Background
Davenport, John was born in 1597 in Coventry, England. Son of Henry and Winifred (Barnabit) Davenport.
Davenport, John was born in 1597 in Coventry, England. Son of Henry and Winifred (Barnabit) Davenport.
Attended Merton College, Oxford (England) University, Bachelor of Divinity, Magdalen College, Oxford, 1625.
Chaplain to Hilton family, Durham, England, 1615-1616. Curate Church of Saint Lawrence Jewry, London, England., 1619-1624. Vicar Saint Stephen’s Parish, London, 1624 (opposition to his election because of possible Puritan leanings).
Spiritual adviser of a staunch Puritan, Lady Mary Vere.
Showed interest in procuring charter for Massachusetts Company, 1629, contributed 50 pounds and attended several meetings Involved in plot to form inner organization within Church of England (plan foiled by higher authorities), escaped London and went to Holland, 1633, became involved in controversy in Holland.
Then he returned to England to prepare for trip to American, 1637. Arrived at Boston in ship Hector.
Settled at site of New Haven (Connecticut) to form own colony, 1638, chosen pastor new church there.
Harbored 2 refugees from England, 1661, but in letter claimed to have known nothing of their whereabouts. A signer of letter to General Court of Connecticut asking for delay in granting new charter to Connecticut because New Haven wished to remain separate, 1662. Pastor First Church, Boston, 1667 (controversy over his leaving ended in scandal and eventual split in church).
Author: (pamphlets) Instructions to Elders of the English Church, 1634.
Catechism Containing the Chief Heads of Christian Religion, 1659. A Discourse about Civil Government in a New Plantation, 1673.
Married Elizabeth Wolley, 1 son, John.