CAPT. JAMES AVERY

"HIVE OF THE AVERYS," PURCHASED BY CAPT. JAMES AVERY, 
BURNED 1894

THE AVERY MEMORIAL MONUMENT OF GROTON, CT  
by Mary Virginia Goodman and Elwood James Thacher, edited by Joe Lantiere 

It was in June of 1684 that the old Blinman edifice at New London, "The unadorned church and watch-tower of the wilderness, was sold to Captain James Avery for six pounds, with the condition that he should remove it in one month's time." According to tradition, it was taken down and its materials were carried by river and sound, and added to the house he had already built in 1656 at the head of Poquonock Cove.

For over 230 years, the old Avery Homestead, known as the "Hive of the Averys," stood at the head of Birch Plain. Here successive families of Averys lived and reared their children, generation after generation. The venerable old house withstood the storms of winter and the heat of summer; the hand of time gently touched every ancient board. The descendants of James and his father Christopher began to consider it forever indestructible until one night on July 20, 1894, a spark from an engine passing over the railroad bridge set fire to the time-seasoned roof, and soon, engulfed by flames, the old Avery Homestead fell. Its destruction filled the hearts of the members of the Avery clan with sorrow and dismay, but soon their grief gave way to plans for memorializing the house by establishing a memorial society and a monument on this spot to show to generations yet unborn that here lived the men of olden times, James Avery and his sons and grandsons, who were of such prominence in the very beginnings of the colony of Connecticut in this section of New London and Groton.

Soon after the destruction of the old "Hive," The Avery Memorial Association was incorporated. The owner of the homestead site, James Dension Avery, gave the land by deed of gift to the new Avery Association.

The granite shaft, surmounted by a bronze bust representing the builder, is a replica of a typical Puritan, magistrate and Indian fighter. The monument was designed by the noted sculptor Bela L. Pratt, an Avery descendant. The shaft rises from the middle of the outline of the old house. Whoever walks around the monument today will see the old stone steps where Averys for generations entered the old homestead. Parts of the chimney still stand, ivy covered now. The monument was dedicated July 20, 1900. Six hundred descendants gathered on that day to honor their illustrious ancestor and the ancient home spot. Dr. Elroy M. Avery, the President of the Association presided; Helen Morgan Avery unveiled the bust; Frank Montgomery Avery delivered the oration:

"We have assembled here today to join in the dedication of a memorial; not of a monument erected to the memory of a great historical event or the accomplishment of some illustrious personal achievement, but of a memorial designed to designate the spot where the roots of a family tree struck deeply and strong enough to take permanent hold in the soil of New England, and whence its branches have spread out far and wide and lusty with the strength of the parent stock. It is to honor the place of our forefathers' refuse and abode, of their struggles and triumphs, their birthplaces and their death place through the early generations, that this shaft has been erected on the site of the first of their homesteads, and that we are here today."

The Averys of New London lived for eight generations in a Colonial home
called by the family "The Hive of the Averys."

Occupants/Owners of the Hive were:
Captain James Avery, b. 1620 in England
James Avery, b. Dec 15 1646
Ebenezer Avery, b. May 1 1677/8-1752
Elder Parke Avery (1710-1797)
Lt. Parke Avery
Youngs Avery
Parke Avery
James D Avery, the occupant in 1882. The Hive burned down in 1894.

FROM THE BOOK:

The Groton Avery Clan vol 1, by: Elroy McKendree Avery and Catharine Avery, 1912

THE SECOND GENERATION--JAMES AVERY.

2. Captain James2 Avery (Christopher1) was b. about 1620, in England; m. 1st, November 10, 1643, at Boston, to Joanna Greenslade; m. 2d, July 4, 1698, to Abigail, widow of Joshua Holmes.

