Notes:

from Avant, SCF:
John Avent b. ca 1706 or before, d testate 1755, Justice 1754, m. Margaret wo m. 2nd Lewis Soloman...issue as by Guardian Account records:

John - b. 16 Mar 1745
Thomas - b. 12 Jan 1743, m. Rebecca
William - b. 15 Apr 1748
James - b. 19 Nov 1752
Peter - b. 4 Feb 1749, d testate 1780 naming brothers Benjamin, John, James and sister Elizabeth Massie
Benjamin - exec of will of Lewis soloman in 1795, m. 1786 Lucy Grizzard
Elizabeth - b. 13 Mar 1739, m. Massie
Mary - no data

Notes:

"Justice" in 1754. "Sussex Co., VA, Order Book (1754-1756)" - John Avent qualified as 'Justice'. Ibid. (1754-1807), p.1 - 30 May 1754, John Avent listed as one of the 'Justices' presiding.

On 13 Oct 1727 he received a grant of land in Brunswick Co., VA (Land Patent Book 13:179), so must have been born on or before 1706.

Sussex Co., VA Will Book "A" (1754-1764) p. 36:

Last Will and Testament of John Avent, of Albemarle Parish, Sussex Co., VA, dated 18 Aug 1755, proved 10 Nov 1755. Mentions son John, wife Margaret

John married Margaret Unknown Bef 1738, Unknown. Margaret was born BET. 1701 - 1727; died BET. 1755 - 1815. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married Lewis Solomon after the death of John Avent.

Notes:

Athelia Keziah likely not a daughter, but not sure where else to put her. One unattributed source states she was dau. of John Avent, so here she is. Mentioned in will of Col. Thomas Avent, so must be somehow related. Keziah (spelled various ways) was not an uncommon surname in Northampton & Halifax counties, NC, so possibly she was adopted.

The other 8 children named here are listed in "Sussex Co., VA, Guardian Accts (1754-), pp 26-27 as orphans of John Avent & gives their guardians.

Birthdates of children come from Albemarle Parish records.

Wife Margaret married Lewis Solomon after death of John Avent.

Notes:

The webmaster was recently (August 2021) matched up with a DNA relative on Livingdna (a UK based company specializing in British DNA). This connection was born in Devon from a Devon-based family and according to her records she is a 10X great granddaughter of John Avent and Suzan Luckrofte (g-grandparents of Thomas Avent).

The webmaster believes that this is pretty conclusive proof that Thomas Avent was from Devon and is the same person as the one listed in the St. Werburgh’s Church baptism record of 1670/71.

=======================================

Contrary to widely-held belief, there is no evidence whatsoever that his wife was named Margaret Elizabeth Gooch, and the webmaster is virtually certain that the Gooch connection is entirely false, since there is no known evidence that Margaret Elizabeth Gooch ever existed, much less that she was Col. Thomas' wife. All we know from the record is that her name was Elizabeth. Any evidence as to her identity would be gratefully appreciated.

Feb 2017: the webmaster ran across some unattributed info online that Thomas' wife was Elizabeth Riggan (or Regan). No proof to back it up, but a little research did turn up that there was an Elizabeth Riggan/Regan, b. ca 1681 in Surry Co., VA. Parents were Daniel Riggan, b. 1626, Co. Cork, Ireland, d. 1686 Surry Co., and Elizabeth (possibly) Wilson b. 1635, m. 1660 in Isle of Wight, VA, d. 1726, Surry Co., VA.
=============================================
1702--appears on list of Surry Co., VA, tithables (as "Thomas Avon" - could this be how he pronounced the name? In modern Devonshire, England, though, they pronounce the name exactly as American Avents do; sort of rhyming with 'playpen'.) living on plantation of a John Nicholls. Source: Boddie (see below)

