Thomas AVERY

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Thomas Avery was called yeoman of Saybrook on a deed dated 11 September 1703. He was involved in a controversy with Thomas Lord over land in Saybrook, which was settled 8 December 1704. He and his brother, Samuel Avery, sold land in "Pochange," Oyster River tract to Samuel Chapman on 5 June 1706, and 24 October 1706, he called himself of New London, gentleman, when he amended the prior deed to Chapman.

Thomas married Anne SHAPLEY on 12 Jul 1704 in New London, New London, Connecticut, USA. Anne (daughter of Benjamin SHAPLEY and Mary PICKETT) was born on 31 Aug 1685 in New London, New London Co., Connecticut; died on 17 Jun 1751 in Groton, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Thomas Avery may have lived for a short time at Stonington, but most of his life was spent at New London, first on the east side of the river in what is now Groton, and later in the North Parish, now called Montville. May 12, 1681, he was made a freeman of New London; May, 1693, he was commissioned captain of the train band on the east side of the river, New London; in 1694, he was deputy to the general court.....

Thomas Avery received his share of his grandfather's estate by deed from his father, James Avery, April 1, 1685, and three weeks later sold it to his brother, Samuel. He also owned other land in New London. He was in the King Philip war of 1675, and, for his services, had lot No. 10 of arable land and lot No. 154 of cedar swamp allotted to him in Voluntown. He was in the ill-fated Fitz-John Winthrop expedition of 1690 which was to advance from Albany by way of Lake Champlain to Montreal. In his diary, Winthrop gives an account of the difficulties that they encountered. under the date of Aug. 4, 1690, is found the following:

"I consulted with the officers & twas concluded to march forwards, & then devided our provition, wch was about 35 cakes of bread for each souldr, besides port, which was scarce eateavle. At this post (Saratoge) I left Liut Tho. Avery with some souldrs to gaurd our porvition to us wch was coming vp the river" (The Winthrop Papers, Massachusetts Hist. Col., Fifth Series, 8:314)"

For an account of this expedition, see Avery's HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES AND ITS PEOPLE, vol. 3, pages 263, 264.

The latter part of his life he lived near the Mohegan India reservation. On the 22d of June, 1720, Capt. Thomas Avery and his brother Capt. James Avery were appointed interpreters for the Mohegans in the suit then pending before the governor and council. In 1721, Caezer, the sachem of the Mohegans, conveyed to Thomas Avery 160 acres of land in consideration of the kindness shown them by Captain Avery and his family. Upon this land Thomas Avery lived; the house he built there is still standing. About ten years before his death, in consideration of love and good will and on account of the infirmities of age, he conveyed this land to his son, Abraham.

The last entry of accessions to the church of New London during Mr. Bradstreet's ministry reads: "Sept. 10, 1682, Thomas Avery and wife were added to the Church." They were among the organizers of the church of the North Parish, afterward called Montville. Their names appear first on the list of original covenanters. Before the North Parish could enjoy religious services, a long-standing quarrel had to be settled. October, 1721, the parish petitioned the general court for liberty to form a separate church. The first name on the petition was that of Thomas Avery, the third was that of Abraham Avery. (Connecticut Ecclesiastical Archives, 2:251). Finally, Jan. 17, 1721, it was agreed that the meeting-house should stand on Raymond Hill, land being given for the purpose. In his church record, Mr. James Hillhouse, the first minister, says:

"I was installed October the 3d day, 1722.
Mr. Adams preached from Acts 16:9. There were seven that belonged to the Church at my installment- Capt. Avery, Capt. Denison, Mr. Nathl Otis, Mr. Allen, Mr. Vibber, Charles Campbell and one Deacon."

Thomas married Hannah MINER on 22 Oct 1677 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA. Hannah (daughter of Thomas MINER and Grace PALMER) was born on 15 Sep 1655 in New London, New London, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]