Lillo, Elspa, Echo and Venus

[Shona]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

I'd better start with the reason for my interest.

Best mate has two carte de visite of little boys, dressed identically. She assumed they were family members, but they had boaters with "sillo" and "elspa" on them. Sillo was the elder.

I have found an account where Elspa's father clearly thinks he can make more money by managing the boy himself. At that stage the surname is Stone. The act is relaunched as Lillo and Elspa. I assume they are brother and sister. It is very difficult to work out the sexes of the children (except Lillo!) because the accounts vary from newspaper to newspaper.

I am deeply impressed as to how much you have found. It is so frustrating that they were touring abroad in 1881.

Piccie of Sillo and Elspa here. The smallest one looks like a lass to me.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/319403798543416634/

[Mary from Italy]

This one's a bit cryptic; not sure what he's getting at:

LILLO and ELSPA,
London Stars and Champion Flying Children of the World,
in a Grand New Entertainment, not one used up.
The above names commanded the Greatest Success ever known.
Not paid for, but get paid for it by Proprietors.
The only LILLO and ELSPA. First LILLO and First ELSPA.
The extraordinary Children don’t change their Names,
the Father, PAUL DILLON, too well respected.
PAUL DILLON’s last New Successful Song,
entitled “The Broken-Hearted Cabman;
or, She’s bolted with a would-be Gymnast.”

Monday next, CIRCUS, BARNSLEY. Agent, A. Maynard.

The Era, Sunday 20 August 1876

[kiterunner]

There is an advert 14 May 1881 "just arrived in England" Lilo Dillon, Elspa Dillon and Echo Dillon, with Dillon's private address given as 1 Mayfield, Rainbow Hill, Worcester.

[Shona]

Originally Posted by Mary from Italy

This one's a bit cryptic; not sure what he's getting at:

LILLO and ELSPA,
London Stars and Champion Flying Children of the World,
in a Grand New Entertainment, not one used up.
The above names commanded the Greatest Success ever known.
Not paid for, but get paid for it by Proprietors.
The only LILLO and ELSPA. First LILLO and First ELSPA.
The extraordinary Children don’t change their Names,
the Father, PAUL DILLON, too well respected.
PAUL DILLON’s last New Successful Song,
entitled “The Broken-Hearted Cabman;
or, She’s bolted with a would-be Gymnast.”

Monday next, CIRCUS, BARNSLEY. Agent, A. Maynard.

The Era, Sunday 20 August 1876

Perhaps the membership of the troupe was a bit like the Sugarbabes with a ever-changing line-up?

[Mary from Italy]

This was published shortly after the report that Shona posted, when the children's father snatched them from the theatre.

NOTICE.
All Engagements made by Trevanion for my son ELSPA must be cancelled. ELSPA is now under his Father’s care. ELSPA and LILLO, Champion Flying Children, smallest, prettiest, and cleverest in the World. OXFORD and MARYLEBONE, Nightly. Agent, A. Maynard.

The Era, Sunday 23 January 1876

[kiterunner]

Needless to say, they are not at 1 Mayfield, Rainbow Hill, Worcester, on the 1881 census so must have still been abroad on census night.

[kiterunner]

Hmm, probably just a coincidence, but there is this family in 1871:
29 Alberley St, Dudley, Worcs
Albert E Stone Head Mar 29 Wood Turner Salop Wellington
Frances Do Wife Do 25 Worcester
Florence M Do Daur 2 Salop Wellington.
(compare with post #23!)

[kiterunner]

Likely marriage 1866 Aston district, Albert E Stone to Frances Leeds.

[Mary from Italy]

That looks promising.

[kiterunner]

The marriage is on FamilySearch: Albert Edwin Stones married Frances Leeds 3 Jun 1866 at St Andrew, Bordesley, Warwick, his age 23, his father Henry Stones, her age 21, her father John Leeds.