Sarah AVERY

Sarah married Beebe DENISON on 10 Jan 1734 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA. Beebe (son of Dea. Daniel DENISON and Mary STANTON) was born on 27 Jan 1709 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA; died on 24 Mar 1745 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Sarah DENISON was born on 11 Sep 1739 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA.
2. Daniel DENISON was born on 19 Sep 1742 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA; died on 17 Jan 1808.

Sarah married Benadam DENISON on 18 Oct 1752 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA. Benadam (son of William DENISON and Mercy GALLUP) was born on 06 Feb 1720/1 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA; died in 1757. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Sarah DENISON on 23 Aug 1705 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. Sarah (daughter of Capt. William DENISON and Sarah STANTON) was born on 14 Apr 1689 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA; died in Aug 1774. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: 17 Apr 1724, Deeded land to son Nathaniel

Notes:

Name:
John Avery was an extensive land owner, holding, in addition to the place upon which he lived, land in several other towns. February 16, 1688, Capt. James Avery, "out of love," gave to his son, John Avery, the land that he had bought of Thomas Hungerford at the head of "poqeuannock plaine," also the land that was originally Jacob Waterhouse's; also a parcel of meadow on a brook commonly called Stony Brook; and "all that meadow each side that I bought of William Meader." (New London Deeds.) John Avery probably lived and died upon the farm at the head of Poquonock Plain, in the vicinity of which each of his brothers received land from his father. April 23, 1685, he sold the land that was given him by his father and that was his honored grandfather's to his brother Samuel. July 6, 1691, he sold the land and dwelling on the Pawtucket river that came from his wife's father, Samuel Chesebrough......

In 1700, he was one of the original proprietors of Lebanon, and May 10, 1705, the general court confirmed him and his associates in possession of lands in that town. Beginning with 1705, when his oldest son married, he deeded land with a free and open hand "out of love" to his sons for their livelihood. In the allotment of public lands, January 31, 1712, he calls himself a carpenter. In 1715, he was given lot No. 57 of the common land.

John Avery became a freeman of New London, May 12, 1681. His name appears on the patent for New London, Oct. 14, 1704. In the list of the inhabitants of Groton in 1708 and 1712 are found the names of Capt. John Avery and his son, John Avery.

Capt. John Avery was townsman of Groton, 1706. He was chosen with his brother,James, member of a committee to lay out 100 acres of land to Mr. Woodbridge, July 15, 1708. he was a member of the church of Groton, Nov. 22, 1727; as his wife is not mentioned, it is probable that she was then dead....

For his services in the Narragansett war, John Avery received lots in Voluntown, No. 9 for arable land and No. 76 for cedar swamp.

John married Abigail CHESEBROUGH on 29 Nov 1675 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA. Abigail (daughter of Samuel CHESEBROUGH and Abigail INGRAHAM) was born on 30 Sep 1656 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Sarah STANTON in May 1686 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA. Sarah (daughter of Thomas STANTON and Anna LORD) was born about 1656 in Pawcatuck, New London Co., Connecticut; died on 07 Aug 1713 in New London, New London, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
Captain James Avery is often spoken as the founder of the family or clan that we call the Groton Averys. That he was the only child of Christopher Avery is plainly seen by the following entry on the books of the county court of New London, Connecticut, November 24, 1683:

"Capt. James Avery appearing in this Court and there Declaring himself the only sonn & Heir of his Father Mr. Christopher Avery deceased and that there was neither sonn or Daughter but himself was sole heir and he desiring this court would so constitute him and give him power of administration upon the said estate of his father deceased. This Court having duly considered what hath been alleadged do approve of the same and judge the said Capt. James Avery to be the right and full heir to the said estate and do give him power of administrator to the estate of Mr. Christopher Avery his deceased father,

Attest Charles Hill rec."

James Avery came to America with his father and lived at Gloucester for several years. He married November 10, 1643, as appears by the records of Gloucester:

"James Avery married Joane---- November 10, 1643."
That her name was Joanne Greenslade is learned from her letter of dismissal from the church at Boston to the one at Gloucester in 1644. The first volume of admissions of the First Church of Boston contains what little information we have been able to glean concerning Joane Greenslade. On page 63 is a list of six names of which hers stands third among the admissions as follows:

"The 18th day of ye 4th Moneth 1643 Joan Greenslade, a single woman."

On page 66 of the same volume is an entry showing her dismissal to the church of Gloucester: "the 17th day of ye 1at Moneth 1644 Our Sister Joan greenslade now ye wife of one James Averill of Gloster had granted hir by ye Churches silence Ires of Recomend to ye Church at Gloster."

She, however, seems to have retained her connection with the First Church at Boston, for on page 97 of the book of admissions is the record:
"oe Sister Joan Avery with ye Consent of ye whole church was dismist unto ye church of christ at Pekot on ye 31 of ye 6th mo 1651.".....

