 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page . (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Circus Joseph Ashton . ( Discuss ) Proposed since September 2025. |
Ashton's Circus was founded almost 200 years ago by James Henry Ashton. At present, there are seven different Ashton Circus groups that are owned and operated by James Henry's descendants. This is the story of how it all began.
James Henry Ashton (1820 – 17 January 1889) was actually born as Golden Ashton, named after his father Golden Ashton (snr). He was born in Rochford, Essex, England, in 1820. His mother's name was Charlotte Hodskiss. [1] It wasn't until later in life that Golden changed his name to James Henry Ashton. Before this however, young Golden Ashton experienced tragedy and loss that led to a turbulent life and eventually, a conviction of transportation beyond the seas, which resulted in him being sent to Van Diemen's Land as a teenage convict. [2] Incredibly, he would turn this tragedy into triumph, and under a new identity would forge a circus empire, known by many as "Ashton's Circus", that to this day is a testimony to his perseverance and fortitude.
The true history of Ashton family tree is shrouded in mystery. It is not until the early 19th century that we get the first glimpse and piece of evidence of James Henry Ashton's father in extant documents. This comes from the marriage registers from the church of St Giles in Colchester, Essex: specifically, it is the marriage of Golden Ashton and Charlotte Hodskiss, recorded as taking place on the 02 Mar 1815. [1] Nothing much at all can be gleaned from the marriage record, due to the fact it was recorded prior to civil registration. The entry states only that Golden Ashton was a bachelor "of this parish" (so residing in Colchester or perhaps born in Colchester) and that he and Charlotte were married by banns. Witnesses to the union were William Hale and Anne Stoker. The only other piece of information from the marriage entry is the telling mark of semi-illiteracy. All four parties; Golden, Charlotte, William and Anne, signed their names with an "X", which meant they could not write.
Eighteen months after Golden (snr) and Charlotte were married, they welcomed their first child (as far as documented evidence records). Over the ensuing eleven years another five children were born, making a total of six children in the Ashton family. Their names were:
- Maria – baptised 24 Dec 1817 at Rochford (death unknown) [1]
- Golden (aka James Henry) – baptised 19 Mar 1820 (died 1889 in Australia) [1]
- Charlotte – baptised 05 May 1822 (death unknown) [1]
- John – baptised 04 Jul 1824 (death unknown) [1]
- James – born c.1826 in Rochford (died 1889 in Rochford, Essex) [1]
- Charles – born 1821 (per 1851 England census) baptised 02 Jul 1828 (died 1861 in Chelmsford, Essex) [1]
On every baptism record for the Ashton children, their father Golden is recorded as a "tinker", a term used to describe someone who worked as an itinerant tinsmith; someone who travels around fixing metal utensils.
Interestingly, two of the baptism records state the family were not living in Rochford but were "travelling".
This lifestyle sadly did not last long for the Ashton family. In 1833 when the youngest boy Charles was only five years old, Golden Ashton snr died. [1] Again, due to this being pre civil registration times, we have no information about his death. We only have a burial record, from the Rochford parish burial registers (accessed through the Essex Archives online) which states Golden was 54 yrs old when he died. [1] This would make his year of birth as 1778 or 1779. Exhaustive research so far has failed to uncover a baptism record for Golden Ashton snr, or any other record of an Ashton family in Essex at the time. It's probable that either Golden snr was never baptised, or he was born under a different name, and/or in a different part of England (or the UK).
It was certainly a tragedy for the Ashton family, to lose their father, husband, and without a doubt the main provider of the family. When his father died, Golden jnr (aka James Henry) was only 13 years old. This was, and still is, a precarious time in a young boy's life. The tragedies that followed were perhaps a direct result of the impact his father's death had on him and the rest of the family.
