William Avent moved to Northampton, NC and married.

Col. Thomas Avent acquired property on the north side of the Roanoke River (in Northampton Co. across from present-day Roanoke Rapids, NC) as early as 1712, and probably earlier. This property was inherited by William, who died in 1761. Sometime near the year of William's death his sons John and Joseph, daughter Sarah and Sarah's husband William Ragland moved as a group from Northampton Co. to Chatham Co., NC (located SW of Raleigh). Daughter Rebecca and husband Seth Cotten followed 1777 - 1778.

Will of Joseph Massie, Brunswick Co., VA, 19 August, 1760.  Probated 26 May 1761.  Will Book 3, pp. 368-370, Inventoried 3 June 1761, pp. 374-375.

Will of William Avent, 22 April, 1760, Northampton County, NC, NC WB1, pp. 56-58. Probated August 1761.  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. 

SOME COLONIAL AND REVOLUTIONARY FAMILIES OF NORTH CAROLINA, VOL. I, Marilu Burch  Smallwood, Washington, NC, 1964, pp. 7-9, 14-15, 22.
Will of Thomas Avent, September 1756, Sussex County, VA, probated 1757, WB A p. 80. 
REGISTER OF ALBEMARLE PARISH  SURRY AND SUSSEX COUNTIES, 1739-1778, Gertrude R.B.  Richards, 1958, p. 214.

