Background
Bawdwen was the son of William Bawdwen, of Stone Gap, Craven, Yorkshire, born 9 March 1762.
Bawdwen was the son of William Bawdwen, of Stone Gap, Craven, Yorkshire, born 9 March 1762.
He was educated at Manchester Grammar School, and subsequently took holy orders.
He is described on the title-pages of his books as Bachelor of Arts, but his name does not occur in the lists of Oxford or Cambridge graduates. He is said to have been at one time curate of Wakefield. He later became curate of Frickly-cum-Clayton and vicar of Hooton Pagnel, benefices near Doncaster, which he held until his death.
Bawden married, 30 December 1793, Ann, daughter of William Shackleton, of Wakefield, and died at Hooton Pagnel 14 September 1816, leaving twelve children.
The estate of Stone Gap, which had been in his family for two hundred years, was sold by Bawdwen soon after he succeeded to lieutenant