The children of John Averett, Jeremiah Averett and Benjamin Averett are not well documented. Based on circumstantial evidence in most cases, it is assumed that he may have had the following children: David Averett, Matthew Averett, Drury Averett and Allen Averett.

Matthew Averett: Matthew and David were the administrators of John's will. Both had plantations on John's land on Little Ogeechee River. Extensive dna matches confirm Matthew's relationship with other descendants of John.

Burke Co GA was formed in Feb 5, 1777 from St George Parish.

Matthew Averett son of John Averett and Unknown was born c. 1784 in Burke Co, GA.^1,2,3

Washington Co GA was formed in Feb 25, 1784 from Wilkes Co and Creek indian lands ceded in 1783. Thanks to several courthouse fires and General Sherman, very few official records still exist for early Washington Co GA.Washington Co GA was formed in Feb 25, 1784 from Wilkes Co and Creek indian lands ceded in 1783. Thanks to several courthouse fires and General Sherman, very few official records still exist for early Washington Co GA.

Hancock Co GA was formed in Dec 17,1793 from Washington and Greene Counties. The courthouse burned down in October of 2014.

1790-1810: The first three census schedules for Georgia are missing. A total of seventeen volumes of 1790-1820 censuses were lost by the federal government, evidently before 1895, and the cause is unknown. Georgia law did not require marriages to be recorded until 1805.

Matthew lived in 1803 Hancock Co in Hancock Co, GA.⁴

Baldwin Co GA was formed in May 11,1803 from Creek Indian lands. Additional Creek Indian land was added in Jun 26 1806. Land from Hancock was added in 1807 and from Washington in 1812 and 1826. Baldwin lost land in 1807 to Jones, Morgan, Putnam, and the first Randolph Co (now Jasper).

In 1804 Matthew Averett owned 200 acres in the tax list for Williamson Swamp, Capt Dixons District, Hancock Co.. 2-18.

In the Land Lottery in Georgia in 1805,

Hancock: Matthew Everritt - B (not married). Drawers were: Greene Co: John Averet #312

Hancock Co: Matthew Everritt #191, David Everett #192, John Everrett #193, Archelaus Everet #215, Jeremiah Everrett #218, Robert Striplin #913

Warren Co: William Averett #603

Washington Co: Benjamin Averett #638, Henry Averett #674

Location is where they lived between May 1803 and Mar 1 1804 when they registered. None of these individuals received land..⁴

Matthew Averett age 21 married Kizziah Miller age 15 daughter of James Miller and Leannah Horton in 1805 in Hancock Co, GA. NOTE: Marriages in Georgia were not required to be recorded until 1806. Matthew was single at the time the list was created for the 1805 land lottery and married at the time of the 1806 land lottery.⁵

In the Land Lottery in Capt Thomas Dist, Hancock Co, GA in 1806,. Drawers were: Matthew Averet 2 draws, Jeremiah Averett 2 draws, John Averett 2 draws, Archelaus Averett 2 draws, David 2 draws..^6,7

On Aug 2, 1807 in Hancock Co, GA, Matthew Averett. drawn for the next term of the Petit Jury.⁸

Jones Co GA was formed in Dec 10,1807 from Baldwin Co. Land was added in 1810 from Putnam Co.

In 1810 Matthew Averett owned acres in the tax list for ,,.^9,10

On Feb 7, 1810 John Averett sold Jane Walker 150 acres on Little Ogeechee River in Hancock Co, GA. Adjacent property owners: David Averett , Matthew Averett. Witnesses: Isaac Vinson. Original grantee: Eleazer Comens.DB K 214. Part of the tracts of land granted to John Averett and Eleaser Comens. SB's F337-1 and O8-1. Beginning at a stake on the Little Ogeechee (being the lower side of the tract of land out of which this was taken) and running a direct course to a fence that formerly divided Matthew Averett and David Averett's plantations.

