THOMPSON & CAIN FAMILY TREE:Information about James Avery
James Avery (b. 1620, d. April 18, 1700)
Notes for James Avery:
THE AVERYS OF GROTON
Author: Elroy McKendree Avery and Catharine AveryCall Number: R929.2 A954
This book contains histories and genealogies of the Groton Avery family
Bibliographic Information: Avery, Elroy McKendree and Catharine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery. The Groton Avery Clan. Cleveland. 1912
(3) Capt. James Avery, only son of Christopher the emigrant, born in England in 1620, died 18 April 1700; married 10 November 1643, in Boston, Joanna Greenslade, born about 1622, was living in 1693.James built a home in Groton, New London County, Connecticut, in 1656 which was continuously occupied by his descendants until it burned down on the night of 20 July 1894. A memorial stands on the old home site as do the original cornerstones, well, and chimney supports.
LARRY CHESEBROUGHTHE DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM CHESEBROUGH
http://www.chesebro.net/families.shtml
In 1656 James acquired large tracts of land in Groton and from the timbers from the New London Church he built the homestead "Hive of the Averys" at the head of Poquonock plain in the present town of Groton, a mile and a half from the River Thames.
On February 16, 1676, under Captain George Denison, provost marshal of New London County, with James Avery, Thomas Miner/Minor, and John Stanton as his lieutenants, some forty New London County volunteers with their Mohican and Pequot allies raided the Narragansett country, killing seven and capturing thirteen.
On March 27, a third expedition led by Captain Denison, lieutenants Avery and Miner/Minor, left Norwich, returning April 10.On this campaign Canonchet, the Narragansett chief was captured and brought to a council at Anguilla plain.
Chief Canonchet bravely refused to submit to surrender to the English, and when told he must die, he replied, "I like it well that I should die before my heart has grown soft and I have said anything unworthy of myself."He was executed in the Indian fashion by Oneko and two other Pequot, Sachems closest to his rank among his captors.
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 43 through 78.
James Avery came to America with his father in 1630 on the "Arbella". James was an early land owner at Gloucester as it is shown by extracts from the town book containing an account of "Land laid out and to whom;"
9 mo. (16)45. "Andrew Lister had 8 acres of upland upon Planter's Neck, running from Lobster Cove to the sea, the 24th lott next to James Averies."
1 mo. (16)47, "James Averie Given 6 acres of upland at the hed of Little River to be laide out."
26. 3. (16)51. "Also the said Richard Beefor bought of James Avery three acres of upland."
15. 10. (16)53. James Avery had marsh at Chebacco.
The following items are from the Salem quarterly court records and files.
1: 11: 1645. James Avery of Gloucester took the oath of freeman.
25: 10: 1649. James Averey grand juryman from Gloster.
24:4: 1650. James Averey grand juryman.
In studying the record of these days, the careful student is strongly impressed with the fact that Capt. James Avery was a very remarkable man. Living as he did in stirring times, he was a leader among strong men, enjoying their confidence and respect because he deserved them. Especially it is to be noted that although the state took cognizance of affairs that we now call private and interfered in the details of family life and personal relations in a way that would not now be tolerated, he was never censured or "presented" for any shortcoming or alleged dereliction of duty of propriety. Eminent in all the relations of life, his descendants look upon him with pride and affection as one "sans p[eur et sans reproche."
ANCESTORS OF ALDEN SMITH SWAN AND HIS WIFE MARY ALTHEA FARWELL, by Josephine C. Frost, The Hills Press, New York MCMXXII, page 32.
: THE AVERYS OF GROTON; The Groton Avery Clan; Ancestral File; Genealogical and Biographical Record of New London County, Connecticut (Beers); History of New London County, Connecticut (Hurd); A Catalogue of the Names of Early Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut (Hinman); Our
Family Genealogy, Morgan-Avery (1851) by N.H. Morgan; The Red King's Rebellion by Russell Bourne; History of Montville; Saturday's Children, A History of theBabcock Family in America by C. Merton Babcock; Babcock and Allied Families by Louis E. de Forest; Virkus; Savage; National Society, Daughters of Colonial Wars, Lineage Book V.Our Family: James Avery came from Devonshire with Gov. Winthrop's company in 1630.
