William Paxton, a native of Edinburgh, came to Wales in 1785 after thirty years of travelling the world. He had made a fortune in India where he was the Master of the Calcutta Mint. On retiring, like many others who had made riches, to invest in a country estate and enter politics. Paxton was knighted in 1802, and was Mayor of Carmarthen in 1802 when Nelson / Lady Hamilton visited. He would certainly have met and entertained them during their stay. It is widely believed that the naval hero greatly impressed Sir William and a short time later Paxton commissioned Samuel Pepys Cockerel to design a tower to be erected in his honour. Also, it is rumoured that a disgruntled Sir William Paxton designed this folly as a reminder of himself to the people of Carmarthen who failed to elect him as MP in 1811.
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Approaching the castle, from a distance  |
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(no doubt Julian will love his expression)  |
with the castle in the distance  |
