Mary Russell Hyatt, born 1833 at Northampton, Northamptonshire, daughter of Ann S. Hyatt (nee Russell). The 1861 census taken at St Pancras, Middlesex records the family unit consisting of father Alfred, mother Mary and four of their children namely Ernest (b 1860) Agnes M (b 1854) Gertrude A (b 1855) and Jesse M, born 1858. All of the children were born at St Pancras. Also in the household were three domestic servants.
By 1871 the Ashton family had moved to Streatham, Surrey and at that place is recorded in the census of 1871 the family unit consisting of his parents and his sister Jessie. Ernest was away from the family at this time attending school. In 1875 Mary died.
In the 1881 census taken at #5 Palace Road, Streatham, Ernest had returned to live with his father and three siblings Gertrude, Jessie and Percy. Percy was born at St Pancras, Camden Town in 1864. Gertrude was at this time an art student and both Ernest and Percy were working as tea merchants.
