Abraham Cowley was born April 8,1816 in Fairford, Gloucestershire. On January 5, 1841, he left England for Rupert's Land, via Montreal, where he was ordained by Bishop George Jehosophat Mountain on March 7.He spent a brief curacy in the neighbourhood of Huntington, Quebec. After waiting at Montreal in vain for conveyance to the Red River, he returned to England and proceeded by the HBC Ship to Hudson Bay, and so ultimately landed at York Factory. Bishop Mountain ordained him a Priest during his 1844 visit to Rupert's Land. Abraham Cowley founded the Fairford Mission among the Saulteaux . The first convert, Luke Caldwell, was later ordained. Abraham Cowley spent twelve years at Fairford and then served at St. Peter's, Dynevor from that time to his death on September 11, 1887. For many years he served as Secretary of the North-West America Mission. In 1867, he was appointed Archdeacon of Cumberland. He also translated portions of the Book of Common Prayer. He married Arabella Sainsbury, who died at Winnipeg, Feb 10,1893,and is the father of Canon Alfred Edmeads Cowley and of Mrs. Watkins.