Donna Darling Collection – Part 47

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Don Taylor

Loew’s Theater, London, Ont & More

Treasure Chest Thursday
By Don Taylor

For this week’s Treasure Chest Tuesday, I’m looking at a page from the Donna Darling Collection. The page includes two photos, one ad for the Bijou, one non-descript ad, and two articles about Donna and Sammy playing at Lowe’s.

Lowe’s Theatre – “Seven Sinners”

The only item identified with a date is the clipping for Loew’s Theatre – “Seven Sinners”. It indicates June 24, 25, 26 and “Ont.) IMDB indicates that the movie was released on 7 November 1925 in the USA. That would suggest the film played at Loew’s in June 1926.

Donna and Sammy played at the Capitol Theater in Kitchener on June 21, 22, & 23, so it fits that after Kitchener they went the 110km (68 miles) to London to play at the Loew’s Theatre there.

The first article reads:

LOEW’S THEATRE
“SEVEN SINNERS”

Dona Darling, former Zeifield Follies girl, heads an all-star vaudeville cast at Loew’s Theatre the last half of this week, and together with the famous crook story, “Seven Sinners,” as the feature picture, London theatregoers are treated to a perfectly balanced theatre bill. Mary Prevost makes a crook really too pleasant to be natural, and Clive Brook, the hero, is an excellent parallel.

The story is interesting in its novelty; everybody in it is a crook, but everybody manages to enlist the sympathies of the audience before the picture ends. The settinsg [sic] show careful choosing and the plot development is well worked out. The story consists of the efforts of seven crooks to steal jewels from a deserted mansion, and then, when the house is quarantined with them inside it, the owner returns. Situations develop which are in turn funny and tense, until, at the end, crooks are probed to be sometimes nearly human, after all.

The vaudeville bill is exceptionally fine. It is seldom that London audiences have the pleasure of seeing such smooth aerial performancers as the Aerial Smiths on the same bill as the act given by Dave Fox and Jane Allyn. This is a comedy skit of unusual merit entitled, “To Let.” The last act on the bill, the Darling and Clark Revue, has five very capable performers. The dancing in the first part is especially good.

The second clipping appears to have been clipped without the information about the motion picture. The clipping says:

AT THE THEATERS

LOEW’S

The trapeze work of the vaudeville program is carried out by the Aerial Smiths. It is said of them that they have been a long time at it, and it can be said for them that they haven’t wasted their time. They make other acts of their kind look like the last rose of summer, especially when the climax is reached and the woman shoots out on a trapeze that suddenly lengthens as she swings in mid-air.

Fox and Allen entertain with songs and patter based upon an unsatisfactory search for an apartment in a big town. They seem to please and draw to themselves a generous amount of the applause.

The Darling and Clark Revue is not the kind that deals exclusively in dancing. It has that, too, but it also has other features equally as entertaining, including songs, whistling, a clever recitation and a darkened-stage novelty. The whole is permeated with the personality of Miss Darling, there are five persons.

The third item is a simple ad for Donna and Sammy and “Their New Revue.” There is no theatre mentioned but it reminds us that Donna was “The Scintillating Beauty” and Sammy was the “Juvenile Komik.”

Next, are two photos that appear to shoe the entire cast of the Darling and Clark Revue. It looks like one photo was taken by Donna and includes Sammy as the third person from the left. The second one looks like it was taken by Sammy and has Donna as the third person from the left. I am quite certain the other three people in these photos are the other members of the show. I will need to do a little more research to determine what their names were.

The Darling & Clark Revue Cast – 1926 (Including Donna)

The Darling & Clark Revue Cast – 1926 (Including Sammy)

Finally, there is an ad for “Decatur’s Favorite – The Bijou” It mentions three vaudeville acts: Donna Darling and Sammy Clare [sic] Revue “A Modern Vaudeville Frolic” Donna & Sammy’s show is playing with Paul & Darling “Two Broadway Rounders” and Billy De Armo doing a comedy novelty show. It wouldn’t be clear why this clipping would be on the same page with the Loew’s Theatre clippings unless you knew that Donna and Sammy played at the Bijou Theatre in Decatur, IL only eight days later.

