Lee County Georgia Wills - Thomas J. Avera Submitted by Len Avera lavera@netdoor.com 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. The following is an exact transcript of his will. HIS WILL WILL OF THOMAS JEFFERSON AVERA I, Thomas J. Avera, of the County and State Aforesaid being in feeble health, but sound and disposing mind and memory do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament.-- I have sold the Stock of Goods now owned by me to my Brother D. G. Avera, he to pay my Executor the cash price of the same, and my brother is to have the use of the store-house as long as he wants it.-- It is my Will that my beloved Wife Keep my property together, and use her best discretion in renting out the Same from year to year for the benefit of her and my children, to Keep, Raise and Educate them out of the Rents and profits of the property and such collections as may be made out of my Notes and accounts.-- I hereby appoint my beloved Wife Harriet and my brother D. G. Avera as the Executors of my Will, and also as Guardians of my Children without Bond or Security. It is my Will that my property all be kept together till my youngest child becomes of age and then to be sold or divided as the heirs think best: to be divided share and share alike between my Wife and each of my Children making Four shares of the property. It is my Will that my Nephew Jeff Avera be Educated and maintained with my children till he reaches the age of Twenty - One. Witness my hand and Seal, this 17th day of January 1874. Signed, Sealed and declared by Thomas J. Avera as his Last Will and Testament in presence of us when signed the same in his presence as Witnesses at his request and in the presence of each other C. H. Wooten W. J. Sears T. J. Avera -- S. S. G. W. Warnick