Davis, Peter

Davis, Peter a minister of the. Society of Friends, was born in England in 1680, and educated as a Presbyterian. In 1716 he united with the Friends, and was a well-known preacher in that denomination, at first in Westerly, R.I., but eventually in England and France. The proverb, "Honesty is the best policy," is said to have originated with him. He died February 29, 1776.

His successor was his son PETER, "a man of deep piety and peculiar gifts, noted for his laconic and forcible addresses, who died January 22, 1812, at the age of one hundred and one years and seven months." See R.I. Biographical Cyclop. page 88. (J.C.S.)