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their full commitment to God. Davenport—leading by example—removed his pants and cast them into the bonfire. One woman in the crowd quickly grabbed his pants out of the blaze, and handed them back to
Davenport, entreating him to get a hold of himself. "This act broke Davenport's spell," wrote historian Thomas Kidd. Davenport had gone too far, charisma or no, and the crowd quickly dispersed.
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In the late 1740s and 50s, Davenport struggled to reposition himself in the clerical mainstream. It was hard for him to convince his fellow ministers that he could be taken seriously after being judged insane by two tribunals in
Connecticut and Massachusetts in 1742. Moving to Plainfield Connecticut
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On March 7, 1743, Davenport exhibited perhaps his most bizarre behavior yet, in an incident which garnished him lasting fame—or infamy. The day before, he had led a crowd to burn a large pile of books; this day he called them to throw their expensive and fancy clothing onto the fire, so as to prove
192:, charged with disorderly conduct. Pomeroy's case was dismissed, but Davenport was declared to be under "enthusiastical impressions and impulses, and thereby disturbed in the rational faculties of his mind." No punishment was meted out, but Davenport was sent back to his former parish of Southold.
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where he was ranked at the top of the class in 1732. Davenport and his friends were determined to become preachers even though most Yale graduates were pursuing law, politics, or business. They started clubs that would attest the changing character of the Yale student body, and frequently found
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The letter claimed he had "fallen into the snare of the devil," confessing to being led astray by impulses and the "false spirit," and spoke of a desire to distinguish the “Appendage from the
Substance or Essence, that which is vile and odious from that which is precious, glorious, and divine”
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In 1749 the New York Synod appointed him to a committee that assigned visiting clerics to northern colonies. Though his career saw improvements in 1750 as a minister in
Hanover, Virginia, his preaching differed from that of his earlier sermons—less fiery, less experimental, and without song.
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of 28 March 1743, Davenport had exhibited signs of physical distress along with his unorthodox behavior, symptoms that at the time would have been interpreted as evidence of demonic possession. In 1744, after publicly acknowledging his missteps and apologizing to ministers around the colony,
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After the bonfire ended, Davenport was charged with "having the devil in him", and he replied, "He tho't so too", and added "that he was under the
Influence of an evil Spirit, and that God had left him" (49)
181:, Davenport urged his followers to destroy immoral books and luxury items with fire. He often said that he could distinguish people who were saved versus people who were damned just by looking at them.
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Davenport, J., Williams, S., & Prince, T. (1744). The
Reverend Mr. James Davenport's confession & retractations. Printed and sold by S. Kneeland and T. Green.
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241:, an office he held until his death on 10 November 1757. He was buried in the Old Cemetery lot of the Pennington (N.J.) Presbyterian Church.
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Davenport published a letter titled, "Confession and
Retraction," appearing in pamphlets and in newspapers, including the publication
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themselves in adversary positions with the university. This is the beginning of
Davenport's mistrust with established institutions.
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in 1744 as a supply minister proved difficult, as he departed in 1745, unable to find support from the
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Davenport is also noted for his "Bonfires of the
Vanities", the public burnings he organized in
414:"More Light on a New Light: James Davenport's Religious Legacy, Eastern Long Island, 1740–1840"
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Davenport often denounced fellow clergymen for their conduct, such as when he labeled
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and itinerant preacher noted for his often controversial actions during the
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The Great
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Cray, R. (1996). James Davenport's Post-Bonfire Ministry, 1743-1757.
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Cray, R. (1996). James Davenport's Post-Bonfire Ministry, 1743-1757.
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was calling him, and in 1741 - having by chance opened his Bible to
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He was ordained as a minister by the Congregational Council of
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367:"James Davenport and the Great Awakening in New London"
320:"James Davenport and the Great Awakening in New London"
273:"James Davenport and the Great Awakening in New London"
548:"James Davenport's Post-Bonfire Ministry, 1743-1757"
478:"James Davenport's Post-Bonfire Ministry, 1743-1757"
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The Great Awakening: A Brief History with Documents
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226:of the area, receiving criticism from both sides.
638:18th-century American Congregationalist ministers
95:family. Davenport’s great-grandfather, Reverend
233:On 27 October 1754, Davenport became pastor of
188:were arraigned before the Colonial Assembly at
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184:In June 1742, Davenport and fellow preacher
71:(1716–1757) was an American Congregational
454:(New York: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2008), 1.
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599:(1), 59-73. Retrieved May 21, 2021, from
529:(1), 59-73. Retrieved May 21, 2021, from
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365:Stout, Harry S.; Onuf, Peter (1983).
318:Stout, Harry S.; Onuf, Peter (1983).
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131:It was around this time that he met
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119:Preaching career and controversies
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633:People from Stamford, Connecticut
257:Heimert, Alan, and Perry Miller.
371:The Journal of American History
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277:The Journal of American History
127:Coat of Arms of James Davenport
16:American clergyman (1716–1757)
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83:Background and early life
546:Cray, Robert E. (1996).
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412:CRAY, ROBERT E. (1992).
139:and English evangelical
261:. Bobbs-Merrill, 1978.
205:Boston Weekly Post Boy
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87:Davenport was born in
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113:Southold, Long Island
89:Stamford, Connecticut
77:First Great Awakening
36:Stamford, Connecticut
239:Hopewell, New Jersey
643:Yale College alumni
179:Girolamo Savonarola
177:. As with those of
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210:Christian History.
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