Thomas Quinton Stow (7 July 1801 – 19 July 1862), generally referred to as the Rev. T. Q. Stow, but also as Quinton Stow, [1] was an Australian pioneer Congregational minister. [2]
Thomas Quinton Stow (7 July 1801 – 19 July 1862), generally referred to as the Rev. T. Q. Stow, but also as Quinton Stow, [1] was an Australian pioneer Congregational minister. [2]
Stow was born at Hadleigh, Suffolk, England, and began preaching at 17 years of age; he later studied for the Congregational ministry at the missionary college, Gosport under David Bogue. [2] From 1822-25 Stow was minister at Framlingham, Suffolk; later at Buntingford, Hertfordshire, then was transferred to Halstead in Essex. In 1833 Stow published the Memoirs of R. Taylor, LL.D., followed by The Scope of Piety (1836). [2] At Framlingham Stow married Elizabeth Eppes, described as a "handsome brunette . . . the rage of London society". [3] She was a daughter of William Eppes of Bristol and his wife Elizabeth, née Randolph, descendant of an old Virginia family. [2]
On 12 October 1836 the Colonial Missionary Society in England accepted Stow and sent him to South Australia. Stow arrived at Adelaide on the Hartley in October 1837. [2] Stow began holding services in a marquee but shortly afterwards, partly with his own hands, built the first church in South Australia. It was constructed of pine logs thatched with reeds and stood in North Terrace. In November 1840 a more substantial church was opened in Freeman Street (now Gawler Place), and there Stow worked for many years. He also for a time taught a school at the corner of Freeman and Pirie Streets. [lower-alpha 1] From 1846 Stow fought in opposition to state aid for religion. [2] Stow's health, however, declined and in 1855 he found it necessary to have an assistant, [4] and in October 1855 the Rev. C. W. Evan arrived. In September 1856 Stow resigned his pastorate, [2] but continued to preach and work for his church as much as his health would allow. [4] In February 1862, hoping that a change of climate might be good for him, Stow went to Sydney to supply the pulpit in the Pitt Street Congregational church, and in March became so ill that he could not be taken back to Adelaide. Stow died at the house of John Fairfax on 19 July 1862. [2] Stow was survived by his wife and four sons. [4]
Stow was an outstanding preacher in early Adelaide, [2] he was a good speaker who incorporated humour and satire. [4] Stow helped form the character of the growing settlement of Adelaide, which was appreciated at the time. Stow was twice given substantial pecuniary testimonials to which men of all sects contributed. [4] The Stow Memorial Church (now Pilgrim Uniting Church) in Adelaide was named for him. Stow Hall, built 1872 [5] at 16 Flinders Street, has been a popular venue for amateur theatre productions.
He was married in England and brought his wife Elizabeth Randolph Stow, née Eppes, (c. 1797 in Newfoundland – 8 July 1867), who survived him, and four sons with him:
Julian Randolph Stow was an Australian-born writer, novelist and poet.
The Randolph family of Virginia is a prominent political family, whose members contributed to the politics of Colonial Virginia and Virginia after statehood. They are descended from the Randolphs of Morton Morrell, Warwickshire, England. The first Randolph in America was Henry Randolph in 1643. His nephew, William Randolph, later came to Virginia as an orphan in 1669. He made his home at Turkey Island along the James River. Because of their numerous progeny, William Randolph and his wife, Mary Isham Randolph, have been referred to as "the Adam and Eve of Virginia". The Randolph family was the wealthiest and most powerful family in 18th-century Virginia.
Randolph Isham Stow was an English-born Australian Supreme Court of South Australia judge.
Peacock & Son was a tanning and wool-brokering business in the early days of South Australia. Three members of the family were notable public figures: William Peacock was a successful businessman and one of the colony's first parliamentarians. His eldest son Joseph Peacock carried on the family business and was a member of parliament. His youngest son Caleb Peacock was a member of parliament and Mayor of Adelaide from 1875 to 1877, the first such born in the Colony.
Edward Dewhirst was a well-known South Australian minister of religion and educationist, born in Suffolk, England. His five children were also prominent in business and public life.
Augustine Stow, J.P., was a politician in colonial South Australia, member of the South Australian House of Assembly for West Torrens from November 1862 to 1864, and for Flinders from October 1866 to 1868.
Jefferson Pickman Stow, commonly referred to as J. P. Stow, was a newspaper editor and magistrate in South Australia.
William Parkin was an English-born businessman, politician and philanthropist. He emigrated to the British Province of South Australia with his wife in 1839 and represented the City of Adelaide in the House of Assembly from 1860 to 1862 before becoming a member of the Legislative Council from 1866 to 1867. Parkin was a benefactor of the South Australian Congregational Church and founded many religious philanthropic efforts.
Cadwallader William Evan, generally referred to as Rev. C. W. Evan, was a Congregationalist minister in colonial South Australia, the first to serve at the Stow Memorial Church, Flinders Street, Adelaide.
Stow is a surname. Notable people with the name include:
Pilgrim Uniting Church is a church in the heart of the City on Flinders Street, Adelaide in South Australia. It is a church of the Uniting Church in Australia.
Clayton Wesley Uniting Church, formerly Clayton Congregational Church, is a church building in the Adelaide suburb of Beulah Park, located on Portrush Road, in a commanding position at the eastern end of The Parade, Norwood, in South Australia. The current building with its tall spire was built was built in 1883, although an earlier building was built in 1856.
Thomas Hope was an English Congregationalist minister who had a career in Australia.
Joseph Robertson MA was an Australian Congregationalist minister.
James Jefferis was an English Congregational minister with a considerable career in Australia.
Francis William Cox was the first pastor of the Hindmarsh Square Congregational church in Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, South Australia.
The Hindmarsh Square Congregational Church was one of the larger Protestant churches in the early days of Adelaide, South Australia, located in Hindmarsh Square.
Rev. Charles Manthorpe was a Congregationalist minister remembered for his 36-year pastorate in Glenelg, South Australia.
Quinton Stow Smith, was a South Australian businessman, philanthropist and longtime active lay member of the Baptist Church.
Clement Sabine was a manager of several large pastoral properties in the early days of South Australia.
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