Family of James Avery

(This person can be viewed within the Melton/Sharp Ancestry Chart by clicking here)

1. JAMES³ AVERY (CHRISTOPHER², CHRISTOPHER¹)¹ was born 1620 in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, and died Abt. 1694 in New London, New London Co., Connecticut. He married (1) JOANNA GREENSLADE November 10, 1643 in Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, daughter of EDWARD GREENSLADE. She was born Abt. 1623 in Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, and died Aft. 1693 in New London, New London Co., Connecticut. He married (2) ABIGAIL INGRAHAM July 04, 1698, daughter of RICHARD INGRAHAM and ELIZABETH WIGNALL. She was born January 12, 1632/33 in Bristol, Bristol Co., Rhode Island, and died 1715.

Notes for JAMES AVERY:

THE HISTORY OF STONINGTON CT, by Wheeler, pages 199 & 200.

THE GROTON AVERY CLAN, Vol. I, by Elroy McKendree Avery and Catherine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery, Cleveland, 1912. Found in the DAR Library, Washington DC. Pages 43 through 78.

James Avery came to America with his father in 1630 on the "Arbella". James was an early land owner at Gloucester as it is shown by extracts from the town book containing an account of "Land laid out and to whom;"

9 mo. (16)45. "Andrew Lister had 8 acres of upland upon Planter's Neck, running from Lobster Cove to the sea, the 24th lott next to James Averies."

1 mo. (16)47, "James Averie Given 6 acres of upland at the hed of Little River to be laide out."

26. 3. (16)51. "Also the said Richard Beefor bought of James Avery three acres of upland."

15. 10. (16)53. James Avery had marsh at Chebacco.

The following items are from the Salem quarterly court records and files.

1: 11: 1645. James Avery of Gloucester took the oath of freeman.

25: 10: 1649. James Averey grand juryman from Gloster.

24: 4: 1650. James Averey grand juryman.

In studying the record of these 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 it is 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 of propriety. Eminent in all the relations of life, his descendants look upon him with pride and affection as one "sans p[eur et sans reproche."

ANCESTORS OF ALDEN SMITH SWAN AND HIS WIFE MARY ALTHEA FARWELL, by Josephine C. Frost, The Hills Press, New York MCMXXII, page 32.

Sources: The Averys of Groton; The Groton Avery Clan; Ancestral File; Genealogical and Biographical Record of New London Connecticut

(Beers); History of New London County, Connecticut (Hurd); A Catalogue of the Names of Early Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut (Hinman); Our Family Genealogy, Morgan-Avery (1851) by N.H. Morgan; The Red King's Rebellion by Russell Bourne; History of Montville; Saturday's Children, A History of the Babcock Family in America by C. Merton Babcock; Babcock and Alied Families by Louis E. de Forest; Virkus; Savage; Nat'l Society, Daughters of Colonial Wars, Lineage Book V.

Our Family: James Avery came from Devonshire with Gov. Winthrop's company in 1630.

C.M. Babcock: James Avery, born 1620, came to New England on the Arbella in 1630 with the Winthrop fleet. This is implied, since he came with this father and Christopher is credited with the 1630 arrival. Some say, however, that they might have come in 1631 with Winthrop Jr., since he and James were great friends and may have become well acquainted on the 1631 voyage. James was 12 times deputy to the General Court (1658-1680). He died 18 April 1700. Married Joanna Greenslade 10 Nov. 1643.

De Forest: Dates are the same as above. Freeman at Gloucster in 1645. Moved to what is now New London in 1651 after receiving some 300 acres of land in 1650 and 1651. He received more land later for his public service. In 1665 Ensign Avery was named lieutenant of the train band and during the threat of Connecticut's attack by the Dutch, he was named a captain in 1673. During King Philip's War he was appointed fifth in command of the united Army against the Indians, and he led the Pequot allies during the Great Swamp Fight 19 Dec. 1675. He was named selectman in 1660 and held that office for 23 years. He was deputy to the General Court almost continuouly from 1659 to 1689. In 1663 and 1664 he was appointed a commissioner to try small causes, and from 1666 to 1670 and from 1674 to 1695 he was judge of the county court.

