Background
He was born on May 9, 1810 in New York City, the son of Daniel Banvard.
He was born on May 9, 1810 in New York City, the son of Daniel Banvard.
He completed a course at South Reading Academy. He afterward studied at the Newton Theological Institution, from which he was graduated in 1835.
He then became pastor of the Second Baptist Church, Salem, Massachussets, where he remained eleven years. Pastorates of varying lengths followed: in Boston; West Cambridge, Massachussets; New York; Pawtucket, Rhode Island. ; Worcester, Massachussets; Paterson, New Jersey; and Neponset, Massachussets In 1866 he was elected president of the National Theological Institute, Washington, D. C. , a school for colored preachers and teachers, but resigned within a year.
As early as 1850 his interest began to be divided between his clerical duties and the writing of books, particularly history. His most important works are The Christian Melodist; a Collection of Hymns (1850), Novelties of the New World (1852), The American Statesman; or Illustrations of the Life and Character of Daniel Webster (1853), Priscilla; or Trials for the Truth. An Historic Tale of the Puritans and the Baptists (1854), Wisdom, Wit, and Whims of Distinguished Ancient Philosophers (1855), Tragic Scenes in the History of Maryland and the Old French War (1856), Old Grips and Little Tidd (1873), First Explorers of North America (1874), Southern Explorers and Colonists (1874), Soldiers and Patriots of the Revolution (1876), and an eight-volume juvenile collection. He had a keen interest in American history, especially that of the colonial era. In his writing of history he showed some knowledge of the use of sources. In one of his prefaces he said, "We have availed ourselves of the most reliable sources of information from the journals and letters of the first Pilgrims down to historians of a recent date. " There seems to have been little sifting and weighing of historical material, but the proportion between important and unimportant events was fairly well preserved. The moral and religious values of history appealed, perhaps disproportionately, to him. In The American Statesman he devoted considerable attention to proving Daniel Webster an intrinsically religious man, a devout believer in prayer and the Bible.
He died at He died at Neponset, September 28, 1887, and his funeral took place in the Harvard Street Baptist Church, Boston, where he had formerly been pastor.
He was susceptible to romance in history and obviously enjoyed relating adventures. He had a readable narrative style, enlivened by many details of action and local color.
