Call Number:

C1042

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

• 1 box
• 0.2 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Citations should be as follows: Samuel Davies Collection, Box #, Folder #, Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1752-1759 (bulk) and 1752-1931 (inclusive)

Creator:

Princeton University. Library. Special Collections and Davies, Samuel, 1723-1761

Form:

Correspondence -- 18th century, Diaries--18th century., Manuscripts--18th century., and Sermons--18th century.

Abstract:

Consists of selected correspondence and several manuscript sermons of Samuel Davies, fourth president of Princeton University.

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.

The collection consists of selected correspondence of Davies, autograph manuscripts of two of his sermons, and a typescript of The Diary of the Revd. Samuel Davies, From July 2 A.D. 1753 To April 28 [A.]D. 1754. Carefully Transcribed, Compared and Corrected by Philander Camp, 1845. Correspondents include Davies' brother Col. William Davies and William F. Ast. Also included is Davies' 1758 letter to the Trustees of the College of New Jersey, giving his reasons for refusing the appointment to the presidency of the college, and a letter from Wilberforce Eames, dated June 1931, regarding miscellaneous poems by Davies.

Arranged by accession number.