Henry Davenport (1678-1731) was the son of Henry Davenport of Hallon, Shropshire. He inherited his father's estates following the death of his eldest brother Sharington. He married twice, firstly Mary Lucy Chardin who died in 1712, and secondly Barbara Ivory, the sister of John Ivory who had inherited Lacock from Sir John Talbot.

In common with many investors of the early 18th Century, Henry Davenport and a number of his relatives bought shares and annuities in the South Sea Company which spectacularly collapsed in 1720. Many previously wealthy people were brought to poverty although some others managed to cash-in their shares at just the right time and gained exceptional riches. A number of the gainers were politicians, company directors or traders with inside knowledge of what was really happening within a company which was basically a sham.

The South Sea Company coat of arms