CHRISTY’S MINSTRELS
were originated and first organized by Edwin P. Christy, and after that gentleman retired from the profession, a few years later, part of his old company organized and went to Europe, giving their first performance there August 3, 1857; they were called the “Christy” Minstrels. From this company several others sprung, and for a great many years all minstrel organizations in England were called “Christy’s.”
E. P. Christy had a “card” on his program for many years, stating that his was the first minstrel company organized, the date given as 1842. In support of this at one time gave a statement of receipts covering a period of six months in 1842, and up to January 1, 1848.
It is a noteworthy fact that Mr. Christy’s “card” did not appear until after Wood’s, likewise Campbell’s—two permanent minstrel organizations like his own in New York City, had prospered and made their presence felt.
As has been stated elsewhere, black-face performers there were a-plenty long before the original four gave their first joint performance; they played chiefly in circuses and dance houses, and it was in one of the latter that Mrs. Harrington, mother of George Christy, and subsequent wife of E. P. Christy, kept, where these performances were given, and were very common occurrences at that time, and this was the only basis that Mr. Christy had of ante-dating the original company. There is no doubt that after the intelligence reached Buffalo of the success of Pelham, Whitlock, Emmett and Brower, that Mr. Christy, like scores of others, formed a company and called them Christy’s Minstrels; the date of this interesting event has never been made public, if indeed it was ever recorded. The first record of the company that the author has been able to find was in Albany, N. Y., May, 1844. On Sunday, August 17, 1845, R. M. Hooley is said to have led the orchestra for them at the Assembly Room in Buffalo, N. Y.
Their first metropolitan appearance was at Palmo’s Opera House, April 27, 1846; they subsequently played at the Society Library Rooms and later at the Alhambra, all in the same city.
But it was at Mechanics Hall, 472 Broadway, New York, that the name of Christy’s Minstrels became famous; they opened there on February 15, 1847, and remained until July 15, 1854. On September 20, 1854, the company sailed for California; they played a few weeks at Pratt’s Hall in San Francisco, but were not overly successful.
Such is the story of E. P. Christy’s Minstrels; the original company consisted of E. P. Christy, George Christy, Tom Vaughn and Lansing Durand; the careers of most of these performers, also their portraits, will be found elsewhere.
It was the withdrawal of George Christy from E. P. Christy’s Company that caused their dissolution.
Edwin P. Christy was best known as a ballad singer, although he played the banjo acceptably and played parts in his entertainments; he made a specialty of singing Stephen C. Foster’s songs.
He returned from California early in 1855, and never appeared again professionally; nor did he ever play in England, although his name is a household word there yet even to this day.
Edwin P. Christy was born in Philadelphia, November 28, 1815; he died (suicide) in New York City, May 21, 1862.
George N. Christy (Harrington), is conceded to have been one of the greatest performers that ever graced the minstrel stage; he was versatile by all the term applies; had he deemed to use his talents otherwise, his name might have been enrolled as one of America’s great actors.
His career began at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1839; although he had not yet entered his teens, he was rated a fine jig dancer.
He was associated with E. P. Christy a few years before the latter organized his minstrel company.
George Christy was with Christy’s Minstrels in New York from February 15, 1847, until October 29, 1853, during which period he played every conceivable part; male and female equally well; he was a great endman and as a bone player ranked with the best.
Owing to a misunderstanding, he left E. P. Christy on October 29, 1853, and two days later he joined forces with Henry Wood at 444 Broadway, where as Wood and Christy’s Minstrels they held forth many years.
During the 50’s Wood and Christy took the house vacated by E. P. Christy, put a show in there and ran both establishments for several months; Billy Birch and Christy played on the ends in their respective houses, after which each would go to the other theatre and contribute to the rest of the entertainment.
December 2, 1854, “444” was destroyed by fire, and the company after a brief tour, resumed at “472.” “444” was rebuilt and reopened October 1, 1855.
Subsequently the company opened at Wood’s Marble Palace, 561-563 Broadway, which was especially built for them, October 31, 1857; the other houses were then closed.
Christy withdrew from Wood on May 1, 1858, and went to California, opening at San Francisco under the management of Tom Maguire, June 7; the company was known as Christy’s Minstrels; they remained in California several months; subsequently Christy and R. M. Hooley formed a partnership and returned to New York, opening at 444 Broadway, May 23, 1859. Christy had previously signed an agreement with Henry Wood not to appear within 100 miles of New York for a period of eighteen months, commencing May 1, 1858.
When George Christy attempted to perform, he was enjoined from doing so by Wood; Christy then took the road until the time limit had expired, opening at Niblo’s Saloon, November 7, 1859; he played here about one year, and subsequently moved opposite to 585 Broadway.
In 1864 he was with J. W. Raynor’s Company; and on September 4, 1865, he began an engagement with Hooley in Brooklyn; a year later he opened with Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels at 720 Broadway; this was the initial performance of the latter company in the metropolis.
January 16, 1867, with G. W. H. Griffin, he organized Griffin and Christy’s Minstrels, opening at the Fifth Avenue Theatre (late Madison Square Theatre); they closed June 27, went on tour and reappeared in New York, July 29, at Union Hall, Fifth Avenue and Twenty-third Street; they closed on September 23 and went traveling.
His last appearance was with Hooley’s Minstrels, May 2, 1868, in Brooklyn, N. Y.
George Christy was born in Palmyra, N. Y., November 6, 1827; he died in New York City, May 12, 1868.
THE VIRGINIA SERENADERS, 1843.
Reading from left to right, in later years the above performers were familiarly known as Jim Sanford, “Ole Bull” Myers, Jim Carter, Bob Edwards and “Cool” White.
BILLY LESTER PAUL ALLEN
LESTER AND ALLEN—They came later.
William A. Christy, the younger son of E. P. Christy, was a comedian, and a fair end man.
His greatest proficiency was in the delineation of the female character.
Late in 1860 “Christy’s” Minstrels, under his management, toured for a brief season; they closed, and on July 4, 1861, they reorganized and opened at the Athenaeum, Brooklyn, N. Y.
William A. Christy died in New York City, December 8, 1862, aged 22 years.
E. Byron Christy was a son of E. P. Christy; he was a comedian, and best known for his stump speeches. He played with Sanford’s Minstrels in Philadelphia in 1859, and with George Christy’s Minstrels same year, after the latter’s return from California. In 1865 “Christy’s” Minstrels made a tour under his management.
He died in New York City, April 6, 1866, aged 28 years.