Elisha Avery, Jr.

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 217. The family is supposed to have moved to New York state.

Nickname:<NICK> Elihu Elisha AVERY was said to be from Stonington, CT before he lived in Pound Ridge, NY. His parents may or may NOT be James & Hannah GRISWOLD Avery. From research done by others it is possible that James and Hannah AVERY had 2 sons names Elihu or Elisha. DO NOT RELY on Elisha's parents as being a proven Fact.

In 1763 Elisha Avery is listed as a "Freeholder" of land in Pound Ridge. There are no records about where he came from, his wife or his parent's name. Elisha's home was in a disputed area of the "Poundridge, Manor of Cortlandt". The Van Courtlandt Dutch family claimed ownership to property over many Freeholders. The Dutch had purchased Manhattan in 1626, both side of the Husdon River, Westcheser County, into Connectiut up to the Norwalk River. ElishaAvery claimed ownership to, "one dweling house, one barn, one garden, one orchard, 100 acres of land, 100 acres of meadow, 100 acres of pasture, and 100 acresof wood", within this land. In 1753 the Van Cortlandt heirs put the land in atrust to settle the dispute. (Stephanus Van Cortlandt by William III of England)

In 1732 the manor was divided among his heirs who gradually spread eastward from the Hudson River. Individual families rented the farmland and eventually land was sold in and around Cross River. The Trustees brought a suit of ejectment against Avery that lasted for several years. In order to choose a panelof jurors for the case the Supreme Court ordered that a list of freeholders beprepared in 1763. The case against Elisha Avery was settled out of court andthe Van Courtlandts' title to the Pound Ridge area was cleared. Enoch Avery aresident of "Pownridge, Manor of Cortlandt" was also threatened with legal action unless he paid his rent promptly.

Between 1789 & 1814 various Van Courtlandt heirs released or quit claimed their land to the inhabitants. Elisha andEnoch Avery bought additional land from Philip Van Courtlandt and operated a sawmill.

In the 1820 Assessment Roll Elisha has $1500 of real and personal property. He also served as a town assessor. Elisha Averys list of children comes from Judge Ezra Lockwood's journal. No gravestones are obvious for any of them.

Originally home to the Siwanoy and Kitchawong Indians (Mohican tribes, asubgroup of the Algonquians - shown above), the town takes its name from a tribal "pound" or enclosure for game that was on one of the area's many "ridges".The Indians led a relatively peaceful life of planting, hunting, and fishing.Pound Ridge was originally settled in 1640's as part of a tract of land purchased from local Indians by Captain Nathanial Turner, and it was officially incorporated in 1788.

During the Revolution in 1779, Pound Ridge was the scene ofthe dramatic raid led by the British Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton. He overwhelmed the local militia commanded by Major Ebenezer Lockwood and the regiment of Continental Light Dragoons (mounted infantry) led by Lt. Col. Elisha Shelton stationed in the Hamlet area. Fortunately, Tarleton got a bit lost finding Pound Ridge, which enabled the Americans more time to prepare. However, with better than a 2 to 1 advantage, Tarleton (a.k.a. "The Butcher") conquered, plundered, andburned much of the town. The reinforcements arrived, fought back and chased Tarleton away. This all happened on July 2, 1779.

After the war, Pound Ridge continued to flourish. Sawmills, gristmills, blacksmith shops, and general stores were built. By 1850, the population reached 1,486. Although a dairy farmingcommunity, Pound Ridge became known for hat and shoe making. Its most famous industry was basket making (first developed by the Native Indians). In fact, Pound Ridge was commonly referred to as "Basket Town", and the oyster fishermen onLong Island Sound used many of the sturdy baskets.

"The Leatherman" was a gentle hermit and interesting character, which roamed the area for 30 years in the latter half of the 1800's. He lived in various