Inscribed stone gatepost at the entrance to Cilshafe Fawr, Fishguard.  The inscription comprises the initials JW, a cross, and the date 1754. 

Originally interpreted as a date of 1784, the intials were considered to be an inscription commemorating the preaching site of John Wesley, who visited the area in August 1784.  However the date was reviewed in 2024 and subsequently revised to1754 based on photographic evidence.  When comparing to the tithe map, much of the land in this area was occupied by the family of John Williams and it is likely that the inscription relates instead to this.

The stone was moved circa 2002 to its current position when the lane was widened. In 1968 another stone gate post, further along the lane (and considered lost in 2002), also carried the marking "J" above "W".  It has been reported that this stone was incorporated into the corner of the rebuilt house, and furthermore, a similar inscription is located on another stone set into the external wall of former animal byre, immediately to the right of a door about 4 feet from the ground, within the Cilshafe Fawr farmyard.

RCAHMW 2024

Sources include

Correspondence

NMRW Site files

Tithe Map of Fishguard in the County of Pembroke 1834

The Diaries of John Wesley