[6] At William and Mary, Gwatkin was in a group of clerics, including his associate Samuel Henley, who opposed the project to create Anglican bishops for American dioceses.
[7] Defending Henley against the burgess Robert Carter Nicholas, Gwatkin used the provocative pseudonym "Hoadleianus", alluding to Benjamin Hoadley whose opposition to the High Church clergy caused the Bangorian Controversy.
The battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 brought matters to a head, and Gwatkin refused to preach for the disbanded burgesses on 1 June.
He also refused, according to his own account, from Richard Henry Lee and Thomas Jefferson, to draw up "memorials in the defense of congress.
"[10][11][12] Gwatkin and Henley shortly then departed for England, as Lord Dunmore, the last colonial governor of Virginia, was forced out.
[10][13] Gwatkin acted as chaplain to Lady Dunmore, and sailed with her and her son on HMS Magdalen, on 29 June 1775.