Conclusion

I was able to add a new venue to Donna’s Career. She and Sammy played June 24 to 26, 1924, in their “Darling and Clark Revue” at Loew’s Theatre in London, Ontario, Canada.

I was also able to add images I suspect are the three other performers in the show.

Finally, I was able to add another advertising clipping to Donna and Sammy’s show at the Bijou Theatre in Decatur, IL.

Actions

Research the other three individuals who play in the Darling and Clark Revue.

Sources

Donna Darling Collection – Image DSCN1428.

Posted in Donna Darling and Sammy Clark Revue, Donna Montran, Treasure Chest Thursday | Tagged Decatur, Illinois, London, Ontario | Leave a comment

Ancestor Sketch – Burkett Vincent

Posted on May 7, 2019 by Don Taylor

Howell-Vincent/Vinson
By Don Taylor

When I first discovered the name of my wife’s 3^rd great-grandfather on her Vincent line, I thought I had found the most unusual first name ever, the document I found indicated “Barkhead.” Now, I know it was Burkett, but for a while, I was intrigued thinking of what the origins of the name “Barkhead” were.

Howell Family 2019 – Ancestor #36

List of Grandparents

Grandfather: James Dallas Howell (1879-1964)
1^st Great-grandmother: Susan R. Vinson Howell (1848-1910)
2^nd Great-grandfather: John Vincent (1817-bef. 1870)
3^rd Great-grandfather: Burkett Vincent
4^th Great-grandfather: (Possibly Philip Vinson[i])

Burkett Vincent (c. 1778 – 1847)

Birth

It is not clear when Burkett Vincent was born. The 1810 Census indicates he was between 26 and 45 years old suggesting a birth between 1765 and 1784. The 1820 Census shows he was still between 26 and 45 years old suggesting a birth between 1775 and 1795, thus narrowing his likely birth year to between 1775 and 1784. His ages during the 1830 and 1840 Censuses indicate he was born between 1770 and 1780, narrowing his likely birth year further to having been born between 1775 and 1780. I choose to use c. 1778 as a date in the middle of the range.

Halifax was a hotbed of revolution during 1775. Moore’s Creek Bridge, in Halifax, was the site of the first battle for independence in North Carolina. The county also gives its name to a resolution that was a precursor to the Declaration of Independence on April 12, 1776, now called “The Halifax Resolves.” It was the first formal call for American sovereignty.[ii]

Childhood

I believe that Philip Vincent was Burkett’s father. If true, it is likely that he had at least three brothers and three sisters. One of his brothers was named Jarrett and was close to the same age as Burkett. A lot more research is needed to understand The Burkett’s family of Halifax, North Carolina.

During the 1790 Census the Philip Vincent family of Halifax, North Carolina consisted of eight individuals. Philip, the only male over 16 in the household, three males under 16, and four females appear to have made up the family. Burkett should have been between 10 and 15 in 1790 and fits nicely as one of the three males under 16 years of age in the household.

During the 1800 Census the Philip Vinson[iii] Family of Halifax, North Carolina, consisted of 10 individuals. Along with Philip, who was over 45, there were four males. Two were 16 to 26 years of age. Burkett should have been between 20 and 25 in 1800 and fits nicely as one of the three males in that age group.

Marriage

It appears that Burkett married sometime between 1800 and 1810, most likely after 1806. The name of his wife is still unknown.

Adult

The 1810 Census shows the Burket[iv] Vincent family of Halifax, North Carolina consisting of Burkett, an apparent wife, who was the same age as Burkett, and one daughter under ten years of age.

Map of Halifax County, North Carolina.

The 1820 Census shows the “Perkit” Vincent family of Halifax, North Carolina consisting of Burkett, and an unknown woman over 45. If Burkett and his wife were the same age group in 1810, I would expect them to be in the same age in 1820. Because his apparent wife of 1810 appears to have been replaced by a different woman over 45 years of age in the 1820 Census, I suspect that this individual is either a second wife, older sister, or a mother. Living with Burkett are five children – two boys under 10, who I presume to be John and James, and three girls. One is possibly Elisha, and two are still unknown.

