History of
THE PROCTOR CIRCUS FAMILY
Proctor's Circus was a small family circus that travelled the fairs and showgrounds for more than 80 years.
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Proctor Grave at Weast
Cemetery (Salford) (Gravestone: Grave No. 440, Plot N) PROCTOR OF CIRCUS FAME In Loving Memory of GEORGE J. The beloved husband of Annie Proctor who died March 28th 1926, age 59 years. Also ANNIE Beloved wife of the above who died June 25th 1947 aged 84 years. Also LOUISA The beloved daughter of the above who died March 16, 1931 aged 47 years. Also ROBERT ALEXANDER who died March 4th 1937, aged 49 years. Also GEORGE their beloved son who died August 6th 1959 aged 71 years. Photo kindly provided by Peter Kilvert (Weaste Cemetery Heritage Trail) |
Robert Alexander Proctor, the founder of Proctor's Circus, was born in St. Marylebone, London, Middlesex in 1832. His father Robert was a harness maker. Robert's wife Maria Codman was born in Norwich in 1837 and was the daughter of George Codman, a weaver.
Robert and Maria married in January in Shoreditch London in January 1856. Maria's brother Richard Codman married music hall artise Charlotte Asker a month later in Birmingham.
1857: Islington: birth of son George
1859: Bury, Suffolk: birth of son Robert
Lodgings, New Street, West Ham Essex, 1861
Robert Proctor, lodger, Surrey, showman
Maria Proctor, 24, lodger, Norwich, Norfolk
George Proctor, 4, Islingon, Middlesex
Robert Proctor, 2, Burry, Suffolk
1862: Ridgewell, Essex: birth of daughter Louisa
1864: Mistley, Essex: birth of son William
1867: Colchester, Essex: birth of daughter Harriet
1869: Grimsby, Lincolnshire: birth of daughter Maria
1869: Caistor, Lincolnshire: death of son Robert, age 10
1873: Mortomley, Yorks: birth of son Arthur
1877: Whitby, Yorks: birth of son John
March: Grantham, Lincoln: Marriage of George James Proctor, 23, gymnast, son of Robert Proctor, gymnast to Annie Williams, 18, daughter of Thomas Williams, traveller. Witnesses William Swallow and Louisa Proctor.
1880: Sheffield: birth of Annie and George’s daughter Mary Ann 26 December
Census: Caravans: Dysart Road, Grantham, Lincoln, 1881
Robert Proctor, 49, London, Middlesex, head, showman
Maria Proctor, 45, Norwich, Norfolk, wife
Louisa Proctor, 19, Rigwell, Essex, daughter, juggler showman
William Proctor, 16, Mistley, Essex, son, acrobat
Harriett Proctor, 14, Colchester, Essex, daughter, rope dancer showman
Maria Proctor, 12, Grimsby, Lincoln, daughter, scholar
Robert Proctor, 10, Grimsby, Lincoln, son, scholar
Arthur Proctor, 8, Mortamly, Yorks, son
John Proctor, 4, Whitby, Yorks, son
Baptism, 17 April 1881, Willow Lane Catholic Chapel, Norwich. Mary Anne Proctor, daughter of George and Anne nee Williams
1881: Grantham Fair, Lincolnshire: Robert Proctor, showman, and family in caravans on Dysart Road
1881: Norwich, Norfolk: Mary Ann’s christening (Maria Proctor’s birth place)
1884: Settle, Yorkshire: Annie and George were witness to James Williams marriage (Annie’s nephew)
Robert Proctor died 19 June 1888, death registered at Barnsley, Yorkshire - Marie took over running the circus
Hoyand, Yorks: "Deaths: Robert Proctor: Died at Hoyland, Yorks, after a long and painfull illness, on June 19, Robert Proctor, circus proprietor, fifty six years of age. Interred at Hoyland Cemetery, June 21, 1888. (The Era)
Hunslet, Yorks: Mrs. Proctor’s Circus of Varieties (The Era, July 28, 1888)
"Professor Codman’s Royal Punch and Judy just concluded successful engagement of three months with Madame Proctor’s Circus of Varieties. Re-engaged at Liberty Christmas and New Year. Address Llandudno, North Wales. P.S. Also R. Codman Junior’s Celebrated Punchinello." (The Era, Dec 8, 1888)
1889
Mrs. Proctor's Circus, Black Bull-field, Leeds. (The Era, July 6, 1889)
Nottingham: Mrs. M. Proctor’s Circus (The Era, May 24, 1890)
Wastelands between Mere Lane and Goodison Rd, Walton on Hill, Lancashire, 1891
George Proctor, head, 34, travelling showman, Islington
Annie Proctor, 28, Runcorn