Red King: Captains James Avery and George Denison led Hartford's two newly authorized companies in a search for Canochet in 1676, the second year of King Philip's War. The English were augmented by Niantics and Mohegans, in a ratio of some 40 Englishmen to 80 native ancillaries. They succeeded in capturing the Narraganset sachem, who was condemned to death April 2 at Stonington. "Flintlock and Tomahawk" by Douglas Edward Leach mentions this campaign, saying it was led by Capt. Denison. He does not mention James Avery.

Virkus: Capt. James Avery, 1620-1700. Captain in King Philip's War, judge, deputy to the General Court; married 1643 Joanna Greenslade.

Information on children comes from "The Averys of Groton" and AF data. An AF record lists a 10th child, Joanna Avery, born 1669 in New London. In the Averys of Groton, someone has written in that same information.

His land grant in Groton adjoined that of James Morgan. And Averys and Morgans are buried in the same old cemetery in Groton. Pequonnock, or Poquonnock, is now Groton.

He married (2) Abigail Ingraham Chesbrough Holmes July 4, 1698. She married (1) Samuel Chesbrough, was widowed and then married (2) Joshua Holmes.

The name Avere first appears in England in the Domesday Book, which was completed in 1084.

Montville: James Avery, ensign, lieutenant and captain in the early train band. Active in King Philip's War. Twelve times deputy to the General Court.

Savage: James Avery of Gloucester, married 10 Nov. 1643 Jane Greenslade of Boston. Removed to New London. "He was held in high esteem; lieutentant, captain, served in King Philip's War when he commanded the Pequot allied force; was living in February 1694; representative to the General Court in 1659 and often after to 1669. First three children born in Gloucester and others in New London. Savage records a daughter Joanna, born 1669, not listed in The Averys of Groton or the Groton Avery Clan.

Colonial Wars: Capt. James Avery, born 1620 in England, died 18 April 1700 in New London. Married Joanna Greenslade 10 Nov. 1643 in Boston or Gloucester, Mass. and had 10 children. Ensign, lieutenant and captain in King Philip's War; led 40 Indians from Stonington, New London and Lyme. 1676, captain of one of four companies that protected the frontier; 23 years a town officer and 12 times deputy to the General Court, 1656-1680.

Researching this line is Nancyann Norman at nancn@exis.net

Researching this line is David Hoffman at dvhoffman@hotmail.com

Notes for JOANNA GREENSLADE:

THE HISTORY OF STONINGTON CT, by Wheeler, page 200.

THE GROTON AVERY CLAN, Vol. I, page 43 & 44.

That her name was Joane Greenslade is learned from her letter of dismissal from the church at Boston to the one at Gloucester in 1544. 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 1st Moneth 1644 Our Sister Joan Greenslade now ye wife of one James Averil of Gloster had granted hir by ye Churches silence lres of Recomend to ye Church of 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:

"be Sister Joan Avery wth ye Concent of ye whole church waas dismist unto ye church of christ at Pekot on ye 31 of ye 6th mo 1651."

Nothing is known of her ancestry. A petition with the following heading:

"1663, July 4, A Declaration of ye Townes of Scarborow & Tfalmouth Black point & Casco to be Presented to ye Hond Court att York," Carries numerous signatures, including that of Thomas Greenslad. At the time the province of Maine was clamed by the heirs of Sir Ferdinando Gorges and by the colony of MA Bay, the struggle for jurisdiction ending in favor of the Bay Colony in 1677. A possible relationship between Thomas Greenslad and Joane Greenslade is suggested by the fact that the first born son of the latter was named James (for the husband) and that the second born was named Thomas.

Among those who were granted permission to go from the Barbadoes to Antigua, Hotton's "List of Early Emigrants" records the following:

"Greenslatt Thomas (October 7, 1679) in the Sloop "Ture Friendship" for Antegua." Charles Kallahane, Comandr."

It has also been stated that Joane's father was an Edward Greenslade of Boston, but of him nothing has been learned. The Greenslades of England are a distinctively Devon family and very numerous there, anciently and at present.

Sources: Averys of Groton; The Groton Avery Clan; Genealogical andBiographical Record of New London, Conn.; De Forest; C. Merton Babcock; AF.

