Thomas BOWDEN

BOWDEN, THOMAS (b. Devonshire, England 1778; d. Dunolly, near Singleton, NSW, 13 Sept 1834). Pioneer Wesleyan Methodist and schoolmaster.

Thomas came of vigorous puritan stock: from the 1600s Bowdens filled non-conformist chapels in Devon and Somerset, several being pastors. He lived in Exeter as a youth where he was apprenticed. Discharged in 1803 because he refused to work on Sundays, he opened a school in Exeter. Later he became master of the Great Queen Street, London, Charity School, and leader of a Wesleyan class in the London West circuit. Recommended by Joseph Butterworth MP and William Wilberforce, he was invited by the Rev Samuel Marsden (q.v.) who was impressed by his efficiency and piety, to come to Sydney.

Thomas arrived in the colony on 28 Jan 1812 and took charge of a charity school in Sydney. He formed a Methodist class meeting on 5 Mar 1812, the beginning of Methodism in Australia. He also preached to isolated settlers in country areas. Two other classes were formed, one in Sydney and one in Windsor. He and John Hosking, the other class leader in Sydney, both deeply concerned about the spiritual destitution of the community, wrote on 20 July IS12 a powerful appeal to the Wesleyan Methodist Church in England to send them a minister. 'Send a faithful servant of the Lord to us ... to proclaim His salvation to perishing sinners even in this distant land'. In response the Rev Samuel Leigh (q.v.) arrived on 10 Aug 1815.

Bowden helped found the Philanthropic Society of NSW, the Sunday School Institution and the NSW Auxiliary of the Bible Society. After seven years as headmaster of a school in Sydney, he became Master of the Male Orphan School and continued in that position until 1825. Thereafter he devoted himself to farming and his religious pursuits.

ADB 1; J Colwell, 'Thomas Bowden', Methodist 15 Jul, 5 Aug 1911

ERIC G CLANCY