John Avery was born in Dedham, Massachusetts in 1758. The Avery family came to America in 1690. When the colonists began to rebel against England, the Avery family took up arms in the defense of liberty.
A painting of a Revolutionary War soldier, by Frank Bond, 1901
From the Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution, Volume 1, page 367 it states in regards to John Avery:
Avery, John, Dedham.Private, Capt. Aaron Fuller's co., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, from Dedham (First Parish); service, 9 days; also, Capt. Joseph Lewis's (1st) co., Col. William McIntosh's regt.; marched to Dorchester on the alarm of March 4, 1776; service, 4 days; also, descriptive list of men enlisted from Suffolk Co. in 1779; Capt. Battle's co.; age, 20 yrs.; stature, 5 ft. 7 in.; complexion, light; residence, Dedham; delivered to Ensign Edward White; also, list of men received by Justin Ely, Commissioner, from Maj. Stephen Badlam, Superintendent of Suffolk Co., dated Springfield, Sept. 20, 1779; also, pay roll for 6 months men raised by the town of Dedham for service in the Continental Army during 1780; marched July 15, 1780; discharged Dec. 24, 1780; service, 5 mos. 20 days.
Though I have not been able to find any published paintings of John, I do have a photo of his headstone in Howland Cemetery, Conway, Franklin, Massachusetts.
If it were not for the strength and determination of the early patriots such as John Avery, we would not have the freedom we enjoy in this great country of ours. I am grateful for his service to the beginnings of our nation. Today I honor him.
Direct line ancestry: John Avery --> Lindamina Avery --> Avery John Bond --> Frank Bond --> Rolf Wallace Bond --> Richard Griffiths Bond --> Kathryn Bond --> Lora Marshall Nehring
