Thomas Bowers

Thomas Bowers (1660–1724) was an Anglican bishop of Chichester. The son of Mr. Richard Bowers, a draper of Shrewsbury, he was educated at Shrewsbury School and St. John's College, Cambridge. Education Thomas Bowers was educated at Shrewsbury School, he matriculated on 13 June 1677, aged 17, and studied at St John's College, Cambridge as a sizar . He was awarded his BA in 1680 – 1681. He received his M.A.,in 1684 and his DD(Lambeth) in 1716. Career Thomas Bowers became a deacon at Norwich in June 1682, he was ordained on 20 December 1684 and appointed vicar of Hooe on 5 January 1687. On 5 September 1693 Bowers was appointed rector of Burwash then between 1705 – 1707 he was chaplain at Morden College, Blackheath, London. In 1715 he was awarded the Prebendary of Canterbury, then in 1721 he was appointed Archdeacon of Canterbury a post that held in commendam with that of Bishop of Chichester, which he held from 1722 till his death on 22 August 1724. Bishop Bowers' Survey 1724 Bishop Bowers' Survey 1724 was a survey to enable Bowers to run his diocese more efficiently. The survey was carried out in Sussex, parish by parish during the summer of 1724. Each incumbent was presented with 13 questions. The questions were wideranging. They included questions to ascertain the state of buildings and their fittings; the population of the parish, the strength of Nonconformity and Roman Catholicism, and provide details of patronage and parochial charities.