Captain James Avery is often spoken of as the founder of the family or clan that we call the Groton Averys. That he was the only child of Christopher Avery is plainly seen by the following entry on the books of the county court of New London, Connecticut, November 24, 1683:

   "Capt. James Avery appearing in this Court and there Declaring himself 
      the only sonn & heir of his Father Mr. Christopher Avery deceased 
      and that there was neither sonn or Daughter but himself was sole heir 
      and he desiring this court would so constitute him and give him power 
      of administration upon the said estate of his father deceased. This 
      Court having duly considered what hath been alleadged do approve of 
      the same and judge the said Capt. James Avery to be the right and 
      full heir to the said estate and do give him power of administrator to 
      the estate of Mr. Christopher Avery his deceased father. 

                                                Attest Charles Hill Rec." 

James Avery came to America with his father and lived at Gloucester for several years. He was married November 10, 1643, as appears by the records of Gloucester:

"James Avery married to Joane (???) November 10, 1643." That her name was Joane Greenslade is learned from her letter of dismissal from the church at Boston to the one at Gloucester in 1644. The first volume of admissions of the First Church of Boston contains what little information we have been able to glean concerning Joane Greenslade. On page 63 is a list of six names of which hers stands third among the admissions as follows:

   "The 18th day of ye 4th Moneth 1643 
      Joan Greenslade, a single woman." 

On page 66 of the same volume is an entry showing her dismissal to the church of Gloucester:

   "The 17th day of ye 1st Moneth 1644 Our Sister Joan Greenslade now ye 
      wife of one James Averill of Gloster had granted hir by ye Churches 
      silence lres of Recomend to ye Church at Gloster." 

In June, 1684, the old Blinman edifice at New London, "the unadorned church and watch-tower of the wilderness, was sold to Captain James Avery for six pounds, with the condition that he should remove it in one month's time." According to tradition, it was taken down and its materials were carried by river and sound and added to the house he had already built at the head of Poquonock Cove. In spite of this analytic and synthetic process, the house seems to have retained something of its sacred character. A century later, "the same timbers, the same boards, joyfully resounded once more to the ancient but well remembered voices of exhortation and praise." (See frontispiece.)

With its charming situation, the old time combination constituted one of the most interesting and picturesque residences in the country. This historic home never passed into alien hands, being continously occupied by James Avery or some of his descendants until it was destroyed by fire on the night of the twentieth of July, 1894.

Soon after the destruction of the "Old Hive," the Avery Memorial Association was incorporated. It received the old homestead site by deed of gift from the owner, James Denison Avery, and there erected a granite memorial in what is now known as the Avery Memorial Park. The shaft is surmounted by a bronze bust, representing the builder of the "Old Hive." The bust is of heroic size and represents the founder as a typical Puritan, magistrate, and Indian fighter. It was designed by the noted sculptor, Bela Lyon Pratt, an Avery descendant. The shaft rises from the middle of the outline of the old house, which outline has been carefully preserved; the old fireplaces have been rebuilt; the old hearthstones are in their places; the old thresholds are marked by the stone steps which the feet of the founder of the race first trod.

  THE AVERY MEMORIAL BY MARY L. BOLLES BRANCH

              Here once an ancient homestead stood, 
                  Gray with long years, of fashion old, 
                  From stately oak, from hallowed wood, 
                  Were hewn its beams, and strong and good 
                  Uprose its walls, a race to hold. 

                  Here round the hearth sat sires and sons, 
                  Mothers and babes, a charming throng; 
                  Eight times renewed the long line runs, 
                  The youths became the aged ones, 
                  The children grew to manhood strong. 

                  Honor and virtue here held sway, 
                  And courage high in word and deed, 
                  Forth went the statesman on his way, 
                  Forth marched the soldier to his fray, 
                  A sturdy race from sturdy seed. 

                  Gone are the walls that stood so long, 
                  Mossed roof and chimney, all are gone, 
                  Where sheltered happy lives were passed 
                  Now blows at will the winter blast, 
                  There is no home, the spot is lone. 

                Yet stay, what wonders love hath wrought! 
                   Here is the hearthstone of a race, 
                   The threshold that their feet have sought, 
                   Here to our view the bounds are brought, 
                   And ivies the old chimneys grace. 

                  Oh! rooms unseen by mortal eyes, 
                  Wherein may move the friendly guest, 
                  Oh! walls invisible that rise 
                  With household gods in unknown guise, 
                  What is there to meet our quest? 

