Rev. Watkin Whittington was the son of Matthew Whittington, a wealthy farmer and landowner who lived at Tonna House to the north-west of the town of Neath. He was educated at Cowbridge Grammar School and Jesus College, Oxford before commencing a hugely successful career in divinity and teaching.
Like his brothers William and Thomas, Watkin was a decent cricketer and, during 1864, he made his debut for the Glamorganshire side against Carmarthenshire, besides playing at the Neath ground whilst on tour with his colleagues from Jesus College, Oxford against the Welsh Wanderers. He played for the Cadoxton club from 1863 onwards and acted as their regular wicket-keeper. Indeed, it was whilst he was behind the stumps in a match during September 1867, staged at the neutral venue of Cardiff Arms Park that Watkin also caught WG Grace whilst he was playing for Clifton against the men from Neath.
As far as his county career was concerned, he played in six matches for Glamorganshire during 1869, including the games both at home and away against Monmouthshire, Breconshire and Radnorshire. He served as Curate of Llandingat in Carmarthenshire before acting in a similar capacity at St. John’s in Cardiff as well as Nash in Monmouthshire. Watkin subsequently became Classics master at Llandovery College as well as Merchiston College in Edinburgh. In 1881 he was appointed as Headmaster of Ruthin School, and he served in this post until 1909.
WHITTINGTON, Rev. Watkin Price
Born: Neath, August 1843.
Died: Ruthin, 26 April 1909.