Davies, Samuel, 1723-1761

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Samuel Davies, fourth president of Princeton University, was born in New Castle County, Delaware, on November 3, 1723. He was licensed to preach when he was twenty-two, and was ordained as an evangelist to Virginia. In 1753 Davies and Gilbert Tennant were chosen by Princeton trustees to go to Great Britain and Ireland in search of donations for the College. Davies kept a diary of the mission, which was later published. During their stay in the British Isles they were able to secure sufficient funds to build Nassau Hall and the president's house. In 1758 Davies was elected to succeed Jonathan Edwards as president of the College, but declined election, partly because of a reluctance to quit his pastoral work in Virginia. The trustees subsequently re-elected Davies and persuaded him to accept. He took up his duties on July 26, 1759, and died of pneumonia on February 4, 1761.

From the description of Samuel Davies collection, 1752-1931 (bulk 1752-1759) (Princeton University Library). WorldCat record id: 84916040

Samuel Davies, 1723-1761; colonial Presbyterian minister in Pennsylvania and Virginia; sent to England in 1753 by the Synod of New York to raise funds of the College of New Jersey; served as its president 1759-1761.

From the description of Papers, 1751-1760. (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 48252262

Clergyman and college president.

From the description of Observations on Samuel Davies, undated. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79424045

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Davies, Samuel, 1723-1761. Papers, 1751-1760. Presbyterian Historical Society, PHS
creatorOf Dawson, William, 1704-1752. Dawson papers, 1721-1775. William & Mary Libraries
referencedIn Bromehead, Joseph, b. 1748. [Commonplace book], 1765 and later. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Davies, Samuel, 1723-1761. Observations on Samuel Davies, undated. Library of Congress
creatorOf Davies, Samuel, 1723-1761. Samuel Davies sermons and prayer. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Davies, Samuel, 1723-1761. Diaries, 1753-1755. University of Tennessee, John C. Hodges Library
creatorOf Davies, Samuel, 1723-1761. A poem composed by Mr. Davies, President of New Jersey college, on the birth of one of his children..., [1760?, Princeton, N. J.]. Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
creatorOf College of New Jersey. Diploma : Princeton, N.J., to John Boyd, 1760 Oct. 8. Rosenbach Museum & Library
creatorOf Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the Parts Adjacent in America. Letter book of the Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the Parts Adjacent in America, 1688-1761. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Guild, Benjamin, 1749-1792. Hunt and Guild families of New Jersey collection, 1755-1858. Princeton University Library
creatorOf Davies, Samuel, 1723-1761. The diary of the Rev. Samuel Davies from July 2 A.D. 1753 to April 28th 1754 : manuscript, 1845 / carefully transcribed, compared and corrected by Philander Camp ... Princeton University Library
creatorOf Davies, Samuel, 1723-1761. Diaries, 1753-1755. Union Presbyterian Seminary, William Smith Morton Library
referencedIn Swem, E. G. (Earl Gregg), 1870-1965,. Samuel Davies Bibliography, ca. 1920-1940. William & Mary Libraries
referencedIn Washington Irving's Life of George Washington Volume I, Miscellany, 1745-1856 Cornell University Library
referencedIn James Manning papers, Manning (James) papers, 1761-1827, (bulk 1765-1791) John Hay Library
creatorOf Latta, James, 1732-1801. Sermons, 1700s-1800s [microform]. Presbyterian Historical Society, PHS
referencedIn Whittle family. Whittle family papers, 1779-1922 [microfilm manuscript]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Hunt and Guild families of New Jersey collection, 1755-1878 (bulk 1755-1858). Princeton University Library
creatorOf Davies, Samuel, 1723-1761. Samuel Davies collection, 1752-1931 (bulk 1752-1759) Princeton University Library
referencedIn Office of the President Records : Jonathan Dickinson to Harold W. Dodds Subgroup, 1746-1999, 1830-1869 Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special Collections.Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library. Princeton University Archives.
creatorOf Davies, Samuel, 1723-1761. The diary of the Rev. Samuel Davies ..., 1845. Princeton University Library
creatorOf Samuel Davies sermons and prayer New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Adams, Ansel, 1902-1984. Autograph collection, 1446-2001. Princeton University Library
creatorOf Davies, Samuel, 1723-1761. [Selected works, manuscript and published held by the Presbyterian Historical Society] [microform]. Presbyterian Historical Society, PHS
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Bromehead, Joseph, b. 1748. person
associatedWith Camp, Philander. person
associatedWith College of New Jersey. corporateBody
associatedWith College of New Jersey (Princeton, N.J.) corporateBody
associatedWith Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the Parts Adjacent in America. corporateBody
associatedWith Cowel, David (1704-1760) corporateBody
associatedWith Dawson, William, 1704-1752. person
associatedWith Manning, James, 1738-1791 person
associatedWith Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. corporateBody
associatedWith Princeton University corporateBody
associatedWith Princeton University. Office of the President. corporateBody
associatedWith Swem, E. G. (Earl Gregg), 1870-1965, person
associatedWith Whittle family. family
Place Name Admin Code Country
England
England
Subject
American diaries
Sermons, American
Sermons, American
Occupation
Clergy
College presidents
Activity

Person

Birth 1723-11-03

Death 1761-02-04

Americans

English

Information

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SNAC ID: 9982750