Capt James AVERY

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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]

James married Abigail INGRAHAM on 04 Jul 1698. 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]

Hannah married Ephraim MINER on 20 Jun 1666 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA. Ephraim (son of Thomas MINER and Grace PALMER) was christened on 1 May 1642 in Hingham, Massachusetts; died on 16 May 1724 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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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]

Marie married Joseph MINER on 28 Oct 1668 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA. Joseph (son of Thomas MINER and Grace PALMER) was christened on 25 Aug 1644 in Hingham, Massachusetts; died on 31 Jan 1710/1 in Stonington, Connecticut; was buried in Taugwonk Cemetery, Stonington, New London, 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]

Thomas married Hannah RAYMOND on 13 Mar 1693 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Hannah (daughter of Joshua RAYMOND and Elizabeth SMITH) was born on 08 Aug 1668 in New London, New London, Connecticut, USA; died on 28 Jan 1742 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

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

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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]

Rebecca married William POTTS on 05 Aug 1678 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA. William was born in New Castle, England; died before 24 Apr 1729. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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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]