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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 byJohn Lowell [2]
Succeeded byNone
Personal details
BornSeptember 2, 1739 [2]
DiedJune 7, 1806 (1806-06-08) (aged 66) [2]
Boston, Massachusetts [2]
SpouseMary Cushing [3]
ChildrenMary, 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.

Family

Avery was a direct descendant of Dr. William Avery from Barkham, Berkshire, England, who emigrated to Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1650. [5]

Early life

Avery was born to John and Mary (Deming) Avery on September 2, 1739. [3]

Family life

Avery married Mary (Polly) Cushing in April 1769; [3] they had ten children. [4]

Sons of Liberty

Avery was a member of the Sons of Liberty. [6]

Massachusetts Secretary

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]

Death

Avery died on June 7, 1806. [4]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Commonwealth of Massachusetts (1922), The Acts and Resolves, Public and Private, of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, Volume XXI, Boston, MA: Commonwealth of Massachusetts, p. 498
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Roberts, Oliver Ayer (1901), History of the Military company of the Massachusetts, now called the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts 1637–1888. Vol. II – 1738–1821, Boston, MA: Alfred Mudge & Son, Printers, p. 196
  3. ^ a b c d Carter, Jane Greenough Avery (1893), Genealogical Record of the Dedham Branch of the Avery Family in America, Plymouth, Massachusetts: Winslow W. Avery, p. 144
  4. ^ a b c Carter, Jane Greenough Avery (1893), Genealogical Record of the Dedham Branch of the Avery Family in America, Plymouth, Massachusetts: Winslow W. Avery, p. 145
  5. ^ Carter, Jane Greenough Avery (1893), Genealogical Record of the Dedham Branch of the Avery Family in America, Plymouth, Massachusetts: Winslow W. Avery, p. 19
  6. ^ Carter, Jane Greenough Avery (1893), Genealogical Record of the Dedham Branch of the Avery Family in America, Plymouth, Massachusetts: Winslow W. Avery, p. 147
Political offices
Preceded by 1st Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth
January 1, 1780 – June 7, 1806
Succeeded by

External links