Mary Ann, daughter, 10, Sheffield, Yorks
Louisa, daughter, 9, Harthill, Yorks
Maria, daughter, 6, Silkstone, Yorks
Robert, son, 4, Adlington, Lancs
William, son, 2, Pendlebury, Lancs
Caravans, Brick Field, Millbridge, Liversedge,Yorks, 1891
William Proctor, head, 27, travelling show, Misley, Essex
Annie Proctor, wife, 27 Leeds
William Henry Proctor, son, 3, Holbeck, Yorks
Thomas Proctor, son, 4, Shipley, Yorks
Caravans, Morledge, St. Peters Derby, Derbyshire, 1891
Arthur Twigdon, head, 27, prop switchback, Dunton Bassett
Maria Twigdon (Proctor), 25, Grimsby, Lincolnshire
Elizabeth, daughter, 5 m, Dunton Bassett
“Wanted by G. Proctor, for Circus or Pantomine, Comical Act on Tight Wire and Wrestling Donkey, other Acts required. Write or wire Proctor, Grapes Inn, Keighley, Yorks. (The Era, Dec 9, 1893)
1894
“For Sale, New Shuttered Booth, this season, 34ft wide, 50ft long, stage, with shutters top and wheel shutters for bottom, with five paintings. Circus Business. Red, white and Blue Tile, New this summer. G. Proctor, Circus, Skelmonthorpe” (The Era, July 7, 1894)
Hide-road, Manchester: G. Proctor’s Circus (The Era, Dec 22, 1894)
1895
Liverpool: George Proctor’s Circus of Varieties, College-road, Crosby near Liverpool (The Era, June 8, 1895)
1897
Morley, Yorkshire: Proctor and Bartlett’s big combine, including circus menagerie and cinematograph (John Barnes, The Rise of Cinema in Great Britain, Vol. 2)
Yorkshire: August: “The Yorkshire feasts around Leeds and Bradford are now in full swing. The following concerns are on the Yorkshire round: - Bartlett’s Menagerie, Bailey’s Ghost Illusion, Hobson’s Variety Theatre, Mrs. Proctor’s London Circus, Testo’s Marionettes, Chipperfield’s Menagerie, Rhodes’ Theatre, Oscar’s Cinematographe, the Untameable Lion Show, H. Ashington’s Cinematographe, Wilson’s Circus of Varieties and Randall Williams’ Living Pictures (The Era, 28 August 1897)
Great Horton in Bradford (Yorkshire), September: “among the shows are Proctor’s London Circus, including troops of riders and a galaxy of merry clowns; Randall Williams with his living photography and Harry Ashington with his cinematographe (The Era, 11 September 1897)
Hunslet Feast: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. IX, No. 6, October 1956)
Hull Fair: Mrs. Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. VII, No. 2, May, 1951)
October: "Gilberdyke Feast near Kippax, Leeds where the concerns were Proctor's London Circus, Bartlett's lion Show and the cinematographe" (The Showmen World, The Era, Oct 23, 1897)
Gorton Wakes: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round)
Yorkshire Fairs: May: “The news from Yorkshire gives us a fairly accurate list of shows now on that round and it includes in addition to the concerns mentioned above, H. Ashington’s cinematograph, Mr. Proctor’s London Circus, R. Williams’ living pictures (The Era, 21 May 1898)
Brighouse Feast: Mrs. Proctor’s London circus (The Era, Aug 20, 1898
Pudsey: Mrs. Proctor’s London circus (The Era, Sept 3, 1898)
Armley Feast, Leeds: Mrs. Proctor’s Circus (The Era Sept 10, 1898)
Woodhouse Feast and Woodhouse Carr Feast: Mrs. Proctor’s Circus (The Era, Oct 8, 1898)
Hull Fair: George Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round)
Halton Leeds: G. Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round)
Rotherham Statutes Fair: G. Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. VII, #9, October 1952)
Black Bull-field, Leeds. (The Era, July 6, 1889)
Hull Fair: Proctor’s Circus (Hull Fair: Stephen Smith and Kevin Scrivens)
“Wanted, to Let, Set of Hand-Balancing Apparatus, Predestal, Stiarcase, and Chair. Must be good and cheap. Address, Brothers Zemabia, Proctor’s Circus, as per Route. (The Era, Apr 7, 1900)
Gorton Wakes: G. Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, VII, No. 12, May, 1953)
Halton, Leeds: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round)
Holbeck Feast: G. Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. IX, No. 6, October, 1956)
