Jemima Nicholas

WELSH HEROINE, JEMIMA THE GREAT

Jemima Nicholas, a 47-year-old cobbler from Pembrokeshire, is locally known as a “Welsh Heroine.” In 1797, Jemima is recorded to have single-handedly rounded-up a dozen French troops during the Battle of Fishguard (known as the last invasion of Britain), and forced them to surrender armed with only a pitchfork. The local vicar at the time recalled how Jemima was known as “Jemima the Great” from her heroine acts and “being of such personal powers as to be able to overcome most men in a fight.” Jemima Nicholas died in Fishguard Main Street in July 1832, aged 82 years. She is buried in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Fishguard.