John S. Cox, the old-time minstrel leader of Simmons and Slocum’s in Philadelphia, and other well known companies, died in August, 1902; age 70 years.
John P. Smith, familiarly known as “Cully” Smith, began his professional career as a member of old Joe Sweeney’s Company in 1845; he was then Master Smith.
In 1850 he was with the “Old Dominion” Minstrels, playing the bones, under the name of “John P. Weston”; subsequently he was with Parrow’s Minstrels, and Smith and Hernandez Minstrels. Later he was identified with the Buckley’s, and George Christy’s Minstrels in an executive capacity, and of recent years was associated in a like manner with several prominent legitimate attractions.
John P. Smith was born in Richmond, Va., August 3, 1832; he died in New York City, November 12, 1897.
Swayne Buckley, Rolin Howard, Edwin Holmes, Billy Hart and G. W. H. Griffin, all died within thirty days in 1879.
Mrs. J. T. Huntley was the grand-daughter of the late Colonel Jacob Deems, a prominent figure of old Baltimore.
She became the wife of the famous Matt. Peel just one year before the latter’s death; subsequently she married J. T. Huntley, another old-time minstrel.
After Matt. Peel’s demise, Mrs. Peel, a few months later re-organized the company, and as Mrs. Matt. Peel’s Minstrels, she conducted its affairs successfully for several seasons.