Colonel Christopher AVERY

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Christopher Avery was an important man in the colony. He became town clerk after the death of his father and held the office over forty years, until his own death in 1768. April 27, 1736, he was one of a committee to prepare a memorial to the general assembly asking for a more commodious ferry. In October, 1736, he and his brother, Humphrey, with others, petitioned against the officers chosen for the northeast company of Groton. Among the reasons given for their objection were that some of the officers were young men; that some belonged to the church of England; that the church at Groton was having trouble about the church of England. The general assembly, however, confirmed the officer (Military Docs., 2:269). The general assembly commissioned him captain of the second company of the Groton train-band, 1735; lieutenant-colonel of the eight militia, 1739, and colonel of the sam regiment, 1746, (Conn. Col. Rec., 8:3, 280 & 9:256), succeeding Ebenezer Avery. In 1739, he was appointed on a committee to get ten good cannons, guns for a sloop, and gunpowder for new London, for coast defense; they were authorized to spend 1100 pounds for that purpose. In October, 1755, he was on a committee to get new carriages for the New London cannons; in march, 1756, he was one of the committee to receive and transport all warlike supplies to Lake George in the war against the French.....

He was equally prominent in other lines. He was deputy from Groton, 1736 to 1764 inclusive, and was speaker in 1751. He was justice of the peace from 1732 to 1768 and, during many of the terms, made one of the quorum. He was a member of the committee to audit the books of the colony in 1744 and 1746. he had some modern ideas concerning taxation for, in conjunction with his brother, Humphrey, and Christopher Avery of the North Parish, he petitioned the general assembly that the unimproved lands should be taxed. he was one of the first proprietors of the Susquehanna company, having become one in 1754.

The tombstones of Christopher Avery and his first wife are standing in the Starr cemetery, Groton.

Mary, wife of Christopher Avery died August 14, 1754, in the 56 year of her age.

Christopher Avery, Esq., Colonel of the 8th regiment of militia, departed this life, Jan'y 17, 1768, aged 71 years.

Christopher married Mary LATHAM on 25 Jun 1719 in Groton, New London, Connecticut. Mary (daughter of William LATHAM and Hannah MORGAN) was born on 18 Feb 1698/9 in Groton, New London County, Connecticut; died on 14 Aug 1754 in Groton, New London County, Connecticut; was buried in Starr Cemetery, Groton, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Capt William AVERY was born on 25 Nov 1724 in Groton, New London County, Connecticut; died on 4 May 1787 in Groton, New London County, Connecticut.
2. Susannah AVERY was born on 14 Oct 1728 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; died on 4 Jan 1767 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut.
3. Deborah AVERY was born on 5 Jun 1731 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was christened on 11 Jul 1731 in First Church, Groton, Connecticut; died on 3 Jul 1808 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was buried in Starr Cemetery.
4. Margaret AVERY was born on 12 Mar 1738/9 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was christened on 29 Apr 1739 in First Church, Groton, Connecticut; died on 19 Feb 1771 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut.

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Like his brothers, Samuel Avery was an extensive land owner. He bought the rights of his brothers, Thomas and John, in their grandfather's land on the General neck, in 1685. In 1693, he received from his father, James Avery the homestead farm on which his father was then living. Uncas, the Indian chief, deeded to him several hundred acres of land, the consideration being an Indian woman, Betty, who was one of the captives taken by James Avery in the King Philip war. Samuel Avery spent most of his life on his farm in Groton and there his children were born. He calls himself husbandman and merchant. he early took a leading part in Groton affairs. In December, 1705, he and his brother James were members of a committee to make up the accounts with New London. Upon the legal organization of the town, December 1, 1705, he was made first townsman and moderator; he held that office until his death. He was one of the committee authorized in 1706 to sell two hundred acres of the town's land to pay its debts. When the schoolmaster was engaged, May 28, 1706, to tach the children in the different houses until the school-house was built, he was to teach first in Mr. Samuel Avery's house. April 12, 1710, Samuel Avery was one of the commission to allot lands. March 20, 1715-16, he was a member of a committee to seat the meeting-house. He was town clerk from 1718 until his death, and justice of the peace from 1719 to 1722 inclusive. In the division of the Nawayunk (Noank) lands, he received lot No. 35.

He also took an important part in the affairs of state, being deputy to the general court from New London in 1693, and from Groton in 1709, 1716, 1718 and 1719. He possessed the same military spirit as his brothers, being commissioned ensign by the general court in May, 1705, lieutenant in may, 1710, and captain in May, 1716.

May 15, 1717, he was witness to a deed given by his father to his brother James....

Samuel Avery, the youngest of four brothers, was the first of them to die, May 1, 1723. he was buried in Ledyard, then the northern part of Groton. His widow, Susannah Avery, was in full communion "at the ordination" of the First Church of Groton, Nov. 22, 1727. She died Oct. 2, 1747, at Groton.

Samuel married Susannah PALMES on 25 Oct 1686. Susannah (daughter of William PALMES and Anne HUMPHREY) was born on 1665 or 1666 in Ardfinan, co. Tipperary; died on 02 Oct 1747 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1679, To Boston