(II) James, son of Christopher Avery. the only child of whom there is any record in America, and the founder of the Averys of Groton, was born in England about 1620. He accompanied his father to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and lived with him for several years in Gloucester, and then removed to New London, Connecticut, where the first entries in the town book are the births of his three eldest children, who were born in Gloucester. He took up many land grants and built the Hive of the Averys “at the head of Poquonnock Plain in the present town of Groton, about one and one-half miles from the River Thames.” He was a prominent public character, was ensign, lieutenant and captain of the train band, deputy to the general court. Indian commissioner and agent, and townsman from 1660 for twenty years. He married, November 10, 1643, Joanna Greenslade, of Boston. Children : 1. Hannah, born October 12, 1644, married, June 20, 1666, Ephraim Miner. 2. James, born December 16, 1646, died August 22, 1748: married, February 18, 1669, Deborah Stallyou. 3. Mary, born February 19, 1648, died February 2, 1708, married, October 28, 1668, Joseph Miner. 4. Thomas, born May 6, 1651: died January 5, 1737; married, October 22, 1677, Hannah Miner. 5. John, born February 10, 1653-54. married, November 26, 1675, Abigail Cheeseborough. 6. Rebecca, born October 6. 1656, married, August 5, 1678, William Potts. 7. Jonathan, born January 5, 1658, buried September 15, 1681. 8. Christopher, born April 30, 1661, died December 8, 1683. 9. Samuel, referred to below.
