Samuel Davies

Samuel Davies was an evangelist and Presbyterian minister who was born into a family of English Dissenters from the Church of England. Davies ministered in Hanover County, the center of the Christian revival movement, from 1748 to 1759. He was a central figure who played a critical role in the early years of the Great Awakening, fomenting a religious revival among the colonies that advocated religious independence from England's established church, which inspired the cause for complete independence that ultimately lead to the disestablishment of the Church of England as Virginia’s official church. Davies was a dynamic and inspirational orator whose sermons were filled with pointed language that advocated for religious conversion. He followed serving a term as the fourth President of Princeton University, then known as the College of New Jersey, from 1759 to 1761. Davies was a strong advocate for religious freedom, and helped to institute significant religious reforms in the colony. He was one of the first non-Anglican preachers in Virginia, and one of earliest missionaries to slaves in the Thirteen Colonies. He voyaged to England, in 1753 where he met George Whitefield and John Wesley, also central figures in the Great Awakening. During the French and Indian War he served recruiting men by appealing to their sense of patriotism ans religion through his sermons, which were widely publicized throughout the colonies. Davies was also a prolific writer, authoring several hymns and publishing works of poetry and sermons. He was a strong voice for religious freedom and advocated humane treatment for slaves, and for providing them with religious education.

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