Henry William Avery, Esq.

Henry William Avery, Esq., was born in Groton, Oct. 12, 1795, the son of Col. Ebenezer and Mary (Eldredge) Avery, and grandson of Ebenezer Avery, Jr., who was slain in Fort Griswold, at the British massacre, Sept. 6, 1781. He was of the eighth generation from Christopher Avery who came from Salisbury, England, in 1630, and settled in Gloucester, Mass.

Through his mother he was of the eighth generation from Elder William Brewster of the Mayflower. His education was gained in the district school of his home opposite the New London fort, the house of his parents and grandparents still (1900) standing. At the close of school age the family moved to the house in North Groton which, in 1836, became the south-east house in the new town of Ledyard. At the age of seventeen he served about two months in the War of 1812. When nineteen years old he united with the First Congregational Church in Groton, under the ministry of Rev. Timothy Tuttle, afterwards, by letter, Feb. 22, 1835, with the Congregational Church in North Groton (Ledyard), under the same ministry. He was married Nov. 27, 1817, to Betsey, daughter of Frederick and Hannah (Fish) Denison. As justice of the peace his services were regarded as very valuable in adjusting difficulties and reconciling contending parties. For many years he held the position of judge of probate, rendering kindly and faithful services in the fulfillment of the delicate duties of that office. 'He was ever helpful in his relation to the church, usually among the first to reach the Sabbath services with his family in a drive of five miles. As teacher and superintendent of the Sabbath- school he showed his loving devotion to the spiritual interests of the young. He had the charge of the large farm where, with his parents, he resided for thirty years, giving his loving and faithful care to his aged parents while they lived. When this filial service was no longer needed, he laid aside the responsibilities and labors of his active life, and with his wife moved to Belvidere, Ill., to live in the house which he built on the prairie for the use of himself and his son who preceded him, a few years, to that place. The rest of his days were spent in comparative quiet, yielding what labors he pleased to his garden and the farm of his son. On his removal from Ledyard he connected himself with the Presbyterian Church in Belvidere, and continued to be a punctual attendant at the Sabbath services as long as strength permitted, and with as interested attention as his serious and prolonged defect. of hearing would allow. The great and sore trial of his life was the sudden death of his devoted companion in Belvidere, May n, 1866, at the age of 66. He had hitherto lived much with his Bible, in private and family devotions, but when she who had walked on with him from early manhood until near the jubilee was taken from him, then especially the loved Book became his daily, almost hourly, companion, and this is his own record : "June 21, 1866, commenced reading Scott's Bible with notes and commentaries; finished the first volume Nov. 15, 1866. Finished the second volume Dec. 20, 1866. Finished third volume Jan. 14, 1867. Finished fourth volume Feb. It, 1867. Finished fifth volume March 9, 1867. Finished sixth volume April 8, 1867." After that he read the Bible, in course without notes, so frequently, that his record shows that he had read it ninety-six times since April, 1867. The hours of the Sabbath were sacredly observed, secular papers and ordinary books being discarded, and sometimes three or four sermons being read instead.

He retained an active mind and deep interest in passing events. His correspondence was quite extensive and continued to the last—the latest letter which came to him, a short time before his death, being from his life-long friend and frequent correspondent, Jonathan W'hipple, of Ledyard. The blessing of almost uninterrupted health and strength had been his through his long life. His last sickness kept him to his room and bed only twelve days, and, having no desire to abide, he went to his heavenly home March 5, 1883, aged 87 years, 4 months, 21 days. Two sons, Frederick D. and Henry W., survive. [F. D. A.]

THE GROTON AVERY CLAN, Vol. I, by Elroy McKendree Avery and Catherine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery, Cleveland, 1912. p. 646