Down a Rabbit hole

 Reuben Davison Orton Born in London the son of a Coach builder Henry Orton and his wife Sarah (nee Davison)  Reuben's father died when he was just 6 years old.  Reuben first appear's in documents when he is 7 years old when he and several siblings are baptised in Paddington, London. Their respective birth dates are noted. Reuben was born on the 19th of June 1821, which was a month before the Coronation of King George the IV at Westminster Abbey. As part of the celebrations for the Coronation Charles Green made a Balloon ascent from Green Park on the same day. At this time Balloon ascents had become and continued to be  hugely popular gathering crowds to see them ascend into the heavens.Balloon ascents were the focus and highlight of many Fetes and Galas guaranteed to bring in the crowds. Living in London I wonder when Reuben saw his first Balloon ascent and when did he decide this was what he had to do? The first census Reuben appears in is the 1841 census that has limited inf

 Who is Who ? Reuben Davison Orton   -"Captain Orton"  Balloonist/Aeronaut  Designer and maker of Balloons of very distinctive designs Aeronaut to Ashton Esq Alfred Joseph Henry Orton   -"Captain Orton"  Balloonist/Aeronaut ,son of Rueben Davison Orton. Designer and maker of Parachutes  Famous for Balloon ascents and Parachute descents. Retired after the 1895 tragedy.   Ann Amelia Chapman - Mrs William Henry Bassett -"Mademoiselle Adelaide Bassett"   Parachutist - Pupil and Parachutist partner of Captain Alfred  Orton. Died whilst Parachuting from a Balloon with Captain Alfred Orton in 1895  What is What ? Smoke Ballooning ..a term referring to filling a balloon with hot smok y air from burning straw It appears in secondary references to the the Orton's and Ms Bassett but I have found no evidence to support any claim of them being involved in this method. The Orton's used Gas from local Gas works piped to their balloons.

  The Bury Fete and Gala July 1890 (from the Bury and Norwich Post July 22, 1890) "...The committee had arranged with Mr W.G.Slyvester, of London, to bring down a first class company of London and Continental Artists. A specially attractive feature in the programme was the Balloon ascent and parachute descent by Capt. Orton and Mdlle Adelaide Bassett, who fully realised the anticipations of the public, the feat being most successfully performed....the balloon ascent which was the event of the day took place shortly before seven in the presence o f a large and interested crowd of spectators.The crowds were not confined merely to the thousands who were collected in the Gardens,but hundreds thronged the Angel Hill, and other neighbourhoods of the Gardens, while on the Norman Tower and the tower of St Mary's church and on the roofs of several of the houses, many were assembled to witness the performance. The intrepid performers having taken their seats upon the wooden seat beneat