Nathaniel Watkins

Nathaniel Watkins

Nathaniel Watkins was baptised in Llangwm on the 25th April 1753, the son of Nathaniel Watkins, a Mason.

It is said that he lived in the Earlswood area but was notorious for always being in trouble. He also was something of a drunkard. Whereas others gave up on Nathaniel, Ann Rosser continued to encourage him and to show him that there was a better kind of life. Imagine her joy when he became converted and actually went on to preach. He was actively involved in the building of the Chapel and responsible for most of the stone masonry.

Nathaniel died on the 12th April 1812, aged 59, and his gravestone is depicted above, just below and to the right of one of the windows. (Note – in another place the date is given as 11th April 1811 – the gravestone is now largely unreadable.)

The above is an inscription at the foot of the stairs to the gallery within the Chapel. It reads “This chapel was built in the year 1791. I have witnessed these words in print. May its light shine forever. O Collier”. It is said that Nathaniel Watkins personally cut the stones for the stairs to shape from some very large stones.

I obtained the content of this page from the booklet produced to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the building of the Chapel.