I have a book by Ashton called "Modern Street Ballads" , published in 1888 and covering songs collected in the first half of the nineteenth century. The fly leaf describes him as "Author of "Social life in the reign of Queen Anne"". I'm sure John Moulden can give us his dates etc.

The "Modern Street Ballads" is a nice book, with some good woodcuts. Thea contents are from broadsheets and include some inteeresting versions of well known songs.

Regards