He soon became active in military affairs and is generally spoken of by the title of ensign, lieutenant, or captain. The region in which he lived was formerly the chief seat of the formidable Pequot tribe that, a few years before, had been almost exterminated by the English. The Pequot Fort, taken in 1637 by Captain John Mason in command of the Connecticut troops and their Mohegan and Narragansett allies, was on the Mystic River, on the eastern line of Groton. After the Pequot War, a few survivors of that once dreaded tribe still lived in the haunts of their fathers, with the Narragansetts on the east and the Mohegans under their sachem, Uncas, near by on the west. In 1657, the Narragansetts made a wild foray and Uncas fled from the blood and fire that marked their course. He took refuge in a fort and was besieged by his unrelenting foes. but, just in time, "Lieutenant James Avery, Mr. Brewster, Richard Haughton, Samuel Lothrop, and others well armed, succeeded in throwing themselves into the fort; and the Narragansetts, fearing to engage in a conflict with the English, broke up the siege and returned home." The legislature approved the measures that had been taken for the protection of the faithful ally of the English.....

In 1668, James Avery and Cary Latham were chosen by the town to settle the boundary line with the sachem, Uncas. The L15 that secured the desired formal deed was paid by James Avery and two others in consideration of which each received 200 acres of land from the town. Captain Avery's services seem to have been often called for by the town and by individuals in the settling of such controversies. In 1678, the commissioners, granted Captain Avery five pounds "for his good service in assisting in the government of the Pequots for sundry years."........

James Avery represented New London as deputy to the general court for many years. The record runs as follows: May, 1659, Oct. 1660; Oct. 1661; Oct., 1664; May and July 1665; May and Oct 1667; April and May 1668; May and Oct., 1669; May, 1675. Oct 1675, he was reported as absent. He was serving his country elsewhere-raising troops for the Indian war that terminated in the great swamp fight of December 19, 1675. We find him again a member of the general court 1676; also May and Oct., 1677; May, 1678; Oct., 1679; Oct., 1680 oct., 1682; May, 1683, May and July, 1684; May and Oct., 1685; Oct., 1686......

In studying the record of those days, the careful student is strongly impressed with the fact that Capt. James Avery was a very remarkable man. Living as he did in stirring times, he was a leader among strong men, enjoying their confidence and respect because he deserved them. Especially is it to be noted that, although the state took cognizance of affairs that we now call private and interfered in the details of family life and personal relations in a way that would not now be tolerated, he was never censured or "presented" for any shortcoming or alleged dereliction of duty or propriety. Eminent in all the relations of life, his descendants look upon him with pride and affection as one SANS PEUR ET SANS REPROCHE.

James married Joanna GREENSLADE on 10 Nov 1643 in Gloucester, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Joanna was born about 1622 in Devonshire Co., England; died on 16 Apr 1693 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was buried in Avery-Morgan Cemetery, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Samuel married Abigail INGRAHAM on 30 Nov 1655 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA. Abigail (daughter of Richard INGRAHAM and Elizabeth WIGNALL) was born in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts; died on 12 Feb 1714 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was buried in Wequetequock Burial Ground, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: 1643, Went to England and fought in the Parliamentary Army
• Fact: 02 Jul 1644, Wounded and captured - Battle of Marston
• Emigration: 1651
• Will Proved: Jun 1695

Notes:

"After his wife's death, Bridget, George went to England, served under Cromwell in the army of the Parliment, won distintion, was wounded at Naseby, was nursed at the house of John Borodell, by his daughter Ann- whom he married and returned to Roxbury, and finally settled at Stonington, Conn."

"George and Ann were both remarkable for magnificent personal appearance, and for force of mind and character. She was always called "Lady Ann." They held foremost place in Stonington. He has been described as "the Miles Standish of the settlement," but he was a greater and more brilliant soldier than Miles Standish. He had no equal in any of the colonies, for conducting a war against the Indians, excepting, perhaps, Captain John Mason."

Excerpt from "Rev. John Eliot's Record of Church Members, Roxbury, Mass.": This winter we had a gracious p'vidence of God befell two brothers Edward & George Dennison, who had been proude incendiarys of some trobls among us, and full of distemp', and disaffection. but the Lord left them to open and shamefull drundennesse at Boston: espec'.edward. We did so greatly humble them both yet though George (being a membr) was excomvnicated, yet in a short time was taken in againe. And Edward humbling himselfe so effectually yet he was also speedyly received in to the Church, this is the tryvmph of grace, to magnify grace by sinne.