                Behold, the vanished home uprears 
                   This granite shaft whereon today 
                   Wrought in enduring bronze appears 
                   One who shall greet the coming years, 
                   Chief of his race, who seems to say: 

                   Here once an ancient homestead stood, 
                   Gray with long years, of fashion old, 
                   From stately oak, from hallowed wood 
                   Were hewn its beams, and strong and good 
                   Uprose its walls, a race to hold. 

In June 1657 Uncas, Sachem of the Mohegans, fled to a fort below Norwich on the Thames River after his tribe was attacked by the Narragansetts. Lt. James Avery, Mr. Brewster, Richard Haughton, son Lathrop & other English from Lyme & New London went to his rescue and drove the Naragansetts away.
Colonial Families, page 3-9.

On 15 July 1675, the Commissioners of the United Colonies negotiated a peace treaty with the Narragansett tribe which removed some danger to the settlers at Stonington, Connecticut; but during the summer, the Indians of other tribes attacked throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. On 18 Sept 1675 the settlers at Deerfield, Massachusetts were massacred. During the autumn the Naragansetts broke their pledge of peace, and the Indians concentrated their strength in Rhode Island and again threatened Eastern Connecticut.

On Oct 29, 1675, under orders from the General Court, all homes in Stonington were fortified. Captain James Avery was put in command of 40 cavalry stationed at New London, and Capt. John Mason, Jr. commanded 20 English and Mohegans at Norwich.
In Feb. 1676, under Capt. George Denison, Provost Marshall of New London county, with James Avery, Thomas Miner and John Stanton as his lieutenants, some 40 New London Co. volunteers with their Mohegan and Pequot allies raided the Narragansett country, killing 7 and capturing 13.

On 27 March a third expedition led by Capt. Denison, Lts. Avery and Miner, left Norwich, returning 10 Apr. On this campaign Canonchet, the Narragansett Chief was captured and brought to a council at Anguilla Plain. He bravely refused to submit to surrender to the English, and when told that 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 closet to his rank among his captors.

On 12 Aug 1676, King Philip was killed by Massachusetts troops near Mt. Hope, Rhode Island, ending the war during which 13 towns had been destroyed, over 600 homes burned, and about 750 English men, women and children killed.
Connecticut Colonial Records, Vol. 2, page 386-7.
Eloise M. Roberts, Some Colonial Families, page 7-8

  Hubbard, the early historian of the Indian wars, writes thus:

   "The inhabitants of New London, Norwich and Stonington, apprehensive 
      of their danger, by reason of the near bordering of the enemy, and 
      upon other prudent considerations, voluntarily listed themselves under 
      some able gentlemen and resolute soldiers among themselves, Major 
      Palmes, Capt. George Denison, Capt. Avery, with whom or under 
      whom, within the compass of 1676, they made ten or more several 
      expeditions, in all of which at those several times, they killed and took 
      two hundred and thirty-nine of the enemy by the help and assistance 
      of the Pequots, Mohegans, and a few friendly Narragansetts; besides 
      thirty taken in their long march homewards, after the fort fight, December 
      19, '75; and besides sixteen captivated in the second expedition, not 
      reckoned within the compass of the said number; together with fifty 
      guns and spoiling the enemy of an hundred bushels of corn." 

  The question of the spoils of war came up often for discussion. In August, 1675:

   "The Councill agreed and ordered that the rigt and division of the captives 
      be left to the decission and determination of Capt. John Mason, Capt. 
      James Avery and Mr. Daniel Witherell, whoe are desired and empowered 
      to disspose the said captiues, whither in hands of the Pequots, 
      Moheags or Naragancetts, to such persons to whome of right they doe 
      belong, according to the severall agreements as the claymers shall 
      make their demands by."

James Avery was prominent in matters relating to the church, and the references to him in such connection are numerous, many of which have been noted in previous pages. The church record kept by the Rev. Mr. Bradstreet begins October 5, 1670, the day of his ordination. It opens with the following:

                  "MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH. 

