“Bill” Newcomb was the originator of the “Essence of Old Virginny” dance; a great end man; and he was especially noted for his stump speeches.
W. W. Newcomb was born in Utica, N. Y., Aug. 4, 1823; he died in New York May 1, 1877.
John Diamond was one of, if not the greatest jig dancers that the world ever knew.
At a very early age he gave evidence of the wonderful talents he possessed, but it was not until the late P. T. Barnum took him in hand, and at Vauxhall Garden, New York, in the Spring of 1840, and brought him out, and subsequently took him all over the Union, and later to Europe, that he achieved the recognition he so richly deserved.
After the original four had given their first minstrel performance in February, 1843, Diamond was called upon to strengthen the quartette at a subsequent performance, a very short time later.
| JOHN MULLIGAN | MILT. G. BARLOW | LEW. PARKER |
| JOHN PENDY | BILLY ARLINGTON | DAN. SHELBY |
| GEO. EDWARDS | HUBERT W. EAGAN | BILLY McALLISTER |
PROMINENT PERFORMERS OF THE PAST AND PRESENT.
On July 8, 1844, he danced a contest with Master Juba, the colored dancer, and the greatest his race ever knew.
He was feted and courted for many years, but dissipation and riotous living carried him to an early grave.
John Diamond was born in New York City, in 1823; he died in Philadelphia, October 29, 1857.