Edmund Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 The inscription on a fountain by the cricket field in Bradfield reads "IN MEMORY OF MARY ANN SMITH GOD'S GIFT TO MAN". Does anyone know the story behind this? Is there a photo of the lady in question? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveHB Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Just for reference, 1965 directory. Mrs. M. A. Smith, 19 Trap Lane, 11. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyn 1 Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Try emailing www.bradfieldarchives.co.uk Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmund Posted April 20, 2014 Author Share Posted April 20, 2014 Try emailing www.bradfieldarchives.co.uk Lyn Thanks Lyn, you reminded me about their site. I had a look at their on-line archives and found a Mary Ann Smith who was taken into the workhouse aged 16 in August 1836 until her sister fetched her out in 1838, but she would probably have married and changed her name. I've emailed the archivist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 How unfortunate it was built to resemble a loo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmund Posted April 24, 2014 Author Share Posted April 24, 2014 Malcolm Nunn of the Bradfield Archives has replied as follows: "The water fountain was erected in 1960 in her memory, research shows that she was an elderly spinster who lived in the cottages where the bus turning circle now stands, she had no dependents etc, and wanted to give anything she had to the people of Bradfield. I think she imagined it would be something like the fountain in Chatsworth Park but obviously her wealth only amounted to what has been erected. In regards to the wording - it used to say WATER between Mary Ann Smith and God's gift to man but some wit removed the word water some time ago. Due to Health & Safety reason it is no longer possible to use this as a drinking fountain and the supply has been disconnected" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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