                   Lieutenant James Avery and wife, 
                   Thomas Miner and wife, 
                   James Morgan, senior and wife," 
                   and eighteen others.

In his famous diary, Thomas Minor makes frequent reference to James Avery with whom he was to be connected by the marriage of three of his children. The following shows that James Avery was expected to watch the spiritual interests of the church:

 "These are to signifie to all such whome it may concerne that we whose 
      names are under written being members of the Church of Christe of 
      New London doe owne Thomas minor of stoneington and his wife 
      members with us and under our Care and watch and they doe live ffor 
      ought wee know or heare as doe become Christians 
                                                   JAMES AVERIE 
   new london                                      WILLIAM DOUGLASS 
       June 30, 1669 
               In the name and with the Consent of the Cch" 

As early as 1678, the people on the east side of the great river (the Thames), through James Avery, petitioned the general court for a church and a minister of their own.

   "To the Honord General Assembly now sitting at Hartford. 
         The Humble petition of James Avery in Behalf the Inhabitants that 
         live on the east side new London River. 
         Showing that whereas we that now live at that place and hesought the 
         blessing of God Increased to about twenty eight families and are so 
         seated from new London to which worship we at present pertain that 
         neither ourselves or families can without great hazzard and trouble 
         get to new London to attend the public worship of God on the Lords 
         day to our great hindrance there being a very Great ferry of about 
         a mile over besides six or seven miles that many of us must travell 
         by Land we have in consideration of the good we hope to attain and 
         the insuitable harm that otherwise we cannot but expect have 
         thought it our duty to present to this honored court our condition 
         and grievances in the foresaid respect and that we have humbly 
         requested of our neighbors of new London their willingness that we 
         might have a minister on our side of the river at our own cost who 
         seem to be very unwilling thereunto. Requesting this court serious 
         consideration thereof and that we may have liberty of procuring 
         and settling a ministry on our side of the river to be at our charges 
         and that when the same is attained that we may be free from paying 
         to the ministry at new London we hope this honored court will 
         find the less difficulty to grant in that the like has been granted to 
         sundry other places whose beginnings were not more able to afford 
         maintenance than we hope ours are and to some as at Lyme on the 
         same reason as the difficult passage by water and that the welfare 
         of your petitioners will bee much advantaged thus waiting the 
         Courts pleasure therein we shall for this honored court ever 
         pray &c 
                                JAMES AVERY   in the name of the rest 
      May 9, 1678" 
   (From Ecclesiastical Documents, vol. 1, doc. 47, in the State Library, 
      Hartford. See facsimile on opposite page.) 

  To this, the general court made answer thus:

   "May 15, 1678. This Court haueing considered the petition of Captn Avery, 
     in behalfe of the people on the east side of New London River, petitioning 
     that they might have liberty to provide themselves of a minister 
     to dispense the word of God to them, &c. as p. the petition on file may 
     appeare, the Court haueing heard and considered the case and what 
     hath been objected against it by agents of the Towne of New London, 
     doe declar that they cannot but compassionate the condition of the 
     people of London that have such troublesome passage to the worship 
     of God, and yet they cannot see reason to answer the desires of the 
     petitioners at present, but advise them cheerfully to a carrying on of 
     the works of God in their present state vnite, and when God shall have 
     blessed and increased their numbers and states so as that there may be 
     a likelyhood of their comfortable and honourable mayntayning of two 
     ministers in that towne, and in such case when they are soe accomplished 
     to the sattisfaction of this Court, they may have a minister on 
     that side, but not to be a distinct township without the free consent 
     of the people on the west side of the river and approbation of this Court." 
     (Conn. Col. Rec., vol. 3, p. 13.) 

In 1687, after persistent petitionings in which James Avery was prominent, it was ordered that for the future they should have liberty to invite the minister of the town to preach on their side of the river every third Sabbath during the four most inclement months of the year.

