Mr. Dixey subsequently also retired from the company, but on September 1, 1873, Carncross and Dixey’s Minstrels again opened.
Dixey retired permanently in 1878, and Mr. Carncross continued there until January 25, 1896, as Carncross’ Minstrels, on which date he finally retired to private life at his residence in the city of his birth.
John L. Carncross was born in Philadelphia, about 1834.
R. Jean Buckley (Alexander W. Moody), one of the good old-timers, made his first appearance at the old Marshall Theatre, Richmond, Va., in October, 1847, as a ballad singer. The following year he joined Joe Sweeney’s Minstrels, and at that time he was not only the youngest living banjo player, but one of the very few living players.
Mr. Buckley was many years stage manager at the Odeon Theatre, Baltimore, Md., and for twenty-two years he was associated with Tim Morris, though he also worked with some of the best comedians in the country.
J. W. RAYNOR JERRY BRYANT
CAMPBELL’S MINSTRELS (1848)
The original company was organized in June, 1847. Jerry Bryant and J. W. Raynor were two of the original company. The other photos represent minstrel scenes of that day.
While Mr. Buckley was probably best known in minstrelsy, he also traveled extensively with several prominent dramatic and circus organizations. He is a skilled general musician, but was well known for his performances on the banjo and guitar; as an interlocutor and “straight” man, he ranked high.