Richard Ashley

Richard Godfrey Ashley (8 September 1774 – 11 October 1836) was an English musician, and a son of John Ashley.

Early life Ashley was the fourth son of John Ashley, a conductor and bassoonist who became the father of a notable family of musicians (General Charles Ashley, John James Ashley, and Charles Jane Ashley), and his wife, Mary (née Jane). He was born on 8 September 1774, in the parish of St George Hanover Square, London, and baptised in the parish church on 10 September. At 9 years old, Ashley was already performing, participating in Westminster Abbey's 1784 Handel Commemoration and performing at the Pantheon in May and June of the same year. having signed his will the previous day. His obituary was published in that year's volume of the Gentleman's Magazine. Elizabeth survived her husband, receiving a widow's allowance of £2 12s 6d by 1837. Later that year, the Society donated £5 for the treatment of Elizabeth's epilepsy, and Elizabeth was dead by 9 January 1839, when £8 was spent on the funeral of "the widow of the late Richard Ashley".