The 1830 Census is just a mess. The census indicates that Burkett’s four boys are missing and four older children are in the household. Likewise, the three daughters of Burkett and Elizabeth appear to be missing, but three older children are enumerated in the household. For a while I thought I had the wrong family, the surname change between Vinson and Vincent occurred several times for this family line, and maybe this wasn’t one of those times. However, a look at the neighbors during the 1830 Census found several of the same people are still neighbors in the 1840 Census, so I’m reasonably sure it is the right family unit. It is just that the enumerator got his marks off. The number of children and the respective ages of the children are correct.

The 1840 Census finds the Burket Vinson of Halifax County, North Carolina consisting of:

Free White Persons – Males – 60 thru 69: 1 – Presumed to be Burket Vinson (Senior).
Free White Persons – Males – 20 thru 29: 1 – Presumed to be John Vincent, Age 23. (b. 1817).
Free White Persons – Males – 15 thru 19: 1 – Probably Burkett (Junior?), age 16.
Free White Persons – Females – 50 thru 59: 1 Presumed to be Elizabeth (wife of Burkett)
Free White Persons – Females – 15 thru 19: 1 Presumed to be Nancy, age 15 (b. 1825).

Death & Burial

I am yet to find any definitive death information regarding Burkett. Other researchers indicate he died about 1847. His death in 1847 is consistent with the 1850 Census that suggests that his wife Elizabeth and daughter Nancy are living in the same location (next door to John Vincent – Elizabeth’s son) without Burkett.

Events by Location

Halifax County, NC – All events in Burkett Vincent’s/Vinson’s life take place in Halifax County, North Carolina.

Further Actions / Follow-up

Determine or verify the BMD information on all of Burkett’s children who are believed to be John, James, Elisha, Susan, Nancy, Burkett, and William Hiram.

Sources

1790 Census (NARA), Family Search, 1790 – Philip Vincent – Edgecombe, Halifax, North Carolina. “United States Census, 1790,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHK1-WJ4 : accessed 27 April 2019), Philip Vincent, Edgecombe, Halifax, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 461, NARA microfilm publication M637, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 7; FHL microfilm 568,147.
1800 Census, 1800 – Philip Vinson – Halifax, Halifax County, North Carolina. “United States Census, 1800,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHR7-XNF : accessed 27 April 2019), Philip Vinson, Halifax, Halifax, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 348, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 30; FHL microfilm 337,906.
1810 Census, NARA, 1810 Census – Burket Vincent – Halifax, North Carolina. “United States Census, 1810,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHLM-2NW : accessed 22 September 2018), Burpet Vincent, Halifax, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 121, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 38; FHL microfilm 337,911.
1820 Census, 1820 Census – Burkit Vincent – Halifax, North Carolina. “United States Census, 1820,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHGS-FNW : accessed 18 September 2018), Perkit Vincent, Halifax, Halifax, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 168, NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 85; FHL microfilm 162,801.
1830 Census, 1830 Census – Burkett Vincent – North Carolina, Halifax – Page 321. “United States Census, 1830,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH59-67P : 22 August 2017), Berkett Vincent, Halifax, North Carolina, United States; citing 321, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 121; FHL microfilm 18,087.
1840 Census, 1840 – Burket Vinson – Halifax, North Carolina. “United States Census, 1840,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHTJ-T71 : 24 August 2015), Burket Vinson, Halifax, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 2, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 362; FHL microfilm 18,094.
1850 Census (NARA), 1850 Census – Elizabeth Vincent – Halifax, North Carolina. See: 1850 Census – Elizabeth Vincent – Halifax, North Carolina.pdf. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4BC-QTB.
RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project, Copeland, Harris, Lawrence, Neville, Pittman, Turner, Wheeler. Entries: 176239 — Updated: 2017-08-05 04:27:43 UTC (Sat) — Owner: Jesse Jr. Lawrence — Home Page: Ancestors and Descendants of Jesse Macon Lawrence Jr. — 1 Burkett Vincent b: Abt 1795 d: Abt 1847.

