History of Canton, (Bradford County) Pennsylvania United States of America

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Edward Loomis Davenport, actor, was born in Boston, Mass., Nov. 15, 1814; son of Asher Davenport, keeper of the "Archway" tavern on North street, Boston. He was educated in his native city, was clerk in a crockery store, and adopted the profession of the stage when twenty-two years old. He made his debut in "A New Way to Pay Old Debts" at Providence, R.I., supporting the elder Booth in his Sir Giles Overreach. Manager Thomas H. Hamlin then engaged him for the Bowery theatre, New York city, where he was well received and in 1838 he appeared at the Walnut street theatre, Philadelphia, as Count Montalban in "TheHoneymoon." He then returned to Boston and worked hard for nine years, mastering the details of his profession. In 1847 Mrs. Anna Cora Mowatt made him her leading man and he went with her to England where he appeared at the Manchester theatre, Dec. 6, 1847, as Claude Melnotte. His acting created a profound impression in England and Macready engaged him for a short season in his support. His impersonation of William in "Black-eyed Susan" at the Haymarket theatre, London, was a great success. He was married in London, Jan. 8, 1849, to Mrs. Charles Gill, who was Fanny Elizabeth, daughter of Frederick Vining, manager of Haymarket theatre, and of Miss Bew, daughter of John Johnstone, the Irish character actor. She was a member of Mrs. Mowatt's company at the time the attachment was formed and later was associated with Mr. Davenport on many of his starring tours. They returned to the United States in 1854 and appeared in various cities under the management of Messrs. Barron, Jarrett, Smith, Wallack and Wheatly, respectively. He was manager of the Howard athen?um, and of the new Tremont theatre, Boston, 1859-61, and while at the Howard supported Edwin Booth in a short run of "Julius C?sar," taking the character of Brutus. He became lessee of the Chestnut street theatre, Philadelphia, Pa., in 1869. His last appearance was in "Daniel Druce" at Booth's. Five daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Davenport. Fanny Lily Gipsy, Blanche Maria, Lily Antoinette (Mrs. Frost Thorne), May (Mrs. William Seymour), and Marion Caroline; and two sons, Edgar Longfellow and Henry George Bryant, adopted the stage as a profession and each gained a considerable success. Mrs. Davenport died at Canton, Pa., July 20, 1891. Edward Loomis Davenport died at Canton, Pa., Sept. 1, 1877.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Canton, (Bradford County) Pennsylvania

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