Pioneer Methodist layman in New South Wales. A solicitor in Ireland, he had been sentenced to death in 1809 for uttering a forged document. In the death cell he experienced conversion and his sentence was commuted to transportation to Australia for life. Arriving in Sydney in 1811, he was assigned to the Rev. R. Cartwright to teach his children. He formed a Methodist class meeting in Windsor and was associated with Thomas Bowden in appealing for a preacher to be sent to the colony. On the arrival of Samuel Leigh in 1815 he provided him with accommodation and introduced him to Governor Macquarie. He was pardoned in 1818. In Sydney he was active in the emancipists' cause and in 1821 was chosen to take their petition to London. There he was successful in obtaining some redress of their grievances. He also worked strenuously for the appointment of liberals to the Legislative Council. He never returned to Australia.

Entry written by: EGC
Category: Person
Comment on this entry