The Revd. Willm. Romaine A. M.

A small portrait of William Romaine, 1714 – 1795. Ordained deacon in 1736 and became curate of Lew-Trenchard, Devonshire until 1738 where he was ordained priest by Hoadley, probably to the curacy of Banstead, Surrey and Horton, Middlesex. At Banstead he became acquainted with Sir Daniel Lambert who made him his chaplain during his office as lord mayor of London. Romaine was an ardent follower of Whitefield, and was persecuted for his belief and for proclaiming so to the citizens of St Dunstans. He was refused pulpits in consequence of the sermons he had preached, and his sermons and treatises were treated with ridicule. Romaine repeated his views and retracted nothing. Eventually in 1766 he had an assured position and satisfied congregation and drew crowds for his sermons, preaching the doctrines of the revival until his death in 1795. He was a reserved man capable of displays of hot temper, and was known to knock together the heads of members of his congregation that were talking in church.