Proposed monument to Galt in Greenock Cemetery 1863

In March 1863 an interesting article appeared in the Greenock Advertiser - 

“We are glad to learn that a subscription has just been opened for the erection of a handsome monument in memory of the distinguished and thoroughly Scotch novelist, John Galt author of The Entail, Annals of the Parish, Ayrshire Legatees etc.  Mr Galt spent the last years of his life and died here, and his dust reposes amongst his relatives in Inverkip Street ground."

The article went on to suggest that the monument would be placed in Greenock Cemetery.  George Mossman was to be the sculptor and it was to contain a bronze profile and “two or three reliefs illustrative of Galt’s works, and a reference to the spot where his ashes lie.”  When a cost of £50 was suggested, half was contributed by a group of "gentlemen” of the town along with the Provost, James Johnston Grieve.  It was proposed that a public subscription be opened to make up the rest.

Allan Park Paton was the man responsible for the brilliant idea of having a public monument to Galt in Greenock Cemetery.  An article in November 1864 stated that significant donations had also been received from Lord and Lady Willoughby de Eresby, as well as several others, and that the sum collected then amounted to £105.

However, by October 1867 it would appear that all thoughts of a monument in Greenock Cemetery had been abandoned and instead translated into a drinking fountain on the Esplanade, costing 100 guineas and consisting of a “very ornamental” design by Allan Park Paton.

Over the next few years there were various plans submitted for approval by the Council who seem to have "dithered" over the project.  In October 1870 Allan Park Paton officially submitted a petition to the Council for approval of the fountain.  It was noted that “they were in nowise to be held responsible for, or as concurring in the architectural style of the proposed memorial.”

In December 1870 Councillor Brymner brought to the attention of the Council that funds for a monument to Galt had been deposited in the City of Glasgow Bank.  A sum had been paid for plans of a fountain which included a “pretty medallion bust by Woolner”.  According to Philip Webb (1831-1915), the architect in charge of the project, it appeared that the cost of erecting the fountain was going to be more than had been collected by subscription.  Fortunately the cost was made up by contributions from various local people.

The medallion by sculptor and poet Thomas Wooler (1825-1892) arrived in Greenock and work on the fountain got underway.  (The picture shows the original head by Wooler it was stolen and later replaced.)

By March 1871 the fountain was complete. Local contractors employed on the project were Devlin, builder and McJannet & Park, plumbers.  The project was supervised by Walter Buchanan Rodger.  It was described - 

“The design is that of a pointed arch, resembling the door of a cathedral.  The arch and its volutes are of freestone, and under the apex is a bronze profile in bas relief (an excellent likeness) of the great novelist in whose memory (he having been for many years a dweller among us), it has been erected.  This beautiful work of art is by the eminent sculptor Mr Woolner.  The jets of the fountain – three in number, and provided with drinking cups – empty the flow of water into a large granite basin intended for the convenience of passers by to cool or wash their hands, and beneath this there is a basin for the use of animals.”

In 1878 it would appear that there were a few problems.  The Greenock Telegraph received a letter from a reader complaining about the lack of water in the fountain.

Fortunately the Galt Memorial Fountain is still to be found on Greenock Esplanade at the junction with Roseneath Street, just in front of the former home of Allan Park Paton, the man responsible for its construction.

There is one final interesting piece of information.  In The History of Greenock by Robert Murray Smith published in 1921 there is an curious detail.  The original 1863 monument was to include a work by sculptor George Mossman, Murray Smith writes -

“At a Town Council meeting in February 1915, a letter was submitted from Messrs Laurie & Fleming with reference to the purchase of a miniature statue of Galt by George Mossman RSA which had originally been intended for a monument to his memory in Greenock Cemetery.  The price was £20 and on taking a month to consider the offer the Council agreed that the statue was not quite suitable for the Municipal Buildings, and declined to purchase.”

Laurie & Fleming were carvers, gilders and fine art dealers in Greenock.  In an article about George Mossman it was reported that at the time of his death in 1863 he had been working on a commission, a monument to John Galt for Greenock Cemetery.  The question remains, was Mossman working on a profile picture or a miniature statue?  That leaves an interesting puzzle - what happened to the miniature statue of Galt acquired by Laurie & Fleming?