1714--appears in records of Surry Co., VA.
1716--Chowan Precinct NC lists his wife as Elizabeth.
July 1716 - sells land in Chowan Precinct, NC, below Mt Royall on Morattock (modern day Roanoke) River
1716-land grant in Surry.
1718-land grant in Surry
1718--sold land to Richard Moore.
Elizabeth Avent relinquished her right to this land.
1729--land in Surry.
1728--land in Greensville.
1741--land in Brunswick.
1741--appeared at court in Southwark Parish, Surry Co., VA.
1746--of Northampton Co, sells land to Vincent Vaughon
1747--sells land to James McManus of Edgecombe, land on Pea Hill Creek, Northampton Co., NC

--timeline courtesy of Ms. Gerry Hill

Col. Thomas Avent named as a colonel of militia in Sussex County records (Court Order 1:212, 14 July 1755). He was a Presiding Justice of the Surry Court in 1741 (Surry County Order Book [1741-1744],p. 1),

Justice of Sussex Co 1753-54. Vestryman of Albemarle Parish, Sheriff of Sussex Co. in Sussex Co. Virginia records (Court Orders 1:212, 14 July 1755). Had patents for over 6000 acres of land in VA. Owned land in NC.

Death recorded in the Albemarle Parish register 1739-78, p. 164, that he died in Sussex Co., 31 October 1757, age 86. His son, William Avent being the informant.

Will of Thomas Avent, written 21 September 1756, Sussex County, VA, probated 18 November 1757, Will Book A., p. 80. Devises land to his son, William Avent in Sussex Co., VA and in Northampton County, NC and also appoints him an executor.

"Son, William; son, Peter; grandson Thomas Avent son of John, dcd; granddau Elizabeth Massey, dau of son John , dcd; five granddaughters (who are the daughters of son, Thomas dcd); dau, Mary Vincent wife of Thomas; dau Sarah Fox wife of William" src: W. B. A. P. 80, Va Hist Mag Jan 1911, pg 46.

[pg 016][Sussex Co. Will Book "A" 1754-1764]
(p. 222) Account of Estate of Col. Thomas Avent by Thomas Vinson, executor, shows payments to Mrs.
Atheliah Keziah Norris, John Dorch, Matthew Walden, Rev. John Noverion, Joseph Carter, Mr. Peter Avent, the children of Thomas Avent, Jr., decd., Dr. Samuel Peete, Capt. John Machin, Lewis Solloman, William Hyx, sheriff of Lunenburg Co for quitrents on 6904 acres, Mr. Major Tiller, Mr. Joseph Prince, Rev. William Willis, Capt. James Wyche, Mrs. Elizabeth Eldridge, Mrs. Sarah Underwood, Col. John Willis, Matthew Waldin, Mr. Ingram Blanks, Mr. James Stewart, John Barlow, cash from the sale of 304 acres and 390 acres in Lunenburg Co and William Doby. 19 Nov 1761

Witness to will of John Barlow in 1727, Surry. Witness to will of Nicholas Brewer in 1729, Surry. Witness to will of Edward Clarke in 1713, Surry. Witness to will of Joseph Kimball in 1713, Surry. Witness to will of James Mayo in 1725, Surry . Witness to will of Lewis Solomon in 1742 in Surry. 1702 listed on Surry, Tithables.

REGISTER OF ALBEMARLE PARISH, SURRY AND SUSSEX COUNTIES, 1739-1779, Gertrude R.B. Richards, 195 8, p. 214.

