Billy Birch
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William "Billy" Birch | |
|---|---|
| Born | William Birch February 1831 |
| Died | April 21, 1897 |
| Cause of death | Paralysis of the brain and chronic Bright's disease |
| Occupation | Minstrel performer |
William "Billy" Birch (born February 1831- 21 April 1897) was a minstrel performer in the United States.[1]
Early life
He was born in Utica, New York and began peforming at age 13.[2]
Career
He performed in blackface along with others in San Francisco in a theater where the Pacific Stock Exchange was later located.[3] His performances in San Francisco included free-wheeling improvisation on current events.[4]
Death
William Birch died in his house on 21 April 1897 due to paralysis of the brain and chronic Bright's disease.[2] An 1889 obituary referred to him as one of the oldest, best known, and most popular of the "Negro Minstral fraternity".[5]
References
- ^ "A MINSTREL'S SILVER WEDDING.; "BILLY" BIRCH AND HIS WIFE RECEIVING THEIR FRIENDS' CONGRATULATIONS". September 29, 1881 – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "Morning Union 4 April 1889 — California Digital Newspaper Collection". cdnc.ucr.edu.