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Mystery inscription Torquay

Posted by Pat Nixon on 20/3/2018, 3:27 pm

I am part of the Torquay library local history group and we are just finishing a pamphlet on some local drinking fountains & troughs-primarily looking at the stories behind the names inscribed on them.
We have one mystery though, a drinking fountain at the meeting of Meadfoot Lane & Road. It is pretty dilapidated, but this is all it says ' DD WHT 1859'. Not sure if DD is Doctor of Divinity, though that usually is after a name. Who does it relate to ? Can anyone shine a light please.
Thanks for your collective thoughts

Re: Mystery inscription Torquay

Posted by Pat Nixon on 20/3/2018, 10:33 pm, in reply to "Mystery inscription Torquay"

Well you really have exceeded my hopes. This is fascinating in both the name & detail about Trant & DD too.
This is just what I love about DFHS & posters on this forum.

Many thanks Tim & Roger for your help.
Pat N

Re: Mystery inscription Torquay

Posted by Tim Treeby on 20/3/2018, 5:26 pm, in reply to "Mystery inscription Torquay"

WHT may refer to William Henry Trant.
Who died in 1859 and is buried in St Saviours, Tormoham.

The reason I think it may be him is that in a Newspaper Article in the Exeter Flying Post of 9th June 1859, it says

"An application by Mr Trant to erect a fountain near Meadfoot Cross was acceded to, the work to be done under the direction of the Surveyor"

And he is the only Trant that I can see that may fit.

Of course this is only supposition, so WHT may not refer to him at all, but looks to be a good place to start.

Re: Mystery inscription Torquay

Posted by Tim Treeby on 20/3/2018, 5:32 pm, in reply to "Re: Mystery inscription Torquay"

In fact this is the case, as another Newspaper Article in the Exeter Flying Post of 8th September 1859 says

"A drinking fountain, cut out of Devonshire marble by Mr Sharland, and highly polished, has just been erected at the head of Meadfoot Road. The fountain was the gift of W.H. Trant, Esq."

Re: Mystery inscription Torquay

Posted by Tim Treeby on 20/3/2018, 5:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Mystery inscription Torquay"

For a full Bio of William Henry Trant see http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1820-1832/member/trant-william-1781-1859

Re: Mystery inscription Torquay

Posted by Roger Donne on 20/3/2018, 5:46 pm, in reply to "Re: Mystery inscription Torquay"

DD - abbreviation for the Latin 'dono dedit' - something like 'he gives a gift'?

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