SOME COLONIAL AND REVOLUTIONARY FAMILIES OF NORTH CAROLINA, VOL. 1, Marilu Burch Smallwood, Washington, NC, 1964, pp. 7-9, 15, 21. Thomas Avent was Justice, Surry County, Virginia 1741, and a Captain of the Militia:

REGISTER OF ANCESTORS, THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE COLONIAL DAMES IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, Richmond, 1979, p. 3. VA. Records, 3 May, 1739… Thomas Avent refers to his importation "from Great Britain 38 years ago" (ie in 1701) and in which he states further that he has never before received the benefit of the Act of Assembly which allows 50 acres of land for every person imported from Great Britain.BRUNSWICK CO. VA. COURT ORDER BOOK 1 PAGE 241

(From Avant, SCF):
"This record causes us to reflect that Thomas Avent must have imported himself from Great Britain and paid his own passage, as otherwise he would not have been entitled to 50 acres of land. Since John Nicholls listed him as one of his headrights in the 1714 patent, Thomas Avent must have made another trip back to England after 1701 and before 1714, and it seems very possible that he may have been an agent or factor for John Nichols since he was living on his plantation."

He also spent some time in North Carolina. On 17 July 1716 Thomas Avent, weaver, acknowledged sales of land to Jacob Coleson, Robert Green and Richard Moore, his wife ELIZABETH, through her attorney in fact Robert Hicks, recouncing dower. (Chowan Co. Deed (1): 19-20) Although Thomas Avent had been in VIrginia more than ten years, on the 16th of December 1714 John Nickolls, gent. obtained a patent for land in Prnce George County for transport of several persons, including Thomas Avent.

(From Avant, SCF):
"Because these patents may have been sought years after the transportation took place, it is possible that Nickolls was in fact responsible for bringing Thomas Avent in 1701, in which the two men may have had a connection in England."

from "Sketches of Greensville County, Virginia, 1650-1967", Chapter II, "That Honest Man, Captain Hicks", Part II, By Douglas Summers Brown.

"...In March of 1720/21 he (Capt. Hicks) was at Williamsburg with Richard Kennon, Drury Stith, John and Robert Bolling when they were granted vast tracts of land in Prince George County. At the same time he and Thomas Avent were granted 2,000 acres on Roanoke River. After the business was over he and "Major Bolling" dined with William Byrd - "ate pie and after dinner talked till four" in the afternoon when they left."

On 31 October 1716 Thomas Avent paid 2 cash for a patent for 400 acres in Surry County. Land Patents 10:198.

It appears that son WILLIAM did not long outlive his father; his will, dated the 22nd of april 1760 and proved August 1761 (Northampton Co. Will 1:56) named as executors his wife (identified as SARAH AVENT in the probate act), WILLIAM RAGLAND (his son-in-law) and JOSEPH AVENT. His daughter REBECCA was bequeathed two Negro slaves -- she was well under age. North Carolina Wills, 1690-1760, page 12.

English Duplicates of Lost Virginia Records. List of Patents, page 107: 400 acres, Surry Co . To whom granted: Thomas Avent

1716. Chowan Deed Book B #1, Pages 357 – 363, # 901-905. (Per Garland Avent, Mount Royall was site of present-day Gaston, NC. "Morattock river" is now known as the Roanoke River.)

Thomas Avent of Chowan Precinct, weaver, transfers (1) 270 acres more or less at Mount Royall on Morattock river, joining Robert Green at ye mouth of a branch, to Jacob Coleson of Chowan Precinct, carpenter, for 4 Pounds;
(2) 370 acres more or less at Mount Royall at the mouth of the first branch, joining the branch next to the mouth of Morattock River as by patent to me July 29, 1712, to Robert Green of Chowan Precinct; for 10 Pounds
(3) 200 acres on Morattock, joining Nottaway Richard Moore and Richard Moore upon ye River, to Richard Moore of the Province of N.C. for 10 Pounds; and
(4) 240 acres more or less being part of a tract of land lying on the north side of Morattock river below Mount Royall which was surveyed for me the said Thomas Avent by Captain William Maule, Dept. Surveyor May 8, 1713 to Richard Moore of Nottaway River, planter, for 6 Pounds.

All four deeds are dated July 16, 1716 and are registered on August 6, 1716. Witnesses include Richard Moore () his mark , John Nairne, Henry Jones () his mark, Robert Green () his mark.

