Avery, John, 1739-1806

John Avery (1739-1806, Harvard AB 1759) was secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and then Secretary of State of Massachusetts; Cotton Tufts (1732-1815, Harvard AB 1749) was an Overseer and a member of what became known as a "Visiting Committee" at Harvard. Each of these men was an officer of Harvard by virtue of being a member of the Massachusetts government. In 1790, the Overseers were comprised of the Massachusetts Governer, Lieutenant-Governor, Council, and Senate, the President of the College, and ministers from several surrounding communities.

From the description of Letter from John Avery to Cotton Tufts, April 9, 1790. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 77067913

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