Marsden, Samuel (1765-1838), missionary and farmer

Born in Rawdon, near Leeds, the son of Thomas Marsden
School - Kingston-on-Hull
Apprenticed as a blacksmith before being admitted as a sizar (age 25) at Magdalene on 24 June 1790
Matriculated Michaelmas 1790

17 March 1793 - Ordained deacon (Bristol); priest (Litt. dim. from Canterbury), 1793

Second chaplain (C.M.S.) in New South Wales
Lived at Parramatta where (and at Sydney and Hawkesbury) he had charge of the religious instruction of convicts

Returned to England to report, and to solicit further financial assistance. Obtained an audience of King George III, who presented him with five of his own Spanish sheep, which became the progenitors of extensive fine-woolled flocks in Australia.

Made seven voyages from New South Wales to New Zealand between 1814 and 1837 to superintend the work of the Church Missionary Society.
Was a great admirer of the Maoris and in April 1830 conducted the first inter-racial marriage between a European and a Maori bride.

Married, 1793, Ellen Tristan, and had issue.
Author of pamphlets.

Died on 12 May 1838, at Windsor, N.S.W. Buried at Parramatta.

Article 'The Pioneer Missionaries' by R. Hyam, College Magazine, No. 32, 1987-88