Elizabeth Avent of Surry County, Virginia, Spinster, also gives a letter of attorney dated July 12, 1716, to Robert Hicks of North Carolina to make over in her stead land at Mount Royal to Robert Green and Jacob Coleson and 200 acres to my neighbor Richard Moore and 240 acres to Richard Moore of Nottaway River. Witnesses to the letter of attorney are Henry Jones () his mark, and William Green () his mark.

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.

Land patent (ref VPB 18:531) dated 12 Mar 1739/40 to Clement Reade:

Land granted in compensation for "...importation of 10 persons to dwell in Virginia whose names are John Stevens, John Scott, John Jackson, Cornelius Keith, Marmaduke Johnson, Michael Cadet Young, Henry Morris, William Eaton, Patrick Dempsey and Thomas Avent and 45 shillings..."

Colonel Clement Reade (1707-1/2/1763 VA) married 1730, Lunenburg co., VA, Mary Hill (1709-1786VA). Mr. Reade served as First Clerk of Lunenburg County for 16 years. He was the King's attorney in Brunswich Co., VA, Vestryman at St. Andrew's Parish until the formation of Lunenburg county from Brunswich County in 1746-47. He with Colonel Byrd surveyed tracts in southern Virginia, a Burgess representative, and a Commissioner during the French and Indian War. He graduated from William and Mary College.
====
Various Avent/Devon records from http://www.a2a.org.uk/default.asp
(these may or may not have anything to do with the VA Avent family and/or Col. Thomas Avent.)

Plymouth and West Devon Record Office: Woollcombe of Hemerdon

WOOLLCOMBE OF HEMERDON

Catalogue Ref. 710
Creator(s):
Woollcombe family of Hemerdon, Devon

FAMILY
MARY WOOLLCOMBE I
Papers of the Avent Family
Testamentary
FILE [no title] - ref. 710/288 - date: 1698
[from Scope and Content] Probate copy will of Thomas Avent of Plympton Earle, weaver (will dated 4 May 1698)

DEEDS AND LEASES
section MIXED PARISHES AND MANORS
section Lands in Manor of Heligan, Trewoone, Tyndeale, p. St. Ewe, Mevagissey, Goran, Week St. Mary, St. Mewan, Ladock, Ruan Lanihorne, Veryan, Cuby, Tregoney also some lands in Devon

FILE - [no title] - ref. T/753/1-3 - date: 12th/13th. December, 1693

Contents
(VARIOUS NAMES)
John Avent, Inner Temple, gent.
Properties in Cornwall: Manor of Heligan, Heligan Mills, Poyles Heligan,.....many more
====
PROB Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
Division within PROB Exhibits
PROB 4 Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Other Probate Jurisdictions: Engrossed Inventories Exhibited from 1660

Record Summary
Scope and content

Avent, Thomas, of Plymouth, Devon, merchant, ob. intestate at Antegua, one of the Carrebia Islands on or about the beginning of June last, belonging to the ship "Tradesmens' Blessinge" of Plymouth
Covering dates 1686 2 June (1685)
Availability Open Document, Open Description, Normal Closure before FOI Act: 30 years
Former reference (Department) Admon
Held by
The National Archives, Kew
=====
E. Records of the Exchequer, and its related bodies, with those of the Office of First Fruits and Tenths, and the Court of Augmentations
Division within E Records of the King's Remembrancer
E 215 Exchequer: King's Remembrancer: Records of the Commissions on Fees, James I and Charles I
Subseries within E 215 PAPERS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CHARLES I
Subsubseries within E 215 Papers of Sub-Commissions

Record Summary
Scope and content
Devon Certificate by Thomas Avent, Steward of the Hundred of Plympton, of his fees.
Covering dates Rec. 11 Jan. 1629
Availability Open Document, Open Description, Normal Closure before FOI Act: 30 years
Held by
The National Archives, Kew
====
TITLE DEEDS
section DEVON
section Hemerdon and Bickfordtown
section Bickfordtown

