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Born in England about 1620, James Avery came to America with
his father Christopher and lived in Gloucester for several years
before moving to Connecticut. Unlike many of our colonial ancestors
who lived and died leaving little trace of their existence, James
Avery appears again and again in the records of early (Pequot)
New London, Connecticut. He died April 18, 1700 after a long
and very active life in public service.
He was chosen selectman in New London in 1660 and held that
office for 23 years. He also represented New London as deputy
to the General Court in Hartford for 20 of the 30 years between
1659 and 1689. As commissioner from New London his name appears
on many deeds and grants of land, and he himself received grants
of land from the colony as rewards for his service to the colony.
He was also prominent in matters of the church and there are
numerous references to him in that context. He is considered
one of the founders of the First Church of New London, and in
1678 he petitioned the General Court on behalf of the people
on the east side of the Thames River for a church and minister
of their own. Thus began a struggle lasting more than twenty
years. He did not live to see the successful outcome, but as
a result of his persistent efforts he is considered one of the
founders of the First Church of Groton, Connecticut.
Arguably his greatest accomplishments were in military affairs.
In 1665 when Great Britain declared war on Holland, New England
received news that Dutch Admiral De Ruyter had orders to visit
New York with a large force. The New England colonies began setting
up defenses, and Ensign James Avery was a member of a committee
appointed by the General Court in Hartford to keep watch of the
area from Southerton to Guilford and to sound the alarm at any
enemy approach. That same year the General Court confirmed Ensign
James Avery as "lieutenant to ye train band [militia] at
New London."
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