Reverend Edward Dowell
(1823-1896)
2 January 1862

Volume 5, page 298, sitting number 6685. 

Born on 25 December 1823 at Locking in Somerset, Edward William Dowell was the eldest son of Reverend William Dowell, Vicar of Locking, and his wife Charlotte Theresa née Yonge. 

On 28 November 1849 at Blakeney in Norfolk he married Mary Ann Brereton, second daughter of Randle Brereton of Blakeney.

In 1851 Reverned Dowell was the Curate of Besthorpe in Norfolk.

When the census was taken in 1861, the couple were visiting Reverend Charles Brereton and his family at Little Massingham in Norfolk. 

In 1871 the couple and their four daughters were living in the Vicarage at Dunton in Norfolk.

Reverend Edward William Dowell died, aged 72, on 14 February 1896. His wife Mary died the following day.

A detailed report on their funeral appeared in the Eastern Daily Press (21 February 1896). 'Seldom, if ever, is to be seen a more touching and impressive ceremony than that which took place on Wednesday afternoon, when in the quaint old churchyard at Dunton, near Fakenham, were laid to rest the mortal remains of the Rev. Edward William Dowell and Mary, his wife. The deceased gentleman at the time of his death was vicar of Dunton, which living he had held for more than forty years. He was also a Guardian of the poor for the Walsingham Union for many  years, at which Board he proved himself a useful and active member. His death from pneumonia took place, after a very brief illness, on the 14th instant, at the age of seventy-two years, and, sad to relate, within twelve hours of his death his wife, to whom his death was a terrible blow, had also passed away. The poor will miss two kind benefactors. At the time fixed for the funeral hundreds of sympathising friends had assembled in and around the precincts of the churchyard to pay their last tribute of respect to them who in life they had esteemed.'

Reverned Dowell left an estate valued at £273. His widow Mary left an estate valued at £4479.