Jerusha MORGAN

Jerusha married Deacon Humphrey AVERY on 01 Feb 1723/24 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. Humphrey (son of Capt Samuel AVERY and Susannah PALMES) was born on 04 Jul 1699 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was christened on 20 Aug 1699 in First Church of New London, Connecticut; died on 28 Mar 1778 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Humphrey AVERY was born on 10 Mar 1725 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; died before 29 Jan 1790 in Smithtown, Suffolk Co., New York.
2. Solomon AVERY was born on 17 Jun 1729 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was christened on 27 Jul 1729 in First Church, Groton, Connecticut; died on 23 Dec 1798 in tunkhannock, Wilkes-Barres, Luzerne, Pennsylvania.
3. James AVERY was born on 13 Aug 1733 in Groton, New London County, Connecticut; died on 22 Feb 1794 in Poquetannock, Connecticut.
4. Jerusha AVERY was born on 7 Jun 1735 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was christened on 31 Aug 1735 in First Church, Groton, Connecticut; died on 6 Mar 1810 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Death: 26 Aug 1747, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut

William married Margaret AVERY on 17 Jul 1696 in New London, New London, Connecticut, USA. Margaret (daughter of James AVERY, Jr. and Deborah STALLYON) was born on 07 Feb 1673/74 in New London, New London, Connecticut, USA; died on 28 Jul 1755 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was buried in Avery-Morgan Cemetery, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
"History of James Morgan": Capt. James b. 3 Mch., 1644, so. of James, m. "Mary Vine of Old England," Nov. 1666, died 8 Dec 1711, age 68. His wife Mary died in 1689, of the "throat distemper," so called, a terrible epidemic which prevailed throughout the country that year, especially in the months of July and August, visiting nearly every family and carrying consternation and death in its trail. She was born in England in 1641, and was 48 years old when she died. After her death he married 2nd wife Hannah (?), born in 1640, who d. in 1711, aged 71, a few days only before his own death, but after the date of his will, in which he calls her his "dear and loving wife."

His will is dated in Groton 25 June, 1708, and approved in the probate 22 Jan. 1712. In it he bequeaths to his "dear and loving wife Hannah Morgan," his "horse and chaise," barn, and orchard by it, and "the lower field this side of the cross fence which joineth south brook," to enjoy during her life. To his son James, his "field"; one half the barn and all his land at home, subject to the joint control and use of his widow, so long as she so remained. Also to James a lot "in the plain," near the salt marsh, "on the north side of the island." to his son William, "the land he has already a deed of," and 100 acres and one little island in Packanacock plain," that is, my sons Jas and Wm shall have equally." To his "four daughters, Mercy, (record of birth says Mary), Hannah, Elizabeth and Jerusha," all his cattle, horses and sheep, to be equally divided between them. to his "grandson James Morgan," his saddle bridle and short gun, and to his "grandson Wm Morgan" his musket.

He was an active member and one of the two first deacons of the first church in Groton; was the principal magistrate, and transacted the chief part of the civil business around him, for many years. At the first town meeting held after the town was incorporated, in Dec. 1705, he was the moderator, and was chosen first townsman or selectman. he was moderator of nearly every town or society meeting until near his death in 1711, and after that for many years his place as moderator was supplied by his two sons Deacon James and Lieut. John, sometimes the one acting and sometimes the other. He was chosen captain of the first "train band" in Groton, in 1692, under an order of the Governor and Council, authorizing a military company to be formed there, and had been then two years a captain and commander of the "dragoon" force of New London county, under a special commission from the General Court.

Like his father he was one of the Deputies to the General Court from New London from 1689 to 1700, and afterwards one of the first Deputies from the new town of Groton, in 1706; and for several years was a Commissioner to advise and direct the Pequot tribe of Indians in the management of their affairs.

The military titles of these early days, even down to that of ensign, or sergeant, were esteemed as marks of high distinction, and from their peculiar importance, and the care and caution with which the officers were chosen, very justly so. These infant plantations were surrounded by hostile tribes of Indians, overwhelming in numbers; exposed constantly to the inroads of prowling bands, often irritated and always treacherous, and their very existence as well as peace and safety, depended much upon the personal character, the wise sagacity, prudent counsel and conduct, and the cool intrepidity of these chosen military guardians. Hence it was the early practice, when the leading officers of these "train bands" were to be chosen, to open the proceedings by solemn proclamation and prayer, and sometimes a special sermon for the occasion was prepared and preached to the company by their minister.

Capt. James lived and died upon the old patriarchal homestead of his father James...

James married Mary VINE in Nov 1666 in New London, New London, Connecticut, USA. Mary was born before 1641 in England; died on 08 Dec 1689 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was buried in Avery-Morgan Cemetery, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
He received numerous tracts of land from his father, one (March 28 1679) being enough to make up a hundred acres "near the cart path that goes to John Morgans, near the county road." May 29, 1702, Capt. james and Capt John Avery, Ephraim and Joseph Myner sold thee hundred acres of land in Preston called Pachaug.

James Avery early disposed of his land on the General Neck, land that came to him from his father and grandfather, and lived on the east side of the river. Like his father, he took an important part in the affairs of the colony. He took the oath of freeman, Oct. 14, 1669. he was several times selectman of Groton, also justice of the peace; he was deputy from New London to the general court seven times (1690-1702), and from Groton nine times (1707-12); he was made sergeant of the train band, New London, June 5, 1683; he was commissioned lieutenant in May, 1690, and later became captain; he was counselor and advisor of the Pequot tribe and, in 1720, became their guardian; in 1723, he instituted suits to recover lands of which they had been deprived; he several times acted as interpreter to the council; he was often on committees to settle boundary disputes and the location of public lands, and often served on the grand jury. (See Conn Col. Rec.)

Captain James Avery took part in various expeditions against the Indians of Massachusetts and Connecticut....

James married Deborah STALLYON on 20 Feb 1669 in New London, Connecticut. Deborah (daughter of Edward STALLYON and Margaret ?) was born about 1649; died on 27 Mar 1729 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was buried in Avery-Morgan Cemetery, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
James Morgan, the emigrant ancestor and progenitor of the Morgan family, was born in Wales in 1607. He m. Margery Hill of Roxbury, Mass., Aug. 6, 1640. He was made freeman there, May 10, 1645. Early in 1650 he had lands granted him in Pequot, now New London, as New London records show which was soon occupied by him as a homestead, 'on the path to New street or Cape Ann street,' as it was called in honor of the Cape Ann Company, who chiefly settled there. On the 25th day of December 1656, he sold his homestead and removed soon after, with several others, across the river, upon large tracts of land previously granted them by the town. The spot where he built his first house in Groton in 1657, and where he ever resided and died, is a few rods southeast of the dwelling of Elijah S. Morgan, about three miles from Groton ferry, on the road to Poquonock Bridge. He was nine times afterwards chosen member of the assembly, the last in 1670, and he was also an active and useful member of Re. Richard Blinman's church, as his name is prominent in every important movement or proceeding.

He also served in he early Colonial wars.

James married Margery HILLS on 6 Aug 1640. Margery was born in 16 Jun 1611 in Essex, England; died on 28 Apr 1690 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut; was buried in Avery-Morgan Cemetery, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [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]

Edward married Margaret ? in 1653 in New London, New London Co., Connecticut. Margaret died after 1680. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]