It is possible that her father was Edward Greenslade, born about 1600 in Devonshire.

De Forest: Joanna Greenslade, died between 1693 and 1698.

More About JAMES AVERY and JOANNA GREENSLADE:

Marriage: November 10, 1643, Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts

Notes for ABIGAIL INGRAHAM:

m. 2nd 1675 Joshua HOLMES

m. 3rd Capt. James AVERY

Swamp Yankee, by James Allyn, page 32.

Samuel married Abigail Ingraham of Bristol, RI.

Widow of Samuel Cheesebrough or Chesbrough. After Joshua Holmes I died, she

married Capt. James Avery, another ancestor. Above from History of Stonington

and Genealogical and Biographical Record of New London County, Conn.

Ancestral File family group record provides most of her stats.

Directory of the Ancestral Heads of N.E. Families says a William Ingraham,

cooper, was in Boston in 1653 and later moved to Stonington, CT. Ancestor of

Abigail???? She would have been 15 that year.

Abigail reportedly had 13 children: 7 Cheesebroughs, 10 Averys and 2 Holmes.

Austin says she died 1694+.

___________________________________________________________

1. In ca 1902 Abigail's maiden name was not known by Anna Chesebrough Wildey as stated in her book:

" A lineal descendant of this marriage, Capt. Alex S. Palmer who died in 1894, had not been able to find her maiden name."

From Vol. 1, page 342 of THE GREAT MIGRATION BEGINS:

"Many secondary sources give the bride's surname as Ingraham, but the evidence for this is not seen. The only Ingraham

family to which she could belong is that of Richard Ingraham of Rehoboth. He is of the right age and in the right place to

be father of Samuel's wife, but this Ingraham family is very poorly defined, and only sons are known for certain

(TAG 19:78, 21:190-91, 22:60-61)."

2. On June 5, 1675, Joshua Holmes was invited by the widow Abigail (Ingraham) Chesebrough to teach a school in Stonington, New London County, Connecticut whom he later married - her second of three marriages.

_______________________________________________________________

More About JAMES AVERY and ABIGAIL INGRAHAM:

Marriage: July 04, 1698

Children of JAMES AVERY and JOANNA GREENSLADE are:

i. HANNAH AVERY, b. October 11, 1644, New London, New London Co., Connecticut; d. August 22, 1721, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut; m. EPHRAIM MINOR, June 20, 1666, New London, New London Co., Connecticut; b. April 27, 1642; d. May 16, 1724, Narragansett, New London Co., Connecticut.

ii. JAMES AVERY JR., b. December 15, 1646, Gloucester, Essex Co., CT; d. August 22, 1728, Groton, New London Co., CT; m. DEBORAH STALLYON; b. 1647, New London, New London Co., CT.

Notes for JAMES AVERY JR.:

VITAL RECORDS OF NEW LONDON, NEW LONDON CO., CONN.

James Avery Jun. sonn of James Avery, was marryed unto Deborah ye daughter of Edward Stallyon - 20th of February 1669.

THE GROTON AVERY CLAN, Vol. I, by Elroy McKendree Avery and Catherine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery, Cleveland, 1912. Found in the DAR Library, Washington DC. Pages 80-102.

Was born Dec. 16, 1646, at Gloucester, Mass. He married Feb. 20, 1669, at New London, Conn Deborah Stallyon, daughter of Edward and Margaret Stallyon. The New London town records for 1669 contains the following entry:

"James Avery jun, sonn of James Avery was marryed unto Deborah ye daughter of Edward Stallyon - 20 of February."

Feb. 12, 1670, James Avery's wife Deborah was baptized in the First Church, New London.

Jan. 12, 1670/1, Edward Stallyon and Margaret, his wife, deeded land to their son-in-law, James Avery, jun., which land they gave him with their daughter. "Debora, his now wife." Also a farm, upland and meadow, in or about Birch Playne on both sides of the river or creek which Stoney Brook runs into, with house and barn, &c.; provided it is agreed James Avery is to keep for the use of the said Edward Stallyon and Margaret his wife during their life 12 head of cattle which he is to keep and look to both summer and winter. This document is signed by Edward Stallyon and James Avery. (New London Deeds, 5:18)

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-3 and Capt. John-3 Avery, Ephraim and Joseph Myner sold three hundred acres of land in Preston called Pachaug.

