Notes for: Ava (Britt)
The assignment of Obediah as husband of Ava is pure speculation at this point, being based mainly upon two points. 1) Obed Britt and Sister Avy his wife, were dismissed from the Darien Baptist Church of Washington County, Georgia, in 1831. 2)Based upon the 1840 census of Crawford County, there are more teenaged boys listed in the household of Jacob Hortman, than fit the length of his marriage to Ava (m. 1838). Though dismissed from Darien Baptist Church in 1831, no record has been located to indicated Obed and "Avy" joined a church upon their arrival in Crawford County. Some researchers of this branch of Britts, claim that Ava's first husband was John Britt. The only information found on this particular John in Crawford County, is from an estate sale in 1834. Sarah Estes presented a voucher, indicating John Britt was paid $1.50, during settlement of the Allen Estes estate. I have listed John and Obediah as Ava's first husband, just as a reminder, there was a John Britt conducting business in Crawford County during the early 1830's. There was a John J. Britt of Lee County, conducting business in Talbot County, who may have also been in Crawford. A John Britt (wife Caroline) living in Upson County. and a John Britt (wife Nancy) living in Houston County. We have not been able to connect any of them to Ava.
Ava was last found on the 1880 census of Crawford County; however, she deeded
land to her only daughter in 1884. A family member indicated that she had
moved to Texas. She is not listed on the 1900 census of Crawford County,
Georgia; or Shelby County, Texas (residence of son Kinchen). Son Kinchen is
known to be in Shelby County, Texas, in 1887. Ava could have moved there with
him; however, the destruction of the 1890 census, makes it almost impossible
to validate.
Most census information would indicate Ava was extremely young; about 8 years
old when when she birthed Joel Britt, if Joel is her son. On early census
(1840-1850), Ava and Joel's ages were so close, it was speculated that he was
Ava's first husband (possibly John Joel ?). Not until review of the 1880
census, was he considered to be a son of Ava. The 1880 census seems more
realistic with Ava's age, moving her date of birth from abt 1811 to abt 1807.
Joel died in 1853, so further age comparison on him is lost. The 1840 census,
indicates that Ava is of 30 under 40, possibly moving her DOB back further to
1801. On the 1880 census, Ava is listed as a widow ; indicating husband Jacob
Hortman had died; and she and her parents were born in South Carolina.
Kinchen L. Britt deeded land (in-trust), to Henry N. Britt in 1858. This land
was to be used for Kinchen's mother Ava Hortman. This deed is the first
reference found, to confirm Ava Britt-Hortman, as Kinchen L. Britt's mother.
Some researcher's believe that this particular deed shows Kinchen L. and Henry
N. Britt to be brothers. I am not convinced "yet," because of the of
reference by Kinchen to "my mother;" rather than "our mother." To date, we
have not been able to locate when Kinchen aquired the propertey he deeded to
Henry N. Britt.
She is listed as "Amy" on the 1870 census. There is a Hanna Rigsby (66 years)
listed as a boarder with Ava (73 years) on the 1880 census. Levi H. Britt and
Caroline named one of their daughters "Ava." This could be another "hint"
that Ava Britt-Hortman is also the mother of Levi. If that is the case, then
Ava would also be the mother of John Jasper Britt Sr., since an Obediah (son
of Levi) is residing with John Jasper Britt, and is identified as "nephew
(1880 census).
On September 2, 1884, Ava deeded her property to her daughter Martha Ann
Hortman-Bray. Even though the deed mentions Martha's love, care and
attention; it makes no reference to other children. It does specifically
name Martha as an "only" daughter. Joel died in 1853, Isaiah in 1864, Levi
between 1870-1880. Obediah and Lewis had moved away, leaving Henry N., John
Jasper Sr., and Kinchen (confirmed son) in the county. Why nothing was
deeded to any other family member has not been determined.