Born on 17 June 1793 at Dudley/York Hill, near Bradford, Yorkshire, England the son of John Schofield, wool sorter/manufacturer, and his wife Ann, nee Wells/Wills. Experienced a religious conversion on 23 May 1814. Started work in commerce and in 1819 became a local preacher. Entered the ministry in 1827. He married firstly on 15 (or 16) March 1827 at Bradford, Yorkshire, England to Martha Milnes, daughter of Roger Milnes of Horton. Sailed for Australia the following month per "Alacrity". Initially stationed at the Macquarie Harbour Penal Settlement, Van Diemen's Land, for 4 years as a government chaplain. Was later at Parramatta; Windsor; Sackville Reach; and Sydney prior to his arrival at Melbourne in 30 October 1842 per "Timbo" from Sydney to replace the Rev. Benjamin Hurst at the Wesleyan Chapel, corner of Collins and Queen Streets, Melbourne. Returned to Sydney in August 1845 and was stationed at Parramatta; Windsor; and Goulburn. His wife died in April 1849. He married secondly on 13 June 1850 at 'Auburn Cottage', Surrey Hills, N.S.W., to Kezia Iredale, widow of Lancelot Iredale. Retired in 1851. His second wife died in March 1863. He married thirdly on 1 October 1863 to Ellen Barker, widow of James Barker and daughter of James Holroyd, manufacturer, and his wife Mary, nee Carter, at Mrs. Barker's residence, Newtown, N.S.W. Remained in the Sydney area. Died on 9 June 1878 at his residence, 'Bondi House', Bondi, Sydney, New South Wales and was buried on 11 June 1878 at the Waverley Cemetery, Sydney, N.S.W.

[marriage certificates (second & third); death certificate; Australian Dictionary of Biography (Vol. 2); Methodist Conference Minutes (1879)]

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