USA > Connecticut > New London County > Ledyard > History of the town of Ledyard, 1650-1900 > Part 7
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Several Averys, of the Groton stock, have developed a good deal of mechanical skill; and some of this class have acquired distinction as inventors. This is true of John Avery, Jr. (1732-1794), of Preston, a self-taught silver-smith and clock- maker ; of Samuel Avery (1760-1836), of Preston, inventor of a nail-cutting machine; of Otis Avery (1808, living in 1889), of Honesdale, Pa., who was one of the first to receive a patent for a sewing machine-a patent which was taken out not only in this country, but also in England and France. To his inventive talent, Mr. Otis Avery added that of a legislator, and that also of a judge, and was called to fill these offices as long as he was willing to hold them.
Some of the Groton Averys have proved themselves capable of managing large business concerns, and have acquired fortunes in doing it. Benjamin Franklin Avery (1801-1885), of Central New York, was a man of this sort. For many years he was en- gaged in the manufacture and sale of plows on a grand scale. His plows were of such superior quality that they commanded a ready sale wherever they were thrown upon the market. Abra- ham Avery (1824-1893), of Boston, is another good example.
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He was a printer by trade, and for many years was a member of the firm of Rand & Avery, whose publications, including "Uncle Tom's Cabin," went-thousands upon thousands-into every land where the English language is spoken.
A pretty fair percentage of the family have been liberally educated, and have entered the learned professions. Nineteen have been graduated from Yale University; a dozen or more from Harvard; and enough from Amherst, Williams, Dartmouth, Middlebury and Brown to make out between forty and fifty from these New England Colleges. And a good many more have been graduated from colleges outside of New England.
Some of the men who have attained to a good degree of suc- cess in the professions may be fittingly named here. In the medical profession, Christopher Swan Avery (1788-1862), who served as an army surgeon in the War of 1812-15, and afterward settled in Windham, Conn. Amos Geer Avery (1822-1898), who after much valuable service in the War of 1861-5, settled in Iowa, afterward in New York. George Whitfield Avery (1836-1893), who performed very extensive and valuable services as a surgeon in the army during the Civil War-afterward built up a large practice in Hartford, Conn., and was stricken down in the midst of eminent usefulness. Edward Woodbridge Avery (1841-), who, as a surgeon, held important positions in the Army and Navy of the United States, also in the German Army during the Franco-Prussian War, and afterward settled down to practice in Brooklyn, N. Y.
Of Groton Averys, who have attained to eminence in the legal profession, the following may be named: Edward Avery (1790-1866), who, after several years of legal practice, became Judge of the Supreme Court, Wooster, Ohio. Daniel Dudley Avery (1810-1879), a lawyer and judge in Baton Rouge, La. Edward Avery (1828-1898), lawyer and statesman, Boston, Mass.
A very large number of the Averys have been clergymen. Among them are the following: Parke Avery (1710-1797), pastor of the Separate Church in Groton, Conn. Nathan Avery (1712-1780), pastor of the Separate Church in North Stonington. Christopher Avery (1737-1819), pastor of the Separate Church
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in North Stonington. David Avery (1746-1818), a chaplain in the army of the Revolution, and pastor of Congregational Churches in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut. David Avery (1801-1875), pastor of Baptist Churches in Moodus, Ashford and other places in Connecticut. Charles Eldridge Avery (1794-1854), pastor of Congregational Churches in the State of New York. Jared Reid Avery (1804-1885), pastor of Congre- gational Churches in Groton and Franklin, Conn. John Thomas Avery (1810-), evangelist in Cleveland, Ohio, and neighbor- ing places. William Pitt Avery (1816-1885), pastor of Congrega- tional Churches in Bozrah, Conn., and Chapin, Iowa. Frederick Denison Avery (1818-), pastor of Congregational Church in Columbia, Conn. John Avery (1819-), pastor of Congrega- tional Churches in Lebanon, Central Village and Ledyard, Conn. George Porter Avery (1852-), pastor of Methodist Churches in New York and Minnesota.
Of the educated men, who have not entered either of the three learned professions, some have performed very valuable services. The following may be named as representatives of this class : Prof. Charles Avery, LL. D. (1795-1883). His life was given to teaching-35 years of it as Professor of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy in Hamilton College, N. Y., his alma mater. Through his instrumentality large endowments were secured for various departments of the institution. Elroy McKendree Avery, Ph. D. (1844 -- ), of Cleveland, Ohio, is the historian of the family. He made a good military record in the War of '61-5 ; and has since been largely engaged in teaching. He has written quite a number of educational works-some of which have obtained wide circulation. Robert Stanton Avery, Jr. (1808-1894), of Washington, D. C., was for many years con- nected with the United States Coast Survey, and for over 20 years the head of its Tidal Department. He wrote several treatises on phonographic, mathematical and scientific subjects. He pub- lished several of these works in his lifetime, and a short time previous to his death arranged for the publication of others by the Smithsonian Institute bequeathing the greater part of his estate to the Institute for this purpose.