James-3 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. The 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.)

Sources: The Groton Avery Clan; New London Vitals; Beers; The Averys of

Groton; NEHGR, Vol. 50; History of New London County, Conn. (Hurd); A

Catalogue of the Names of Early Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut

by Hinman; Virkus; Savage; Diary of Joshua Hempstead; National Society,

Daughters of Colonial Wars.

Groton Clan: When James married Deborah Stallion, her father, Edward, gave

them land. It included "a farm, upland and meadow, on or about Birch Playne on

both sides of the river or creek which Stoney Brook runs into, with house and

barn, etc."

NL Vitals: Married 20 Feb. 1669.

Genealogical and Biographical Record of New London County, Connecticut,

by Beers says all of James Jr.'s children were born in New London, in the area

that is now Groton, Conn.

Info on children is from "The Averys of Groton."

NEHGR, Vol. 50, p485: a New London County court record at Norwich says

Daniel Wetherell, commissioner, married 18 Feb. 1669 James Avery Jr. and

Deborah Stullion (sic).

Col. Wars: James Avery Jr., married Deborah Stallyon, 20 Feb. 1669, in New

London.

Virkus: Lt. James Avery, born 1646; captain in the Connecticut colonial

forces, judge, deputy to the General Court, peace commissioner. Married 1669,

Deborah Stallyon.

Savage: James Avery of New London, born 16 Dec. 1646; married Deborah,

probably eldest daughter of Edward Stallion.

Hempstead, page 201: 24 ??? 1728--"Capt Ja Avery of Groton & Dea Manasseh

Minor of Stonington both buried & upwards of 80 years."

(See biographical sketch of James Avery Jr. on printout in notebook.)

More About JAMES AVERY JR.:

Burial: August 24, 1728

iii. MARY AVERY, b. February 29, 1647/48, New London, New London Co., Connecticut; d. February 02, 1707/08, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut; m. JOSEPH MINOR, October 23, 1668, New London, New London Co., Connecticut; b. Bef. August 25, 1644, Hingham, Plymouth County, MA; d. February 01, 1711/12, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut.

Notes for MARY AVERY:

THE GROTON AVERY CLAN, Vol. I, by Elroy McKendree Avery and Catherine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery, Cleveland, 1912. Found in the DAR Library, Washington DC. Page 102.

Was born Feb. 19, 1648, at Gloucester, Mass. She married Oct 23, 1668, at New London, Conn., Joseph Minor, son of Thomas and Grace (Palmer) Minor, of Stonington, Conn. He was baptized Aug. 25, 1644, at Hingham, Mass. He lived at Stonington and was a farmer and physician. He became a freeman 1669; deputy to the general court, 1696, 1706; selectman, 1694-98, 1704, 1709, 1719. He served in King Philip war and for his services received arable land cedar swamp in Voluntown.

Thomas Minor records in his diary, March, 1667/8: "wensday the 18, we made an End between Jossepth and Marie Averie."

On the Stonington town books in the following:

Joseph, son of Thomas Minor and Marie, daughter of James Averie of New London, married the 23d of October [1668] by Lieut. James Averie.

Joseph Minor and his wife, Marie, were admitted to the church at Stonington, April 11, 1675. She died Feb. 2, 1708, at Stonington. Dec 7, 1709, he married Bridget Chesebrough, widow of William Thompson, by whom he had a daughter, Bridget, who was bap. In March, 1711, and m. Nov. 4, 1730, at Stonington, Jonathan Chesebrough. Joseph Minor died Feb. 1, 1711/2, at Stonington. He was buried beside his wife Marie, at Taugwonk.

Sources: Savage; Groton Avery Clan; Averys of Groton; National Society,

Daughters of Colonial Wars.

AG: Mary Avery. Married Joseph Miner Oct. 28, 1668, in New London. Seven

children.

Savage: Mary Avery, born 19 Feb. 1648.