In 1811 Matthew Averett owned 50 acres on Walnut Creek in the tax list for Capt Evan's Dist, Jones Co, GA. Adjacent to Unknown Simmons. , Unknown Billingslea. Original grantee Unknown Blunt. Jeremiah Averett on same tax list.^11,12

On Jun 3, 1811 in Hancock Co, GA for the estate of John Averett dec'd, Administrators were David Averett and Matthew Averett Any three of the appraisers, James Miller, William Cureton, Thomas Dixon, Archibald Averett and West Vinson are to be selected as appraisors.¹³

On Jun 4, 1811 in Hancock Co, GA for the estate of John Averett dec'd, the appraised value of the estate was $391 and contained no slaves.. Administrators were Matthew Averett and David Averett. Appraisers were James Miller, Thomas Dixon and Archibald Averett.¹⁴

On Jun 4, 1811 in Hancock Co, GA at the estate sale of John Averett in Hancock Co, GA, Matthew Averett purchased 1 saddle $8.25, 1 saw set $.18 Purchasers included Archibald Averett, Henry Averett, Matthew Averett, David Averett, Jeremiah Averett, Burrell Rachels, Benjamin Averett and Mary Averett Administrators: Matthew Averett and David Averett.

An estate sale for John Averett was held on Jun 4, 1811 in Hancock Co, GA. Administrators were Matthew Averett and David Averett.

On Nov 4, 1811 in Hancock Co, GA for the estate of John Averett dec'd, on thier giving bond and security of five thousand dollars, David Averett and Matthew Averett were appointed as administrators. Any three of the individuals,, are to be selected as appraisers.¹³

On Oct 6, 1812 in Hancock Co, GA. account of sale of real estate of John Averett, dec'd: 5 properties sold bringing $400, $155, $413, $166, $230.25 for a total of $1,365.25. (NOTE: Source does not link each cost with a land description).. Signed by administrators David Averett and Matthew Averett.¹⁴

In Jul, 1813 Matthew Averett sold Charles Medlock 566 3/4 acres on Griffin's Branch in Hancock Co, GA. Adjacent property owners: Unknown Kendall, William Curry and John Parker. DB L 50.¹⁵

On Jul 5, 1813 in Hancock Co, GA for the estate of John Averett dec'd, administrators were David Averett and Matthew Averett. returned an account of land sales amounting to thirteen hundred and sixty-four dollars and twenty five cents.¹³

Monroe Co (Indian territory) was formed in 1815 from Creek Indian lands ceded in 1814.

Matthew was the head of household in the in 1816 census for in Monroe Co, Mississippi Territory. : Mathew Averit- males 2>21 (Matthew) (and John?, see 1820 census for Wilcox Co ), 1<21 (William); females 1>21 (Kizziah), 1<21 (Sarah Mary); 2 slaves.^9,16,17

On Mar 8, 1817 David Averett and Matthew Averett sold Drury Averett 300 acres on Little Ogeechee River in Hancock Co, GA. Adjacent property owners: Jacob Carter , Amos Hicks, Elijah Worthen. Witnesses: Thomas Cheely, William Rachels and William Cureton. Original grantee: John Averett and Richard Worthen. DB M 293/296.

Matthew Averett was a resident in 1817 tax list for the Alabama Territory.¹⁷

In 1818 in Monroe Co, AL, election precincts were established at Choctaw Bluff, Fort Claiborne,Little (Lower) Standing Peach Tree, and at the house of Mr. Hays near Burnt Corn; one at Nicholson's store on Pigeon Creek in 1819; and in 1821 at the house of Joses Parker.¹⁸

In 1819, Matthew was in the Cherokee Nation of Alabama.¹⁹

Wilcox Co AL was formed on Dec 13, 1819 from Dallas and Monroe Counties.

The 1820 census for Monroe Co no longer exists so there is no 1820 record for Matthew Averett In the 1820 census for in Wilcox Co, AL is J Averit: males 2> 21, males 1 <21; females 1> 21, 3<21; no slaves. Could this be John Jr?²⁰

On Dec 19, 1820 in Hancock Co, GA personally came and appeared before me, James Miller (Kizziah's father)., and...sayeth on oath, that he is informed by his family, that he gave to Matthew Averett, of the Alabama state, a note of hand of $600... and this deponent further states that he was out of his senses at the time... and that said note was fraudulently obtained. (Signed) James (his X mark) Miller, Sr. Sworn to before me,the 10th day of November, 1820. (Signed) Thomas Latimer, J.P (Source: GJ).²¹

On Dec 26, 1822 in Monroe Co, AL at the home of Matthew Averett an election precinct was to be established.¹⁸

Randolph Co GA was formed on Dec 20, 1828 from Lee Co.

