John Avery

Born Feb. 4th 1700 at Groton, New London Co., Conn., and baptized May 26, 1700 at the First Church of New London, 'in right of his mother,' his father having signed the remonstrance. John married Elizabeth Morgan, daughter of William and Margaret (Avery) Morgan. Elizabeth was born July 10, 1710, at Groton, she died May 18, 1749, at Groton. John married 2d Mary Dennis. 'Mr. John Avery jr. and Miss Mary Dennis of Stonington were married June 13, 1751, by Nath. Eells, minister of the gospel' (Groton Records, 1:16). Mary was the daughter of Ebenezer and Sarah (Hough) Dennis, and was born April 5, 1713, at New London. Mr. Sweet's supposition that the John Avery who married Mary Dennis had, for his second wife, Anne Miner is not correct. John Avery who married Anne Miner lived many years and left a large family, according to the Groton records, the John Avery who married Mary Dennis died July 11, 1759; this John Avery, the son of James did die at that time. The David Avery ms. and the New London probate records confirm this statement, the descendants of the other John Avery disclaimed any Mary Dennis.

John Avery was several times selectman of Groton and several times surveyor. January 8, 1751, he was made guardian of his children, Elijah, Amos and Caleb, who inherited property through their mother (New London Court Journal, 6:100). He died July 11, 1759, at Groton. March 1, 1769, his estate was divided among his heirs the widow, Mary Avery, receiving her right in the homestead farm; Elijah, her 'son-in-law,' 'the oldest son of John Avery, deceased,' a part of the homestead farm, Amos Avery, second son, a share; Mary Avery, only daughter, a share; Jabez Avery, minor, third son, a share (New London Court Journal). Mary (Dennis) Avery was made guardian of Mary and Jabez Avery, children of John Avery, late of Groton, Sept. 11, 1759. Jabez, son of John Avery, late of Groton, age 16, chose Ebenezer Witter for his guardian, May 1, 1772. Mrs. Mary (Dennis) Avery married 2d, Joseph Witter of Preston, Nov. 6, 1760 (Preston Records). The children of John and Elizabeth (Morgan) Avery were baptized at the First Church of Groton, New London Co., Conn. The children of John and Mary (Dennis) Avery were born at Groton, New London Co., Conn.

Sources

• THE GROTON AVERY CLAN, Vol. I, by Elroy McKendree Avery and Catherine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery, Cleveland, 1912. p. 120, 160

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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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• MORGAN GENEALOGY: A History of James Morgan, of New London, Conn., and His Descendants; from 1607 to 1869, By Nathaniel H. Morgan, Hartford, Press of Case, Lockwood & Brainard, 1869, p. 30

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