————– Disclaimer ————–

ENDNOTES

[i] See “Burkett Vincent in the 1800 Census.” https://dontaylorgenealogy.com/2019/04/burkett-vincent-in-the-1800-census.html/

[ii] Internet: Library of Congress – Today in History – April 12 – “North Carolina Advocates Independence” https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/april-12/

[iii] Throughout the various records Vincent and Vinson appear to be interchangeable.

[iv] Burket, Berket, and Birkett seem to be different spellings for Burkett. I typically use the name used in a document rather than my “preferred name” in my writing.

Posted in Vincent, Vinson | Tagged Halifax, North Carolina | 2 Comments

Halifax County, NC, Vincent and Vinson in the 1790 Census

Posted on May 5, 2019 by Don Taylor

Census Sunday
Howell-Vincent/Vinson
By Don Taylor

The 1790 Census drives home the notion that Vinson and Vincent seem to be interchangeable in this family line. The Philip Vinson of the 1800 Census is clearly Philip Vincent in the 1790 Census. His family unit consists is identified as 1 3 4 0 2 10. That is 1 male over 16, 3 males under 16, and 4 females. All three males between 10 and 26 during the 1800 Census are represented in the males under 16 in the 1790 Census. Likewise, all the females listed in the 1800 census are represented in the 1790 Census.

Philip Vincent 1 3 4 – 2 10 (Left Column – 11th entry down)

So, from the two censuses I believe:

Philip Vinson/Vincent was born before 1755. (He was over 45 during the 1800 Census)
The suspected wife of Philip was also born before 1755. (She was also over 45 during the 1800 Census.)
They appear to have had six children, three boys and three girls.
1 boy born 1790 to 1800
1 boy born 1784 to 1790
2 boys born 1774 to 1787 – One appears to be Burkett (born between 1775 and 1780)
3 girls born 1784 to 1790 – No names.

The 1790 Census also includes five households with the surname Vinson. Willis is clearly the same as Willys in the 1800 Census.

Willis Vinson – 1 1 4 – – 6 (right column – 15^th from bottom)
John Vinson – 1 1 1 – – 3 (left column – 3^rd from bottom)
Benjamin Vinson – 1 2 2 – – 5 (right column – 2^nd from top)
Charles Vinson – 1 3 2 – – 6 (right column – 10^th from bottom)
Hanna Vinson – 0 0 4 – – 4 (right column 14^th from bottom)

Note: The numbers above represent Free White Males 16 and up, Free White Males under 16, Free White Females, all other persons, slaves, and a total number of people.

If Burkett was born between 1775 and 1780, I would expect him to be reflected in this census as a Free White Male under 16 years of age. All of the households have male members that fit that criteria except for Hanna Vinson.

Based upon the 1800 Census[i], I had tentatively considered Philip to be Burkett’s father. There is nothing in the 1790 Census that would dissuade me from that hypothesis.

If you have evidence that Burkett’s father is not Philip, I would love to hear from you and learn what you have.

ENDNOTES

[i] Internet: Don Taylor Genealogy – Article “Burkett Vincent in the 1800 Census” posted 25 April 2019. https://dontaylorgenealogy.com/2019/04/burkett-vincent-in-the-1800-census.html/

Posted in Census Sunday, Vincent, Vinson | Tagged Edgecombe, Halifax, North Carolina | 1 Comment

Burkett Vincent in the 1800 Census

Posted on April 28, 2019 by Don Taylor

Howell-Vinson/Vincent
Census Sunday

In my research for my wife’s 3^rd great-grandfather, Burkett Vincent, I was looking to find his parent’s names. I wondered if the Census records might shed some light on that inquiry.

I knew that Burkett was born in Halifax County, North Carolina from other records. I have also followed Burkett Vincent through the censuses from 1810 thru 1840. The 1810 Census indicated he was between 26 and 45, suggesting a birth year from 1765 to 1784. Likewise, the 1820 Census indicated that he was still in the 26 to 45 age group, suggesting a birth year of 1775 thru 1794. Comparing the two censuses, Burkett should have been born between 1775 and 1784. Add in the 1830 and 1840 Censuses which both indicate his birth was between 1770 and 1780, and we get the census indicated his birth as being between 1775 and 1780.