In 1829 in Randolph Co, GA, Matthew Averett was Justice of the Peace.²²

Matthew Averett was the Head of Household in the census in 1830 in Randolph Co, GA. Matthew Averett males 1<5 (1825-1830 Mathew Jr), 1 30-40(1790-1800 Mathew Sr), 1 40-50 (1780-1800), females 2<5 (1825-1830 Martha & Ann Eliza), 1 30-40(1790-1800 Kezziah), 14 slaves. Where is Louisa?²³

Stewart Co GA was formed in Dec 23, 1830 from Randolph Co.

On Aug 2, 1831 in Stewart Co, GA, Matthew Averett was one of the people who petioned for establishing a ferry on the Chattahoochee River on a fraction of lot 287 in the 22nd District.²⁴

In Dec, 1831 Stewart Co, it was ordered by the Inferior Court proceedings that a ferry be established across the Chattahoochee River near Fielding Sharp's Landing in Stewart Co, the said Sharpe giving bond and security in terms of law and giving Matthew Averett as security for keeping in repair a good ferry across the Chattahoochee River. Matthew Averett operated one of the first ferries across the river as no record of its establishment has been found, the permit must have been issued when this area was still in Lee County. Early records of Lee Co were destroyed by fire in 1857.²⁵

In Jan, 1832 in Stewart Co, GA, reviewers were appointed to report of the utility of a road from Daniel McLeod's fraction 287 in the 22nd Dist to Caleb Averett and Matthew Averett's road.²⁴

On Feb 6, 1832 in in Russell Co, AL, Fielding Sharp, Matthew Averett, William Hillard and Thomas Newlin were appointed commissioners to review and mark out the best road from Fielding Sharp's ferry to Daniel McLeod's Ferry.²⁴

Barbour Co AL was established on Dec 18 1832 from former Creek Indian lands and a portion of Pike County.

In the 1832 land lottery of, GA drawers were Matthew Averett lot #1110, sec 3, dist 4 in Cherokee Co.²⁶

Near Stewart Co in GA, Matthew Averett built a beautiful home, before Omaha was settled. He and his family lived there a number of years before moving across the river to Jernigan, AL which at that time was in Barbour Co AL.²⁴

Russell Co AL was formed in 1832 primarily from Creek Indian Lands.

Btw 1833 and 1834 in Stewart Co, GA, Matthew Averett was Justice of the Peace.²⁴

In 1836 Matthew bought land in Barbour Co AL from the Indians when they signed a treaty with the US government..

On Apr 5, 1837, Matthew Averett received a land grant for 80 acres, E2SE Section 24 Township 13N Range 29E. acres in , Russell Co, AL.. 80 acres, E2SE Section 24 Township 13N Range 29E.

On Apr 8, 1837, Matthew Averett received a land grant for granted 80 acres, W2SE Section 24 T13N R 29E acres in , Russell Co, AL.. granted 80 acres, W2SE Section 24 T13N R 29E.

On Feb 5, 1838, Matthew Averett received a land grant for 40 acres, SE4 SE4 Section 3 T 15N R30E acres in , Russell Co, AL.. 40 acres, SE4 SE4 Section 3 T 15N R30E.

In 1838 in in Stewart Co, GA, Matthew was appointed as a trustee for the newly built Florence Female Academy.²⁴

In 1838 in Stewart Co, GA, Matthew Averett was one of the purchasers at the estate sale of Willis Barrington.

On May 20, 1839 in in Stewart Co, GA, Matthew Averett. of Stewart Co conveyed to the Florence Bridge Co of GA for $1000 a parcel of land on the west bank of the Chattahoochy(sp) River in Barbour Co AL for the abutment of a bridge to be built across the river opposite the town of Florence Georgia. The bridge was destroyed by flood waters in 1846 and the people returned to using ferries.²⁵

Matthew Averett was the Head of Household in the census on Jun 1, 1840 in Barbour Co, AL. Mathew Averett p 33/80 males 1 10-15 (1825-1830 Mathew Jr), 1 20-30(1810-1820 unknown not in 1830 census), 1 40-50 (1790-1800 Mathew Sr); females 1 10-15 (Ann Eliza 1825-1830), 1 50-60 (1780-1790 Kezziah).²⁷

He bought a considerable amount of land in Barbour Co and also in Russell Co AL. It is said that he owned six square miles, three miles wide,running north and south on the Chattahoochee River. He built a home at Jernigan. Part of this old home is standing today and is owned by his descendants.

