Edward D.Avery

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Linked to: Timothy Michael Dowling, Spouse of 7th Great Grand Aunt
Edward Avery (James, James, Christopher) was b. March 20, 1675-6, at Groton; bap. July 2, 1676, First Church of New London; m. June 3, 1699, at Preston, Joanna Rose, dau. of Thomas and Hannah (Allyn) Rose. Hannah Allyn was the aunt of Robert Allyn who m. Deborah Avery (No. 10). Thomas Rose mentioned his dau., Johanna Avery, in his will. Edward Avery was on the list of freemen of Groton, 1708 and 1712; surveyor, 1707; surveyor and lister, 1713; surveyor, 1714; on the school committee, 1712. He lived in the northwest part of Groton, now Ledyard, on land that his father bought, Jan. 6, 1694, of the heirs of John Coit. On March 18, 1728, James3 Avery deeded this land to his sons, Edward and Christopher. Jan. 4, 1731, the sons divided the land, Edward taking the west side adjoining the Thames River and Poquetannock Cove. Here he lived and died. He and his wife were in full communion with the church at Groton, before Nov. 22, 1727. In 1724, he and his brother, Christopher, asked that North Groton be set off and they be allowed to have their own minister (Ecclesiastical Docs., Hartford, 3:218). They asked again in 1725. Lot No. 23, bounded on the west by the cove and on the east by the sea, was assigned to him in the division of common land, and later lot No. 60.
Edward Avery made his will Feb. 1, 1751 2; it was proved May 9, 1759. He called himself yeoman. He provided for his wife, Joanna, during her natural life. He mentioned that he had already given his son, Theophilus, lands and buildings, but further gave him "my Buccaneer Gunn Sword and Belt: my wearing Sword and Cane." Theophilus was to pay thirty pounds to Eunice, the daughter of his brother Ichabod. The testator stated that he had given to his beloved son, Asa, his homestead farm and buildings and improvements and bequeathed to him furniture, live stock, and money and made him executor. He ordered him to pay one hundred pounds to his son, Gideon, and thirty pounds to his granddau., Mary Avery. He gave to his dau., Hannah Pelton, forty pounds, and the same sum to his dau., Mary Pelton. He remembered his granddaughters, Joanna Allyn and Hannah Allyn, the first with fifteen pounds and the second with five pounds. His two granddaughters, Sarah Chapman and Deborah Stoddard, were each to have three pounds. The witnesses were Nathan Avery, Jacob Avery, and Samuel Hutchenson (New London Wills, G:355).
He was buried on his own farm. His wife and many of their descendants were buried on the same lot. His plainly lettered gravestone bears this inscription:
Mr. Edward Avery of Groton, who died March 14, 1759, aged 84 years and
24 days.
The age at time of death does not correspond to the date of death thus noted, but does agree with the date of death as recorded by Mr. Sweet, April 14, 1759. The wife, Joanna, died Jan. 3, 1761, aged 82.
His children who were born before the organization of the church in Groton were bap. in the First Church, New London.