Apprentice indentures were signed in 1787 for John Lacey, 1792 for Jno. Lawrence and Theo. Silverside, 1799 for William Marsh, 1800 for George Withers, 1803 for William Bragg, 1807 for his son William Halsall Fountain and Richard Abud.
Indentures had been signed in 1795 for Benjamin Samuel to be his apprentice. In a hearing of King’s Majesty’s Court in 1796 William Fountain was recorded as having discharged this apprentice from his service, turned him out and refused to receive him again. The Court ordered the apprentice turned over to another master (not named) for the remainder of his term.
A servant of William Fountain was tried at the Old Bailey in 1822 for the theft of two silver butter boats valued at four pounds ten shillings, found guilty and transported for 14 years.
William Fountain’s burial in 1838 aged 75 years is recorded at St Mary, Acton. His last address is shown as Acton which may indicate he had been a resident at the Goldsmiths Almshouses there.
FOUNTAIN, William (Grimwade p.513)
Moderators: MCB, buckler, silverly
Re: FOUNTAIN, William (Grimwade p.513)
The mark of William Fountain:
WF - London - 1794
This mark can be attributed with certainty to William Fountain, and not to the similar one used by William Frisbee, as Frisbee did not enter his almost identical mark until 1798.
WF - London - 1794
This mark can be attributed with certainty to William Fountain, and not to the similar one used by William Frisbee, as Frisbee did not enter his almost identical mark until 1798.
Re: FOUNTAIN, William (Grimwade p.513)
Just adding this report that was reproduced from an unnamed London newspaper in The Waterford Mail of the 7th January 1824:
On Monday night week, Mr Fountain, a jeweller, went into the parlour of the Albemarle's Head, Albemarle street, Clerkenwell, in which many gentlemen were siting, and called for a glass of brandy and water. While drinking it, he drew a pistol from his pocket, and laid it by the side of his glass. A Gentleman present remonstrated with him on the impropriety of displaying such a weapon in company. Mr Fountain took up the pistol, and pointing it at the Gentleman, he said, "There, what harm can this little thing do any one?'" The Gentleman put the pistol aside with his hand, saying he did not like such jocularity, and that perhaps it might be loaded. Mr Fountain replied, " It is, and you shall see how soon it can rid a man of his cares." He then put the muzzle of the pistol into his mouth, and fired it. The discharge tore the tongue to pieces, and destroyed the roof of the mouth. He was conveyed to Bartholomew's Hospital, where his death is hourly expected.
Although William Fountain is thought to have died in 1838, there is always the possibility, that if this report does refer to him, he may have survived the ordeal.
On Monday night week, Mr Fountain, a jeweller, went into the parlour of the Albemarle's Head, Albemarle street, Clerkenwell, in which many gentlemen were siting, and called for a glass of brandy and water. While drinking it, he drew a pistol from his pocket, and laid it by the side of his glass. A Gentleman present remonstrated with him on the impropriety of displaying such a weapon in company. Mr Fountain took up the pistol, and pointing it at the Gentleman, he said, "There, what harm can this little thing do any one?'" The Gentleman put the pistol aside with his hand, saying he did not like such jocularity, and that perhaps it might be loaded. Mr Fountain replied, " It is, and you shall see how soon it can rid a man of his cares." He then put the muzzle of the pistol into his mouth, and fired it. The discharge tore the tongue to pieces, and destroyed the roof of the mouth. He was conveyed to Bartholomew's Hospital, where his death is hourly expected.
Although William Fountain is thought to have died in 1838, there is always the possibility, that if this report does refer to him, he may have survived the ordeal.