William Blakeney. The distinction of being the oldest minstrel leader in all probability belongs to William Blakeney, who made his first appearance with the Western Minstrels, an amateur organization in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1847.
He was five years with the Yankee Robinson Circus.
Late in 1860 he joined William Christy’s Minstrels, and in the Spring of 1861, went to Europe with Rumsey and Newcomb’s Minstrels.
Subsequently he was with Morris and Wilson’s Minstrels in St. Louis, and continued with them four years. In Philadelphia he was with Simmons and Slocum’s Minstrels two years. February 2, 1878, he sailed with Kelly and Leon and their minstrel company for Australia; he continued with them until their dissolution, after which he was associated with the Victoria Loftus Troupe.
Mr. Blakeney’s most important engagement was with the San Francisco Minstrels in New York, with whom he remained five years.
William Blakeney was born in Elfin, Ireland, October 30, 1831.
Billy Lawrence, an old-timer who had his own minstrel show in Chicago as early as 1858, and for many years after appeared with other companies, died in Chicago, Ill., August 21, 1900; age 69 years.
J. W. McAndrews (Walter James McAndrews), famous for many years as the “Watermelon Man,” the latter appellation being the title of the sketch he performed for about three decades with astonishing success.
His first professional appearance was made in his native city at the Richmond Theatre, at the age of 13, in black-face and singing that early favorite, “Jim Along Josie.”
Subsequently and for many years he did “nigger” acts in circuses and small minstrel companies.