Genre:

Obituary

Subjects:

Travel, Horticulture, Commerce, Piety

    As a young man Stephens was press-ganged into becoming a soldier in the East Indies. While there, 'he was a more attentive observer of the works of God both in nature and providence than might be expected from his avocations and connexions' (786). On his return he sought to employ himself as a farmer, and then as a market gardener, before finally becoming gardener to a gentleman. He was generally known as 'The Gardener'. He was converted after hearing a sermon on sabbath-breaking, having hitherto sold fruit and vegetables on Sundays.