A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Ashley, John (of Bath)
ASHLEY, John, known as 'Ashley of Bath,' was, for upwards of half a century, a performer on the bassoon, and a vocalist in his native city. He is chiefly remembered as the writer and composer of a large number of songs and ballads (between the years 1780 and 1830), many of which acquired considerable popularity. He is also deserving of notice as the author of two ingenious pamphlets in answer to Mr. Richard Clark's work on the origin of our National Anthem:—'Reminiscences and Observations respecting the Origin of God save the King,' 1827; 'A Letter to the Rev. W. L. Bowles, supplementary to the Observations, etc.' 1828, both published at Bath.
[ E. F. R. ]