Gilwern Primitive Methodist Graveyard

near Abergavenny, Monmouthshire

In March 2014 there were six gravestones to be seen at the back of the Chapel.  Click here to see more about the chapel.  The gravestone inscriptions written below, for the first four photos, are given by kind permission of the GWENT FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY

No1. In memory of Alice, daughter of Benjamin & Susannah Jane WATKINS of the Parish of Llanwenarth, who died October 6th 1864 aged 2 years & 3 mon’s.

Verse. ERE … COULD BLIGHT OR SORROW FADE.

DEATH CAME WITH FRIENDLY CARE:

THIS OPENING BUD TO HEAVEN CONVEYE

AND BADE IT BLOSSOM THERE.

Also of Benjamin, son of the above named Benjamin & Susannah Jane WATKINS who died October 14th 1870 aged 1 year & 2 mon’s.

No2. In affectionate remembrance of the beloved children of John & Ann OAKLEY, Richard died Jany 14th 1859 aged 4 years, Ellen died May 10th 1864 aged 14 years. “ Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven”

No3. Sacred to the memory of John, son of Thomas & Margaret WALBEY, who died April 6th 1846 aged 17 years. “Affliction so long time I bore, physicians were in vain, till God was pleased to give me ease, and took me out of pain.”

No4.Left hand side. In memory of Thomas, son of Thomas & Mary WATKINS, who died March 1st 1847 aged 10 months, also the above named Thomas WATKINS, who died 7th October 1875 aged 59 years.

Right hand side In memory of Mary Ann wife of Watkin PRITCHARD, who died October 1851, aged 58 years, also John, son of Thomas & Mary Watkins who died 16th August 1878 aged 27years.

No5 Inscription is illegible.

No6 Inscription is illegible.

Photos taken March 2014

The final photo taken in October 2017 shows the graves and the stones re-buried in the Parish grave-yard of St. Elli Parish Church, Gilwern.

OS Map ref:161:SO243143 (approx)

Comments about this page

  • Reburial took place at Llanelli Cemetry, Gilwern on Thursday April 28th. Revs. Stephen Wigley, Cath Lewis and Bill Jones took part in the service. Further prayers will be offered at a later date when the few existing gravestones a errected together with a new one commemorating those from unmarked graves

    By Gwenllian Knighton (02/06/2016)
  • As well as the 6 graves with stones  at  Lion Terrace PM (now demolished) at Gilwern, nr Abergavenny, we are informed by the road engineers that the archaeologists have exhumed remains of another 60 plus people from unmarked graves. 

    What is now planned for the near future is prayers when the first one is reinterred, followed by a service after all are reinterred. Everything is proceeding in as caring and dignified a way as possible and has full support of the community liaison officer.

    Gwenllian Knighton

    By Jill Barber (09/12/2015)
  • So sad these headstones are to be removed with the remains to make room for a dual carriage way. I really hope there are surviving relatives to say what happens to their late ancestors remains …………..

    By debby (23/07/2015)

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