Clan: Marie Avery, born 19 Feb. 1648 at Gloucester, MA; died 2 Feb. 1708 at

Stonington. Married Joseph Minor of Stonington 23 Oct. 1668. On the New London

record of births, her name was spelled Mary. On later records it was spelled

Marie.

Notes for JOSEPH MINOR:

Sources: The Groton Avery Clan; National Society, Daughters of Colonial

Wars.

Clan: Joseph Minor, baptized 25 Aug. 1644 at Hingham, MA. Lived at

Stonington, farmer and physician, served in King Philip's War.

Col. Wars: Joseph Miner.

More About JOSEPH MINOR:

Burial: Taugwonk Cemetery, No. Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut

Christening: August 25, 1644, Hingham, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts

More About JOSEPH MINOR and MARY AVERY:

Marriage: October 23, 1668, New London, New London Co., Connecticut

iv. THOMAS AVERY, b. May 06, 1651, New London, New London Co., Connecticut; d. January 05, 1736/37, Montville, New London Co., Connecticut; m. (1) HANNAH MINOR, October 22, 1677, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut; b. September 15, 1655, New London, New London Co., Connecticut; d. 1692, Montville, New London Co., Connecticut; m. (2) HANNAH RAYMOND, March 13, 1692/93, Wethersfield, Hartford Co., CT; b. August 08, 1668, New London, New London Co., CT.

Notes for THOMAS AVERY:

THE HISTORY OF STONINGTON CT, by Richard A. Wheeler, page 202.

THE GROTON AVERY CLAN, Vol. I, by Elroy McKendree Avery and Catherine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery, Cleveland, 1912. Found in the DAR Library, Washington DC. Pages 78 & 103 & 104.

He was in King Philip's War and was a successful Indian interpreter. During the latter part of his life he removed to Montville, Conn.

Thomas-3 Avery may have for a short time at Stonington, but most of his life was spent at New London, forst 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 ot the general court.

It is evident that James Avery and Thomas Minor had a clear understanding concerning the marriage portions to be given to their children. One the twenty-sixth of December, 1677, Captain James Avery and his wife, Joanna, executed a deed which was owned and subscribed before Thomas Minor as commissioner. The deed ran as follows:

This prsnt writing witnesseth to all it doe or may concerne that I James Avery of the couonty of New London, in ye Collony6 of Connecticott for divers good reasons & considerations known to myself and with my wife Joane Avery's consent fully give to my sonn Thomas Avery and his wife Hannah Avery my whole right of my parcell of land that I borght of Amos Richardson of Stonington be it more or less wh formerly was laide out and bounded to Mr. Obadiah Bruen of New London and also thirtie acres of upland upon Poquanys Plaine as it was formerly bounded to me from the swamp to the river, moreover one halfe of one hundred acres of upland and meadow as it was carried out and bounded and recorded to me at Pachauge next to Mr. Thomas Stanton, sen., his land. Also a piece of land joyning to Mr. Nehemiah Smith his playne lying betwixt Nehemiah Smiths land & ye comon I say all and every of these tracts and parcels of land I I doe give grant pass over alyeanate & confirm all my whole right and title to my sonn Thomas Avery & his wife Hannah Avery with all the privilledges & appurtenances to them belonging to them their heirs, executors and assigns forever to have & to hold possess & enjoy to use & improve for their best advantage provided that if either he or she shall have occasion to sell any one or more of these particular tracts or parcells of land they shall first make tender of it to the said Thomas Avery's Brothers and if they accept of the profer to give a rational price for it to sell it to no other person I doe hereby bind my other sonnes to make him or her the like tender upon the same terms and to the ture performance of and to every particular hereof we set our hands & seals this 26th of December, 1677.

Signed seaaled and delivered

in the presence of James Avery

William Mead Joane Avery

Jonathan Avery

(New London Deads.)