In 1834, at the age of fourteen, Golden jnr was arrested and convicted for the crime of breaking windows; he served 14 days in gaol. [3]
Later that same year, on the 14 Oct 1834, Golden was again arrested, this time for stealing an ass. He was sentenced to 14 days and whipped. [4]
On the 28 Jun 1836, at the age of sixteen, Golden was charged and convicted of Larceny as a Servant, after being arrested for stealing a brooch. 7 Tragically, he was sentenced to 14 years transportation. [5]
Golden was immediately taken to the Convict Gaol in nearby Springfield [6] to await his next transfer. This occurred a month later when he was led aboard the infamous Leviathan prison hulk. [7] Golden remained on the hulk for six months [7] until he was transferred to the convict ship Frances Charlotte. The Frances Charlotte left England on the 1st Jan 1837 and five months later arrived in Van Diemen's Land. [8]
From Golden Ashton's convict conduct record we read of many instances of misconduct, for minor things such as "disobedience of orders" (for which he endured being put in stocks for 2 hours), to "larceny" and "feloniously receiving". [9]
It's not difficult to understand the immense pain and suffering young Golden Ashton had already endured after being sent to another country, away from his mother and siblings, at such a young age. Added to this, he was further penalized for several misdemeanors while in servitude. [9] However, the first indication of a transformation comes when Golden was granted a Ticket of Leave in 1844 after serving just 8 years of his 14-year sentence. [10]
Two years later, on the 9th Feb 1846, Golden Ashton married a convict girl named Mary Byrne. [11] Mary was from Co. Monaghan, Ireland, and had arrived in Van Diemen's Land aboard the Mexborough in 1841. [12] [13]
Nine months after they married, Golden was recommended for a conditional pardon. [14] If successful, he would be allowed to live and work anywhere in the Australian colonies, the "condition" being that he was not allowed to go back home to England.
After waiting 18 months, Golden was finally granted his conditional pardon on the 1st July 1848. [15] Then, just three months later, the Hobarton Guardian dated 7th Oct 1848 records "A Man named Asthon" in a circus performance in the Royal Circus in Hobart. [16] This appears to be the first entry and the first piece of evidence chronicling Golden Ashton's introduction to the modern circus industry.
After that first appearance in the Newspapers, Golden Ashton appeared countless more times. Below are just a few:
- 27 Oct 1848, The Tasmanian published an advertisement for the Circus Royal, with mention of "THE WILD INDIAN, by Mr. Ashton". [17]
- 7th Nov 1848, the Colonial Times published an advertisement for the Circus Royal, with "a Grand Equestrian and Melodramatic Piece, entitled THE MOUNTAAIN APE. Chapanzee (the Equestrian Ape), Mr Ashton". [18]
- 17th Jan 1849, the Cornwall Chronicle records under the title "RADFORD'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE" the "double act of Horsemanship, entitled, THE HUNTER OF THE DESERT, by Messrs. Ashton and Mills". [19]
On the 17th March 1849, Golden (recorded as Golding) Ashton and wife Mary Byrne journey from Tasmania to Port Phillip aboard the Shamrock. [20] From documents located in the Tasmania archives, it is believed that Golden began to promote his own circus on the mainland, in preparation for when he and Mary left Van Diemen's Land for good. One of these documents is a letter written by Golden to Sir William Dennison Knight, Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen's Land. [21] In the letter, dated 21 Jun 1848, Golden writes about his wife Mary Byrne, asking Knight to consider Mary's request for the remission of her extended sentences.
Mary had been given three extended sentences due to misconduct, and if applied, it would mean her having to stay another thirty-three months in Van Diemen's Land. Golden tells Knight he has a "good offer" in Port Phillip, and that he is anxious for Mary to accompany him there. He says she has been a sober, honest and industrious woman, and "has been to me all a wife could be". [21]
The fact that Golden and Mary left for Port Phillip in March 1849 [20] is evidence that each of their petitions to the Governor were successful. Yet, though they travelled to Port Phillip, evidence shows (from articles on Trove below) that Golden returned to Launceston to perform on at least four more occasions up to 1851. Perhaps the request of his expertise and the chance to raise money for his and Mary's future, was enough for Golden to return to do these performances.
- 30 Jan 1850, the Cornwall Chronical records Golden Ashton back in Launceston and performing with a Mr Rheubin. [22]
- 22 Feb 1850, the Colonial Times records for the very first time the words "Ashton's Circus", due to the fact that "Mr Ashton had taken over the management of the late Mollor's Circus in Murray Street, Launceston". [23]
- 29 Jan 1851, the Cornwall Chronicle records a circus being erected in Elizabeth Street, Launceston, where an American named Hunter, and "Asthon are engaged". [24]
- 19 Mar 1851, the Colonial Times records an equestrian challenge, taken up by "Ashton" to perform a two-mile ride in 15 minutes upon five horses, bare backed, for a wager of £50. [25]
- 9 Apr 1851, the Cornwall Chronicle records published an article titled "Ashton's Royal Amphitheatre" about a show in Launceston "For The Benefit of MRS. ASHTON". [26]
This latter performance above in Launceston, looks to be the final time that Golden Ashton gave a show in Van Diemen's Land. The fact that this was in aid of his wife Mary (Mrs. Ashton), looks to be an indication that she was ill or unwell in some way, and the money raised was used to help her.
