JOHN HODGKINSON, Actor/Manager

Here is Clapp's summary of his career:

We have alluded to Mr. John Hodgkinson, the first actor who visited the Western World in possession of a transatlantic reputation as a man of considerable ability.

He was born about 1765. His career as a son of Thespis commenced, like many others, in a quiet cellar, fitted up by juveniles, for the purpose of dramatic entertainments on a very limited scale; the taste for the stage having been acquired by visiting the exhibitions of strolling players. His parents kept a public house in Manchester, England; and John, when a boy, aided them in their laborious duties by discharging the offices of pot-boy, though while quite young he was bound out as apprentice to a silk weaver. The interests of his masters were, however, secondary to his own inclinations, which led him to cultivate his talents as a violinist, and secretly to manage a small company who spouted plays under his direction. Discovered in his subterranean retreat by his master, and routed from his adopted leadership, he resolved, being then about fifteen years of age, to start in the world on his own account; and with a crown in his pocket, the gift of two gentlemen who had been pleased with his execution on the fiddle, he set out from Manchester for Bristol, w here he dropped his real name, Meadowcraft, and assumed the more homely one of Hodgkinson. On the road, Hodgkinson fell in with a wagoner, whose object it was at first to return the runaway apprentice to his home, but was dissuaded from the idea by the songs he favored him with. So pleased was he with Hodgkinson, that on arrival in Bristol he introduced him to the landlord of the inn at which he put up, and on his recommendation was cordially received and entertained for some time without charge. Soon after his arrival the theatre was announced to be opened by the company just returned from Bath, and John laid his plans to obtain an introduction to the manager. There was a long passage leading to the stage door, and for the first two days in the forenoons he stood at the outside; but becoming impatient he took his station in the pas sage, and, with his cap under his arm, sought to concil iate those who passed in and out by obsequious bows, omitting, however, to salute one elderly gentleman, who was too repulsive and forbidding for our hero to honor with such attentions, but who in reality was the kindhearted Keasberry, the manager of the company. John, however, though not the possessor of a fortune, resolved if he could not be a participator behind the scenes he would at least be a spectator, and a large share of his crown piece, though all his worldly fortune, speedily went in obtaining admittance to the gallery. At the expiration of five days, the watchful sentinel was honored by a word from Keasberry, and plainly told him that he wished to become an actor. He was conducted in upon the stage, and after rehearsal the manager announced that he had an individual who desired to be an actor. " What can you do ? " asked the manager. " If I can do nothing else I can snuff candles, or deliver a message, or do anything that young lads can do," " You can, indeed? " "Yes, sir; and I can do more - I can play the fiddle, and sing a good song," "A song, song!" shouted the members of the company, who collecting round were ready to enjoy a little fun at the new corner's expense, and who were not backward in their jibes and remarks. " Give him a fiddle as he calls it," said Keasberry. Hodgkinson took the fiddle, and pitching upon the finale, at the end of the first act of the Padlock, he played it and sung it to the astonishment of all. The smile of derision on the faces of the actors changed to a smile of approval. "Can you sing with orchestral accompaniment?" asked the manager. "I'll try," said John, and he succeeded so admirably that he requested the orchestra to play, " Oh, dry those Tears," At this request the company again smiled, as if they thought his vanity was carrying him too far. "Try him, by all means, try him," said Mr. K. He sang it so well, that their surprise was now raised to astonishment; and at the conclusion, Mr. K., patting him on the head, said, "My boy, you'll never be a candle snuffer. For the present, however, you may carry a letter, or something more, perhaps." John was soon enrolled a member of the company, and was quite efficient in carrying letters, singing in the chorus, &c. He was extremely assiduous, and was aided by the prompter, who directed him what works to peruse, and so far as he ,was able made amends for the defects of his early education. In a short time he joined the company of the eccentric James Whiteley, manager of the extensive midland circuit, and was afterwards with Whitlock and Munden, and, during a provincial tour made by Mrs. Siddons, was appointed to perform the principal characters in every play.

Hodgkinson, with all his abilities, was peculiarly susceptible to the tender passion; and coordinate with the rise of his fame and fortune, therefore, was the growth of the evils which were fated to endanger the one and make shipwreck of the other; and his professional success and his gallantries, running parallel to each other, like two wheels of a gig, left their marks on every road he traveled in the north of England, and involved him in considerable difficulty. The offer of Henry to visit this country in 1792, was accepted; and with a Miss Brett, whom he made his legal wife on landing in America, he left Bath. Mrs. Hodgkin son was an actress of considerable merit, but inferior to her husband, who was good in whatever he attempted, though his forte was comedy. This desire to be everything, actor, author, and manager, was a serious injury to him. He soon became a manager and in this city and other places, he was at the head of various establishments. A better stage manager probably never existed. He was posted up in all the details, and could if necessary jump into the orchestra and take the lead. His ability, however, as a financier, was wanting. He wrote a play, called "The Man of Fortitude," and several minor pieces. He was a handsome man, and possessed a remarkably retentive memory, and would read over a new part of twenty lengths, ( a length is forty lines,) and lay it aside until the night before he was going to play it, attending the rehearsals meantime; then sit up late to study it, and the next morning repeat every word, and prompt others. Hodgkinson, as we have seen, was connected with the early history of the drama in this city, and will again figure in this record. He died near Washington, on the 12th of September, 1805; and as it was feared that his demise was caused by the yellow fever, he was wrapped in a blanket by negroes, and conveyed to an obscure burial ground on the Baltimore road. The following appeared in a Boston paper soon after his death. The author's allusion to Hodgkinson sleeping with the " wise and just," is more fanciful, perhaps, than true: -

EPITAPH ON JOHN HODGKINSON,
The Celebrated Comedian.
Written at the Request of his theatrical friends,
by Anthony Pasquin, Esq.

Shrin'd, mid the ashes of the wise and just,
Here Roscius sleeps in his primaeval dust !
That tongue is mute which charmed a polish'd age,
Gave zest to wit, and dignity to rage,
Those eyes no more, will issue lambent fires,
Nor Taste refine the tide of his desires!
Th' obedient Passions hail'd his mimic sway,
The Muses breath'd their influence in his lay
With pond'rous apothegm and attic jest,
He smote the Demons of the guilty breast ;
Bade virtue consecrate what Science saw,
And nerv'd the system of our moral law.
Though Death has triumph'd, Destiny has giv'n
His fame to Honor, and his soul to Heav'n.