John Avery Jr. (September 2, 1739 – June 7, 1806) was an American politician who served as the first Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.

John Avery Jr.
1st Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth[2]
In office
January 1,[1] 1780[2] – June 7, 1806[2]
Preceded bySamuel Adams[2]
(as Secretary of the Province of Massachusetts Bay)[1]
Succeeded byJonathan 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 materHarvard College, 1759[2][3]
Signature

Family

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

Early life

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

Family life

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

Sons of Liberty

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

Massachusetts Secretary

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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

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Avery died on June 7, 1806.[4]

Notes

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  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
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