Comments on: George Wombwell, menagerist, part 1

By: Shaun Everett

Shaun Everett — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 11:14:03 +0000

Ellen Chapman was known as ‘Lion Queen’ in George Wombwell’s Menagerie. She met George Sanger, another Showman, and in 1850 married him. Probably the most reliable reference is in a Charles Dickens account who frequented Menageries on more than one occasion.

You can find the reference in ‘Dickens and Popular Entertainment’ By Paul Schlicke

It was apparently, Dickens that suggested that a portrait of Ellen be commissioned from Landseer.

‘I think the Duke of Wellington must have her painted by Landseer’ he writes to one correspondent.

I would love to have a reference to that or those paintings Richard if you have one please.

I am not aware of her connections to George’s family.

Shaun

By: Richard Chapman

Richard Chapman — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:32:15 +0000

Hi Terrence,
My 2x great aunt was Ellen Chapman, who was a Lion Queen with GW’s menagerie in the late 1840′s, she used the name of “Madame Pauline De Vere, Lady of the Lions”.
Whilst I was researching the her part of the family tree,
I came across two paintings of her, titled “wild beast tamer”, painted whilst she was with GW, but in the article it said she was his niece, do you know of the family connection, between her and GW.
Many thanks, Richard.

By: Debbie Thomsett

Debbie Thomsett — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 13:16:11 +0000

Hi,
My GGG Grandparents were George and Elizabeth Anthoness. Elizabeth was the widow of William Wombwell who was killed by an elephant (although he was a lion tamer) in 1849. My Great Grandmother was fond of telling the story of the demise of William but unforunately was not believed. My father researched my mother’s family and made the connection
Debbie

By: Teri Shearer

Teri Shearer — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 22:30:40 +0000

Hi All

Just found this! I’ve always been told that George Wombwell was my ggg Grandfather, reading this he can’t have been. My great grandmother was Georgina Wombwell before she married an Oliver (surname) my Grandma was Lily Oliver b 1907, and her siblings were John, Edward, Sally and Dorothy. Anyone know who Georgina’s father was?

Teri

By: John Hunt

John Hunt — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 09:52:34 +0000

I am researching my gg grandfather William Wombwell Charters (b. 1855 maybe in Cheltenham d. 29 Jan 1930 in Christchurch, New Zealand). I live in New Zealand and my great aunt told me the story about the toothless lion, a story she had heard it from her grandfather William Charters. It is amazing how this story has gone around the world! The family stories and his name suggests a connection between my William Wombwell Charters and the George Wombwell family. i would really appreciate it if anyone shed light on that connection. Please email me at huntj@clear.net.nz

By: lisa

lisa — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:09:14 +0000

Fred Wombwell is my great great great grandfather if anyone has any information or documents I would be grateful if you could pass them,thanks

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:29:10 +0000

My name is Michael Powell. I am a descendant of George Wombwell, on my great, great, great grandmother Powell’s side. She married into the Wombwell’s.
Many years ago, when my father went to visit Georges Wombwell’s grave at (West) High Gate Cemetery, he was informed on the tour that part of the show involved the lion trainer putting his head into the lion’s mouth. The guide said there was no danger, as the lions teeth had been removed.
My fathers great, great grandmother had told him that what actually happened was, that as the lions jaws began to close, the trainer, who had been chewing tobacco, would spit some of the tobacco juice from his mouth to the back of the lions throat. This would burn a little and the lion would open its mouth wider and back away… I think the trainer was George Wombwell himself.
My dad did pass this information on, and was told that that made more sense, because if the lions teeth had been removed, it wouldn’t be able to eat.
The guide said they would change the information in the archives.
Michael

By: Jill Perry

Jill Perry — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:05:51 +0000

Hi Terrence.
I have a photo copy of George’s will where it states that although referred to as Mrs Wombwell he states she is a spinster, untrue, she married a Henry ? who worked for the Menagerie.They had a daughter, Amelia. He died and I believe Ann Wombwell was George’s niece moved in under his wing with her daughter. As I understand, however I could be wrong also.
Jill Perry

By: Shaun Everett

Shaun Everett — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:26:45 +0000

Hi Terrence and all

interesting site and comments. George did not have any children. Ann had a daughter by a previous marriage(?).

Ann was about half George’s age (a minor in fact) when they married.

Since George had no direct descendants it is left to the rest of us to fill in the gaps. Luckily my mother (deceased 2009) descended from George’s brother William, farmer who lived in south Essex around Tollesbury.

Mum remembered some things related to the Bostock & Wombwell outfits since that was what was around from the late 19th century till about 1933 when they folded completely. Mum was given a tour by Elisa at the age of about 5 she recalled once when B&W were in Maldon, Essex.

I have attempted to research the Wombwell Menagerie quite extensively but much information is either completely wrong or relies heavily on hearsay.

If you want some interesting information about the menagerie I published an article in a local magazine in London a few years ago.

If anyone wants a copy please email me: shaun.everett1@gmail.com

By: Lynne Williams

Lynne Williams — Sat, 22 May 2010 11:40:41 +0000

Hello again Terence,
Lynne back again. Sorry but I got my wires a little bit crossed. Abijah & his wife Emily Sarah Harris had 7 children. Their third child was a daughter also named Emily who in turn married my Great Grandfather, John McCurdy who gave birth to my Granfather whom was also named John (Jack), he was number 4 out of 8 children. They then gave birth to my mother who is an only child. She in turn had three children. My brother Greg who is 50 and my sister Cheryl whom is my identical twin sister,we are 44. I think that you would find this book very interesting. I will try and contact Pat Wombwell and get you a copy of this book
Regards
Lynne