Wednesday 10 June 2015

Benjamin Averiett 1806-1879 Who’s Who in Alabama

Part of this excerpt was read to Anna, Matt and I by Mr Travis Wesson on the porch of Benjamin Averiett’s home while Buddy chased chickens, 2013.
(written as read except made a little more p.c. in terms of racist reference to the “servant”)

Benjamin Averiett was one of the first settlers in what is now Talladega County.
He made his way from Autauga to the farm which he settled through canebreaks and unbroken forest.  When he came upon a slough he would have to cut trees, roll them on top of logs, slide the wagon over by hand and then swim the team through the slough.  The woods at the time were full of Indians and wild game. 
One time when Mrs Averiett was left at home with an old servant, her husband being out in the field at work, a bear came near the house, caught a pet pig and carried it off. When Mrs Averiett saw the bear carrying off her last pig she, with true pioneer courage, seized a gun, followed the bear to the swamp and when near enough took deadly aim and laid the bruin low.  This was 3 days before her son, William, was born. 
When Mr Averiett came home and heard all that had happened he said to his wife,
“Sarah, what in the hell do you mean? One of these days I shall come to the house and find you killed.”
Benjamin was one of the early traders with the Indians, keeping a store for the purpose.  Over the years his farm grew to over 10,000 acres.  He owned two ferry systems and was instrumental in bringing the railroad to the Talladega area.
Too old to go to war in 1861 he served in the Home Guard sharing substantial amounts of money and supplies with soldier’s families.
He was a man of great determination. It was said of him he never undertook anything he failed to carry through.

Benjamin and Sarah Averiett's headstones
Fort Williams Baptist Church Cemetery

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