William Henry Sleeman

[rpoole]

Thank you Maddy. No, he was performing in Avoca here in Vic. in January 1874.      He was declared bankrupt in NZ in 1873 but that may or may not have been an issue.
It is more likely he adopted the English singers' name.   Are you able to let me know where you found that info?  Being in Greenwich and named a "Comique" it is highly likely you have found the answer.  Fred was advertised as a London Comique in many newspaper articles relating to his performances here in Vic. & NZ.

[maddys52]

There are numerous mentions of the comedic singer Fred HILTON in newspapers of the time, especially "The Era".

"The Era was a Sunday paper founded in 1838 and considered a conservative counterpart to the Sunday Times, popular among the middle class and mixing sporting with general news, including extensive theater and musical coverage. The Era published three editions: the first appeared Saturday morning at five o'clock, the second at mid-day, and the town edition, containing news up to Saturday night, was ready by five o'clock on Sunday morning."

I access old newspapers through my Australian National Library card which gives me access from home to their e-resources, whch inlclude British Library Newspapers (through Gale Primary Sources). You can also view newspapers on subscription sites eg findmypast, British Newspaper Archive and newspapers.com

[sparrett]

 

He married Margaret Ann "Maggie" Liddle, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in 1870.   

Fred and Margaret married in Victoria in 1873.
SLEEMAN William Henry
 LIDDELL, Margaret Ann
1873
4407/1873


The child Claribel Florence SLEEMAN was born in NZ in 1870
Mother Marion. Father William Henry
1870/34781

Sue   

[sparrett]

He  seems to be known as Harry HILTON in New Zealand where there are references to him in papers, including the inquest into the early death of their child Reginald.,

But he is Fred HILTON in Victoria.
Sue

[rpoole]

Yes Sparrett,  my mistake, it was 1873 they married not 1870.    He was reported both as Fred and Harry at times in NZ.  His baptism was as "William Henry Sleeman". Presumably the "Harry" came from his middle name of Henry. 

Thanks Maddy.  I am happy to conclude that W H Sleeman, who was from London, took on the name "Fred Hilton, singer Comique from London", to cash in on the name of the original English Fred Hilton.   
 
That has satisfied my request and I will pass on these findings to Grace nee Rhodes' closer rellies who will be pleased to hear about this conclusion.    Many thanks to all who contributed to my Post.