From Philippe Lanez, "We can add that the name of the place NÎMES is inscribed under the palm tree on the seal. Genealogical research gives a Pierre Gas, working as "tafetassier" when he married Suzanne Lauze in Nîmes on june 3rd 1831. Pierre's father an grand father, both Etienne) were farmers. ... As to Pierre GAS, we can find one born 1782/03/19. Son of Jacques GAS and Anne BARRY. He contracted marriage on 12/07/1802 (gregorian calendar) or 23 messidor an 10 of the revolution one, with Françoise Suzanne DUPLAN aged 16, daughter to Marc DUPLAN and Anne PUGET. At that time Pierre GAS was known as "faiseur de bas" = stockings weaver (manufacturer)."
From Things to See in the Languedoc: Historic Cities: Nîmes "The city’s coat of arms shows a crocodile chained to a palm tree - the device dates back to Roman times and commemorates the defeat of Mark Anthony on the Nile by the Emperor Augustus. The connection is that Augustus rewarded his legionaries with grants of land in the Roman colony here. ...... In the Middle Ages wool and silk industries brought wealth to the city. It was here that a particularly adaptable type of serge material originated. Serge “De Nîmes”, hence denim, found its way to America in 1870."
Many more examples of various Nimes cloth seals can be seen on Euro-Plombs.