James Hunt Sanger , circus assistant director in United Kingdom Born 1778 in United Kingdom dead about 1849 in United Kingdom . Reputed to have been a sailor at one time on HMS Victory at Trafalga, he became a travelling showman. He started a circus in 1821 and it was taken over by his son George. In 1826 James was operating a booth at Plymouth fair having "lately visited Newton, Moreton and other towns in Devon, was summoned before the Mayor to account for the possession of two children exhibiting by him as Esquimaux Indians. These poor children were clothed in seal-skins, wore shell caps and devoured raw flesh with great avidity, refusing any other kind of food. Sanger senior married Sarah Elliott (1787-1852) with whom he had nine children including John (1819-1889) and George. The Sange r children were raised in the fairground tradition.
