William Watkins

William Watkins - Australia

William Watkins was born at Pembrobe, South Wales in 1822. His father was a builder & contractor, died when their son was only fifteen years old. William showed early evidence of capacity, especially as a mason and at 21 years of age he was superintendent of a whole masonry works at the Portsmouth dockyards and also had the construction and completion of the Martello Towers.

He then visited America and France and arrived in Adelaide, Australia in 1851, from there went to New Zealand for a short time. Finally settled in Sydney, Australia as a boat builder and contractor, then in 1862 combined contracting with his other business and with very satisfactory results. Among his works were Leyy's Building, Wynyard Square, Reform Club, Sir Daniel Coopers Residence, City buildings, Nepean River Bridge, Little Zig Zag Railway and many miles of the railway's in part's of the Colony. Died 1878, he was a County Magistrate for his native county. Married Martha Dally of South Wales.

In short that is it. His cousin John Poultney married our great Aunt, plus our grandfather was also involved with him re-work.

Kath Connors
Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia