In 1778, Edwin was summoned by King George III to compete against Walter Scott to determine the best juggler in England.

They performed under a canvas tent and traveled to cities and villages in the British Isles via horse-drawn wagons.

After seeing the production, Ringling wanted to bring the family to perform in the United States.

[6] Edwin "Poodles" Hanneford (1891-1967) is considered among the greatest trick riders in history.

Poodles appeared in over 40 films, including two starring series of silent comedies: one for Educational Pictures in 1923-24, and another for Weiss Brothers in 1928.

[6] The family was considered reunited in 1965 at Pleasure Island Park in Wakefield, Massachusetts.

Tommy organized the performance that featured his sister Kay with a dog act, his wife Struppi on a high wire, and was called the Hanneford Family Circus.

[2] George Sr. Hanneford was inducted into the Circus Hall of Fame in 1977, his wife Catherine in 1990, and Tommy posthumously in 2008, following his death in 2005.

Following the death of Tommy, his brother George Jr. and sister Catherine assumed control of the circus.

[9] Prior to the eviction, the circus employed about a dozen performers and owned nine animals.