John McVickar (Harrington), one of the original “Bay State Boys,” who did a good clog dancing act, made his first appearance as a member of that quartette at the old Howard in Boston, Mass., September 13, 1869. They played with the Morris Brother’s Minstrels, also with Dougherty, Wild, Barney and Mac’s Minstrels in the Hub.
The four disbanded in 1871. About 1883 Mr. McVickar went to Lothrop’s Theatre in Boston, as manager, later going to the Howard, where he continued until about 1904.
John McVickar died in Boston, Mass., May 24, 1909.
Seamon S. Pettitt made his first professional appearance at the age of nine years.
His first partner was James Sharpley; subsequently with Tommy Moore they worked as Masters Tommy and Willie. In 1871 Pettitt, Phillips and White formed an alliance which continued one year, after which Pettitt and White did a double song and dance until the death of Mr. Pettitt.
He had been with Skiff and Gaylord’s Minstrels and other well known companies. During the Summer season he acted as singing clown in the circus.
Mr. Pettitt was born October 6, 1851; he died at Taylorsville, Pa., August 10, 1880.
Tommy Winnett made his first appearance in 1864 at the Canterbury Music Hall. In 1866 he formed a partnership with Charley Holly, and as Winnett and Holly they continued until July 10, 1868.
Mr. Winnett has been associated with the following well-known minstrel companies—“Campbell’s”; Sam Sanford’s; Kunkel’s “Nightingale’s”; Skiff and Gaylord’s; Hooley’s, in Brooklyn, and Welch, Hughes and White, same city.
Mr. Winnett won a medal in Mobile, Ala., for his dancing, and a silver cup in Memphis, Tenn.