Billy Birch
William "Billy" Birch (February 1831 – 21 April 1897) was a minstrel performer in the United States.[1] An 1889 obituary referred to him as one of the oldest, best known, and most popular of the "Negro Minstral fraternity".[2]
William Birch | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 1831 Utica, New York, US |
| Died | April 21, 1897 (aged 66) Utica, New York, US |
| Occupation | Minstrel performer |
Early life
Birch was born in Utica, New York, and began performing at age 13.[3]
Career
He performed with others at gold mining camps in California. He was on the ship Central America and was rescued at sea.[2] He then performed in New York City before returning to California as his career waned.[2]
He performed in blackface along with others in San Francisco in a theater where the Pacific Stock Exchange was later located.[4] His performances in San Francisco included free-wheeling improvisation on current events.[5]
He was on the ship SS Central America and was rescued by the S.S. Ellen before it sank.[2] His wife was also rescued and managed to tuck away her pet canary and take it to safety as well.[6]
Death
Birch died at home on 21 April 1897 from to paralysis of the brain and chronic Bright's disease.[3]
References
- "A MINSTREL'S SILVER WEDDING.; "BILLY" BIRCH AND HIS WIFE RECEIVING THEIR FRIENDS' CONGRATULATIONS". The New York Times. September 29, 1881.
- "Morning Union 4 April 1889 — California Digital Newspaper Collection".
- "Rockland County Journal 24 April 1897 — HRVH Historical Newspapers". news.hrvh.org.
- "San Francisco History - Among the Merry Men of Minstrelsy". www.sfgenealogy.org.
- McCoy, Sharon. "Billy Birch". Humor in America.
- "Pet canary survives sinking of S.S. Central America". The Times-Picayune. December 8, 1857. p. 2.