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The Averys have participated more or less largely in the wars in which the country has been involved. James Avery him- self was a prominent leader in the conflicts with the hostile Indian tribes. In the spring of 1676, during the war known as King Philip's War, the Connecticut authorities gave him command of a company of English from New London, Stonington and Lyme with as many Pequots as he should deem necessary, and sent him into the Narragansett country. His third son, John, was also in the company. His great-grandsons and great-great-grandsons fought heroically in the Revolution, and nine of their number fell in Fort Griswold. In the War of 1812-15, a large number of his descendants, in the sixth and seventh generations, were called out for the defense of New Lon- don, Stonington and other places against British invasion. In the Civil War, 1861-5, many took an active part ; and several for their valor in action were highly honored. They became captains and majors and colonels ; and one at least, Robert Avery, having been engaged in many battles and several times severely wound- ed, was breveted a brigadier and then major-general of United States Volunteers.
In civil affairs the Averys have from the first taken an active part. The founder of the family held almost every honorable position to which he was eligible; and in some of the offices to which he was elected he was retained for many years. Many of his descendants have been in like manner honored. Hon. Richard A. Wheeler, in 1872, published an article in a Mystic newspaper, in which he gave the names of all the men who had represented the town of Groton in the General Assembly of Connecticut, between the years 1704 and 1871, inclusive. The whole number was 545. He closed the article with these words : "It is worthy of note that of these 545 Representatives, 104 were Averys-all of them descendants of Capt. James Avery. Glory enough for one man in one town."
Some of the Averys have been elevated to high positions in the national government. Daniel Avery (1766-1842), whose father fell in Fort Griswold when he was fifteen years old, settled in Central New York, and represented his Congressional Dis-
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trict in three different Congresses. William Thomas Avery (1819-1880). was elected a member of Congress in Tennessee in 1857 and again in 1859.
Quite frequently some of the side shoots from the parent stalk have yielded fruit not at all inferior to that borne by the principal branches. In other words, the descendants of the daughters of the Averys as well as the descendants of the sons, have become widely known and been highly honored. Temperance Avery, daughter of Capt. Christopher Avery, of Avery Hill, in Ledyard, married William Morgan, and became the grandmother of Hon. Edwin D. Morgan, governor of the State of New York. . Lucy Avery, second daughter of Col. Ebenezer, of Groton, married George Colfax, and became the great-grandmother of Hon. Schuyler Colfax, who was a member of Congress fourteen years in succession-Speaker of the House of Representatives through three successive Congresses, and Vice-President of the United States during the first term of President U. S. Grant. Lucy Avery, a descendant of James, Ist, through his son, Samuel, and his grandson, Humphrey (who lived and died at Poquetanuck), married Godfrey Rockefeller, and is the mother of John D. Rockefeller, the famous millionaire.
The Averys, like most of the people who came from England with them were Puritans, who left the mother country that they might find upon these Western shores "freedom to worship God." The religious element in their character was a predominant one. And it has given clear evidence of its presence in each of their successive generations from the first settlement of the country to the present time. They have been firm believers in the Chris- tian religion and earnest defenders of it, even when it cost much to do it. Especially has it been true of them that they have ac- cepted and acted upon the great moral principles which con- stitute such an important element of the religion of Christ. Most of them, doubtless, have received and profited by family training much like that which one of their number administered in his household-the substance of which was reiterated again and again in his parental instruction : "My children, don't you ever allow yourselves, under any circumstances whatever, to do a mean thing."
7
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LEDYARD.
THE AYER FAMILY.
John Ayer, of Haverhill, settled in Stonington in the latter part of the seventeenth century.
His homestead farm was north of "Lantern Hill," and ad- joining the town of Groton. His son, John, born in 1689, mar- ried Sarah Colt, and later, settled in Saybrook, as the marriages of several of his children are recorded there.
John, Jr., died in 1760, leaving seven children, one of whom, Joseph, married Thankful Drake, and settled in Stonington. His father, John, gave him 150 acres of land in 1743 and he afterward added to it by purchase, until he had a tract of between four and five hundred acres in Stonington, Groton and Preston. Joseph's brother John married Abigail Cook and settled on what was formerly his grandfather's homestead farm.
