His first appearance was in 1850 with the Boston Harmonists in Palmyra, N. Y. In 1853 he joined Wood’s Minstrels in New York, and continued with them when the organization, a few months later, was known as Wood and Christy’s Minstrels. With the latter company he remained until May, 1854, when he went to California with George Christy’s Minstrels. A year later he returned East, and on February 6, 1860, in conjunction with Sher. Campbell and R. M. Hooley, he organized Hooley and Campbell’s Minstrels. This company continued until July 13, 1861.
October 28, following, Mr. Griffin and Mr. Hooley organized the famous Hooley Minstrels, giving the first performance in New York on that date.
Mr. Griffin severed connection with this company in August, 1862.
Season of 1862-63 he was with Bryant’s Minstrels in New York, and the following one with Hooley in Brooklyn, N. Y., and continued with him until 1866.
Early in 1867 Mr. Griffin and George Christy’s Minstrels were established in New York, where their final appearance was made September 23, same year.
Later Mr. Griffin was identified with the following well-known minstrel organizations: Kelly and Leon’s; Hooley, in Chicago, and Unsworth’s.
His last minstrel appearance was in Brooklyn, N. Y., January 8, 1875, with a venture of his own.
Subsequently he appeared in the variety theatres. His last engagement was with Harrigan and Hart Company, in Boston, Mass., June 7, 1879.
G. W. H. Griffin was born in Gloucester, Mass., March 21, 1829; he died in Brooklyn, N. Y., July 11, 1879.
Joseph Jefferson.—This famous American comedian, whose long association in the character of Rip Van Winkle endeared him to the hearts of thousands, at the age of four years, in Washington, D. C., was brought on the stage by the immortal “Daddy” Rice, and danced Jim Crow before an admiring audience.