In 1865 he was one of the proprietors of Burgess, (T. B.) Prendergast, (Archie) Hughes and (D. C.) LaRue’s Minstrels.
In 1867, in conjunction with his fellow townsman, Charley Gardner, he organized Burgess and Gardner’s Minstrels.
In 1864 he was associated with J. H. Haverly in an organization bearing their name.
In the Summer of 1867, Burgess and (Ainsley) Scott’s Minstrels had a brief existence.
(Charley) Reynolds, (John D.) Newcombe and Burgess’ Minstrels gave their first performance September 24, 1862.
On August 9, 1869, Mr. Burgess made his appearance with Sam Sharpley’s Minstrels in Boston, and the following month, in the same city, he joined Delehanty and Hengler’s Company.
In the Fall of 1879 he opened with Joe Norcross’ California Minstrels.
In 1875 he made his first appearance in England at Sam Hague’s Minstrels in Liverpool; subsequently he played a successful engagement with Moore and Burgess in London.
Like most prominent performers Mr. Burgess has a specialty in which he was prominently identified—in his case it was “Nicodemus Johnson,” in which he danced with abnormally long shoes, he being the first to adopt the massive footgear.
Mr. Burgess married Miss Edna S. Taylor May 20, 1862.