Thomas Minor and Grace his wife had already deeded, Dec. 17, 1677, 150 acres of land to their daughter Hannah and her husband, Thomas Avery:

To daughter Hannah Avery, during her natural life and to her husband Thomas Avery during his natural life although my said daughter should die before him and in case my daughter shall have any child or children at the time of her departure then living it shall be theirs forever to have and to hold possess and enjoy to use and improve with all the meadows joining to it, I say all the one hundred and fifty acres of upland and meadow as it was laid out to me with all the privileges & appurtenance belonging thereunto. And in case my daughter should die without any child then she shall have by deed full power to dispose of it to any one or two of my son Clement Minor, his sonnes as she shall see meet. Provided it shall not prevent her husband of it during his natural life if she die before her husband. I say my one hundred and fifty acres of upland and meadow lying at Anagomenacunuck as it was laid out to me and bounded and recorded at Hartford and in Stonington books of records. And hereinto we set our hands and seals this seventeenth day of December one thousand six hundred and seventy and seven.

Witness

James Noyes Thomas Minor

Samuel Avery Grace Minor Acknowledged before James Avery Commissioner.

(New London Deeds, 5:34)

Thomas Avery probably built upon one of these plots of land, as the following would indicate:

March, 1667-8. "the 23. Thomas Averys house was raysed."

June, 1668. Tuesday 25, Hannah went to her owne house."

(Minor's Diary.)

Thomas-3 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, hat lot No. 10 of arable land and lot No. 154 of cedar swamp allotted to him in Vol.untown. He was in the illfated 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 pork, which was scarce eatable. At this post (Saratoga) i left Liut Tho. Avery with some souldrs tp gaurd our provition to us wch was coming up 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 Indian reservation. On the 22d of June, 1720, Capt. Thomas Avery and his brother Capt. James Avery were appointed interpreters for the Mohegans in a 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-3 Avery, the third was that of Abraham-4 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 Cambell and one Deacon."

Thomas-3 Avery died at Montville, Jan. 5, 1736. His widow died Jan. 28, 1742, at Norwich.

It has been found very difficult to arrange the record of the children of Thomas Avery by his two wives. Thomas Minor died Oct. 23, 1690. The following items are taken from his diary:

1655, Oct. "Satterday the 15 my wife was delivered of hana"

"Tho: Averie and Hanah Minor was maried the 22 of october 1677."

1679, April. "20 day Hanah son was borne."

1680, Nov. "Monday the 15, hanahs second sonn was borne."

The second of October 1682 Tho: Averys daughter was borne."

1684, Aug. "Tuesday the 12, Thomas Avery his childe was buried."

Hanah Avery her children.

Tho Avery

Samuell Avery

Ephriam Avery

Hanah Avery."

This last item has no date but must have been written shortly before his death. The births of Thomas and Samuel are recorded on the New London town-books. The baptisms of Thomas, Samuel, Abraham, Joshua, and a "child" (Oct. 25, 1704) are recorded on the books of the First Church of New London; the baptisms of Hannah and Ephraim are found on the books of the First Church of Stonington; those of Charles, isaac and Peter appear on the books of the First Church of Norwich. Mr. Baker, in his history of Montville, says that Jonathan was b. Dec. 9, 1691, but he was not able to give any satisfactory authority for that statement and it is hardly possible that Jonathan could have been born in December, 1691, and Abraham baptized March 6, 1692.

Dec. 2, 1736, Samuel Avery, Abraham Avery and Hannah (Avery) Minor seem to be the only surviving children of Thomas-3 and Hannah (Minor) Avery. At that time, in connection with Thomas Minor, the husband of Hannah (Avery) Minor, they sold the 150 acres of land that came to them from their honored grandfather and his wife, Grace. This land had been given by Thomas Minor and his wife, Grace, to his daughter, Hannah Monor Avery, and her husband Thomas-3 Avery for their life. When both were dead, the land was to revert to Hannah Minor Avery's surviving children. (See deed). The children, Ephraim and Thomas, were dead. Samuel, Abraham and Hannah, as heirs-at-law, sold the land. Jonathan Avery was, at this time, very much alive, but he did not join in the sale. It seem improbable that he was the son of Hannah (Minor) Avery.

(Preston Land Records, 5:7).

