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Dr John Fothergill (1785–1858) was a respected medical practitioner, a Quaker and philanthropist who advocated anti-slavery and the abolition of capital punishment. He became the first president of Darlington Total Abstinence Society. On his death a competition was held to design a fountain in his honour, as he was known for prescribing a long drink of cold fresh water for his patients. The winner of the two guinea prize was 17 year old Septimus Hind, who sadly drowned in 1861, a year before the fountain was inaugurated. On the day of its inauguration many members of the Total Abstinence Society met at their headquarters at the Mechanics Institute and walked, accompanied by the Darlington Sax Horn Band, in procession to Bondgate. It was there at 1pm that William Thompson, the president of the Total Abstinence Society, drank the first glass of water and declared the fountain open.
The monument was originally located in Bondgate, but was moved to the south west corner of South Park in 1875. In 1926 it was moved again and placed next to the aviaries. During a large-scale Heritage Lottery funded restoration of South Park, in 2003 to 2006, it was repositioned in its original position at the south west entrance to the Park. It was, cleaned and repaired, with the northern pilaster being replaced in concrete. Also, it was apparently reconnected to a water supply.
Title
Fothergill Memorial Fountain
Date
1860–1862
Medium
sandstone
Measurements
H 400 x W 170 x D 170 cm (E);
Plinth: H 30 x W 370 x D 370 cm
Accession number
DL1_HJC_S002
Acquisition method
funds principally subscribed by the Friends of Temperance
Work type
Water fountain, trough or pump
Owner
Darlington Borough Council
Custodian
Darlington Borough Council
Work status
extant
Unveiling date
10th June 1862
Access
at all times
Inscription description
incised in Roman capitals on the panels of the pedestal, north-east panel: ERECTED IN MEMORY OF THE LATE JOHN FOTHERGILL M.R.C.S. / WHO WAS BORN MAY 13TH 1785 / AND DIED JANUARY 20TH 1858; north-west panel: HIGHLY ESTEEMED / FOR HIS PROFESSIONAL SKILL / AND PRACTICAL PHILANTHROPY; south-west panel: ERECTED BY THE VOLUNTARY / SUBSCRIPTION OF HIS / FELLOW TOWNSMEN 1862; south-east panel: PRESIDENT OF THE DARLINGTON / TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY FROM / IT'S (sic) FORMATION IN AUGUST 4TH 1835 / UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1858
