Design and Art Australia Online

painter and clergyman, was born in Hampshire, son of Benjamine (according to his son’s death certificate). Trained in England for the Congregational ministry, he was ordained pastor of the Independent Church, Broadway, Worcestershire. Of delicate health, he was advised to seek a more suitable climate, so sailed for Australia as chaplain on board the Travancore . The ship left England with a select company of free tradesmen-settlers brought out under the auspices of Rev. Dr J.D. Lang of Sydney.

Cuzens, his wife and family arrived at Point Henry in the Port Phillip District (now Victoria) on 1 November 1849 and immediately settled in Geelong, where Cuzens gathered the second Independent Church of Victoria in February 1850. Despite the secession of those opposed to state aid in April, the severe recurrence of his illness which confined him to a chair as a cripple, and the arrival of another minister to succeed him, he remained pastor of the Ryrie Street Independent Church until his death on 18 September 1869.

While subjected to this 'long trial of suffering and inactivity’, Cuzens was able to develop his artistic talents. He specialised in flower paintings, exhibiting five at the Geelong Mechanics Institute in 1857 (poppies, arum lilies, camellias, geraniums and convolvulii), together with a miniature head of Christ painted on ivory and The Sisters . In 1863 he showed a flower painting and Crown of Thorns at the Ballarat Mechanics Institute.

Writers:

Gunson, Niel

Date written:

1992

Last updated:

2011