Joseph died in 1814, leaving to his son, Joseph, his lands in Stonington, and to his son, Elisha, his lands in Groton and Pres- ton. Elisha died in 1853, and his farm descended to his son George.
It is still in the possession of his descendants.
Dr. James C. Ayer was born in Ledyard (North Groton), May 5, 1819. He was the son of Frederick and Persis (Cook) Ayer. He married Josephine M. Southwick, of Lowell. They had two sons and one daughter. Dr. Ayer died July 2, 1878. Dr. Ayer was an enterprising and bright man. He early went to Lowell, where he served as clerk in a drug store, of which later on he became the owner, and then prepared patent medi- cines that afterwards had an extensive sale, and made him famous and wealthy. His son, Frederick Ayer, succeeded to the large business established by his father and is a prominent citizen of Lowell, Mass.
THE BELLOWS FAMILY.
Nathaniel Bellows lived on the farm in Ledyard now owned by Samuel Caswell. He was born in Groton in 1757. He served in the Revolutionary War as private in Capt. Amos Stan- ton's Company, of Groton, from March 19, 1777, to March, 1780.
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He married Sarah Smith, daughter of Lieut. Nehemiah and Abigail (Avery) Smith. He died Jan. 24, 1814.
His wife died March 10, 1827, and both are buried on their farm.
They had one child, Elizabeth, born Aug. 16, 1794. She married Frederick Avery and removed West.
Nathaniel was descended from John Bellows, who came from England in the ship "Hopewell" in 1635, at the age of twelve. He married May 9, 1655, Mary Wood, of Marlborough, and settled in Concord, Mass.
Their ninth child, Nathaniel Bellows, was born in Concord, April 3, 1676, and removed to Groton, Conn., where land was granted to him by the town, Feb. 27, 1699. He married Nov. 15, 1704, Dorcas Rose, daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Allyn) Rose, of New London. Groton land records show numerous purchases of land by him as late as Dec. 25, 1732.
In 1736, Nathaniel and his wife Dorcas, joined in a deed to their son, Ithamar. The last mention of his name in Groton records occurs Feb. 22, 1759, when the bonds were recorded be- tween himself and his grandson, John Bellows. Their chil- dren were
John Bellows, born Sept. 13, 1705.
Danuris Bellows, born Sept. 17, 1707.
Zerviah Bellows, born Oct. 30, 1709.
Johanah Bellows, born March 24, 17II.
Ithamar Bellows, born Feb. 24, 1713, died Oct. 24, 1777.
Margaret Bellows, born Jan. 5, 1718.
Dorcas and Hannah Bellows (twins), born Oct. 18, 1722.
Dorcas married Israel Standish, of Preston.
The eldest son above, John Bellows, born Sept. 13, 1705, mar- ried Mary They had a son, John Bellows, born Feb. 20, 1727, and died Sept. 16, 1793. He married Elizabeth Will- iams, who was born Sept. 18, 1733, and died May 11, 1803.
They were the parents of Nathaniel, the subject of this sketch.
John Bellows, of Groton, is mentioned in the Colonial records of Connecticut, as collector of the Colony tax in the town in 1763.
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Lucretia Bellows, daughter of John and Elizabeth Bellows, born Sept. 2, 1763, married Jan. 1, 1784, Daniel Stoddard, who was born Nov. 6, 1761. They had eight children-Lucretia, Daniel, Lucy, Phebe, Clarissa, Maria, Sidney and Edward.
Another daughter of John and Elizabeth Bellows, Cynthia Bellows, born April 12, 1771, married Shubael Morgan, and had eleven children.
Ithamar Bellows, who was born Feb. 24, 1713, married Dor- Cas - -, born 1728, died July 22, 18II. Their children were
Thomas Bellows, born May 2, 1755.
Hannah Bellows, born Dec. 6, 1756.
David Bellows, born May 8, 1760.
Asa Bellows, born June 15, 1762.
Anna Bellows, born July 7, 1764, married Richard Bushnell of Norwich.
Ephraim Bellows, born July 14, 1766.
Lydia Bellows, born May 14, 1767 ; married.
Asa Bellows, born June 15, 1762, married Lydia Kellum, daughter of Capt. Samuel and Thankful Rose Kellum. They had five children-Thomas, Lucy, David, Lydia, Laura.