FILE - [no title] - ref. 710/82 - date: 1697

Contents
Grant of annuity in lieu of jointure
1 Jane Avent, widow of Tristram Avent, of Plympton St Mary, gent
2 Tristram Avent, son of 1
Bickfordtown and Cholwill
Consideration: £20
=====
Brixton Feoffee Lands Charity Catalogue in Full

FILE - [no title] - ref. 1277/16 - date: 1594-1860
item: [no title] - ref. 1277/16/21 - date: 1 December 1661

Contents
Lease
i) Edward Fortescue of Spriddlestone esq., James Wood gent son and heir of Richard Wood of Hareston, Walter Stert [place illegible] gent, Thomas Maynard of Brixton gent, John Avent of Venn, yeoman, Robert Worth, Philip Avent, Richard Avent, Nicholas Winston, Andrew Avent and John Towson all of Brixton yeomen
ii) Joanne Wood of Brixton widow
Cottage garden and orchard in Brixton (see 1277/16/16)
Term: 99 years or 2 lives
Consideration: 40/-
Rent: 12/-
===
Kitley Estate, Yealmpton
Bastard family of Kitley, Devon

FILE - [no title] - ref. 74/82/1 - date: 1698

Contents
Release
1 Thomas Avent of Venn, Brixton, yeoman
2 Walter Stert and Thomas Stert of Brixton, gents, Walter Worth of Brixton, yeoman, John Philips of Thurlestone, yeoman, Andrew Phillips of Plymouth, gent and Bartholomew Avent of plymouth, merchant
3 John Avent of Inner Temple, London, gent, son of (1)
Chillaton, Aveton Gifford and messuage in Brixton town, Doddevens, East Sherford, both in Brixton
===
Shelly & Johns, Solicitors, Plymouth
Shelly and Johns, Plymouth, solicitors
section Modbury

FILE - [no title] - ref. 567/88/7a and b - date: 1697

Contents
Lease and release
1 Henry Avent, yeoman, and Mary Avent, widow, both of Modbury
2 Nicholas Avent of Modbury
3 Silvester Holditch of Slapton, yeoman
North Greenaven, Modbury
==
Brixton Feoffee Lands Charity, Brixton, Devon

FILE - [no title] - ref. 1277/16 - date: 1594-1860
item: [no title] - ref. 1277/16/34 - date: 3 April 1706

Contents
Lease
i) Edward Read of Brixton gent, Nicholas Winston, Walter Worth, Philip Avent, John Avent and John Stevens all of Brixton yeomen
ii) John Cole of Brixton, husbandman
House and garden in Brixton, as in 1277/16/29
Term: 99 years or 3 lives
Consideration: £3-2-6
Fine: 3/-
===
Kitley Estate, Yealmpton
Bastard family of Kitley, Devon

FILE - [no title] - ref. 74/123/15-16 - date: 1626

Contents
Assignment
1 Thomas Avent of Wifferton, Brixton
2 John Avent, his son
Property as above
===
WOOLLCOMBE OF HEMERDON
Woollcombe family of Hemerdon, Devon
section TITLE DEEDS
section DEVON
section Hemerdon and Bickfordtown
section Bickfordtown

FILE - [no title] - ref. 710/89 - date: 1702

damaged

Contents
Mortgage in £400
1 Tristram Avent of Bickfordtown, gent
2 Edward Avent of -, gent, brother of 1
Property as above
===
Brixton Feoffee Lands Charity, Brixton, Devon

FILE - [no title] - ref. 1277/16 - date: 1594-1860
item: [no title] - ref. 1277/16/24 - date: 20 May 1679

