(DR. ) William Avery

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.

(DR. married Margaret Albright before 1645 in Dedham,,MA. Margaret was born in in ?? Barkham, County Berkshire, Eng; died on 28 Sep 1678 in Dedham,,MA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

NOTES FROM GENEALOGICAL RECORD... THE DEDHAM BRANCH OF THE AVERY FAMILY IN AMERICA.

p. 35: William Avery (5), eldest son of Dr. William(4) and Margaret Avery, was in his third year when his parents emigrated to America and settled in Dedham.

Of his personal character history is silent, except that he was a deaon of the church which shows him to have been a man of Christian principles.

He married MARY, eldest daughter of JOB and SARAH LANE, of Malden, MA, Sept. 21, 1673. Children were:
i. Mary, b. Aug. 21, 1674
ii. Sarah, b. Oct. 9, 1675
iii. WILLIAM, b. March 31, 1678, m. June 26, 1700, ESTHER
HUNTING.

Mary, wife of Deacon William, died Oct. 11, 1681, aged 29 years.

Deacon married Mary Lane on 21 Sep 1673 in Dedham,,MA. Mary (daughter of Job Lane and Sarah Turrell) was born in in Malden,,MA; died on 11 Oct 1681 in Dedham,,MA (aged 29). [Group Sheet]

Captain married Esther Hunting on 26 Jun 1700 in Dedham,,MA (see Torrey). Esther was born in 1677; died on 14 Jan 1745 in Dedham,,MA. [Group Sheet]

William married Bethia Metcalf on 10 Dec 1741 in Dedham,,MA. Bethia (daughter of John Metcalf and Bethia Savels) was born on 31 Dec 1715 in Dedham,Norfolk,MA; died on 25 Dec 1793 in Dedham,,MA. [Group Sheet]