He was at various times associated with Woodruff’s Minstrels; Woodruff, Brown and Jones’ Minstrels, and Woodruff and Foster’s Minstrels; these companies were mostly in existence in the 50’s.
About 1860 he entered the variety business, and continued with it practically up to his death.
Tim Woodruff was born in Hamilton, Ohio; he died in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 12, 1872.
E. W. Mackney was England’s earliest representative of the negro character.
He appeared in sketches with J. A. Cave, fully ten years before the first minstrel company invaded England in 1843.
He was prompted by the pronounced success achieved by “Daddy” Rice, of Jim Crow fame.
Mr. Mackney died in England, March 26, 1909; aged 84 years.
William B. Fish was one of the “Sable Harmonists” of the 40’s. He died in Argenta, Ark., July 29, 1875.
John G. Brown was a celebrated tambourinist and comedian in the earliest days of minstrelsy.
He was with the Buckleys when they played New York, May 9, 1844; at that time they were known as the Congo Melodists. In the Fall of 1848 he was with Thayer’s Minstrels, one of the famous Boston companies.