Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
Golden Ashton was transported on the Frances Charlotte, departing 27th Dec 1836 and arriving 15th May 1837 with 151 passengers.
Frances Charlotte (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 90, Class and Piece Number HO11/10, Page Number 436 |
| Source Description | This record is one of the entries in the British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database compiled by State Library of Queensland from British Home Office (HO) records which are available on microfilm as part of the Australian Joint Copying Pro |
| Original Source | Great Britain. Home Office |
| Compiled By | State Library of Queensland |
| Database Source | British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database |
Claims
"Family"
"Researching on behalf of Chantel Asthon-Rodriguez, a direct descendant of Golden, aka James Henry, Ashton."
Convict Notes
Just a correction on the information above submitted by Margaret L Kirby. Golden Ashton did not marry Mary Riley - he married Mary Byrne on the 9th Feb 1846. Their marriage record is readily accessible on the Libraries Tasmania website (source: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON52-1-2p007j2k).
Golden Ashton was initially incarcerated at Point Puir Juvenile penal Station. His gaol report said he was a bad character. His brother Charles was also a sweep, managed to stay out of trouble and at the age of 20 died in a workhouse in Essex. Golden on the other hand, somehow came into contact with James Hunter, also a convict, but formerly a circus equestrian who had won fame in England and America before being transported.By 1845 Ashton was performing equestrian acts which he almost certainly learnt from Hunter, especially bareback riding (without saddle or bridle) in Hobart for Henry Oliver's Circus in Elizabeth Street. For the rest of his life he would be known as James Henry Ashton, the founder of Ashton's circus which has continued unto this day. Ashton later performed for Radford- the first proprietor of an Australian circus, in both Launceston and Hobart. When Radford moved to Adelaide, Ashton took over both his establishments in 1850. In 1851 he and his wife skipped the country leaving behind a working circus and many debts unpaid. He was granted his Certificate of Freedom July 1848. He was one of the convict circus crew that developed in VDL (I would suggest inspired and taught by Hunter). These included John Riley, John Quinn and John Jones- who later became known as St Leon- who also founded an enduring circus establishment. His direct descendant Mark St Leon is also the founding researcher in Australian circus history. Golden Ashton married Mary Riley in VDL, who may or may not have been related to John Riley, the tight rope dancer.