Samuel and his brother, Robert came to South Australia in ca. 1842. Samuel married Margaret Fraser, only daughter of William Lennox Cleland, barrister of Calcutta, on 1 June 1842. She died on 6 February 1902. They had no children.

Davenport was a pioneer settler at Macclesfield where he established a sheep station. He also leased land in Rivioli Bay in the South East and at Mayurra station where the town of Millicent was established, and he was involved in pastoral runs in the mid north and far north of South Australia. From 1849, Davenport grew olives and vines at Beaumont, where he lived for most of his life. He had a great belief in the potential value of these fruits for the future prosperity of South Australia.

Davenport was deeply involved in the community and was a member of the Legislative Council where he became a member of the first cabinet under responsible government in October 1856. He was President of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society for seven years, and also president of the Chamber of Manufacturers for 20 years. He was the first president of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (South Australian Branch) and represented South Australia at exhibitions overseas including the Great Exibition in London in 1851.

Davenport was created Knight Bachelor in 1884 and K.C.M.G. in 1886.

He died 3 September, 1906 age 88 at Beaumont.

Cockburn, R Pastoral pioneers of South Australia Adelaide : Publishers Limited, 1925-1927 ("Reprinted from the Adelaide Stock and Station Journal.") vol. 1 pp. 78-9

[Samuel Davenport] Observer, 8 September 1906, p. 17, col. a-e; p. 27; p. 38, col. d

Simpson, E. R. Beaumont house: the land and its people Adelaide: Beaumont Press, 1993

Davenport, Samuel Cultivation of the olive & manufacture of its fruit in South Australian industries and manufactures: Papers read before the Chamber of Manufactures and reprinted by authority of the government Adelaide: Govt. Pr., 1875

Davenport family PRG 40