Thomas-3 Avery had a daughter Mary by his second wife Hannah Raymond. Mary (Smith) Raymond, widow of Samuel Raymond, and daughter of Nehemiah Smith, made a will May 8, 1705. This was probated at New London. She mentioned cousin Hannah Avery, Elizabeth Avery, daughter of cousin Martha Ransford deceased, and cousin Mary Avery. She was the aunt of Hannah Raymond Avery. Thomas and Hannah (Raymond) Avery probably had a daughter Elizabeth, as an Elizabeth Avery was maarried to Sylvester Baldwin, at Montville, May 9, 1724, by the Rev. Mr. Hillhouse.

DENISON GENEALOGY, by E. Glenn Denison, Josephine Middleton Peck, Donald L.

Jacobus, The Pequot Press, Inc. Stonington, CT, 1963. Page 15.

Researching this line is cscox@gci.net

Researching this line is David Hoffman at dvhoffman@hotmail.com

Sources: Groton Avery Clan; Averys of Groton; Montville; Savage; National

Society, Daughters of Colonial Wars; AF.

AG: Thomas Avery, born in the part of New London that is now Groton, Conn.

AG: Married Hannah ______ Oct. 22 1667.

Montville: Thomas Avery, born 6 May 1651, married (1) Hannah Miner and

(2) Hannah Raymond, born 8 Aug. 1668, daughter of Joshua Raymond and Elizabeth

Smith.

Savage: Thomas Avery, born 6 May 1651.

Notes for HANNAH MINOR:

VITAL RECORDS OF NEW LONDON, NEW LONDON CO., CONN.

Hannah Myner, daughter of Thomas and Grace Miner - born ye 15th of Sept. 1655.

VITAL RECORDS OF NEW LONDON, NEW LONDON CO., CONN.

Thomas Avery sonn of Capt. James Avery was marryed unto Hannah daughter of Thomas Miner of Stonington the 22nd of October 1677.

THE HISTORY OF STONINGTON CT, by Wheeler, page 467.

THE GROTON AVERY CLAN, Vol. I, by Avery & Avery, page 103.

Researching this line is cscox@gci.net

Sources: The Groton Avery Clan; Montville; National Society, Daughters of Colonial Wars; The Great Migration Begins.

Clan: Hannah Minor, born 15 Sept. 1655 at Stonington, to Lt. Thomas and Grace (Palmer) Minor. Died about 1692.

Montville: Hannah Miner, had six children: Thomas, Samuel, Ephraim, Hannah, Jonathan and Abraham.

Migration: Hannah Minor, born Stonington 15 Sept. 1655 and married 22 Oct. 1672 to Thomas Avery. She was the youngest of 10 children. Named in her father's will.

More About THOMAS AVERY and HANNAH MINOR:

Marriage: October 22, 1677, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut

Notes for HANNAH RAYMOND:

VITAL RECORDS OF NEW LONDON, NEW LONDON CO., CONN.

Hannah - dau. Joshua & Elizabeth Raymond born 8th August 1668.

DENISON GENEALOGY, by E. Glenn Denison, Josephine MiddletonPeck, Donald L. Jacobus, The Pequot Press, Inc. Stonington, CT,1963. Page 15.

VITAL RECORDS OF NEW LONDON, NEW LONDON CO., CONN.

Wethersfield March 13- 1692/3.

This may certify whome it may concerne that Mr. Thomas Avery &Mrs. Hannah Buckley both of New London in their Majesties Colonyof Conn. in New England married at Wethersfield afor'sd on thesaid day of the date of those presents.

By or bofore me - John Chester, Justice of Peace. True Copy.

Sources: The Groton Avery Clan; Montville.

Clan: Hannah (Raymond) Bulkley, daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth(Smith) Raymond and widow of Dr. Charles Bulkley. She was born 8Aug. 1668 at Norwich. She and Thomas Avery had seven children:Joshua, Mary, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Charles, Isaac and Peter.

Montville: Hannah Raymond, had five children: Joshua, Elizabeth,Mary, Isaac and Charles by Thomas Avery.

More About THOMAS AVERY and HANNAH RAYMOND:

Marriage: March 13, 1692/93, Wethersfield, Hartford Co., CT

v. JOHN AVERY, b. February 10, 1653/54, New London, New London Co., Connecticut; d. Aft. 1723, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut; m. ABIGAIL CHESEBROUGH, November 29, 1675, Stonington, New London Co., CT; b. September 30, 1656, Wequetequock, New London, CT.

vi. REBECCA AVERY, b. October 06, 1656, New London, New London Co., Connecticut; d. August 05, 1678.