Holbeck Feast: Mrs. Proctor's London Circus (The Showman, October 1900, p36)
October: Hull Fair: “Proctor’s circus is a very good show: a particularly corpulent pony goes through a dancing turn that might be intended to bring her weight down, but hasn’t; then some acrobatic feats by a gentleman in green fleshings, more ditto by a cardinal red Japanese, and then a cinematograph – all for 2d! No wonder the booth was full. (The Showman, November 1900)
Nottingham Goose Fair: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round)
Huddersfield East Fair: G. Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round)
Census: Travelling Circus, Flockton, Normanton,Yorks
Maria Proctor, head, 53, Norfolk, owner of travelling circus
John Proctor, son, 23, Whitly, helper at circus
Henry Clayton, servant, single, 20, Cheshire, worker, helper at circus
Lillie Ratcliffe, 19, single, London, servant to head, worker
James Schofield, single, 28, London, worker, helper at circus
David ___, 27, France, Paris, British Subject, worker, helper at circus
John T. Gordman, single, 20, Yorks Bradford, worker, helper at circus
Frederick ___, single, 24, Cape Colony Cape Town, worker, helper at circus
Census: Vans, The Dip, Albert Street, Littleborough, Middleton, Lancs
George Proctor, 38, London, Circus proprietor
Annie, 38, wife, Cheshire, Runcorn
Mary Ann, 20, daughter, Sheffield, tight rope dancer
Louise, 18, daughter, Harthill, wirewalker
Marie, 16, daughter, Silkstone, horse rider
Robert, 15, son, Adlington, Lancs, horse rider
George, 13, son, Pendlebury, Lancs, horse rider
William, 12, son, Huddersfield, horse rider
Hariette, 9, daughter, Cornhill, Lancs
John, 6, son, Blackburn
Edna, 8, daughter, Leeds
Henriette, 3, daughter, Stockport, Cheshire
Randall, 4 months, son, Widnes, Lancs
Census: Caravans, Brick Field, Millbridge, Liversedge,Yorks, 1891
William Proctor, head, 27, travelling show, Misley, Essex
Annie Proctor, wife, 27 Leeds
William Henry Proctor, son, 3, Holbeck, Yorks
Thomas Proctor, son, 4, Shipley, Yorks
Sheffield: G. Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. IX, No. 1, Dec 1955)
1906
Congleton May Fair: G. Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. XVII, No. 6, Whitsun 1966)
Hindley Green: G. Proctor’s Circus (shortly after Maria’s death) (Victorian Arena)
1907
Leicester May Fair: G. Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round)
Gorton Wakes: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round)
1911: Census, April 2
3 Caravans, Market Ground, Ashton Under Lyne, Lancashire
George Proctor, head, 59, circus proprietor, London
Annie Proctor, wife, circus proprietress, Runcorn
Mary Ann Proctor, daughter, 29, single, performer, Sheffield
Louisa Proctor, daughter, 27, single, performer, Harthill, Yorks
Maria Proctor, daughter, 25, single, performer, Silkstone, Yorks
Robert Proctor, son, 24, performer, Adlington, Lancs
George Proctor, son, 23, single, performer, Pendleton, Lancs
William Proctor, son, 22, single, performer, Huddersfield
Harriet Proctor, daughter, 18, single, performer, Cowhill, Oldham, Lancs
Ada Proctor, daughter, 17, performer, Hunslett, Leeds
John Proctor, son, 15, performer, Blackburn, Lancs
Annietta Proctor, daughter, 13, performer, Stockport, Cheshire
Randall Proctor, son, 10, performer, Widnes, Lancs
Albert Proctor, son, 9, performer, Wakefield, Yorks
McGlynn, married, servant, 31, clown, Dublin
November: Rotherham Statutes Fair, Yorkshire: J. Proctor: combined Bioscope-Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. VII, No. 5, Feb 1952) (terribly stormy weather throughout)
“Noted at Collins’ Fun City, Liverpool for the 1911-12 season, then at Woolton, Liverpool, and at Halifax Zoo for Easter 1912" (Victorian Arena)
Ilkeston November Fair: Proctor’s Bioscope and Variety Show (Merry Go Round)
Liverpool: The Proctor Family were at liberty for fetes and galas (World’s Fair, Febuary 24, 1912)
Garston, Liverpool: Proctor’s English Circus (World’s Fair)
