Elliott Hill Fontaine was the youngest living son of Mr. Noland Fontaine. He was given his name in honor of his grandmother, Mary Elliott-Fontaine and his father's business partner Mr. Napolean Hill. Elliott Fontaine passed away when he was only 34, but not before he could live the most colorful life. Full of love and riches, his life brought him many happy times. He was a very giving and loving gentleman. He loved his family and created an extended family of his friends that he enjoyed entertaining. Mr. Fontaine had an early and sincere appreciation for the arts and literature. So much, in fact, that the wildly popular The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens was given to him by his grandmother as a Christmas gift. This handsome leather-bound book has green silk lining and gold gilded pages. The pages are still in excellent condition, though yellowed. Just inside is a small presentation note with a large seal of the Fontaine family crest. The copyright is 1902, clearly making this a gift given over the age of 18...which would be appropriate for the time.
The book itself is on display at the WF inside the small, formal parlor on the first floor. It rests on Mrs. Fontaine's writing desk that was generously given back to the mansion by the family's estate.
Splendid!
ReplyDelete