John Cavarly (sometimes Caverly) was born on June 25, 1799 in Waterford CT, son of Philip and Mary (Denison) Cavarly. He married Frances Lucretia Avery, daughter of John and Frances Lucretia. A family history of The Groton Avery Clan, found in Ancestry.com, shows the last name of Frances the younger as Avery, suggesting that she retained Avery as her last name. She was born on January 15, 1805, died on February 18, 1892. They had five children: John (born 10/2/1832), Frances Lucretia (born 5/5/1834), Philip (born 5/1/1836), Mary Elizabeth (born 7/29/1839), and Joseph (born 1/6/1842). John died on March 4, 1845 and is buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery in New London. His wife was appointed administrator of his estate.
John was issued Seamen’s Protection Certificate #6108) in New London on July 21, 1821. It described him as 5’ 7” with light eyes, light hair and light complexion.
The first record voyage located for John appears in New London Crew List that contains a copy of an original signed crew list dated November 9, 1825 for the brig MILFORD, home port New London, destination Matanzas Cuba, showing 25 year-old John (his signature clearly shows Cavarly) as master. Connecticut Ship Database shows brig MILFORD, built in Milford CT in 1817, home port New Haven. None of AOWV, Starbuck, Decker or Colby shows a vessel by that name. The destination, Cuba, suggests that this 1825 voyage was for mercantile purposes, not whaling, hence the ship not appearing in the whaling sources.
John then served as master of three voyages on two ships with New London as home port:
JONES (AS1723): (ship, 338 tons, broken up in New London in 1842). John first served on the crew of this ship for its 1828-1829 voyage. He then became master for its voyage that sailed in July 1829 to the South Atlantic, returned in March 1830. AV07836. JONES sailed again in June 1830 for the South Seas, returned in March 1831. AV07837. T.W. Williams was agent for both voyages.
ELECTRA (AS1261): (ship, 348 tons, built in Kensington PA, lost at Nunavik Island on July 1, 1863). Sailed in July 1831, returned in June 1832. William & Barns was agent. AV04101.
Sources used: see sidebar and sources cited in text.
George Shaw (Mystic Seaport Museum) August 2024