William Avery was born William Russell in Taylor County, Kentucky on August 22, 1842. He was the slave of Augustus Russell who also lived in Taylor County, Kentucky. He was the son of Robert Avery who lived in Campbellsville, Taylor County, Kentucky but was born in Amelia County, Virginia. William had two known siblings, an older sister named Martha and younger brother named George who was my great-great grandfather. 
William Avery married Anna Woods and they had 11 children together. The children’s names were Robert, Marshal, William Grant., Arthur Calvin, Benjamin Edward, Mamy, Anna, Van, Charles, Ralph, Ella and Eva. 
Based on documents recorded at the National Archives, William enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War without the permission of his slave owner. He served with the 5th US Colored Calvary and fought in the 1st battle of Saltville, Virginia (October 1864) which is also known as the Saltville massacre. Salt played a major role during the Civil War and had a strategic significance. Salt not only preserved food in the days before refrigeration but it was also used to cure leather which was needed for boots, saddles etc. used by Confederate troops.
The battle of Saltville, Viginia was one of the first battles that African American soldiers fought in during the Civil War. Due to this fact, confederate soldiers began to murder wounded african american and white soldiers that fought along side them while they lay injured on the battlefield. The Union Army lost this battle but there was a 2nd battle of Saltville which took place a couple months later in December 1864. The Union Army utilizing the 5th and 6th Colored Calvary won this battle.
National Archives records reveal that William became ill after serving in the Union Army. 
Depositions from his older sister Martha Duncan and other witnesses noted that after he had been discharged from the Union Army, he returned to Campbellsville, Kentucky for a few weeks before leaving for Louisville, Kentucky and stayed there a few months before moving on to Jeffersonville, Indiana. They also revealed that after his return from service with the Union Army he complained of headaches and had boughts of diarrhea that made him extremely weak. Additionally, he would have fainting spells 2-3 times a year so it was difficult to hold a regular job with this condition. It was confirmed that this condition was brought on due to exposure during his time serving in the Union Army so William was awarded a military pension after depositions from friends, family, doctors and military buddies confirmed that his condition came on during his time in the Union Army.
William Avery and his family eventually settled in Noblesville, Indiana in the early 1900s where he purchased a house with cash for his wife and family. He died May 18, 1908. Many of William’s descendants today still live in or near Noblesville, Indiana.