There were several ferries crossing the Chattahoochee during the1840's. Matthew Averett owned one of them. Two lawsuits were filed against Matthew and he lost both.

In the slave census in 1850 in Barbour Co, AL Matthew owned. 48 slaves.

Matthew was the head of household in the in 1850 census for in Division 23, Barbour Co, AL. Matthew 65 GA farmer, Keziah 60 GA, Washington 21 GA, Martha 25 AL.. He was listed near William Averit, Mathew Averett Jr, and John McLendon.¹

On Mar 1, 1851, Matthew was listed as the land owner of Section 13, 14, and 24 of Township 13 Range 29 and Section 18Townsip 12 Range 30. in in Russell Co, AL. Section 13, 14, and 24 of Township 13 Range 29 and Section 18Townsip 12 Range 30.

On Oct 1, 1851, Matthew Averett received a land grant for 40 acres, NW4 NE4 of section 22 in Township 13N Range 29E acres in , Russell Co, AL.. 40 acres, NW4 NE4 of section 22 in Township 13N Range 29E.

On Oct 1, 1851, Matthew Averett received a land grant for 40 acres, NE4 NE4 of section 22 T13N R29E acres in , Russell Co, AL.. 40 acres, NE4 NE4 of section 22 T13N R29E.

On Oct 1, 1851, Matthew Averett received a land grant for 80 acres, W2SE of section 24 T13N R29E acres in , Russell Co, AL.. 80 acres, W2SE of section 24 T13N R29E.

His wife, Kizziah Miller, died c. 1851 at 61 years of age.¹

Matthew Averett age 68 married Sarah Ann Day age 46 daughter of John Day and Elizabeth WoJohnDay on Nov 4, 1852 in Russell Co, AL. The ceremony was peformed by W. Brown, Justice of the Peace on Nov 4, 1852. Matthew made improvements to Sarah's home where they continued to reside for five years until Matthew died in 1857.²⁸

In 1853 in Russell Co, Alabama, Matthew Averett was operating a ferry across the Chattahoochee River near the Georgia town of Florence. The State of Alabama had granted Matthew the right to operate the ferry. Matthew owned the land on the Alabama side of the river. However Matthew did not have a charter from the State of Georgia to operate the ferry. The State of Georgia had granted A W Hill of Florence GA the right to build a similar ferry. The people using Hill's ferry had to use Averett's road on the Alabama side to leave the river. Averett built a gate across his road in order to collect a toll if people were using Hill's ferry instead of his own. People would often break the lock on Averett's gate to keep from paying the toll to use Averett's road. Once, [WO], and ? Mies, the overseer hide in ambush to keep people from using the gate without paying. They fired upon a group of people attempting to use Averett's gate without paying. A man named Sikes was mortally wounded, Robert Warhek, Samuel Driggers, Nathaniel Roach and his five year old son were all injured as they were going through the gate. That night eight men from Georgia helped Roach and his wounded son to cross the river to get back to their home in Alabama. As they were pushing off from the Alabama bank to return to Georgia, they were fired upon and seven of the eight were wounded, one thought to be mortally.

Columbus Enquirer Sun pages on-line Jun 10, 1856 pg 2 The Outrage at Florence

The Times & Sentinel has been furnished by a correspondent at Glennville, Ala, with a particular account of the horrible tragedy which occurred opposite Florence on the Chattahoochee river, on the 2d inst [Jun 2 1856]. The outrage, as reported by this correspondent, seems to have been so unprovoked and dastardly, that our neighbor takes occasion to say, "the communication is from a trustworthy quarter, but we think it more than probably that our correspondent has heard but one side of the matter." Later intelligence, however, seems to confirm the account and advises us also that some of the guilty parties have been arrested. We copy the following particulars from the letter to the Times:

