Collections

Avery, Thankful

Last Name: Avery
First Name: Thankful
Dates:
1718 - 1814 (Life/Active Dates)
1734 (Date of Marriage)
Biography/History: The Avery family is extensive, with numerous intermarriages among relatives with the surname Avery. The family branch that eventually came to Washington state came from 17th century Groton, Connecticut, through western upstate New York, to Greeley Colorado, and eventually to Cheney, Washington. Six generations of women wore the two wedding dresses donated to the MAC Collection. Generation 1: Thankful Avery (b. 1715 or 1718 Groton CT; d. 1814 Groton CT) wore wedding dress 2102.1 (before alteration) in 1734 to marry Benjamin Avery (c1693-1772) Generation 2: Thankful Avery (b. 1755 Groton CT; d.1834 Moravia NY) wore wedding dress 2102.1 (before alteration) c.1776 to marry Elihu Avery (1755-1779) Generation 3: Cynthia Avery (b.c.1778 Groton CT; d. 1856 Venice NY) She (or her mother) wore dress 2102.1 (probably altered into Empire style) to George Washington’s 1789 Inauguration. Cynthia also wore it c.1793 to marry Ebenezer Lester (1766- 1842). Generation 4: Harriet Lester Mead (1802 Groton CT? -1882 Venice Center NY) married c.1823 to Alexander Mead (1795-1868) (not mentioned as wearing either dress) Generation 5: Alexander Mead (1841 East Venice NY-1931 Greeley CO) married 1869 in NY to Sarah Louise Avery (1851-1937) who wore wedding dress 2102.2. Generation 6: Alexandria A (“Lexie”) Mead (1883 CO – 1975 Spokane Co. WA) wore wedding dress 2102.1 (still altered into Empire style) in 1913 to marry Harvey Neil Stronach (1880-1959). They lived in Cheney WA, and donated the two dresses to MAC.
Related Participants:
Related Objects:
2102.1 (Dress; Dress, Wedding, Empire-style Wedding Gown, 1734)