1878-79: Variety

Detail, Original California Minstrels.jpg

December 5, 1879  Music Hall, Springfield, MA

Cotton Chronology

 

The Cotton Family (Ben, his wife, Nellie, and his daughter,Idalene) began work in the variety halls of the midwest. But before they had much time to establish the popularity of their principle dramatic vehicle, "Faithful Bob or True Devotion," Rebecca, his first wife, died in Bristol, RI. She did not live long enough to see her son, Ben Jr., return from Europe.  Nor would she see him dance with "The Original California Minstrels," now recombined without Ben Jr.'s father.