Notes for REBECCA AVERY:

THE GROTON AVERY CLAN, Vol. I, by Elroy McKendree Avery and Catherine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery, Cleveland, 1912. Found in the DAR Library, Washington DC. Page 112.

Sept. 19, 1717, Capt. James Avery, Capt. Thomas Avery, Capt. John Avery, and Samuel Avery, "out of love," deeded land to their sister Rebecca Potts, and to her husband, William Potts. (Groton Deeds, 1 :830) Jan. 4, 1727, William and Rebecca Potts deeded land to their loving son-in-law, Joshua Bill, husband of their daughter, Joanna, deceased and to their heirs. The reserved the right to cut firewood on this land during their natural lives. (Groton Deeds, 2 :297).

VITAL RECORDS OF NEW LONDON, NEW LONDON CO., CONN.

Rebecca, ye daughter of James & Joanna Avery - was born ye 6th of October 1656.

VITAL RECORDS OF NEW LONDON, NEW LONDON CO., CONN.

William Potts of New Castle old England was marryed unto Rebecca ye daughter Capt. James Avery of New London ye 5th of August1678.

Savage; Daughters of Colonial Wars; AF.

AG: Rebecca Avery, born in what is now Groton, Conn. Married William Potts Aug. 5, 1678, in New London. He from New Castle, England, a constable. They had a daughter who died young and a son, William, born March 13, 1680.

Savage: Rebecca Avery, born 6 Oct. 1656.

AF gives death date.

vii. JONATHAN AVERY, b. January 05, 1657/58, New London, New London Co., Connecticut; d. August 1681, New London, New London Co., Connecticut.

Notes for JONATHAN AVERY:

VITAL RECORDS OF NEW LONDON, NEW LONDON CO., CONN.

Jonathan Avery sonn of James Avery departed this life in ye month of August 1680.

Sources: Averys of Groton; Savage; National Society, Daughters of Colonial Wars.

AG: Jonathan Avery, probably born in what is now Groton, CT, and probably buried in the Avery-Morgan cemetery in Groton. He was not married.

Savage: Jonathan Avery, born 5 Jan. 1659.

Col. Wars: Jonathan Avery, born 5 Jan. 1658; died 1681.

More About JONATHAN AVERY:

Burial: September 15, 1681, New London, New London Co., Connecticut

viii. CHRISTOPHER AVERY, b. April 30, 1661, New London, New London Co., Connecticut; d. December 08, 1683, New London, New London Co., Connecticut.

Notes for CHRISTOPHER AVERY:

VITAL RECORDS OF NEW LONDON, NEW LONDON CO., CONN.

Christopher Avery sonne of James & Joanna Avery - born ye 30th of April 1661.

Sources: Averys of Groton; Savage; National Society, Daughters of Colonial

Wars.

AG: Christopher Avery, probably born in what is now Groton, CT, and

probably buried in the Avery-Morgan cemetery in Groton. He was not married.

Savage: Christopher Avery, born 30 April 1661.

ix. SAMUEL AVERY, b. August 14, 1664, New London, New London Co., Connecticut; d. May 01, 1723, Ledyard, New London Co., Connecticut.

Notes for SAMUEL AVERY:

VITAL RECORDS OF NEW LONDON, NEW LONDON CO., CONN.

Samuel Avery ye sonne of James & Joanna Avery - was born ye 14th day of August 1664.

Sources: The Groton Avery Clan; Averys of Groton; Savage; National

Society, Daughters of Colonial Wars; AF.

AG: Samuel Avery, born in what is now Groton, Conn. Married Susannah Palmes

Oct 25, 1686.

Savage: Samuel Avery, born 14 Aug. 1664.

x. JOANNA AVERY, b. 1669, New London, New London Co., Connecticut.

Notes for JOANNA AVERY:

Source: National Society, Daughters of Colonial Wars, Vol. V.

Colonial Wars: Joanna Avery, born 1669. [Questionable. Only source to list

this child. Her mother would have been 47 at the time of birth and five years

after previous child.]