Did you know that the circus came to St. Thomas?

Not just once, but many times! 

However, this show was the first time an elephant was a part of the production!

On a cool, Friday evening in December 1835, a fully grown female elephant descended down the ramp of a visiting steamer at the wharf.

She weighed 6,000 pounds!

The coal carriers were astonished, for they had never seen an elephant before, nor had anyone!

Her name was Mary.

Born in Bengal, India, she traveled the world performing with a small, entertainment show that included trained animals, trapeze acts, dancers and jugglers.

Elephant Mary

Mary was twenty years old, having been imported into the United States in 1831.

• Experienced and very well-trained, she was capable of performing a number of entertaining tricks.
• It was said that “she portrayed an extraordinary share of sagacity, which gave her species a decided preeminence over all of the brute creations.”
• “This became obvious by watching her obey all the commands of her keeper.

Despite towering over everyone with a height of eight feet, she was perfectly docile and was handled by strangers with the utmost safety.”  

Today, animals performing in captivity are frowned upon, but almost two hundred years ago, the traveling circus was the only way to see these amazing animals.

Ancient Beliefs

In ancient times, elephants were held in high esteem.

When the Monarchs of the East appeared in battle, their wealth and strength rested greatly on the number of these animals.

Equestrian Monkey Performs

Also performing with the show was the celebrated East Indian Equestrian Monkey.

Mounted on his American Pony, he rode around in circles exhibiting many “pleasing acts of horsemanship”.

This one-of-a-kind show stayed in St. Thomas for several days, much to everyone’s delight!

Here is the advertisement for Elephant Mary’s performance.

~

By permission of His Excellency, the Governor

Grand Exhibition
of the
Elephant Mary,

this evening, Dec 12, 1835,
on the lot of Dr. Stevens…

Elephant Lady Mary

Lady Mary Elephant is preparing to present the public with a pious detail of the different branches of her education.

As yet, she is only acquainted with the English tongue, but as she visits different nations, she will, of course, gain a knowledge of their language and names and thereby acquire the just reputation of being the most accomplished young lady of the age.

As it is in the interests of her managers to improve her mind, she will be attended by the best masters in gradually completing her education…”

Circus A Success

The success which the damsel, Mary Elephant has met with and the desire of a generous public to recapitulate the exhibition, has induced the managers to perform a few more evenings, no doubt to crowded houses, for which Miss Mary will return thanks by doing her duty.

The sagacity of the elephant appears to be preeminent to all other forest animals– and when domesticated, capable of performing those imitations that approach nearest to the rational being.

It can successfully be taught a number of tricks, which, when regularly exhibited becomes entertaining and amusing. 

The Traveling Circus

Philip Astley, an English circus owner and inventor is regarded as the “father of the modern circus”.

He was a genius at trick-riding and when the audiences responded favorably, he had the idea for opening an acrobatic riding school in 1768.

His novel idea was to create a circular arena, which made visibility easy for the audience.

250th Anniversary

This year, 2018 marks the 250th anniversary since the art-form was first born and celebrations throughout Europe have been scheduled.

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