I'm looking for information on George Woolford.

George Woolford made his London debut in the summer of 1825 with Andrew Ducrow's company (at Astley's Amphitheatre). Astley's was the first circus, Andrew Ducrow was a 'superstar' of his era, probably the most famous equestrian of his time.

From M. Willson Disher's book "Greatest Show on Earth" we learn that George Woolford had a daughter, Louisa Woolford, (we don't know who Louisa's mother was) who was a star with Ducrow, his partner in his equestrian poses, and later became Andrew Ducrow's wife.

Disher described George Woolford as a "horseman from Bristol" who had trained Louisa in balancing on a horse and on the wire. George joined Ducrow in 1825 and introduced Ducrow to Louisa when she was but 12 yrs old. In three years she was a star.She worked with Andrew Ducrow in his featured acts. Eventually Louisa Woolford and the much older Ducrow married.

By 1836 George Woolford had joined Thomas Taplin Cooke just prior to Cooke's Circus leaving for their tour of the USA. Thomas Taplin Cooke (1780 - 30 Nov.1866) born in Warwick - actor, equestrian, rope-walker and strongman. In 1836 he chartered the 3000 ton 'Royal Stuart' of Greenock and sailed to New York with 120 artistes. Over a three year period 1836 to 1839, Cooke's Equestrian circus was the toast of New York, Philadelphia & Boston.

We know that George Woolford and 'Mrs Woolford' were with Thomas Taplin Cooke in New York in 1836 as they are mentioned in newspaper articles of the time. A Philadelphia newspaper article from 1837 describes George Woolford as Thomas Taplin Cooke's son-in-law and the programme features a 'Mrs Woolford'.

I think that George Woolford fathered Louisa (with his first wife ?). George then married Thomas Taplin Cooke's daughter Rebecca Cooke (1814 - 1898) - This would explain the newspaper mention of George as Thomas Taplin Cooke's son-in-law and her 'Mrs Woolford'.

By October1838, Rebecca Woolford (nee Cooke) is back in Scotland giving bith to Rebecca Marianna Woolford. By the time of the 1851 census, Rebecca Woolford (nee Cooke) is married to James Clement Boswell. Rebecca Marianna is with them in Birmingham and listed as 'Rebecca Woolford, daughter, born in Glasgow, Scotland'.

The 1851 Census was held on March 30th
Birmingham Birmingham, Warwickshire
5 Sheepcote Street, Birmingham
HO/107/2051 Fol81 Pg 42
James BOSWELL Head M 26 M Equestrian Halifax-YKS
Rebecca BOSWELL Wife M 34 F DUF
Rebecca WOOLFORD Daur - 14 F --- Glasgow-SCT


I don't know what happened to George Woolford. Some say he remained in USA after the Cookes left in 1839 and staged horse dramas. I have no date of birth or death but he is an important part of my jigsaw.

Can any of you Woolford researchers help me find George ?

Rebecca Marianna Woolford (1838 - 1907) later married Arsene Loyal (1838 - 1905) (a member of a French circus family), their son Alfredo (Alf) Loyal (1873 - 1945) came back to the USA in 1908 and appeared with Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey. He died in Fanwood NJ in 1945.