Background
Davenport, Franklin was born in September 1755 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
General politician representative senator
Davenport, Franklin was born in September 1755 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
He received an academic education. Studied law in Burlington, New Jersey. Admitted to the New Jersey State Bar in 1776 and commenced practice in Gloucester City, New Jersey.
He was the clerk of Gloucester County Court in 1776. During the American Revolutionary War he enlisted as a private in the New Jersey Militia, later becoming brigade major, then brigade quartermaster, and in 1778 assistant quartermaster for Gloucester County. he was appointed colonel in the New Jersey Militia in 1779 and subsequently major general, which rank he held until his death. Prosecutor of pleas in 1777.
New Jersey
Elected to the Congress.
He moved to Woodbury, New Jersey in 1781 and continued the practice of law. Appointed first surrogate of Gloucester County in 1785. Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 1786–1789.
Colonel in the New Jersey Lincolnshire during the Whiskey Insurrection of 1794.
Appointed brigadier general of Gloucester County Militia in 1796. Appointed to the United States Senate as a Federalist to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Rutherfurd, and served from December 5, 1798, to March 4, 1799, when a successor was elected and qualified.