624 The late Sir WatUn Williams Wynn, Bart., M.P. 
Sir Watkin took a business-like and active part in all matters 
that he conceived it was his duty to do. He was a Director of 
the Great Western Railway, and was seldom absent from the 
Board Meetings. He was a Freemason, and was Provincial 
Grand Master of North Wales and Shropshire. His love for 
military life has been alluded to. When the Volunteer move- 
ment was first set on foot, he took an active part, and was 
appointed to command the Denbighshire companies, and a few 
years ago was appointed Volunteer Aide-de-Camp to Her 
Majesty, an appointment he always alluded to with the proudest 
feelings. For many years the Denbighshire Volunteers have 
been encamped for their annual training in the Park at Wynn- 
stay, under the eye of their Colonel. He was also for a long 
period Colonel of the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry. To any 
public or county business he was always ready to attend. Time, 
distance, and weather never deterred him when duty called him. 
One day he would be present as patron of an Eisteddfod ; another, 
he would be presenting prizes at a school or attending the 
funeral of a departed friend or public man ; in short, he was 
always ready to give his assistance to any meeting for promoting 
the religious, industrial, social, or educational advancement of 
his neighbours and fellow-countrymen. 
Sir Watkin's position was almost unique, and his extraordinary 
popularity with all classes causes us to ask, What was the reason 
for it? It was this : Here was a man of ancient lineage, with 
a property of vast extent, who resided on his estate and identified 
himself with the people, and understood their needs. He repre- 
sented them in Parliament ; he was always ready with his pre- 
sence, his advice, his influence, and his purse, to promote any 
good project for their benefit and advancement, and this was done 
in a broad spirit of philanthropy, irrespective of political or 
religious views. He spared no trouble in carrying out what he 
conscientiously considered were the duties of his position. Just 
and generous, wealthy and unassuming, ungrudgingly giving his 
support to all good works, thoughtful and kind to those in need 
or affliction, and spending his life amongst those whose interests 
he had at heart. Sir Watkin gained the esteem of all with whom 
he came in contact, and this was the cause of his popularity. 
Sir Watkin married in 1852 his cousin, Marie Emily, the 
daughter of Sir Henry Williams Wynn, K.C.B., by whom he 
had two daughters ; the eldest and only surviving of whom is 
married to Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, seventh baronet and 
M.P. for Denbighshire, who is a son of the late Sir Watkin's 
brother, and who has succeeded to his uncle's title. 
