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Description area
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History/biography
Samuel Bowman was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on May 21, 1800,and received his education at the Academy of Wilkes-Barre. He then pursued legal studies under the tutelage of Charles Chauncy of Philadelphia before turning to the ordained ministry. He was ordained priest 1824 and began his ministry at St. John’s Church in Pequea, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
In 1825, Bowman became rector of Trinity Church in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he met his first wife, Susan Sitgreaves. Together they would have a daughter, Ellen Ledlie Bowman (Vail). In 1827, Bowman accepted the invitation to serve as co-rector at St. James Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He became rector in 1830 and remained there until his death.
In 1843, Bowman received the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology from Hobart College. He was an active member of the Public School Board and Trustee and Secretary to the Board of Franklin and Marshall College. Bowman played a significant role in incorporating St. James’ Orphan Asylum in 1838; founding St. John’s, Lancaster, the pioneer free church of the Diocese of Pennsylvania in 1853; establishing the Yeates Institute, a preparatory school for boys; and establishing the Bishop Bowman Home in 1857. On May 28, 1858, he was consecrated Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania but served for only three years before his death on August 3, 1861.