Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

I am having trouble in reading the detail on Ancestry's image for Edwin and Sarah Ann Hughes, in the 1851 census. The reference is HO107/2188/545/40, Toxteth Park.
Any help would be much appreciated. I am not concerned with the children's details.

I have them in 1861 which is more legible, at a farm house in Smithdown Road, near Greenbank.

Daggers

No wonder, my eyes are boggled too.

Willow Bank, Smithdown Lane.
I'm assuming it's Edwin's occupation you are wanting
Railway Shares Proprietor of houses & land

Baptisms of the Liverpool born children give occupation as Gentleman (1853 baptism says Willow House Smithdown Lane).

"Railway Proprietor, Share of houses and land" or "Proprietor of Railway houses and share of land"?

Probate for Edwin in 1868, Gentleman, formerly of Penketh Farm Smithdown Lane but late of Sydenham Grove Lower Norwood Surrey, died on 7 Dec 1867, effects under £600. Proved 20 Feb 1868, at Principal Registry, by oaths of John Atkinson of 37 Manchester Street Liverpool aforesaid Photographic Instrument Manufacturer and Charles Hengler of 56 Mount Pleasant Liverpool aforesaid Circus Proprietor two of the Executors.


Blue

Thank you, Mary for making the page far more legible.
Thank you, Blue for your input.

Working from there I found to my surprise that Edwin Hughes was written about in some circus histories as something of a pioneer in the 1840s, leading magnificent parades of elephants, camels, etc etc. I found an obituary notice in "The Era" which mentioned his "Great Mammoth Equestrian Establishment" and his early retirement to Liverpool before moving to Lower Norwood, Surrey. There are a couple of posters for the circus online, and a print of one of the parades in London. The circus connection continued after Hughes's retirement, with Charles Hengler as one of his executors.

As Mary says, the 1851 census puts him at Willow Bank, Smithdown Road. In 1861 he and family were at 'Farm House' also Smithdown Road. The probate notice says 'formerly of Penketh Farm' which was not shown on the 1850s OS map, but Penketh Hall and Cottage appear, not far from Willow Bank, all open land in those far-off days.

Hughes is a little distant on my family tree but adds a little colour and fun to our background. He was a great-uncle's father-in-law.

My thanks again

Daggers

I always follow sidelines if they prove of interest and a circus is certainly interesting.