FIRST AMERICAN IMPORTATIONS 301 



of 21 he was married to May Ann Brownel. He 

 wished at this time to go to America, but his mother 

 not favoring this proposition, they started for them- 

 selves in the meat business in Monmouth, where 

 they were very successful. Still wishing for broader 

 fields and larger possibilities for the growing fam- 

 ily of eight children, they decided to come to Amer- 

 ica. He engaged passage on a new sailing vessel 

 named 'Mary Ann,' about to make her second trip. 

 Mr. Aston had the ship partitioned off for his fam- 

 ily and a few friends. 



"They sailed April 17, 1852, from Bristol, Eng- 

 land, and brought with them seven head of thorough- 

 bred Hereford cattle, fourteen Cotswold sheep, two 

 shepherd dogs and over two tons of luggage. Seven 

 weeks and three days were consumed in crossing the 

 Atlantic, consequently their stock of provisions be- 

 came short and the cattle had to be fed on sea bis- 

 cuits soaked in cold water and on which they seemed 

 to thrive. After this long and severe journey, dur- 

 ing which they lost two of their beautiful herd, they 

 landed in New York. 



"Mr. Aston left his family in Oswego county, pur- 

 chased a horse and buggy and drove through the 

 country seeking a suitable place to locate. As the 

 result of this preliminary trip he purchased a farm 

 about two miles east of Elyria, Lorain Co., 0., where 

 he resided eighteen years. Mr. Aston was one of 

 the first importers of Hereford cattle, and became 

 a very successful breeder, having exhibited at fairs 

 in thirteen different states. His animals were among 

 the leading prize-winners, some of them sweepstakes 

 over any breed or age, some premiums being given 

 in silver service and medals. The family has now 

 in possession several pieces of solid silver and a 

 number of silver and bronze medals so won. 