Some of the above named persons are buried in the old churchyard near the Bill parsonage. [E. G.]
THE BILLINGS FAMILY.
The family from which the Billingses of Ledyard and neigh- boring towns are descended, settled first in Eastern Massachu- setts, later in New London, and later still in Stonington.
The earliest immigrant to this country was William Billings, who located in Dorchester, Mass., in 1654, and was married to Mary - in 1658. They had several children, among them Will- iam, Joseph and Lydia. It is uncertain whether these children were born in Massachusetts or Connecticut.
Their son, Ebenezer Billings, of the second generation, was born in 1659. He settled in Stonington and became an influen- tial man in that town, frequently holding office as a magistrate. Large grants of land were made to him, lying chiefly in what is now North Stonington. He was married in 1680 to Ann Com-
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stock. Their children were Ann, Ebenezer, James, Zipporah, Margaret, Jemima and Increase.
Their son, Increase Billings, of the third generation, was born in 1697. Like his father before him he was prominent in military and civil affairs. He was married in 1720 to Hannah Hewitt. Their children were Andrew, Stephen, Increase, Abi- gail, Lucy, Tabitha, Jemima, Sophia and Jaheel. After the death of Mrs. B. in 1751, Mr. B. was married to Sarah Perkins, widow of Robert Stoddard.
Stephen Billings, son of Increase B. and Hannah Hewitt, of the fourth generation, was born in 1723. He resided in North Groton (Ledyard). He was married in 1746 to Bridget Grant. By her he had six children. Mrs. B. and her infant child died in 1762; and Mr. B. was married to Mary Avery, widow of Youngs Ledyard. Three children were the fruit of this marriage. This second wife died in 1787; and Mr. B. was married the third time to Martha Denison. She died in 1808, and he, in 1814.
Stephen Billings, 2d, son of Stephen B. and Bridget Grant, of the fifth generation, was born in 1750. He entered the Army of the Revolution as a sergeant in 1775, participated in the battle of Bunker Hill, served through the entire war, and was honorably discharged at the close of it, holding the office of captain at the time. He was married, in 1774, to Cynthia Hewitt. By her he had four sons and one daughter. She died in 1786, aged 28. In 1787 he was married to Anna Raymond, by whom he had four daughters and one son-also a child that died in infancy.
Stephen Billings, 3rd, of the sixth generation, son of Stephen B., 2nd, and Cynthia Hewitt, was born in 1781. He resided in North Groton (Ledyard). He was a captain in the War of 1812-15; and later was colonel of militia. He was married, in 1809, to Martha Allyn. Their children were Cynthia, Hannah, Adelia, Anna, Patty or Martha, Stephen, James Allyn, Henrietta.
James Allyn Billings, of the seventh generation, son of Stephen B., 3rd, and Martha Allyn, was born in 1821. (See biographical sketch of him). He was married, in 1852, to Mar- garet J. Allyn. Their children were Martha, Mary J., Stephen A., and Anna E.
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THE BILL FAMILY.
The name is one of the oldest in English annals. Members of this family lived in the Counties Kent, Shropshire, Stafford- shire, Yorkshire and in Wales ; likewise in London, Birmingham and Manchester. At the present time there are about as many persons living in England bearing the name as in this country.
The first of whom we have a full and authentic account is one Dr. Thomas Bill, who was born about 1490, though the name has been traced back to the year 1300 when surnames first came into general use. This Dr. Thomas was a physician. He was in attendance at one time during an illness of Princess Elizabeth in 1549. He achieved the distinction of a B. A. in 1524 ; in 1548 he received the degree of M. A. He travelled for several years on the Continent, and attended medical lectures and received the degree of M. D. from the celebrated university founded by Eniperor Charlemagne at Pavia, Italy.
He was physician to Henry VIII. and Edward VI ; from the latter he received a grant of £ 100 per annum. He died 1551.
William Bill, LL. D., a brother, born about 1505, was edu- cated at St. John's College under Sir John Chekes, who later gave him a let- ter of introduction to Queen Anne Boleyn, wherein he spoke of him as a "learned and honest man, plentifully en- dowed with knowl- edge and of exem- plary morals." He received several de- grees from said col- lege and later was, on recommendation REV. WILLIAM BILL, D. D. of Lord Somerset,
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elected master president of the college. In 1547 he received the degree of D. D., and became vice-chancellor of the University, 1548-9. In 1551 he was appointed master of Trinity College. After the accession of Queen Mary, he was in disfavor on account of his protestantism, but when Queen Elizabeth came into power he was again in favor and preached the next Sunday after her accession, Nov. 20, 1558, at St. Paul's Cross, and soon after was made the Queen's almoner and was, by command of the Queen, on June 30, 1560, installed as Dean of Westminster. He died on July 15, 1561, and was buried on the 20th, in St. Benedict's Chapel in Westminster Abbey. No other person ever held, at the same time, the positions of master of Trinity, provost of Eton, and Dean of Westminster. (His tomb has been visited by Frederic Bill, on different occasions, when in London.)
