** COMPLETED WITH THANKS **Paul FOUNTAIN.. who was he really??

[ShaunJ]

Just wondering why he settled in Epsom.

There was an Emily Fountain, single, born circa 1850 in the Epsom Workhouse in 1891 and 1901 (and I think 1911), birthplace not known.

Could there be a connection?

[ShaunJ]

Tells of a cousin Silas who went to Canada, and whom he subsequently joined in about 1866.

I've just been reading an article on Paul Fountain's life as a trapper, in the New York Times February 27 1904.

It says that in 1865 at the age of 17, he was one of a party of hunters engaged in seeking furs for the Hudson's Bay Company. So he must have come to Canada before 1866.

The article goes on to say that in his days as a peddler in the US he was based for a while in Memphis.

There's a JJ Fountain aged 33 from England in New Orleans in 1880 - is there any mention of New Orleans in the books?

[karenlee]

Thanks ShaunJ

I have no definite information on exactly where our Mr FOUNTAIN was in the USA at anytime really.  The only references we have are from his books and from articles like the one that you found.  We still have no real physical proof...ie shipping records or census records... that he was there at all.  There has been lots of speculation in the past, by both academics and the family, that he was never there 

As there is no one still living that remembers meeting him at all, we don't know how badly he was crippled or how mobile he was.  Considering that he was quite old when he married into our family and had children, it would be impossible for anyone to have known what he was like in his younger years either.  There are no family photographs of him at all that we have been able to track down.

So as you can imagine, our first priority is proving he was in the USA, but that is not an easy task.....

Cheers
Karenlee

[ShaunJ]

What was his address in the Epsom area Karen?

[karenlee]

Shaun

Last known address in Epsom was 2 Oakfield Villas.

Karenlee

[ShaunJ]

The only Oakfield Villas I can find is in Cobham (Anyards Road/Oakfield Road). 

[Chat-a-lot]

Hi Karenlee,
Paul Fountain is my grandfather I am in New Zealand.

[trish1120]

Hi Chat- a- Lot,

Welcome to Rootschat
Karenlee wil be thrilled you have found her
She is probably in a different timezone as us in Aust/NZ and will be back on later.

Trish

[Chat-a-lot]

Hi Trish,
Thank you it is great to be here.