The good work that he had thus begun was continued by his sons and, in 1702, the church on the east side of the river for which he had so long labored became a reality. Although he did not live to see the happy termination of his earnest endeavor, he is justly considered one of the founders of the First Church of Groton as he was of the First Church of New London. In the two hundred years since then four buildings have housed the organization.

The Hon. Richard A. Wheeler, for many years the judge of probate at Stonington, Conn., says (Novembr 10, 1888): "Mr. Avery held the office of commissioner for a good many years, and, judging from his position in civil and military life, he must have been a man of marked abilities, fitted for the exigencies of the times in which he lived." Miss Caulkins says that "after 1666, for fifteen or twenty years, the commissioners (justices) for New London were almost invariably Messrs. Avery, Wetherell and Palmes." (History of New London, p. 180.)

Captain James Avery was twelve times elected to the general court from 1658 to 1680. Groton was set off from New London as a separate town in 1705. In 1871, Judge Wheeler published a list of representatives from Groton from its organization, at the end of which occur these words: "It is worthy of note that out of the 545 representatives of the town of Groton, 104 have borne the name of Avery and all were descendants of Captain James Avery."

In studying the records of those days, the careful student is strongly impressed with the fact that Captain 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 is it to be noted that, although the state then took cognizance of affairs which we now call private and interfered in the details of family life and personal relations in a way that would not be tolerated now, he was never censured or "presented" for any shortcoming or alleged dereliction of duty or propriety. Eminent in all the relations of life, his descendants look upon him with pride and affection as one sans peur et sans reproche

In 1693 James Avery made preparation for a comfortable old age. He had previously deeded land to each of his sons, but he then made a final provision as the following deed shows:

