Sneha Girap (Editor)

Abraham Davenport

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Name
  
Abraham Davenport

Died
  
November 20, 1789

Role
  
Politician

Education
  
Yale University

Abraham Davenport

Abraham Davenport (1715 – November 20, 1789) was an American politician who served in the Connecticut Governor's Council during the American Revolution, and as a colonel in the Connecticut state militia. He is famous for his response to his colleagues during New England's Dark Day, which many feared was a sign that the Last Judgment was approaching. His response had been: "I am against adjournment. The day of judgment is either approaching, or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for an adjournment; if it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. I wish therefore that candles may be brought."

John Greenleaf Whittier wrote a poem about the famous incident, "Abraham Davenport" first published in The Atlantic Monthly (May 1866).

References

Abraham Davenport Wikipedia