BILLY WHITLOCK
was a typesetter on the New York Herald, and appeared at various theatres in the evening, while retaining his position during the day.
He made his first appearance in New York City in 1835, as Cuff in “O, Hush.” He resigned from the Herald in 1837, and went with a circus; he returned to New York, and in the Winter of 1839 was engaged by P. T. Barnum to play the banjo for John Diamond, the great dancer.
Mr. Whitlock was the first to return to the United States after the dissolution of the original company; he arrived about August, 1844; subsequently appearing with various small organizations and circuses.
For many years he traveled as a Yankee comedian, and was also an actor at the Bowery Theatre about 1853; he was the composer of “Lucy Long,” one of the great songs of early minstrelsy. His last appearance was with Dan Rice’s Circus in 1855.
His daughter married Edwin Adams, the great actor.
It is a strange thing that no one seems to know where Mr. Whitlock is buried. Billy Whitlock was born in New York City, 1813; he died at Long Branch, N. J., March 29, 1878.