Help please! Ancestor who doesn't seem to have been born!

[LizzieL]

Of course, I forgot about Jane 

As you said, despite all this fantastic information, we are no nearer pinning down Alfred's mother, whether it was Mary Adcock before she and Thomas were married, or a wife from a previous marriage that we haven't found.

And we don't even know if he was actually the son of either of them. On the 1851 census his relationship to Thomas is not given. He might have been a nephew or adopted.

[heywood]

I wrote that earlier, Lizzie thinking on the same lines.

I wondered too if he was part of the act or troupe and raised by them. There are few Alfred Orton/Horton births around that time and I think we have followed them but not sure now. He might have been registered with a completely different name.
It’s very frustrating.

[Ladyhawk]

Although not proven that Mary Horton, Heard nee Adcock was Alfred's mother
thought you might like to have her burial just in case........

Cemetery:   Oxbridge Lane Cemetery

Mary Heard 1818 Blaby, Blaby District, Leicestershire
Died 25 Dec 1887

Emily Heard 1863 Scotland
Died 31 Dec 1890

George Gabriel Heard 1818 Leicestershire
Died 06 Aug 1897

Headstone
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/201271939/mary-heard

[ChrissieL]

I have really enjoyed following this fascinating thread. Although the initial query hasn't yet been solved, it just goes to show what interesting family stories and social history can be found with some excellent detective work. I had no idea about these travelling shows and musical accompaniment! Well done everyone.

[Maiden Stone]

I've enjoyed it too. Makes a change from my farmers, shopkeepers and millhands.
Where was Alfred for 1861 census?

[Maiden Stone]

A mention in the "Kerry Examiner and Munster General Observer", 6 Dec 1853. Page 3
He may have still been alive then!
something like
"The Collection accompanied by talented Brass Band—Leader, Mr. Thomas Horton. R.A"

"R.A.", Royal Academy of Music? Was Alfred also a student of the Royal Academy? Are there surviving documents from the time? Royal Academy of Music was founded 1822.
Musing again about band musicians and how a stocking-maker's son became a musician. Some churches used to have a group of musicians to play at services before organ music became the norm. Large towns and cities had waites bands until 19thC which had ceremonial duties.

[heywood]

Maiden Stone, here is Alfred.

1861 3812/84/2

Alfred Horton 19yrs Musician b Leicester

He is a boarder in Newcastle. There is another musician also boarding.

[Redroger]

Possible other reasons;
He was illeg.
Thomas Horton married or never married his Mother.
His Birth wasnt reg, Father died, Mother remarried before 1851 Census.

Another possible reason His parents Baptists?
If so it would be adult(14+) Baptism by total immersion usually in that era in the sea (still happens) or local watercourse. Baptisteries in the church came later.
I am late to the thread so this point may have been made

[Ever Stealthy]

It's possible Alfred was a baptist. He was buried in Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool. A very early post in the thread told us this is a non-conformist burial ground. His second wife came from a staunch Wesleyan family.

Regarding the Edinburgh marriage, 88 Candlemaker's Row, where Thomas was staying has featured in other enquiries on RootsChat. It was a lodging house. One post mentions that in 1901, there are 83 people living there. It is now Canmore, the National Record of the Historic Environment. There are pictures here

https://canmore.org.uk/site/117894/edinburgh-84-86-88-candlemaker-row-greyfriars-kirk-house

Maiden Stone, now I know Alfred's M.O. as it were, I intend to look for menageries in Newcastle in 1861. I think his circus career was short. The 1876 Buxton newspaper report about his illness that Lizzie posted, states that he had been a member of the Buxton Summer band for ten years. The Boorn's Gigantic Russian Circus reference is dated 1865. I found this in the Cardiff Times from 1866:

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3384311/3384315

It's an advert that gives a fantastic description of the bizarre acts in the circus, but states the Band leader is a Mr. Collins. Alfred Horton had moved on, presumably to Buxton, but also to Torquay. He married his first wife there on 4 Jan 1868. He certainly didn't let the grass grow under his feet. I need to dig in newspapers to see if I can find reference to him in Devon.
 
In 1871, Alfred was in Torquay, a widower, with his young daughter Ada Emily. His dead wife's family are living next door.