Article on Tommy Peel

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Published

Last Updated:
8 April 2015

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

13 Feb 1864

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1)
Article: New York Clipper, 13 February 1864, 348.

Preceded by a portrai of Peel on page 345.

“NEW SERIES.—NUMBER FORTY-TWO. WRITTEN EXPRESSLY FOR THE NEW YORK CLIPPER. T.J. PEEL, JIG AND FANCY DANCER.

Tommy Peel, as he is familiarly called, but whose right name is Thomas Riley, was born in Albany, N.Y. His father died when he was young, leaving him and two brothers to do the best they could for themselves. At a very early age he had a local reputation as a jig dancer, and while he was engaged at Rose’s Ten Pin Saloon, in Washington street, Albany, near Congress Hall, he was often sought for by the getters up of impromptu negro minstrel companies, and to dance at various benefits. When he was about twelve years of age, Master Tommy made his debut with a regular company, in his native town, the company having halted there to give two or three performances, and it was at this time that he first had the pleasure of appearing in public in proper uniform; viz., pink shirt, blue plaid breeches, and brass-heeled shoes. The applause he received was tremendous, and Tommy’s appearance added largely to the receipts of said company, the name of which we do not remember. This success, no doubt, determined our hero to pay more attention to heel-and-toeology, and he made every effort to add to his ‘repertoire of steps.’ Even at this age, what he knew of jig dancing was pronounced by his immediate friends as truly wonderful; and what he did not know they thought was not worth knowing. After this his appearance in public was more frequent in Albany and in Troy, until at last he attracted the attention of the late minstrel manager, Matt. Peel, who took him under his fostering care, and Tommy Riley was soon well known to the minstrel profession and the public as Mast. Tommy Peel. He could hardly have commenced his career under more favorable circumstances, for Matt. doted on his adopted boy, we are told, and did his best to educate him for his chosen profession. Being a modest youth and an apt student, he made rapid strides in his knowledge of jig, break-down and fancy dancing, as well as in his ability to execute. He remained with Matt Peel, except at short intervals, we believe, until the latter’s death; after which he connected himself with Bryants’ Minstrels in this city, where he soon made himself a great favorite with the public and his fellow performers. He remained with the Bryants until the spring of 1862. About this time considerable discussion was indulged in, in regard to who was the best dancer in the United States, and several put in their names as the great I am. A large quantity of chin music resulted in a match being made between the subject of our sketch and R. M. Carroll, (then at the Canterbury, N. Y., but now with the famous Morris Brothers, of Boston), for $250 a side and the Championship. The trial took place at Wallack’s Old Theatre, now Broadway Amphitheatre, in the presence of a house full, on April 16th, 1862, at about 4 P. M. Tommy had the first put in, Frank Converse furnishing the music on his old cremona. Carroll followed, with Ross as his ‘musicianer.’ Both men danced well, but the result was a triumph for Peel. After this, sundry challenges and counter challenges were issued, but no more matches were made, and Tommy was fully recognised as the Champion Jig Dancer of America. A few weeks after the above date the Champion went to California, where he has been performing ever since, and where he has made himself a decided favorite.”