John J. AVERY

Notes:

Name:
He was a farmer.

In 1799, he obtained permission from the town of Groton to call himself John J. Avery to distinguish himself from the many other John Averys.

John married Nancy Ann MURDOCK about 1794. Nancy (daughter of Abraham MURDOCK and Hannah LAY) was born on 29 Mar 1773 in Saybrook, Middlesex, Connecticut, USA; died on 16 Aug 1819 in Groton, New London County, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Margaret FOOTE. Margaret was born about 1775; died on 6 Nov 1843 in Groton, New London County, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Name:
He served as an ensign in Capt. Gallup's company of militia, from Sept. to Nov., 1776; was captain in the eighth militia, 1780 (Conn. Men in the Rev'n, 452, 561). His name appears many times on the minutes of the town books. He was one of the committee of inspection in 1776; one of a committee that enlisted twenty-seven men for the army, April 7, 1777; selectman, 1779; was on a committee to raise the town's quota of soldiers, March 13, 1780; was one of the committee to supply clothing for the soldiers, Jan. 16, 1781 (Groton Town Records). He was killed at Fort Griswold, Sept. 6, 1781. He left a good landed estate, but his personal property suffered severely from the war.

The stone in the Avery-Morgan Burying-ground reads:

In memory of
Capt. Elijah Avery
who having filled up
Private and Social life
with endearing expressions
of Tenderness & Affection
Displayed a most brave & Heroic spirit
In defence of Fort Griswold
And American Liberty
& Fell a sacrifice to british Barbarity
Sept. 6, 1781, in the 48th
year of his age.

Elijah married Prudence AVERY on 10 Mar 1770/71. Prudence (daughter of Deacon James AVERY and Elizabeth SMITH) was born on 16 Mar 1732 in Groton, New London County, Connecticut; was christened on 16 Apr 1732 in First Church of Groton; died on 20 Nov 1809 in Groton, New London County, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Name:
She was made guardian of the minor children of Joseph Morgan, deceased, oct. 5, 1773. She was a matron of the Revolution. On old lists still preserved (American monthly Magazine, 27:784) is to be found her name as contributing to the soldiers in the field the fruit of her own handiwork in frocks and stockings.

John married Elizabeth MORGAN in 1729 in Connecticut. Elizabeth (daughter of William MORGAN and Margaret AVERY) was born on 10 Jul 1710 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; died on 18 May 1749 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Name:
He was tythingman, 1730; constable, 1733; justice of the peace from 1736 to 1741; deputy to the general court, 1736, 1737; commissioned lieutenant of the first military company of Groton, Oct. 1738 (Conn. Col. Rec., 8:195). His commission, signed by Gov. Talcott, is in the possession of the family. He was a member of the school committee, 1745; deacon of the First Church of Groton, 1748. In his will, dated April 30, 1759, he mentioned wife, Elizabeth; sons, James, David, Peter, John and Aaron, to each of whom he gave a farm, and among whom he divided his swords and arms, giving to James his "Silvered Helted Swoard;" daus., Elizabeth Starr, Prudence Avery, and Hannah Avery (New London Wills, G:367).

James married Elizabeth SMITH on 13 Dec 1719 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. Elizabeth (daughter of Nehemiah SMITH and Dorothy WHEELER) was born on 17 Nov 1700 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; died on 17 Apr 1761 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]