By Staff
Local man's ancestor honored in Texas
By LYDIA GRIMES - Features Writer
Confederate Memorial Day weekend was a special one for Ed Seward of Brewton. He was invited to attend the grave dedication of Ira B. Sadler, Lt.-Ensign, Color Bearer, of the Seventh Texas Infantry, CSA. in Coryell City, Texas.
Seward is a direct descendant of Sadler and is the proud owner of a pocket watch once given to Sadler by John Wesley Hardin. Sadler defended the outlaw in a charge of horse thievery.
Sadler joined the Confederate Army in 1861 and served for four years. He was wounded twice and was a prisoner of war at two different times. He returned to Central Texas after the war, became an attorney and served in the Texas legislature in the Texas House of Representatives.
Seward was the only direct descendant who was able to attend the special ceremony. He was given a replica of the flag carried by his ancestor and a plaque honoring Sadler
Rev. William Avent was a Methodist minister who was born at Avent's Ferry in Chatham County, N.C. He married Esther Watts Clegg and they were the parents of Martha Avent (27 Nov. 1812) who married Thomas Cox, John F. Avent (22 Mar. 1814) who was married three times, Mary G. Avent (2 Sept. 1815), Wiliam Avent II (28 Nov. 1817), Louisa Avent (25 Sept. 1819), Harriet Primrose Avent (5 Dec. 1821), Isaac Watts Avent (19 Sept. 1822) who married twice, Permelia Avent (25 Mar. 1825-26 Nov. 1826), Bridget Ann Avent (20 Feb. 1827-31 Dec. 1927), Henry Evans Avent (27 Feb. 1829-18 July 1901) who married Mary Ann Buchanan, Joseph Carson Avent (22 Nov. 1830-4 Apr. 1904) who married first Elizabeth Douglas and second Charlotte Matilda Holland.
Joseph Carson Avent was a millwright and Methodist minister. He and Elizabeth had Sophronia Avent (16 Aug. 1854), Annie Avent (1859) who married James David Mayo and then Evander Fuller, Mattie Esther Avent (4 June 1861-27 June 1902) who married David Franklin Bell, David Carson Avent (28 Nov. 1862-24 Dec. 1931) who married Celeste Park and then Mary A. Helton, Mary Watts Avent (13 Aug. 1866-3 May 1935) who married Charles Y. Mayo Jr., Hattie Avent (1871) who married Thomas Snowden and Rabon Cottrell Avent (1868-22 Feb. 1934) who married Minnie Lee Brewton. Joseph Carson Avent and Charlotte Matilda Holland had no children.
Next week, another family.
Happy hunting!
She may be contacted at lydia.grimes@brewtonstandard.com.