Avery Memorial Association

The Avery Memorial Association was founded in 1895 after the burning of the old Avery Homestead and incorporated as a non-profit in 1896. The association designed and constructed a monument on the center of the site and dedicated it on the six year anniversary of the fire. The association holds a meeting and election every year. The Avery Memorial Association has undertaken two major projects, the first being the raison d'être, the Avery Monument and the movement, restoration ad operation of the Ebenezer Avery House, a historic house museum. The Avery Monument was designed by Bela L. Pratt and it rises from the center of where the house originally stood. It was dedicated on July 20, 1900 and rededicated on its centennial. In 1971, the Avery Memorial Association moved the Ebenezer Avery House from its original location in Groton, Connecticut closer to the site of the Battle of Groton Heights, and it now resides in Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park in Groton, Connecticut.

History

The Avery Association was founded in 1895 after the burning of the old Avery Homestead, nicknamed "The Hive" or "Avery Hive".[1] [2] The following year it was incorporated as a non-profit, charitable and educational institution.[1] The monument was dedicated on the sixth year anniversary and rededicated on its centennial.[3][2]

The old Avery Homestead was built around 1656 and was improved upon by the second Captain James Avery who removed "the unadorned church and watch-tower of the wilderness" in 1684 and carried the materials back to the house and used them in its improvement.[3] The descendants of the Avery family lived in the house for over 230 years until it was destroyed on July 20, 1894 from a spark by a passing railroad. The Avery clan formed the foundation to memorialize the beginnings of the Avery Clan in the Connecticut Colony.[3]

Presidents

In 1911, Elroy M. Avery was elected as president.[4] In 1915, Elroy M. Avery was elected as president and the burial ground was planned to be restored.[5] Elroy M. Avery was re-elected in 1916.[6] In 1926, the elections resulted in Elroy M. Avery as president.[7] In 1939, Christopher L. Avery was re-elected and the association reported repairs to the grounds following the 1938 New England hurricane.[8] He was re-elected again in 1940 and 1951.[9][10] In 1954 and 1955, Christopher L Avery was re-elected as president.[11][12] In 1957, Deane Avery was re-elected president.[13] In 1962, Deane Avery was elected president.[14] In 1970, Amos J. Avery was elected and the Ebenezer Avery House, purchased by G. Stanton Avery, would be turned over to the association and the plans to move the house to Fort Griswold State Park was discussed.[15] In 1972, Amos J. Avery was re-elected as president and the meeting featured the recently moved Ebenezer Avery House.[16] He was re-elected in 1973 and the association debated over the sale of land to cover costs of restoring and maintaining the Ebenezer Avery House.[17] In 1976, Amos J. Avery was re-elected president on the 80th anniversary of the burning.[7] In 2013, Stephanie Lantiere was president.[1]

Monument

James Dension Avery, deeded the association the homestead site, where the monument would stand. Designed by Bela L. Pratt, an Avery descent, the monument comprises a granite shaft and a bust of a "typical Puritan, magistrate and Indian fighter." represents the builder. The monument rises from the center of where The Hive stood. On July 20, 1900, the monument was formally dedicated in front of six hundred Avery descendants. The Avery Association states that Dr. Elroy M. Avery, the president presided and Helen Morgan Avery unveiled the bust and Frank Montgomery Avery delivered the oration.[3] The monument was rededicated on its centennial by Cooper Avery Johnson in front of a crowd made of 100 descendants.[2] The names of the Avery ancestors were read and boys dressed in colonial costumes fired blanks in tribute.[2]

Ebenezer Avery House

Main article: Ebenezer Avery House

The Ebenezer Avery House was originally located on Latham Street and Thames Street in Groton, Connecticut. The date of the house's construction is unknown, but it is believed to be from the 1760s and it was the house of Ebenezer Avery. The Ebenezer Avery House was the location where the British brought the injured soldiers after the Battle of Groton Heights on September 6, 1781. In 1971, the house was moved to Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park in Groton and restored. Though it stands in a state park, the historic house museum continues to be maintained by the Avery Memorial Association.[18]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Avery Memorial Association Home Page". Avery Memorial Association. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Costanza, Michael (23 July 2000). "Avery family rededicates monument on Centennial". The Day. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Goodman, Mary and Thatcher, Elwood. "The Avery Memorial Monument". Avery Memorial Association. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  4. ↑ "Avery Memorial Association Met". The Day. 21 July 1911. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  5. ↑ "Avery Family Association In Its Annual Meeting". The Day. 17 July 1915. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  6. ↑ "Avery Memorial annual meeting". The Day. 22 July 1916. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  7. 1 2 "Good Old Days". The Day. 14 July 1976. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "All Officers Reelected By Avery Memorial Association". The Day. 21 July 1939. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  9. ↑ "Avery Memorial Association Reelects At Annual Meeting". The Day. 19 July 1940. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  10. ↑ "Avery Association Reunion Dinner Attended By 35". The Day. 21 July 1951. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  11. ↑ "Avery Association Reelects Officers". The Day. 17 July 1954. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  12. ↑ "Judge Avery Reelected Head Of Association". The Day. 16 July 1955. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  13. ↑ "Avery Association Reelects Officers". The Day. 29 July 1957. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  14. ↑ "Avery Reelected By Association". The Day. 21 July 1962. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  15. ↑ "Ebenezer Avery House Restoration Discussed". The Day. 22 July 1970. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  16. ↑ "Avery Association Meets". The Day. 22 July 1972. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  17. ↑ "Association Considers Sale Of Acre For Park". The Day. 26 July 1973. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  18. ↑ Goodman, Mary. "The Ebenezer Avery House in Groton, CT". Avery Memorial Association. Retrieved 3 April 2014.

External links

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