Tom Briggs was one of the earliest and greatest banjo performers in minstrelsy; when he first went on the stage, in the early 40’s, he traveled under the name of Fluter.
He invented the banjo thimble in 1848, and it came into general use three years later.
He was the first to do the bell chimes, and gave imitations of a horse-race on the banjo.
He played successful engagements in the 40’s and 50’s with Wood’s Minstrels, likewise Buckley’s Serenaders. September 20, 1854, he left New York with E. P. Christy’s Minstrels to play an engagement in San Francisco; he contracted an illness on the way, and was unable to play.
Tom Briggs died in San Francisco October 23, 1854; aged 30 years.
Julia Gould was the first woman to achieve prominence in minstrelsy; she was with the famous Buckley Serenaders, and played several engagements with them in the 50’s; she was also with Maguire’s San Francisco Minstrels in San Francisco, July 11, 1864.
She essayed the principal female roles in the great operatic burlesque that made the Buckleys famous; always appearing in black-face.
Miss Gould’s first husband was A. T. Gregory Hall; she subsequently married John H. Collins, a prominent minstrel singer.
She was an actress and singer of rare and versatile talents.
Julia Gould was born in London, England, August 28, 1824; she died in Kinamundy, Ill., January 29, 1893.