John Avery Jr.
American politician (1739–1806)
John Avery Jr. | |
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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 (1806-06-08) (aged 66)[2] Boston, Massachusetts[2] |
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.
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
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
- ^ Carter, Jane Greenough Avery (1893), Genealogical Record of the Dedham Branch of the Avery Family in America, Plymouth, Massachusetts: Winslow W. Avery, p. 19
- ^ 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 | ||
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Preceded by | 1st Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth January 1, 1780 – June 7, 1806 | Succeeded by |
External links
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