Col. Ebenezer Avery

DAR# A003941

Ebenezer was a: juryman, constable, selectman, moderator of church meetings, ensign of First Groton Company in 1741; Lt. 1748; capt, 1749; major of 8th regiment 1768; lt-col. 1770, succeeding Christopher Avery (No. 44)

He resigned his commission and position as too old. Deputy to general court, justice of the peace, owned large tract of land in South Groton adjoining that of his father, James Avery. "Ebenezer commanded the Eight Militia Regiment, but his old age compelled him to resign, and he was succeeded in 1776 by Oliver Smith."

He was a grantee of Stowe, New Hampshire 1763 and Deacon of his church

"Col Ebenezer Avery was given pew No. 1 in the new meeting house, 1771 for which he paid 7 pounds. " Groton, July 25, 1780.

Mr. Green,

Please to give the following a place in your next paper:

On Tuesday the 11th Instant departed this Life, Col. Ebenezer Avery, in the 77th year of his Age. A Gentleman possessed of a sensible and judicious Mind which furnished him for uncommon Usefullness in his Day and early introduced him to public Employment. For many years he served the Town in various Capacities, frequently representing it to the general Assembly, from which he received a Commission for the Peace, which he used to suppress Vice, and promote Peace and good Order. His Genius so peculiarly fitted him for the Service of his Country, that he was employed in Military Offices 'till he was honored with the Rank of Colonel of the Regiment to which he belonged; all of which he filled up with Integrity and Honor; his Wisdom, Fidelity and Generosity procuring him universal Veneration and Esteem. Yet he excelled in the devout and religious Life, being a faithful Servant of God, a cordial Friend of Christ and Mankind and honoring Religion.

From the New London Gazette, Friday, Aug. 4, 1780.

Printed by Timothy Green, near the Court House.

Ebenezer Avery, in his will made Feb. 22, 1775, mentioned sons, Ebenezer, Latham, Griswold, Elihu; daus., Hannah Parke, Lucy Colfax, Mary Billings, Katharine Denison, Deborah Avery, Rachel Eldridge (Stonington Wills, 3: 225). His second wife d.

Feb. 4, 1791, at Groton.

Sources

• THE GROTON AVERY CLAN, Vol. I, by Elroy McKendree Avery and Catherine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery, Cleveland, 1912. p. 119, 161-62

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• HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF STONINGTON, County of New London, Connecticut, from its first settlement in 1649 to 1900, by Richard Anson Wheeler, New London, CT, 1900, p. 203

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