Additionally, the 1810 Census suggested a family consisting of Burkett (age 26-45), a wife (age 26-45) and one child under the age of 10. That suggests to me that in 1800, he was probably not married and probably living in the household of another, probably his parents.

Next, was to take a look at the 1800 Census for Halifax County. I confirmed that Halifax County existed in 1800 and did a search for anyone with the surname of Vincent in Halifax County. There was one – MacAlester Vincent. He was over 45 and, from all appearances, his family appeared to consist of himself, an apparent wife (over 45 years old) and two children – a girl under 10 years of age and a male, from 10 to 16 years old. In 1800, Burkett should have been between 20 and 25 years old. So, I’m not seeing him in the MacAlester Vincent household.

I’ve encountered that the surnames Vincent and Vinson seem to swap about in the family tree, So, I searched for anyone with the surname of Vinson in Halifax County during the 1800 Census. There were three results: Willys Vinson, Philip Vinson, and Lucian Vinson.

Vincent and Vinson’s in the 1800 Census, Halifax County, North Carolina

	MacAlester	Willys Males	Philip Males	Lucian Males
Under 10	0	1	1	1
10 to 16	1	0	1	0
16 to 26	0	0	2	0
26 to 45	0	1	0	0
45 & Over	1	0	1	0

The Willys household consisted of only one male child and that child was under 10 years old.

Likewise “Lucian’s” household consisted of only one male child and that child was under 10 years old. Clearly, neither of these households appeared to have Burkett in them. As a side note, “Lucian’s” household had no adult males. As such, I believe the 25 to 45-year-old woman in the household was the head. Looking closely at the name in the Census record, it does not appear to be “Lucian’ to me. I’m not sure what the name is, but I don’t think it is Lucian. See image below:

1800 Census – showing “Lucian” Vincent’s name.

That left the household led by Philip Vinson. That household included one male under 10, one male from 10 to 16, two males from 16 to 26, and one male over 45 years old. That is the only Vinson/Vincent household in Halifax County that contained a male from 20 to 25 years of age. It seems to be a household which might contain the 20 to 25-year-old Burkett. If it is, then head of the household, Philip, is Burkett’s likely father.

Not Willis

I’ve seen where other researchers have indicated that Burkett’s father is Willis. If Burkett was born between 1775 and 1780 he should be represented in the 1800 Census as being between 16 and 26. Willis’ household does not have such a child in 1800.

Not McAllister

I’ve also seen where other researchers indicate that Burkett’s father is MacAlester (McAllister Vincent). Again, if Burkett was born between 1775 and 1780, he should be represented in the 1800 Census as being in the MacAlester Vincent household as between 16 and 26. There is no such child in the household during the 1800 Census.

Philip?

Does this prove that Philip Vinson is Burkett’s father? Not even close. All is speculation; however, it does provide a name which I can use in future research hypothesizes. I can now ask “Is Philip Vinson Burkett’s father?” rather than wondering, “Who is Burkett’s father?” A lot more research is needed, but it is a start.

Posted in Census Sunday, Vincent, Vinson | 1 Comment

Stephen Blackhurst (c. 1779-1847)

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Don Taylor

Brown/Montran/Barber/Blackhurst
By Don Taylor

UPDATED 25 April 2019

During the NERGC conference in Manchester, NH, one of the speakers talked about “Circles in Family Tree Citations.” That is to say, a fact in a person’s tree is based upon another tree, and that tree is based upon another tree, and that tree is based upon another tree and so forth until that first tree is the source for the last tree. I find it even more disturbing when several of the trees cite another record as a second source and that record conflicts with the cited fact.

According to over a dozen trees I found on Ancestry and elsewhere, Stephen Blackhurst was born 26 December 1775 in Derbyshire, England. All of these trees cite another Ancestry Family Tree as their source. Several of those trees do cite the 1841 England Census which indicates that Stephen Blackhurst was 60 years old in 1841, suggesting his birth in 1781; however they still cling to the 1775 birthdate. Even Family Search’s Family Tree indicates the 1775 date and cites the 1841 Census as the source and a person’s Ancestry Tree as the as a reason for the I’ve emailed a couple of the individuals to see if they might have a more definitive source but all have either responded with “don’t know, it’s from another person’s tree” or had no response.