Troupe(s): Virginia Minstrels, Ethiopian Delineators, Pelham’s Serenaders, Ethiopian Serenaders, various duos/trios, soloist.



Role: tambourine player, dancer, composer, bones player, troupe director



Info:Richard Ward Pelham, also known as Dick Pelham, began his stage career in 1835 at the Bowery Theatre in New York performing in Oh! Hush! With T.D. Rice. After travelling as a singer and dancer with Turner’s Circus, Pelham toured with his younger brother Gilbert. The two began known for their “Negro Peculiarities, Dances, and Extravaganzies”.



In the early 1840’s, Pelham often performed in New York in either solo or small group acts of two or three. In winter 1842-1843, though, Pelham, along with Dan Emmett, Billy Whitlock, and Frank Brower, created the Virginia Minstrels. Pelham’s role in the troupe was to play the tambourine and dance. The Virginia Minstrels performed together in New York City at the Bowery Circus and the Chatham Theatre, being the first troupe of their kind in the area. They then left for England in 1843 and arrived in Liverpool on May 21, 1843. They made their English debut on June 19, 1843. Less than a month later, on July 14, 1843, they performed their last engagement together. While other members returned to America, Pelham married an actress and remained in Britain. In November, 1843, Pelham performed for two months at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London as the “Genuine Yankee Nigger of the U.S.”. Pelham also performed with the Ethiopian Serenaders III, touring England in 1848-1849. In addition, he managed Pell’s Serenaders, with whom Juba found success in 1849 when they performed together at the Surrey Theatre. Pelham wrote many minstrel songs and a column in a monthly publication run by Mr. Hague.
Peculiarities, Dances, and Extravaganzies”.



Pelham’s last engagement was in Birmingham on August 19, 1856. He developed cancer of the stomach, died in England, and was buried in Anfield Cemetery. Throughout his career, Pelham was known for his excellent dancing, with even Juba imitating it.



Please see the 'Bibliographic Sources' link at right for a complete listing of materials (both primary and secondary) from which the above information was compiled.

Danielle Szlawieniec-Haw, Carolyn Farrell, and Keren Zaiontz

Edited by Alexis Butler