Contents
Lease
i) Edward Fortescue of Spriddleston esq., Walter Stert of Brixton gent, Thomas Maynard of Brixton gent, John Avent of Venn yeoman, Robert Worth, Nicholas Winston and John Towson all of Brixton yeomen
ii) Thomas Wood of Brixton husbandman
House, garden and orchard in Brixton (see 1277/16/21)
Term: 99 years or 2 lives
Consideration: 40/-
Rent: 12/-
--------------------------------------
Brunswick County, Virginia
Deed Book 5 (1751-1755)

Indenture made 26 March 1751, between Nathaniel Edwards of St. Andrew Parish, brunswick County, and John Irby of same, £100, 250a, on the Lick branch, being part of a larger tract of 1675a,
granted to Thomas Avent by Letters Patent dated 22 September 1739, and by the said Thomas Avent sold and conveyed to Charles Stewart and by the said Charles Stewart sold and conveyed to Charles Williams by deed dated 3 January 1744, and by the said Charles Williams and Benjamin his son sold and conveyed to Nathaniell Edwards by deeds dated 27 March 1749. Signed Nathaniell Edwards. Court 26 March 1751, Indenture and Memorandum acknowledged by Nathaniell Edwards. Deed Book 5, Page 63.

Thomas married Elizabeth Unknown bef. 1706, Unknown. Elizabeth died BET. 1755 - 1756. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Contrary to widely-held belief, there is no evidence whatsoever that his wife was named Margaret Elizabeth Gooch, and the webmaster is virtually certain that the Gooch connection is entirely false, since there is no known evidence that Margaret Elizabeth Gooch ever existed, much less that she was Col. Thomas' wife. All we know from the record is that her name was Elizabeth. Any evidence as to her identity would be gratefully appreciated.
================================
wife 'Elizabeth' relinquished her rights to property Thomas Avent sold in 1716. Only known reference to Thomas' wife. She was alive in 1755 when she witnessed the will of her son John Avent. (Sussex Co., Wills A:36), but she was apparently dead by the following year when not mentioned in the will of her husband.
===================================
Very skeptical of this, but include it for what it's worth:

from "Thomas Bell: Ulster Scot to South Carolina And Allied Families", compiled by Rufie Lee Williams, Allmond Printing company - Aberdeen,
Mississippi, copyright 1984, Library of Congress, pg. 388

Henry GOOCH may have died before the brother of his wife Jane made his will, 15 August 1687. Rev. Rowland JONES died 23 April 1688 and his will was proved 13 Dec 1688 at Yorktown. He made comfortable provision for his widow and four children, with handsome legacies to his sister, Jane GOOCH, and her children -- Henry, Rowland, Jane and Elizabeth. Jane's will is of record in King William County under the name of Joane GOUGH and bears date of February 1701/2. she mentions sons Henry and Rowland GOUGH, dt. Joane PEAKE, and son-in-law William GOUGH. On July 17 following, Henry and Rowland qualified as executors. In Colonial times, the term "son-in-law" meant stepson. Presumably, the daughter, Elizabeth, was deceased when the mother made her will. Elizabeth GOOCH married a Mr. DICKERSON and Jane or Joane married a Mr. PEEKE. In the 1704 quit Rent List for Virginia, I find listed in King William County: John PEEK, Thomas and William DICKASON -- each 100 acres. I was unable to find a listing in 1704 for anyone of the surname GOOCH - GOUGE, by any spelling.
The son, William GOUGE, of Lt. Col. Henry GOOCH and his first wife, Millicent (GOODWIN) KINSEY, was born about 1660-1662. He married Ursula
CLAIBORNE, grandaughter of Col. William CLAIBORNE born 1600 in England, to Virginia 1621. She was the sister of a William CLAIBORNE, who named her in his will along with her eldest son, Claiborne GOOCH.

Claiborne GOOCH, born about 1685, was living in 1748 opposite "Sweet Hall". A Ferry was located there, called "GOOCH's Ferry in King William
County (Hening Statues, VI, p. 17). "Sweet Hall" was the home of Thomas CLAIBORNE and Ann FOX. Claiborne GOOCH married a Miss THOMPSON and is
credited with children: William, Rowland, Claiborne, Thomas and Elizabeth.

