Jeduthan Averett Sr. & Rebecca Stephens

The missing link

Jeduthan Averett Sr. married Rebecca Stephens in Nash County, North Carolina — carved from the same Edgecombe County where General William Stephens's brothers had lived since 1748. Rebecca's confirmed maiden name, Stephens, is the thread that may tie the family to the General. Her parentage is undocumented.

At a Glance Has open questions

Born: Jeduthan Sr.: ~1758; Rebecca: date unknown
Died: Jeduthan Sr.: ~1798
Parents: Rebecca's parentage is the central open question of this family history
Spouse: Married each other in Nash County, North Carolina (~1780)
Children: Including Hardy Averett
Family line: Blackett · Averett · Stephens line (Jerry's mother's side)
Relation to Jerry: Probable ancestors through the Averett line — Rebecca Stephens may connect the family to General William Stephens

How sure are we? Rebecca's maiden name is confirmed as Stephens; her parentage and the exact tie to the General are not yet documented.

Still to find out

Rebecca Stephens's parents — was she a daughter, granddaughter, or niece of General William Stephens? The single most consequential unknown in the family history.
Search Edgecombe/Nash County, NC estate papers and deed records, 1770–1810, at the NC State Archives, Raleigh.

Read about Jeduthan in…

The General · The Family Tree · What We Still Don't Know

Sources for this page

North Carolina State Archives — Edgecombe & Nash County records
Government archive · records ~1770–1810

109 E. Jones Street, Raleigh, NC. Estate papers, deed books, and will books that may resolve Rebecca Stephens's parentage — the central open question.
Geni.com — Brigadier General William Stephens profile
Online genealogy database

Lists William's 9 documented children. No 'Rebecca' is listed — the basis of the Rebecca Stephens open question.

Notes from the family

Remember something about Jeduthan? A story, a photo, a correction, a date? Even a messy note helps. Just open the plain-text file research-notes/jeduthan-averett-sr-notes.md and type it in — or tell Scott (or Claude Code) “add this to Jeduthan’s page,” and it will be woven in properly, with the source recorded.