The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
Daniel Avery was born on 14 November 1740 in Groton, New London County, Connecticut. He was the second son of Benjamin and Thankful Avery.1
He married Deborah Avery on 14 November 1765 in Groton, Connecticut. They had the following known children:2
Daniel was born on 18 September 1766 and married Abigail Smith.
Elias was born on 6 April 1768 and married Sally Barber.
Dudley was born on 19 March 1770 and married Hannah Morgan.
Isaac was born on 30 March 1772 and married Sarah Brooks.
Deborah was born on 12 January 1774 and married Ebenezer Avery.
Latham was born on 19 December 1775 and married Betsey Wood Lester.
Rachel was born on 10 August 1777 and married Zenas Bradley.
Abel was born on 17 July 1779.
According to the narrative on Charles Franklin Ladd's SAR application in 1913, "In May 1779, Daniel Avery was made an Ensign in the First Company of the Town of Groton, Eighth Regiment. He served under Colonel William Ledyard when Fort Groton was attacked on Sep 6, 1781, and fell while defending the fort against the British."3
Upon hearing the 6 September 1781 alarm that Fort Groton was being attacked, Daniel "mounted, with his son Daniel, Jr., behind, to bring back the horse, and rode to the fort. His son returned and, the next day, returned [to the fort] to bear away the body of his father."4
The Patriot died in the line of duty on 6 September 1781 and was buried in the Avery-Morgan Burial Ground in Groton, New London County, Connecticut. His original gravestone remains readable and is inscribed: "In Memory of Ensign Daniel Avery who nobly Sacrificed his Life in Defense of Fort Griswould & the Liberties of America Sept 6 1781 in ye 41st Year of his Age."5
Sources:
Connecticut Town Birth Records, Pre-1870, p62.
Sweet, Homer De Lois, "The Averys of Groton", Rice Taylor Printing, Syracuse, NY, 1894, p48.
SAR Member Application, Charles Franklin Ladd (Nat. #24819, NE #244), Mar 24, 1913.
Harris, William W., "The Battle of Groton Heights," New London, CT, 1882, p254.
Find-a-Grave, Memorial #11558886, ENS Daniel Avery.
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