Excerpt from "Direct Descendants of Capt. George Denison": George's bro, Gen Danl Denison wrote in 1672 "My two brothers, Edward and George had all the Estate of my father left between athem, being both marryed long before my father's death; my Brother George buried his first Wife in the year 1643, went into England was a souldier ther above a year, was at the Battle of York, or Marton Moore, where he did good service, was after ward taken Prisoner, but got free and having maried a second Wife he returned to New England the year before our Mother died, and not long after ward removed himelf to New Ldon near whereunto at Stonington he now liveth, having 3 sons John, William, and George, 4 or 5 daughters......3 daughters are married to Stanton, Palmer and Cheesebrook all living at present in the same town."
He served as Deputy to the Conn Gen Court from New London Sept 1653, May 1654 and Feb 1657, and from Stonington Oct 1671, Oct 1674, May 1678, Oct 1682, May and Oct 1683, May, July and Oct 1684, May and Oct 1685, May 1686, May 1687, Sept 1689, May Sept and Oct 1693, and May 1694. When 1st mentioned in "Conn Col Recds" he is called "Captain," based upon his service and commission in England. He served on the War Comm for New London in 1653 when war threatened with Dutch. Although 56 he served as capt in King Philip's War 1676 in command of New London County troops and second in command of the Conn Army under Maj Robert Treat. He was ap'pted Provost Marshal May 1677. He was Capt of volunteer troops against the enemy Sept 1689.

"George Denison of Rocksbury in New England gentleman and Bridge Denison his wife daughter of John thompson late of Preston in the County of Northampton and of M(ist)ris Alice Thompso now dwelling at Rocksbury" gave a power of attorney on 22 march 1640/1 to recover her share of her father's estate.

George married Ann BORRODELL in 1645 in Naseby, Northamton, England. Ann was born about 1615 in England; died on 26 Sep 1712 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut; was buried in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, New London, Conn.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Death: 06 Sep 1712

Notes:

Name:
Thomas Stanton, who became distinguished among the first planters of Stonington, Conn., was in early manhood in England designed and educated for a cadet, but not liking the profession of arms, and taking a deep interest in the religious principles of the migrating Puritans, he left his native land, embarking o board of the good ship 'Bonaventure,' in 1635, and landed in Virginia, but left there almost immediately for Boston, mingling with the native on the way, and rapidly acquired a knowledge of their language and customs. On arrival in Boston he was recognized by Winthrop and his associates as a valuable man, worthy of the most unlimited confidence, for the very next year he was selected by the Boston authorities to accompany Mr. Fenwick and Hugh Peters, as interpreter on a mission to Saybrook, Conn., to hold a conference with the Pequot Indians relative to the murder of Capt. Stone and Newton. After the close of the conference Mr. Stanton went up to Hartford, and there fixed his permanent abode in 1637. Mr. Stanton's accurate knowledge of the language and character of the Indians soon gave him prominence in the new settlements of Connecticut, for the very first year that he came to Hartford, the General Court gave him ten pounds for the service he had already done for the country, and declared that he should be a public officer, to attend the court upon all occasions, either general or particular, at the meetings of the magistrates, to interpret between them and the Indians, at a salary of ten pounds per annum. Mr. Stanton did not always agree with the policy of Capt. Mason and the court relative to the treatment of the Indians, and drew upon himself their displeasure; but being a man accustomed to speak his own mind and act upon his own convictions, maintained his position, though they discontinued his salary for two years, alleging long absence as the cause, and appointed Mr. Gilbert to take his place, but in 1648 they restored him to the place with its compensation. He became the intimate and special friend of Gov. Winthrop of Connecticut, acting as his interpreter in all of his intercourse with the Indians. it was while thus employed, in an interview with Ninigret in the Narragansett country that Mr. Stanton became acquainted with the Pawcatuck Valley, and selected it for his future residence. He was the first white man who joined Mr. William Chesebrough in his new settlement. He petitioned the General Court of Connecticut for liberty to erect a trading house there, which was granted in February, 1650. In the spring following he came to Pawcatuck and erected his trading house on the west bank of Pawcatuck river, in Stonington, in 1651, near a place ever since known as Pawcatuck Rock, for the reason that the deep water channel in the river touched the east side of said rock where vessels trading with him could easily receive and discharge their cargoes without any expense for the erection of a wharf. Mr. Stanton did not remove his family to Pawcatuck in Stonington until 1657, where he had previously erected a dwelling house...

After the articles of confederation between the New England colonies had been established in 1643, among all of the distinguished interpreters of New England, Mr. Stanton was selected as interpreter general, to be consulted and relied upon in all emergencies. In this capacity and in their behalf he acted as interpreter, especially between the ministers employed by the commissioners of the United Colonies, acting as agents of the London Missionary Society, and the Indians, to whom they preached. He also aided the Rev. Abraham Pierson in the translation of his catechism into the Indian tongue, certifying to the same in his official capacity. After Mr. Stanton became an inhabitant of Pawcatuck in Stonington he took an active part in town affairs, he became prominent, and was elected to almost every position of public trust in the new settlement. In 1658, when Pawcatuck was included in the town of Southertown, under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, he was appointed selectman and magistrate. After Pawcatuck was set off to the Connecticut Colony by the charter of 1662, Mr. Stanton was appointed magistrate and commissioner and re-appointed every year up to the time of his death. he was elected deputy or representative to the General Court of Connecticut in 1666 and re-elected every year up to 1675.

Thomas married Anna LORD in 1637 in Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Anna (daughter of Thomas LORD and Dorothy BIRD) was born in 1621 in Towcester, England; was christened on 18 Sep 1614; died in 1688 in Anquilla, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]