John Gemmill

John Gemmill was a British businessman, private banker, storekeeper, and the first auctioneer of Singapore. He donated the Gemmill Fountain to the public in 1864.

Biography

Gemmill born in the United Kingdom, and moved to Singapore in 1828.[1] He was originally a shopkeeper, and after the Singapore Temperance Society was formed in 1837, he released an advertisement for his shop, stating that he was selling alcohol.[2][3] He later became an auctioneer, and was the first auctioneer in the colony.[4] In January 1839, Gemmill began a private banking business, as there were no banks in the colony yet.[5] He bought Scott's Hill, and renamed it Gemmill's Hill.[6][7]

In 1864, Gemmill donated a marble drinking fountain to the government of Singapore for public use.[8] The fountain was named Gemmill Fountain, and was largely forgotten until 1923, when it was found in a Municipal store and placed in front of the Victoria Memorial Hall.[9] Gemmill Lane was named in honour of Gemmill after his death.[10]

References

1. "An Occsional Note". The Straits Times. Singapore. 25 August 1926. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
2. "On the Margin". The Straits Times. Singapore. 8 June 1950. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
3. "A Singapore Diary". The Straits Budget. Singapore. 15 June 1950. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
4. ""For All nations"". The Straits Budget. Singapore. 18 May 1939. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
5. "Singapore Sixty Years Ago". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. Singapore. 22 June 1897. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
6. Edwards, Norman (1996). Singapore : a guide to buildings, streets, places. Peter Keys. Singapore. ISBN 981-204-781-6. OCLC 71791463.
7. "Gemmill's Lane". The Straits Budget. Singapore. 8 June 1937. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
8. "Singapore In The 19th Century: When There Were Only Seventy-Five Europeans Here". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. Singapore. 6 February 1939. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
9. "A Bygone Singapore European". The Straits Times. Singapore. 8 June 1950. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
10. "Nee Soon named after 'Pineapple King'". New Nation. Singapore. 10 September 1979. Retrieved 25 April 2022.