John Avery Jr. | |
---|---|
1st Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth [2] | |
In office January 1, [1] 1780 [2] – June 7, 1806 [2] | |
Preceded by |
Samuel Adams
[2] (as Secretary of the Province of Massachusetts Bay) [1] |
Succeeded by | Jonathan L. Austin |
Deputy Secretary of the Province of Massachusetts Bay [1] | |
In office June 21, 1776 [1] – January 1, 1780 [1] | |
Preceded by | John Lowell [2] |
Succeeded by | None |
Personal details | |
Born | September 2, 1739 [2] |
Died | June 7, 1806[2] Boston, Massachusetts [2] | (aged 66)
Spouse | Mary Cushing [3] |
Children | Mary, Sarah, Deborah, John, Betsey, Lucy, Peggy Cushing, Lucy, Mary A. Smith, Thomas Hancock [4] |
Alma mater | Harvard College, 1759 [2] [3] |
Signature | |
John Avery Jr. (September 2, 1739 – June 7, 1806) was an American politician who served as the first Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Avery was a direct descendant of Dr. William Avery from Barkham, Berkshire, England, who emigrated to Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1650. [5]
Avery was born to John and Mary (Deming) Avery on September 2, 1739. [3]
Avery married Mary (Polly) Cushing in April 1769; [3] they had ten children. [4]
Avery was a member of the Sons of Liberty. [6]
Avery had served as Deputy Secretary of the Province of Massachusetts Bay under Samuel Adams. [1] Avery defeated Adams at the polls to be the first Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. [1]
Avery died on June 7, 1806. [4]