He was born in Jedburgh the son of John Gowdie, a schoolteacher, and his wife Agnes Aberneathy. He was educated at his fathers school then attended Edinburgh University where he graduated MA in 1700. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Jedburgh.[2]
From 1704 to 1730 he was minister of Earlston in the Scottish Borders. He was then minister of Lady Yester's Kirk in Edinburgh from 1730 to 1732 and then translated to the New (West) Kirk in Edinburgh, one of the four parishes within the subdivided St Giles in December 1732.[3]