John Davenport (clergyman) - Definition and Overview

John Davenport(1597 - 1670) was a puritan clergyman and founder of the American city of New Haven.

Born in Coventry, England to a wealthy family (his father was mayor of Oxford), Davenport was educated at Oxford University. After serving as the chaplain of Hilton Castle he became the minister of Saint Stephen's Church in London. In 1625 returned to Oxford for further studies.

Following a disgreement over the inclusion of the destitute in church congregations, in 1633 he resigned from the established church and moved to Holland. In 1637 he acquired the patent for a colony in Massachusetts and sailed with much his congregation for Boston. In March of 1638 he founded the colony on New Haven.

As a burgess, he held considerable political power in the new colony and continued to influence its development until his death of apoplexy in 1670.

External link

• Genepool: Saint Stephen's page (http://www.rootsweb.com/~genepool/coleman.htm)