For some years, Matthew Averett has been keeping a ferry at Florence, on the Chattahoochee river, without a charter from the State of Georgia. In 1853, A.W. Hill, Esq of Florence, GA applied for and obtained a Charter from Georgia, for a ferry at that place, and opened a road on his own land, on this side of the river, leading into the old Florence road, and stopped the road leading from Averett's ferry on the Georgia side; whereupon Averett erected a toll gate across the Florence road on the Alabama side, and demanded and collected the same toll as he would have received at the ferry. The authority upon which Averett claims the right to do this is an order of Commissioners' Court of Barbour Co Ala. granted to him in 1848, to erect a toll gate at the terminus of the Florence road on the west side of the Chattahoochee River and collect toll there at, and forbid any person to interfere with said gate within one half a mile on either side up and down the river. He has erected under the order a gate several hundred yards back from the river, just at the point where Hill's road intersects the old road. Many persons have paid the toll and many have refused to do so, but have removed the obstruction and passed. The matter has been agitated for some time, and the citizens on both sides of the river have become much excited, and have repeatedly torn down the gate. On yesterday, several of Averett's relatives and his overseer armed themselves with double-barrel guns and proceeded to the gate, to guard it, and prevent persons from passing without paying toll. The names of said persons I understand to be William R. Cliatt, John McClendon, William McClendon, James McClendon, Wilson B. Averett, Early David Averett and Miles the overseer. Upon their arrival, they secreted themselves behind a fence in an adjoining field. Soon after they arrived there, Nathaniel Roach, with his little son 5 years old, Robert Warhek, Samuel Driggers, and a man named Sykes, arrived at the gate and were about to pass through when the men fired on them from their place of concealment. At the first fire Mr. Roach's little boy was wounded in the neck and body--supposed to be mortally. Sykes was also shot down, mortally wounded. Roach, in endeavoring to save his child, by holding his own back to them, received a great many shots and is severely hurt. Warhek was wounded dangerously. Driggers was shot in the arm, but not dangerously. Driggers was the only man in the attacked party armed and his gun would not fire until too late to be any good. You can better imagine than we can describe the excitement which prevails after such a shocking outrage. The officer, with a posse, is in search of the offenders, and anticipates some trouble in arresting them. All are well armed, and should they resist, more blood will be shed. The community will see that the law is executed. A Friend to Order P.S. Glennville, [Alabama] June 3 11 o'clock a.m. A letter has just been received by Mr. J.M. White from Florence, GA, stating that five more men had passed Averett's gate last night about dark, and on arriving at Hill's ferry, got into the flat to cross the river. Soon after they had pushed out into the stream they were fired on by some persons concealed in the bushes on the bank, and were severely wounded. We have not learned the names of the persons shot, or the extent of their injuries. The persons shot were some gentlemen from Georgia, who had volunteered to escort Mr. Roach, with his wounded child, home, and were attacked on their return. Five O'clock p.m. Further particulars have been received. There were eight men on the flat when fired on last night, of which seven were wounded -- one though to be mortally. I must close as the mail closes. I cannot say what will be the result. "The end is not yet". Some of our young men, who went out with the officer, have not yet returned and I hope will not, until Right, Justice, Peace and Order are restored.

Matthew died on Jul 27, 1857 in Barbour Co, AL.² He was buried in Averett-Cliatt Cem, Russell Co, AL. Find A Grave Memorial # is His grave is marked with an impressively tall obelisk mounted on a table topped slab, a typical fashion marker of that period. There is an iron fence enclosing the grave. Although there are several crosses in the cemetery, there are only 3 marked graves, Matthew, his son-in-law, William Cliatt, and William's wife and Matthew's daughter, Louisa Averett Cliatt.²⁹

Matthew Averett appeared in the agricultural census in 1860 in Eastern Division, Barbour Co, Alabama. It is listed as an estimate, probably given by William Averett, who is on the line directly above. 1000 acres of improved land, 2000 acres unimproved, farm value $24,000, $200 farm machinery value, no horses, 18 asses/mules, 12 milch cows, 10 oxen, 35 other cattle, 108 sheep, 250 swine, livestock $4400, 2000 bushes of Indian corn, 250 bales of cotton, 200 lbs of wool, 200 bushels peas/beans, 500 bushels of sweet potatoes, 200 lbs of butter, livestock $1000.³⁰

Alabama land patents for Matthew Averett

Kizziah Miller was the daughter of James Miller Sr. (1723-1822) and Leannah Horton (c. 1761-aft1832). She and Matthew Averett had the following children:

Sarah Ann Day²⁸ was the daughter of John Day (1773-1854) and Elizabeth WoJohnDay (1773-1855).