William Tecumsah "Tom" Avery (November 11, 1819 – May 20, 1880) was an American slave owner,[1][2] politician, member of the United States House of Representatives for the 10th congressional district of Tennessee, and Confederate Army officer.

He attended the common schools, graduated from old Jackson College near Columbia, Tennessee in Maury County.

They had three children, William Thomas, Harry Edwin, and Emma Blythe.

During the Civil War, Avery served as a lieutenant colonel in the Confederate Army.

[6] At age 60, Avery accidentally drowned in Ten Mile Bayou in Crittenden County, Arkansas, opposite Memphis, on May 20, 1880.