C. M. Babcock: James Avery, born 1620, came to New England on the Arbella in 1630 with the Winthrop fleet. This is implied, since he came with this father and Christopher is credited with the 1630 arrival. Some say, however, that they might have come in 1631 with Winthrop Jr., since he and James were great friends and may have become well acquainted on the 1631 voyage. James was 12 times deputy to the General Court (1658-1680). He died 18 April 1700. Married Joanna Greenslade 10 Nov. 1643.
De Forest: Dates are the same as above. Freeman at Gloucster in 1645. Moved to what is now New London in 1651 after receiving some 300 acres of land in 1650 and 1651. He received more land later for his public service. In 1665 Ensign Avery was named lieutenant of the train band and during the threat of Connecticut's attack by the Dutch, he was named a captain in 1673. During King Philip's War he was appointed fifth in command of the united Army against the Indians, and he led the Pequot allies during the Great Swamp Fight 19 Dec. 1675. He was named selectman in 1660 and held that office for 23 years. He was deputy to the General Court almost continuously from 1659 to 1689. In 1663 and 1664 he was appointed a commissioner to try small causes, and from 1666 to 1670 and from 1674 to 1695 he was judge of the County court.
Red King: Captains James Avery and George Denison led Hartford's two newly authorized companies in a search for Canochet in 1676, the second year of King Philip's War. The English were augmented by Niantics and Mohegans, in a ratio of some 40 Englishmen to 80 native ancillaries. They succeeded in capturing the Narraganset sachem, who was condemned to death April 2 at Stonington. "Flintlock and Tomahawk" by Douglas Edward Leach mentions this campaign, saying it was led by Capt. Denison. He does not mention James Avery.
Virkus: Capt. James Avery, 1620-1700. Captain in King Philip's War, judge, deputy to the General Court; married 1643 Joanna Greenslade.
Information on children comes from "THE AVERYS OF GROTON" and AF data. An AF record lists a 10th child, Joanna Avery, born 1669 in New London. In the Averys of Groton, someone has written in that same information.
His land grant in Groton adjoined that of James Morgan. And Averys and Morgans are buried in the same old cemetery in Groton. Pequonnock, or Poquonnock, is now Groton.
He married (2) Abigail Ingraham Chesbrough Holmes July 4, 1698. She married (1) Samuel Chesbrough, was widowed and then married (2) Joshua Holmes.
The name Avere first appears in England in the Domesday Book, which was completed in 1084.
Montville: James Avery, ensign, lieutenant and captain in the early train band. Active in King Philip's War. Twelve times deputy to the General Court.
Savage: James Avery of Gloucester, married 10 Nov. 1643 Jane Greenslade of Boston. Removed to New London. "He was held in high esteem; lieutenant, captain, served in King Philip's War when he commanded the Pequot allied force; was living in February 1694; representative to the General Court in 1659 and often after to 1669. First three children born in Gloucester and others in New London. Savage records a daughter Joanna, born 1669, not listed in THE AVERYS OF GROTON or the Groton Avery Clan.
Colonial Wars: Capt. James Avery, born 1620 in England, died 18 April 1700 in New London. Married Joanna Greenslade 10 Nov. 1643 in Boston or Gloucester, Mass. and had 10 children. Ensign, lieutenant and captain in King Philip's War; led 40 Indians from Stonington, New London and Lyme. 1676, captain of one of four companies that protected the frontier; 23 years a town officer and 12 times deputy to the General Court, 1656-1680.
Researching this line is Nancyann Norman at [email protected]
Researching this line is David Hoffman at [email protected]
Researching this line is Joleene Duff at [email protected]
1630 -Shortly after the birth of his son Nathaniel, William CHESEBROUGH, with his wife Anne and three surviving children of the eight that had been born to him, set sail for New England on the ship "Arbella", Captain Peter MILBORNE, master.The ship set sail from Cowes, Isle of Wight, on Tuesday, March 30, 1630, and was called the "Admiral" of the fleet as it was the best vessel and held the more important people.Among the other passengers was Christopher and James AVERY, Thomas MINER, and John WINTHROP.They settled first at Charlestown, 30 July 1630, but in three months removed to Boston.
