Avery, Austin Wakefield

Avery, Austin Wakefield a Free-will Baptist minister, was born at Campton, N. H., Nov. 18, 1838. He became a hopeful Christian in early life, and in the fall of 1856 went to the institution at New Hampton, N. H., with a view to preparing himself for the Christian ministry. He was formally licensed to preach Dec. 14,1858, and early in 1859 he left New England and went to Paducah, Ky., where his brother was residing and engaged in teaching. Finding him in poor health, he took. his place in the schoolroom. For two or three months he supplied the pulpit of the Baptist Church in Paducah, and also held meetings for the colored people. In the fall of 1859 he labored with the Washington Street Church in Dover, N.H. The winter of i860 was spent in Christian work in various sections of the State of New York, and he was- ordained at Parishville, N. Y., March 24 of that year. The following spring he spent in Minnesota, and the remainder of the year was occupied mostly in ministerial service in Parishville and the towns adjoining. Wishing to enjoy better facilities for study, he made arrangements to place himself under the tuition of Rev. Ransom Dunn, pastor of the North Bennet Street Church in Boston. When, however, he reached Boston early in 1861, ,he found Mr. Dunn in, such poor health that he wis forced to resign, and Mr. Avery was chosen his successor in. the following March. More than once he sought relief during the next two or three years from his pastoral work, but his Church was unwilling to part with him; and it was not until March 13, 1865, that: they consented to accept his resignation. A brief pastorate at Haverhill, Mass., closed his labors on earth. His death took place Oct. 7, 1865. See Barrett, Memoirs of Eminent Preachers, p. 283-293. (J. C.S.)