Wigan Fair: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. VII, #17, Midsummer, 1954)
Birmingham Onion Fair: Aston: Proctor’s Grand Equestrian Circus (first appearance at fair) (Merry Go Round, Vol. VI, No. 14, Late Autumn, 1950)
Huddersfield Easter: G. Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. XV, No. 6, Easter 1963)
Belper Fair: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round)
Leeds: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round)
Kippax (Leeds): G. Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol IX, No. 6, October, 1956)
October: Hull Fair: Proctor’s Circus (World’s Fair, 4 October 1913)
Rotherham Statutes Fair: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. VII, No. 9, October, 1952)
“In 1914-15 had a long season at the Stadium Barrow in Furness.” (Victorian Arena)
Hull Fair (World’s Fair, 17 Oct 1914)
Gorton Wakes: Proctors Circus (Merry Go Round, VII, No. 12, May, 1953)
Manchester: Christmas Fairs at Queen’s Road and Old Trafford: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. XVII, No. 3, Sept-Oct, 1954)
Huddersfield Easter Fair: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round)
“Mr. [George] Coupland [engine driver] met with a bad accident when with Proctor’s Circus in 1924 (Merry Go Round, Vol. XVI, No. 5, Jan-Feb 1963)
Nelson: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round)
Openshaw: August: “Proctor’s Circus put in a weekend behind the Alhambra Threatre (Merry Go Round, Vol. XII, No. 4, July 1959)
Hull Fair:
"Then further up was
George Proctor’s circus, just as if it had come out of a “band box”,
new, bright and clean as a new pin, and what a crowd of paraders; no
band, but an organ and drums told the tale and they got there. . . .Mr.
Proctor’s programme was not quite as big [as Fossetts], but what it
lost in numbers it made up in talent. The performance was really
splendid. It was done by two families, the Proctor family and another
family of five people (three gents and two ladies), riders, and
performances with horses and ponies. I think they must be
continental artistes, as their style and acts were away from the usual
circus act, in fact they were too good for fair business. They
introduced five splended piebald horses at liberty. Then one of the
ladies did a bareback trick act. Two of the men did a great act on two
horses, then the elder of the family introduced a wonderful pony. Then
one of the troupe rode four horses. This is the best riding we have
ever seen at a fair pony. Next, one of the troupes gentleman road a
double act; this was a classical act, and the youngest of this troupe
did a dashing bar and hurdle act on a chestnut mare which made the
audience applaud. This family should be seen at one of the leading
London circuses in the near future. The Proctor boys and girls did
their world-famed acts, and their talking horse was up-to-date, and the
reputation left in Hull this year will surely make both circuses a big
success next year. "(World’s Fair,
24 Oct 1925)
George Proctor died in Manchester on 29 March 1926 and was buried at Weaste Cemetery, Salford:
Another link with the older generation of showmen has been taken from us by the regrettable death of Mr. Geo. Proctor of circus fame. Although the end was expected in the family circle, its suddenness came as a great blow to the family and relations, and equally so amongst the vast number of showmen who enjoyed his friendship, and this means everybody who knew him, for George had not an enemy in the whole world. His winning personality made him hundreds of friends, but never an enemy. Hail, rain, blow or snow, sunshine or storm, always found George the same. He could shout with the next, but there was never any venom in his tongue. If he could do a good turn he would, and has done to hundreds, never once considering self. Some there are who consider this silly, but with George Proctor he could not help himself -- it was part of his nature, as a great many to-day can bear ample testimony, so that as a pal, he ranked amongst the best.
