Jerry Bryant (O’Brien) was the oldest of the famous Bryant Brothers; he was an excellent comedian, and was especially good on the “bone end” of the minstrel first part.
He made his initial appearance as a ballad singer in 1842. Billy Whitlock, the “father of minstrelsy,” first brought him before the public.
In 1844 he became a member of the Ethiopian Serenaders, subsequently appearing with the Operatic Brothers and Sisters. In June, 1847, he formed one of the original Campbell’s Minstrels, organized in New York City.
The following year he played in London, England, with Major Dumbleton’s Ethiopian Serenaders. In 1849 he returned to America and made a tour of the country, and on April 8, 1850, he opened with Earl Pierce’s Minstrels at No. 442 Broadway, New York City; subsequently he went to Boston, where he met with much success with Ordway’s Aeolians.
When George Christy seceded from the E. P. Christy Minstrels, in New York, October 1854, Jerry Bryant took his (Christy’s) place, and remained with the company until it disbanded, on July 15, 1854; in September, the same year, he went with E. P. Christy’s Minstrels to California, and continued until the final dissolution of that company took place, a short time after their arrival. In San Francisco he next managed the San Francisco Minstrels, in conjunction with Eph. Horn and Sher. Campbell. In 1855 they went to Australia, subsequently returning to the United States, and on Monday, February 23, 1857, in conjunction with his brothers, Dan and Neil, and about ten others, the first performance of Bryant’s Minstrels was given in New York City, at Mechanics’ Hall, No. 472 Broadway.
Mr. Bryant was married in the Spring of 1859; his widow subsequently became the wife of Thomas Donaldson, proprietor of the London Theatre, New York.
Of Jerry Bryant it may be truthfully said that he was one of the most capable and popular performers that ever blacked up.
His last appearance was with his own company, April 2, 1861.
Jerry Bryant was born in Chesterfield, N. Y., June 11, 1828; he died in New York City April 8, 1861.