1643 -James AVERY (ca.1620-1700) married first, 10 November 1643, at Boston, Massachusetts to Joanna GREENSLADE.He removed from Boston to Gloucester in 1643.They had children: Hannah AVERY married. 1666 Ephraim MINER; James AVERY (1646-1728) married. 1669 Deborah, daughter. of Edward STALLYON; Mary AVERY (1647/8-1708) married. 1668 Joseph MINER; Thomas AVERY (1651-1737) married. (1st) 1677 Hannah MINOR & married. (2nd) 1693 Mrs. Hannah (RAYMOND) BULKLEY; John AVERY married. 1675 Abigail, daughter. of Samuel CHESEBROUGH; Rebecca AVERY married. 1678 William POTTS; Jonathan; Christopher; Samuel AVERY (1664-1723) married. Susannah PALMER; and Joanna AVERY. -Avery, Elroy Mckendree, et.al., THE GROTON AVERY CLAN (1912); Sweet, Homer DeLois, THE AVERYS OF GROTON (1894), p.27, passim; Mead, Spencer P., YE HISTORIE of ye TOWN OF GREENWICH (1857 - reprinted 1911), pages491-494, passim; Mather, Frederic G. THE REFUGEES of 1776from LONG ISLAND to CONNECTICUT (1972 reprint of the 1913 edition), p.259; Wurts' MAGNA CHARTA, v.5, pages1368; James H. Allyn, SWAMP YANKEE FROM MYSTIC (1980), p.22-29.
1649 -James AVERY was grand-juryman from Gloucester, in 1649 and 1650.
SRAPBOOK
Capt. James Avery memorial bust, Groton, Connecticut
The "Hive" of the Averys, was built in 1656 by Capt. James Avery on Poquonock Plain, now Groton, Connecticut.When the family grew large enough for an addition to be needed, James purchased the old church used by Rev. Thomas Hooker, dismantled it, and incorporated its timbers into the structure of the house.When the house burned down in 1894, millionaire John D. Rockefeller, a descendant of James, placed a bronze plaque on the old home site as a memorial which still stands today.
More About James Avery:
Died 2: April 18, 1700, Groton, New London County,Connecticut.
Landowner: 1656, Large tracts of land at Groton, Connecticut.
Military service 1: Captain.
Military service 2: 1655, Lieutenant of the Train Band, New London, Connecticut.
Residence: 1643, Gloucester, Massachusetts.
More About James Avery and Joanna Greenslade:
Marriage: November 10, 1643, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
More About James Avery and Abigsal Ingraham:
Marriage: July 04, 1698
Children of James Avery and Joanna Greenslade are:
- Hannah Avery, b. October 11, 1644, New London, New London County, Connecticut, d. August 22, 1721, Stonnington, New London County, Connecticut.
- James Avery, b. December 15, 1646, Gloucester, Essex Co., Connecticut, d. August 22, 1728, Groton, New London Co., CT.
- Mary Avery, b. February 29, 1647/48, New London, New London County, Connecticut, d. February 02, 1707/08, Stonnington, New London County, Connecticut.
- Thomas Avery, b. May 06, 1651, New London, New London County, Connecticut, d. January 05, 1736/37, Montville, New London Co.
- +John Avery, b. February 10, 1653/54, North Stonington, New London County, Conneciicut, d. April 17, 1724, North Groton, New London County, Connecicut.
- Rebecca Avery, b. October 06, 1656, New London, New London County, Connecticut, d. August 05, 1678.
- Johnathan Avery, b. January 05, 1657/58, New London, New London County, Connecticut, d. August 1681, New London, New London County, Connecticut.
- Christopher Avery, b. April 30, 1661, New London, New London County, Connecticut, d. December 08, 1683, New London, New London County, Connecticut.
- Samuel Avery, b. August 14, 1664, New London, New London County, Connecticut, d. May 01, 1723, New London, New London County, Connecticut.
- Joanna Avery, b. 1669, d. date unknown.