From Wharton Lodge, Bickerton, near Wetherby, he was the first missionary to die in the Friendly Islands (now Tonga). After training at the Theological Institute, he sailed with his wife, who died on board between New Zealand and Tonga in the missionary ship Triton. In Tonga he was in charge of the Institution and was responsible for training some native missionaries, prior to his death at Vavan on 4 March 1846. A memorial tablet to his memory, formerly in Bickerton WM chapel, was relocated to St. Helen's Church, Bilton-in-Ainsty in May 1971, the High Commissioner to Tonga being present at the unveiling.