Billy Blair, the old-time general minstrel performer who was with Christy’s Minstrels as early as May, 1856, also many other organizations, was a good “Bob Ridley” and end man. He died in Brooklyn, N. Y., January 19, 1888.
Johnny Booker (Sam. Roberts), was one of the early minstrel comedians and managers.
In the middle 50’s he toured with Booker and Evart’s Minstrels; subsequently Booker and Sliter’s and intermittently with Johnny Booker’s Minstrels. In the early days he made famous a song that had great vogue called “Meet Johnny Booker at the Bowling Green.” He was a member of Dave Reed’s Minstrels on board the Steamer “James Raymond,” June 18, 1856. Among the notable minstrel organizations he was with were Hooley’s, in Brooklyn, N. Y., 1862; Lloyd and Bidaux’s, 1867, and Arlington’s, in 1870.
Johnny Booker was born in Bowling Green, Ky., October, 1830; he died at Dayton, Ohio, October 25, 1898.
Henry Wood was one of the most famous of New York City minstrel managers. He entered the theatrical field at 444 Broadway, in 1851, with Jerome B. Fellowe, and conducted Wood and Fellowe’s Minstrels until February, 1852, when he had the show to himself.
Wood’s Minstrels continued there until October 31, 1853, when he formed an alliance with George Christy, and as Wood and Christy’s Minstrels they flourished until May, 1858.
“444” burned down December 2, 1854, the company then going shortly after to “472” Broadway.
Later, for a brief period, both houses were run simultaneously.
October 1, 1855, “444” reopened, and on October 31, 1857, they moved to their new Marble Palace, 561-63 Broadway; this house was closed September 3, 1859. Nine days later Mr. Wood returned to “444,” where he remained practically until July 7, 1862, when he moved his company to 514 Broadway.
Wood’s Minstrels ceased as an institution about 1866.