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From: bj <>
Subject: Was your Montgommery Ashton a gypsy or traveller?
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 00:43:42 +0000


I came across an interesting website:- http://website.lineone.net/~rtfhs
/gypsy.html

This site is the Romany & Traveller Family History Society, includes
much information about British Gypsy families, and gives advice on
sources and methods for Gypsy research.

Although it makes no mention of Ashton family (from Llandinam) of which
mine were supposed to have come from I have a feeling that my Edward
Ashton (b 1806, Llandinam was a traveller, if not a gypsy.

The site says:

"The following occupations were commonly practised by Gypsies, who
provided goods and services to local communities in the course of their
travels. The terms dealer and general dealer were frequently used by
Gypsies from the late 19th century, but the terms were also used to
describe other traders and shopkeepers. A marine store dealer was a
dealer in scrap materials.

hawker, licensed hawker, pedlar
basket maker, mat maker, beehive maker, brush maker, chair bottomer,
sieve bottomer, tinker, tinman, razor grinder, knife grinder, dealer,
general dealer, marine store dealer, wardrobe dealer, peg maker,
umbrella mender, chimney sweep, horse dealer.

Edward Ashton (b 1806, Llandinam) in 1841 was a 'hawker' at Llanbadarn
Fawr, Cardiganshire.

1851 census at Caedu, Llansadwrn, Carmarthenshire, he had a 'marine
store dealer'

In 1881 at 74 years of age he is a 'basket maker', erroneously shown as
Ashdown :-


Dwelling: Caedu
Census Place: Llansadwrn, Carmarthen, Wales
Source: FHL Film 1342297 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5381 Folio
31 Page 2
Marr Age Sex Birthplace

Edward ASHDOWN M 74 M Llandinum, Montgomery, Wales
Rel: Head
Occ: Basket Maker
Elizabeth ASHDOWN M 74 F Cwmystwyth, Cardigan, Wales
Rel: Wife
Occ: Basket Maker Wife
Mary ASHDOWN 27 F Llansadwrn, Carmarthen, Wales
Rel: Daur
Occ: Quiltmaker (Cot Seamstress)


In 1891 Edward Ashdon (sic) is a widower aged 84 still living at Caedu.
'living on relief', born Llandinam, speaks Welsh and English. He is
living on his own although his children are living close by in
Llandovery Rural Sanitary District and also adjoining Breconshire at
Defynnock.

His occupation has all the attributes of a gypsy, i.e. Hawker, Marine
store dealer and basket maker. He lived on his wits, I suppose.

Edward died September Quarter 1896, he would have been about 90 years of
age!

Anthony Francis (of this list) mentions Ashtons from Montgomery who
helped build Carew Mansion and some who worked on the roads between
Montgomeryshire and Cardigan. Wonder if Edward was a dropout? Anyone
have an Ashton who followed the same trait?

Also see this website on Travelling Showmen & Other Travellers:-

http://users.nwon.com/pauline/Travellers.html

It deals with circus family, Theatre, Showmen, fairground genealogy,
etc. Interesting reading!
best regards

Barrie Jones, Gwent

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