Rev. Jared Reid Avery

THE GROTON AVERY CLAN, Vol. I, by Elroy McKendree Avery and Catherine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery, Cleveland, 1912. p. 387, 647

"He was a Congregational minister; Williams College, 1830; Auburn, N. Y., Theological School; ordained, 1833; agent for the American Tract Society; pastor of the church at Groton twelve years and of the church at Franklin nine years. He returned to Groton in 1861; member of the Groton school board fifteen years."

Mr. Avery was born in Groton September 7, 1804, a descendant of Captain James Avery, one of the earliest settlers of the town. He was a graduate of Williams College in the class of 1830. He had spent five years in the service of the American Tract Society, traveling in the Southern States and in New England. September 23, 1835. he was married to Mrs. Sarah Agnew, formerly Miss Skidmore of Louisville, Ky. He entered upon his ministry in Groton under most auspicious circumstances. The church was rejoiced to enjoy again the services every Sunday of a resident pastor, after an interval of forty-one years. His presence stimulated the interest in the mid-week services, the Sunday school received a new impetus, temperance work was organized and systematic missionary contributions were undertaken, notwithstanding that the churchitself was receiving aid from the Connecticut Home Missionary Society.

The great revival at Mystic in 1842 was felt by this church and the following year was one of large gains in the membership of the church. Mr. Avery retired from the pastorate April 15, 1851, after a service of twelve years, during which sixty-five had been added to the membership.

GROTON, CONN., 1705-1905, by Charles R. Stark, Stonington, CT, 1922, p. 122

Jared Reid Avery (1804-1885), pastor of Congregational Churches in Groton and Franklin, Conn.

HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LEDYARD 1650-1900, by Rev. John Avery, published by Noyes & Davis: Press, Norwich, Connecticut, 1901, p. 95