HANNAH 'MAY' THOM
By Dolly Lloyd

Mary was born, Mary Hannah Rathbone in 1817, she was the daughter of William Rathbone (commemorated in Sefton Park) and the sister of the William Rathbone (commemorated in St John's Gardens).

She married the Rev John Hamilton Thom a local admired philanthropist and endeared herself to the poor people of the 'Marybone area', both through her works of charity amongst them and her efforts as Lady Superintendent of District Nurses. (Daily Post and Mercury - 1928)

In the early 1970s the original fountain was demolished and the figure was kept by the Priests of Holy Cross and was put in the Confessional Box till such times we could get her restored. That's were I came on the scene. We formed a Committee when I was organising the Pensioner's Club. The Priests wanted us to raise money to have her restored, as she had lost an arm and needed a good clean up, the total cost was £300.

Meantime in 1978 was the Campaign of the Inner Ring Road after several years we managed to get our houses with gardens, and of course sheltered housing scheme for the Elderly. That's when we agreed after fund raising in the School, that Father Mee would finally restored the Fountain. It was also agreed to put her in the Garden at Mazenod Court, as she gave her life to the Elderly, and that is where she is today.

The restored Fountain was unveiled by R.S. Rathbone on Friday 11th September 1987. The drinking fountain is no longer active, consists of a shallow basin on a stem and on it is the Bronze Figure of Mary Hannah Thom

January 2005

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More pictures and information:

(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)
(6)	(7)	(8)	(9)	(10)
(11)	(12)	(13)	(14)	Hannah May Thom, story by Margaret Donnelly (15)
Hannah May Thom, story by Tom Kelly (16)	Hannah May Thom, story by Dolly Lloyd (17)