| John Avery Jr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1st Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth | |
| In office January 1, 1780 – June 7, 1806 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel Adams (as Secretary of the Province of Massachusetts Bay) |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan L. Austin |
| Deputy Secretary of the Province of Massachusetts Bay | |
| In office June 21, 1776 – January 1, 1780 | |
| Preceded by | John Lowell |
| Succeeded by | None |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 2, 1739 |
| Died | June 7, 1806 (1806-06-08) (aged 66) Boston, Massachusetts |
| Spouse | Mary Cushing |
| Children | Mary, Sarah, Deborah, John, Betsey, Lucy, Peggy Cushing, Lucy, Mary A. Smith, Thomas Hancock |
| Alma mater | Harvard College, 1759 |
| 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.
Early life
Avery was born to John and Mary (Deming) Avery on September 2, 1739.
Family life
Avery married Mary (Polly) Cushing in April 1769; they had ten children.
Sons of Liberty
Avery was a member of the Sons of Liberty.
Massachusetts Secretary
Avery had served as Deputy Secretary of the Province of Massachusetts Bay under Samuel Adams. Avery defeated Adams at the polls to be the first Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Death
Avery died on June 7, 1806.
Notes
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
- ^ Carter, Jane Greenough Avery (1893), Genealogical Record of the Dedham Branch of the Avery Family in America, Plymouth, Massachusetts: Winslow W. Avery, p. 144
- ^ 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded bySamuel Adams | 1st Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth January 1, 1780 – June 7, 1806 |
Succeeded byJonathan L. Austin |