   "To all Christian people to whom this present Deed of sale shall come 
      James Avery, senior of New London in the Colonie of Connecticut in 
      New England sendeth Greeting. Know ye that I the sd James Avery, 
      senior for and in consideration of that natural affection and love which 
    I give and bear unto my beloved sonn Samuel Avery of the Towne and 
      Colonie aforesaid as also for other considerations payments and Reservations 
      hereby and herein specified to be allowed and performed by my 
      said sonn Samuel Avery with the which I doe acknowledge myself to be 
      fully Satisfied and Contented and upon performance of the same Doe 
      Aquit and Discharge my sayed son Samuel Avery, his heirs, Executors, 
      Administrators, and Assigns forever by these present. Have given, 
      Granted Bargained, Sold, Alliened, Enfeofed and Confirmed and by
      these present Doe fully and Absolutely Give, Grant, bargain, Sell, 
      Allien, Enfeof and Confirme unto my sayde sonn Samuel Avery his 
      heirs, Executors, Administrators, Assigns forever all that my ffarme 
      whereon I dwell with the parcel of land and meadow thereunto belonging 
      situate and being on the east side of New London River at New 
      London containing in estimation two hundred and twelve acres to the 
      James Morgan lott the parcel being butted and bounded viz. Impremis 
      the home lott containing fifty Akers bounded on the west and partly on 
      the south with the Brook or river and part of the salt [blot] and 
      which the Brook empties into and partly on the south by the lane that 
      parts this land and the ffarme in the possession of Major-General John 
      Winthrop on the north with the land of Nehemiah Smith and on the 
      east with land in the possession of my sonne Thomas Avery. More 
      sixty Akers of land lying in Paqunotk bounded on the west with the 
      greate swamp and on the east with Paquanotk coave or River on the 
      north and south with the lands of Mr. Richard Lord and Mr. John 
      Daugs. More one hundred Akers of land with meadow on it lying to 
      the northward of Mr. Richard Smith's house bounded on the south with 
      sd Smith's land and on the east with Ledges of Rock and Comon and 
      on the west with a cart way that leadds to the woods and on the north 
      with land formerly given to my sonn James Avery now layde Down 
      Comon. More two Acres of meadof lying at (?) plaine (?) bounded on 
      the north with a swamp on the east with land of James Avery juniorand 
      the other bounds as by records of said meadow together with all 
      housings Buildings and housings, Barns Stables or chatels ffruit trees 
      all herds profits, privileges comonages and all other Appurtenances as 
      with sd ffarm and grants of land belonging or in any way appertaining 
      to have and to hold the sd ffarm and parcels of land butted and 
      bounded as aforesaid with all other the above granted premises unto 
      my sd sonn Samuel Avery his heirs, Executors, Administrators, Assigns. 
      . . . Provided always and it is nevertheless agreed and conceded by 
      and between the said parties these presents, that I the said James 
      Avery senior, do reserve the north end of the dwelling house during my 
      life and the life of my wife Johanna Avery and also the full moyity or 
      one half part of the neat product or increase of all the land above 
      aliened during my own life and the life of my beloved wife Johanna 
      Avery which sd lands are to be improved by my sd son Samuel Avery 
      to an best advantage the charges thereof are to be equally borne or 
      boarne betwixt us and satisfied out of the produce what remaining to 
      be equally shared betwixted us. Likewise it is agreed by the parties 
      to these present that the stock of neat cattle which now are on the 
      ffarm being two oxen, 16 cows, 4 steers 4 ys old, 8 steers 3 y old, 16 
      steers and heifers 2 ys old, 11 steers and heifers 1 yr old, 50 sheep, 
      7 swine, 4 mares, 2 young horses, 1 bull are at this time belonging the 
      one half share to me the sd James Avery senior and the other half at 
      this time belonging to my sonn Samuel Avery all of which stock is to 
      Runn and be Maintayned with the hay gott out of the sd ffarm and 
      lands agreed on about the cows & the charges to be equally borne by
      each party and the one half of its produce to accrew yearly to me the 
      sd James Avery senior the other half of its produce to be and belong 
      to my sonn Samuel Avery. It is likewise agreed by and between the 
      Said parties to these presents that at the death and decease of the said 
      James Avery senior and my loving wife Johanna Avery or at the 
      decease of my sd sonn Samuel Avery the afore mentioned stock of neat 
      cattle, sheep swine & the increase thereof shall be equally divided the 
      one half to be at the disposal of me the sd James Avery senior 
      and my loving wife Johanna Avery by our last will and testament 
      and the other half to be and belong to my sd son Samuel Avery and his 
      successors.
      It is also agreed between the parties by these present that if my sd sonn 
      Samuel Avery decease before me James Avery senior or before my 
      loving wife Johanna Avery then provision is made by these presents 
      that his heirs, Executors, Administrators, Assigns are to perform what 
      is obliged to Doe by these presents, Relating to the improving of the 
      sd ffarme And providing for the Stock that Remains and belongs to me 
      the sd James Avery senior or to Johanna Avery my wife during both 
      our natural lives otherwise to be at the ordering and in the possession 
      of me the sd James Avery senior or Johanna Avery my wife During 
      our life time and no longer but then to Revert and Return to the heirs, 
      executors or administrators of my sd son Samuel Avery. In witness 
      whereof I the sayde James Avery senior have put to my hand & seale 
      in New London this seventeenth day of ffebry one thousand six hundred 
      ninety two three. 
                                                           JAMES AVERY. 
      Signed sealed returned in the presence of 

          EDWARD PALMES                 Capt. James Avery acknowledges the 
          SARAH PALMES              above written to be his act and deed the 
             the mark of            22 Feb. 1692-3 that the whole deed before 
          MARY (M.) ROBERTS         me Rivhard Christopher Commoner. 

   Extracted out of the original and recorded by me Daniel Witherell Recorder, 
      May 6, 1693. 

Thus we see that the wife, Joanna, was living in 1693. The date of her death is not known. She was the mother of all the children of James Avery.

Souces:
Allyn, Charles, "The Battle of Groton Heights: A Collection of Narratives,
Official Reports, Records, Etc. of the Storming of Fort Griswold, the Massacre of it's Garrison, and the Burning of New London by British Troops Under the Command of Brig.-Gen.Benedict Arnold," New London, The Riverside Press, 1882. (P. 256 records eight generations of owners of the Hive)

Hurd, D. Hamilton, "The Complete History of New London County, Connecticut," Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Company, 1882. (P. 453-456, history of the Hive
with drawings.)

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