Daniel Mainwaring

Daniel Mainwaring (1776 – 29 March 1839) was a sculptor, a builder and a marble and stone mason in Carmarthen, South Wales. He built the original Picton Monument in 1825–1826.

Early life He was born in 1776.

Career In September 1810, he advertised his business in the Carmarthen Journal. He made black and other marble chimney pieces, monuments and tombstones. He worked at St David’s College, Lampeter. In 1824, he was chosen to build John Nash’s St Paul's Church in Carmarthen, which was later aborted.

Picton Monument

In 1824, he was commissioned to build a monument to Sir Thomas Picton designed by John Nash, comprising a black marble column with a statue and reliefs made by Edward Hodges Baily. Mainwaring was paid £1,500. He laid the foundation stone on 16 August 1825, and the monument was completed two years later. The monument was opened to the public in August 1828. It bore an inscription in both English and Welsh naming Mainwaring as the person who erected the monument. However, it deteriorated within a few years due to sub-standard Roman cement used by Baily for the figurative work, and was demolished by Mainwaring’s foreman, David James, in 1846.

Other works He made a black marble altar for St Peter's Church in 1829. He is believed to have done the masonry at Golden Grove Mansion. He also built a slip on the quayside on the north side of the River Towy in 1813.

He made the following tablets, memorials, and monuments: + Description Location A tablet commemorating the rededication of the church by Giraldus Cambrensis, erected by Thomas Burgess in 1818. St Michael and All Angels Church, Kerry A tablet commemorating John Laugharne. Saint Teilo's Church, Llanddowror Memorials to Thomas Lewis (d 1829) and Ven Thomas Beynon (d 1833). St Teilo's Church, Llandeilo Memorials to Rev David Davies (d 1831) and John George Philipps (d 1816). St David's Church, Abergwili Memorials to Rev. C. W. Bowen (d 1835) and Catherine Thomas (d 1809). St Mary's Church, Kidwelly A memorial to Lady Sarah Champion de Crespigny (d 1825). St Patrick's Church, Pencarreg A monument commemorating Rev. Edward Picton (d 1835). St Thomas' Church, Ferryside A monument plaque of W. M. Williams of Trefach (d 1820). Saint Mary's Church, Crymych A monument to Griffith Griffith (d 1822). St Llawddog's Church, Cilgerran A monument to Rev. E. Williams (d 1820). St Peter's Church, Lampeter A monument with a lion commemorating John Picton.

He built a new home at 18 Spillman Street in 1826–1827, a property with stables, a garden, outhouses, and five cottages to the rear, where he lived until his death.

Death On 29 March 1839, Daniel Mainwaring died of "water on the lungs". He was buried in the graveyard at St Peter’s Church.

Legacy His probate will dated 17 June 1830 is in the National Library of Wales archives.