Charles Bill, born in London about 1550, a son of the pre- ceding, was a celebrated Latin scholar and was made the suc- cessor of Sir Thomas Smith as Latin secretary to the King.
John Bill, son of the above, was born in 1576, and appears in London, in 1613, as a "Publisher to His most excellent Majestie King James the Ist." One of the earliest books, printed by him, was one by King James himself. A copy of this volume may be seen at the New York Society Library in University Place, New York City. From 1607 to 1700, the names of this John, and then that of his son, Charles, appear as publishers. They printed Bibles and prayer books for the use of churches, besides sermons and various miscellaneous work. The printing of the Bible was only allowed by royal permission, and both John and Charles had that right for many years. As many as twelve different editions of the Bibles published by them, ranging from large folios to 18mos. in size, can, even now, be seen at the American Bible House on Fourth avenue in New York City. The writer likewise has several examples of their work. The first news sheet, as such, ever printed, was the "English Mercuric," and it is believed John Bill printed it. It is certain, however, that he printed the first "London Gasette," in time of Charles II.
.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LEDYARD.
John Bill, son of above, came to America in 1633, followed by his children in 1635 on the "Hopewell," and settled in Salen or vicinity of Boston. His son, James, settled at what is now known as Winthrop, then called Pullen Point, and owned large
HON. RICHARD BILL.
tracts of land there, and his next neighbor was Mr. Deane Win- throp, son of Gov. Winthrop, Sr. The old bound made by three walls in Winthrop, at one corner of his farm, was standing in 1894, as was also the old house where one of his sons lived.
Richard Bill was born in Boston, March 25, 1685, and was married on June 30. 1709, to Sarah Davis, daughter of Maj. Benj. Davis. His wife died April 24, 1727, aged 49 years. His
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second wife was Miss M. Minot. This Mr. Bill was a pros- perous merchant, doing business on Cornhill, near the post- office in Boston. He was a noted citizen of his day and genera- tion and widely known to all the people of the Bay Colony. He was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in 1707. In 1720 he was a lieutenant of the company, and later captain of one of the local military organizations. In 1714 he was a member of the Commission having to do with the Abenaki Indians who dwelt partly in New Hampshire and partly in the Bay Colony. In 1741, and for several years prior thereto-five years in all-he was a member of the Colonial Governor's Coun- cil and a warm friend and neighbor of John Hancock, James Otis, Paul Revere and Dr. Warren. His portrait, given here, is a copy from a painting by John Singleton Copley, a celebrated artist of those days. A duplicate of said painting, presented by Led- yard Bill in 1898 to the State, now hangs on the walls of the capitol in Boston. He was the owner of "Spectacle Island" in Boston harbor and several houses in Boston. He gave his daughter, Elizabeth, who married Joshua Henshaw, Junior, of Boston, a house on Sudbury Street, as a wedding present. He died in 1757.
Philip Bill was living in Ipswich, where John Winthrop, Jr., had also lived before going to New London. Philip returned with Winthrop to occupy a portion of the grant of land which Winthrop had obtained from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The latter held a Commission to begin a plantation which was bounded "Easterly from the Thames river four miles and North- erly from the sea six miles."*
Passing rapidly, Joshua was the son of Philip, Phineas was the son of Joshua, and Joshua, 2d, was the son of Phineas. This Joshua, 2d, was born 14th May, 1762. He was wounded at the battle of Groton Heights, and one Dr. Crary dressed his wounds. He received a pension from the Government, but not till many years after the battle. He died on 20th Dec., 1841.
Gurdon Bill, Sr., the son of the above Joshua, was born in Groton (Ledyard), Jan. 18, 1784. He had few advantages in his
*See Wheeler's History of Stonington.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LEDYARD.
early life. He decided upon obtaining an Academic education, and to this end attended Plainfield Academy. Later he taught school seven successive winters and worked on a farmi during the summers. He taught the first grammar school ever taught in Groton. While teaching school in Stonington he was called out as a "minute man" to do guard duty near the harbor. The British fleet lay off the town and made an attack. A boatload
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