The next mention of the name Ashton in regard to a circus performance, is dated 19 June 1852, when the publication Bell's life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer records an advertisement titled "CIRCUS! CIRCUS!CIRCUS! Parramatta Olympic Circus" being held in benefit of a Mr. Curran, put on by a "Mr. J. Ashton". [27] The lengthy article tells of the many and varied acts which will be on show. It is perhaps the first time we see the term "Ashton's Entertainments" mentioned in a sentence and is indeed the first time we see that Golden has left behind his birth name and adopted a new identity – James Ashton.
Two months after the Parramatta performance, tragically Mary Ashton (nee Byrne) died. [28] Recorded as an actress on her burial record, Mary was alleged to be 19 years old when she died. No cause of death is recorded, however the death of a 3-month-old baby recorded three months after Mary's death, might be relevant. [29] Did Mary die in childbirth? Or did she died from some malady unknown, but for which the benefit performance in Launceston had been the focus of? Mary's burial was recorded in the Maitland burial registers, and therefore she was probably buried at the West Maitland Cemetery, now known as Campbells Hills Cemetery.
Nine months after the loss of his wife Mary, James Henry Ashton (as he was from now on known) married Elizabeth Critchley. The marriage entry, in the Maitland Roman Catholic registers, [30] states that James Henry and Elizabeth were married at Hanging Rock, where they both resided at the time of their marriage. The witnesses were recorded as Owen Charles Beardmore and Isabella Irving.
Eight days after they married, Elizabeth gave birth to a daughter, over 100km away in the Pages River area, southwest of Hanging Rock. They named her Mary Catherine Ashton, born on the 23 May 1854. [31]
It is believed that James and Elizabeth had a total of thirteen children together, however due to their itinerant lifestyle, not all of the children's birth were registered.
To note: from documents uncovered about Golden Ashton's time as a convict in VDL we know that he carried a large number of initials tatooed on his left arm. It is therefore interesting to note that in any photo of Ashton performing, he always had his arms covered up. Did he want to put this era behind him? Did anyone ever discuss or relay anything about these tattoos he carried? To date, we have not read any reports about them, nor heard any family stories handed down that mentioned his convict era tatoos.
Over a span of 30 years, from when they married up to James Henry's death, the Ashton Circus travelled throughout New South Wales and South Queensland.
- 1853 – Hanging Rock, NSW: marriage of James Henry Ashton and Elizabeth Critchley [30]
- 1854 – Pages River, NSW: birth of Mary Catherine Ashton (died 1880 from typhoid fever, Eubalong, NSW) [31] [32]
- 1855 – Sydney, NSW: Royal Sydney Amphitheatre Performance [33]
- 1855 – Orange, NSW: birth of Jane Agnes Ashton (died 1863 from scarlet fever, Camberwell, NSW) [34]
- 1856 – Unknown town, NSW: birth of Isabella Ashton (died 1897 from meningitis, Narrabri, NSW) [35]
- 1861 – Ipswich, QLD: birth of James (Henry) Ashton jnr (died 1918 by drowning, Macquarie River, Dubbo, NSW) [36]
- 1863 to 1865 – Unknown town, NSW or QLD: births of William and Anne Ashton [37]
- 1866 – Burrowa, NSW: birth of Frederick Ashton (died 1941 from cancer, Randwick, NSW) [38]
- 1867 – Orange, NSW: birth of Elizabeth Ashton (died 1900 from pneumonia following a miscarriage, Wellington, NSW) [39]
- 1869 – Armidale, NSW: birth of Charles Golding Ashton (died at the age of 3 months from dysentery, Rob Roy Gully near Inverell, NSW) [40] [41]
- 1870 – Mudgee, NSW: birth of Golding Ashton (died 1875 from measles, Inverell, NSW) [42] [43]
- 1872 – Haydonton, NSW: birth of Maud Ashton (death unknown) [44]
- 1874 – South Grafton, NSW: birth of Ada Gertrude Ashton (died 1875 from diarrhoea, Armidale, NSW) [45] [46]
- 1876 – Armidale, NSW: birth of Lilietta (aka Tilly) Ashton (died 1951 from heart disease, Sandgate, QLD) [47] [48]
On the 17th January 1889 James Henry Ashton passed away in Gladstone, QLD. The cause of death was listed as heart disease, of which he had suffered for 12 months.
From humble beginnings, and through great pain, suffering and tragedy, James Henry Ashton – born Golden Ashton – has left a legacy that will not soon, or probably ever, be forgotten.
PRESENT DAY ASHTON CIRCUS GROUPS:
There are 7 circus companies in Australia that have Ashton Circus roots:
Circus Xsavia
Lorraine Ashton's Classic Circus
Ashton Entertainment
Infamous
Ashton's The Great Australian Circus
Lassu
All continuing the rich legacy that has been handed down through 8 generations.