1. Elizabeth GOOCH married Thomas AVENT (1671-1750) a Huguenot, who came to Sussex Co. Va in 1698. The had at least six children. (From "Forebears and Kin" of John Tyson SMITH, Sr. and his wife, by Earl D. SMITH, in Longview, Texas, 1972).
2. Claiborne GOOCH, married ___?___ No further information
3. Thomas GOOCH, married ____?___ No further information
4. Rowland GOOCH, born ca. 1725 died 1794, married Unity ___?___ (Patriotic
Service, Virginia - DAR Patriot Index, 1966). He had children:
a. William, b. Pumphrey, (DAR Index), c. Liner (to Ky.), d. Gideon, e. John, f. Claiborne, g. Rowland and h. Elizabeth.

Rowland GOOCH left a will in Louisa County, Virginia. He owned land there and some of the family remained in Louisa County while others removed to Kentucky after settlement of the area began there, after the end of the Revolution.
5. William GOOCH born about 1710, married about 1737, Elizabeth ___?___. They had five known children:
a. William Jr., b. Thomas, c. Elizabeth, d. Ursula, and e. Sarah.

Notes:

7/2018

Relationship to Col. Thomas Avent is speculative, but seems very likely to the webmaster. Working with a Devon-based genealogist, who was familiar with the Devon Avent family, a thorough search only found two Thomas Avents born in Devon around the known year of Col. Thomas Avent's birth (ca. 1671).

The attached baptism record for St. Werburgh's Church, Wembury, Devon shows both of these. Other research has confirmed that Thomas, son of Thomas and Anne Avent, stayed in Devon, marrying Mary Browning in 1702 and dying in Devon in 1728. No further trace (after 1701) of the other Thomas Avent, son of John and Julyan Avent, has been found. There is a 10 Apr 1700 marriage record from a Plymouth church (Charles the Martyr Church, 7 miles from Wembury) of a Thomas Avent to a Mary Towson, and then a burial record from Oct 1701 of a "Mary, wife of Thomas Avent" in St. Werburgh's Church in Wembury, Devon, the same church both Thomas Avents were baptized in, in 1670-71. A possible scenario, in the opinion of the webmaster, is that Thomas Avent married Mary Towson and then she died (possibly in childbirth) a year later, prompting his emigration to Virginia in 1701.

A further hint is that Col. Thomas Avent named his first born son John, and it was a common practive to name the first born son after the father's father.

Info on John Avent, his wife and parents, comes from the Ancestry.com tree of the Devon-based genealogist, who the webmaster believes is a reliable reference.

John married Julyan Ewens 29 Sep 1662, St. Werburgh's Church, Wembury, Devon, England. Julyan (daughter of Philip Ewens) was born 1640; died Apr 7 1686, Wembury, Devon, England. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The webmaster was recently (August 2021) matched up with a DNA relative on Livingdna (a UK based company specializing in British DNA). This connection was born in Devon from a Devon-based family and according to her records she is a 10X great granddaughter of John Avent and Suzan Luckrofte (grandparents of John Avent/Avant).

The webmaster believes that this is pretty conclusive proof that his immigrant ancestor Thomas Avent was from Devon and is the same person as the one listed in the St. Werburgh’s Church baptism record of 1670/71.

============================

This is speculative and is based on the 1670 birth record for Thomas Avent. Note that there are two Thomas Avents listed on that record: one the son of Thomas and Anne and the other the son of John and Julian (Julie Ann). We know our Thomas was not the son of Thomas and Anne because that Thomas later married a Mary Browning in Devon around 1702 and died there around 1728 (per British genealogist Peter Wilson Coldham). So the best guess is our Thomas was the son of John Avent and Julian, whose last name was ‘Ewens’.