Land Advertisement in Virginia Gazette, 1777, Williamsburg, VA, by Peter Avent



Which Peter Avent was this? There are several candidates. Peter (abt. 1720 - 1779), son of Col. Thomas Avent, was probably living in Cumberland Co., NC in 1777 but might have still owned land in Brunswick Co., VA. We know he married his second wife, Mary Tomlinson, in 1777 so this sale might have had something to do with his marriage. John Avent (son of Col. Thomas Avent) and wife Mary also had a son named Peter, who died unmarried in 1780, so it may have been him. This Peter died in Sussex Co., VA, (adjacent to Brunswick Co.) so was living near the site of the land in question, so he is also another good possibility.