Lowden, John, a noted Quaker preacher, came to New Garden in 1711, and it may have been at his suggestion that the township was named, as it appears he had been a member of the New Garden Meeting, in the county of Carlow, Ireland.  During the short time he lived in this country he graveled much in the ministry.  He died intestate, 1st mo, 19, 1713-4, and the granting of letters of administration on his estate was the first act of the kind on record in Chester county.  Previous to that time letters of administration were granted by the register-general in Philadelphia for the whole province.

John Lowden had a son William, born in 1704, and perhaps James and Richard.  The widow, Margaret Lowden, was married in 1716, to Joseph Garnet.