There was a vast concourse of showmen, and the general public to meet all that was mortal of our dear friend at the church gates, to show practical sympathy with his widow and family in their sad bereavement. The mourners, included: First Coach: Mother, Mary Ann, Maria, Louisa, Robert and George (daughters and sons). Second Coach: Harriet, Billie, Ada, Henrietta, Johnny and Ruby (daughters and sons). Third Coach: Albert and Randall (sons), Johnny Proctor (brother), Harriet Charlton (sister), Maria Twigdon (sister). Fourth Coach: Mrs. R. Proctor (daughter-in-law), Mrs. A. Proctor (daughter- in-law), Mr. G. E. Davenport (son-in-law), Mr. A. Twigdon (brother-in-law), Mr. W. Marshall (son-in-law). Fifth Coach: Mrs. Norman and son (cousins), Mrs. Drake, Mrs. W. Lewis, Doris Charlton (cousins), Mr. J. Collins. Sixth Coach: Mr. Shepherd, Mrs. Holden, Mrs. Jewell, Teresa Scarfe, George Copeland, W. Manders. Seventh Coach: Mrs. Scarfe, Mrs. A. Sedgwick, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Hughes. Eighth Coach: Mr. Boss, W. Forshaw, Mrs. Peters, Mrs. Moore.Ninth Coath: Mr. B. Carr, Freddie Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. H. Manders. (The World's Fair, Saturday, April 10, 1926)
Newcastle Town Moor: show by Randall Proctor (Merry Go Round, Vol. IX, No. 4, Midsummer, 1956)
Hull Fair: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. IX, No. 6, October, 1956)
Sheffield: show by Randall proctor (spider and posing) (Merry Go Round, Vol. XVIII, No. 9, Nov-Dec, 1966, Jan 1967)
Manchester: Proctor’s Circus, also Proctor’s Midget Pony (Merry Go Round, Vol. XVIII, No. 9, Nov-Dec, 1966, Jan 1967)
Bury March Fair: Proctor’s Circus; show by R. Proctor (Merry Go Round, Vol. XIII, No. 6, Christmas 1959)
Newcastle Festival: George Proctors Circus, Randall Proctors Show (Merry Go Round, Vol. X, No. 4, June, 1957)
Hull Fair: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round)
York Martinmas Fair: Proctor Family Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. XI, No. 1, Dec & January (1957/8)
Seaforth and Bootle: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. XI, No. 3, May 1958)
Newcastle Town Moor: Proctor’s Circus: Randall Proctor’s Posing Show and Illusions (Merry Go Round, Vol. XII, No. 4, July 1959)
Holbeck Feast: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. XIII, No. 5, September 1959)
Nottingham Goose Fair: J. Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. XIII, No. 6, Christmas 1959)
Hull Fair: Mrs. Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. XII, No. 6, Christmas 1959)
J. Proctor’s Circus; Randall Proctor’s Show (Merry Go Round)
Brampton (Chesterfield): J. Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. XIV, No. 4, Autumn, 1960)
Sheffield: Mrs. Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. XIV, No. 6, Jan/Feb 1961)
Seaforth & Bootle: Proctor’s Circus (Merry Go Round, Vol. XIV, No. 2, May/June 1960)
Newcastle Town Moor Fair: Randle Proctor’s Show (Merry Go Round, Vol. XIV, No. 2, May/June 1960)
New Year Fair: Bolton: “Leading the shows, was Proctor’s Circus, still running, though by now, Sarah Ann, who in the earlier years used to delight in her ballerina and tight-rope acts was now at the box-office” (Merry-Go-Round, Vol. XIV, No. 2, May/June 1960)
“Proctor’s Variety Circus (reported to be 110-years old) was at the New Year Fair, Bolton in January 1939, with the Bailey family starring” (Victorian Arena)
The Proctor Legacy, Platform, Anniversary Edition, Issue 100, May 2010, The Fairground Society
Further details about Proctor's Circus can be found in John Turner's Victorian Arena: Dictionary of Circus Biography, Volumes 1 and 2, available from Joyland Books.
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