The H600 Project Genealogy DB

(DR. ) William Avery

Male 1622 - 1686  (64 years)


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  • Name (DR. ) William Avery 
    Born 1622  Barkham, County Berkshire, Eng Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 18 Mar 1686  Boston,,MA-65yrs Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I163  B03 Thomas Hore, b1649, Chilham, Kent, England
    Last Modified 23 Nov 2018 

    Father Robert Avery,   b. of Wokingham, County Berkshire,Eng Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 15 Jun 1644, of Wokingham, County Berkshire,Eng Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Relationship natural 
    Mother Living 
    Relationship natural 
    Family ID F140  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Margaret Albright,   b. ?? Barkham, County Berkshire, Eng Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Sep 1678, Dedham,,MA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Married Bef 1645  Dedham,,MA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Deacon William Avery,   b. 27 Oct 1647, Barkham, County Berkshire, Eng Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1708, Dedham,,MA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 60 years)  [natural]
     2. Mary Avery,   b. 19 Dec 1645, Barkham,Berkshire,Eng Find all individuals with events at this location  [natural]
     3. Robert Avery,   b. 07 Dec 1649, Barkham,Berkshire,Eng Find all individuals with events at this location  [natural]
    Last Modified 23 Nov 2018 
    Family ID F139  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • AVERY GENEALOGY - DEDHAM BRANCH -

      page 26: By the Dedham church records, we find that "William Avery & his wife Margaret were admitted into the church 16th 12th month (Feb) 1650." This, marked an event that occurred quite near the date of their settlement.

      page 27: In the year 1669 we find WILLIAM AVERY designated in the records as Sergt. William Avery, and with others, sent as Deputy to the General Court.

      History is silent as to the date of his commencing the practice of medicine, other than this. He seems to have stepped into the ranks of medical men while carrying on his daily labor at the blacksmith's forge.

      Dr. William was one of the original proprietors, who in 1670, took possession of 8000 acres of land at Deerfield, (then called Pocumptuck) granted to the town of Dedham in lieu of 2000 acres, taken from the town by the General Court for the Indians at Natick.

      Twenty-eight years after their arrival and settlement in America, having lived all this time in Dedham, Margaret, wife of Dr. William, died. The date of her death, per Dedham Records, was Sept. 28, 1678, and soon after he removed to Boston --- probably long before this having given up his work at the forge.

      After his removal to Boston, he became a bookseller, according to the "History of Printing," by Thomas, vol.ii. p. 411, who says, "William Avery was Bookseller, located near the Blue Anchor, in 1679.

      Dr. William married for his second wife Mrs. Mary (Woodmansey) Tapping, daughter of Mr. Robert (probably) Woodmansey, and lived only about six years afterward, dying on the 18th March, 1686, aged about 65 years. His wife Mary died May 21, 1707, aged 78. His tombstone stands in King's Chapel burial ground, Boston, near and facing the middle of the railing on Tremont street.
      NOTES: Avery Notes and Queries, No. 5, February 1899, page 67:

      American Avery Clans -- The Dedham Branch ( Descendants of Dr. William Avery):

      Dr. William Avery of Barkham, Berkshire, England, came to New England about 1650. He brought with him his wife and three children and had four more born at Dedham, MA. His descendants are to be found especially in MA and ME. His record has been traced back for four generations into England. The history of this family was published by Winslow W. Avery of Plymouth,MA in 1893.

      FROM THE DEDHAM AVERY HERITAGE JOURNAL, Vol. 1, Sept. 1987, page 1:

      William Avery to Construct Home Beneath Branches of Historic Tree - Using Bricks and Oak Lumber from England, His Plan Resembles the Fayerbanke Home --- Dedham, MA, 1651 --- Blacksmith William Avery today announced plans to begin construction of a wooden home on his property where stands the Council Oak Tree. Like Brother Johnathan Fayerbanke, he brought with him from England pink brick for the chimney and good English oak for the framing. He will be in need of men to assist in its building. Mr. Avery brings with him from the Parish of Barkham, County of Berkshire, England, his wife Margaret and their three children Mary, William and Robert. We welcome them to our village of Dedham, the second inland town after Concord to be chartered in our Massachusetts Bay Colony.

      FROM THE DEDHAM AVERY HERITAGE JOURNAL, Vol. IV, July 1990, page 3:

      In 1650, Dr. William Avery (4) became one of the earliest settlers of the town of Dedham, MA. The Dedham church records show that William Avery and his wife Margaret were admitted to the church in February 1650. That same year, the town records state that he was granted the right to set up a blacksmith shop. In 1675 he was appointed along with several others as a court to examine Indians who were "suspected of designs against the English," and in those records he is referred to as "Dr." When he stepped into the practice of medicine is not known, but it must have been while performing his daily work as a blacksmith.

      On this land which was granted to William stood a majestic oak tree. By various accounts, it was over twenty-five feet around at its base, stood over sixty-eight feet hich and shaded an area over ninety-three feet in diameter. A severe snow storm in the winter of 1723, blocked the doors to the house. The red oak's branches extended so far that the family cut firewood off them from the second story of the home to survive. The sheltering canopy of the tree also is reported to have been the meeting place for religious services until a church was built.