. Avera,
 older brothers of the above children.  Bond was posted in the amount of $3500.00. 

SOURCE FOR THIS INFORMATION IS THE GUARDIAN BONDS BOOK "C" 1853-1855 & 1863-1866 
CRAWFORD COUNTY, GEORGIA, PAGE 35.	 
Thomas Jefferson later move to Renwick, Lee County, Georgia which was renamed Smithville, 
Georgia in 1857 and incorporated as a town in 1863. Even earlier it was named Branchville.

Thomas Jefferson had a brother, Willis F. Avera, living in Renwick (Smithville) at the
time, who was postmaster and owned a Mercantile business.  Willis F. Avera died sometime 
in the first part of 1858 and James A. Avera, brother of Thomas Jefferson Avera and 
Willis F. Avera, was the administrator of the estate.  Willis never married and was 
only about thirty years old when he died.  It is believed that Thomas Jefferson Avera 
bought the Mercantile business from the estate, or possibly was even left the business 
by his brother Willis.
Around 1860, Thomas Jefferson married and had three sons.  His wife's name was Mary Jane
 Marsh and his three sons were: Charles McGruder, born November 11, 1861, J. Byron, born
 about 1864 and William Thomas, born about 1866.
At this time it is not known exactly what happened to Mary Marsh Avera but a strong 
belief is that she must have died either during or shortly after the birth of their 
third son, William Thomas.
It is apparent, by reading his will and estate papers, that Thomas Jefferson acquired 
quite a bit of property in the Smithville area during the next fifteen or sixteen years, 
prior to his death in 1874.
Thomas Jefferson Avera married Harriet Cochran on July 13, 1870 and they remained married
 until Thomas Jefferson passed away on January 18, 1874, leaving his entire estate to 
Harriet and his children with Harriet as administrator. He is buried in the City Cemetery 
of Smithville, Georgia.