Al G. Field Explained

Al G. Field
Birth Name:	Alfred Griffin Hatfield
Birth Date:	7 November 1848
Birth Place:	Leesburg, Virginia, US
Death Place:	Columbus, Ohio, US

Alfred Griffin (or Griffith) Hatfield (November 7, 1848 or 1850  - April 3, 1921) was a performer and minstrel show producer as Al G. Field and sometimes Al G. Fields.^[1]

Biography

He was born in Leesburg, Virginia near Morgantown, West Virginia on November 7, 1848 or 1850, as Alfred Griffin Hatfield or Alfred Griffith Hatfield.^[1] He had a brother Joseph E. Hatfield.^{[2] [3]}

Beginning in 1875 he performed with the Sells Brothers Circus that was based out of Columbus, Ohio. In 1884 he organized the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus in Peru, Indiana. He managed them until September 9, 1886.^[1] He launched his own namesake minstrel show the same year. His autobiography Watch Yourself Go By was published in 1912.^[4] He changed his name and established his own company in 1886. He eventually retreated to a farm and bred animals.^[5]

He died on April 3, 1921, in Columbus, Ohio from Bright's Disease.^[6] He was buried in Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. His last will and testament arranged for his minstrel show to be bequeathed to his brother, Joseph E. Hatfield, and to Edward Conard, a relative. His estate was valued at $150,000 and he requested that the minstrel show continue to be operated.^[2]

Many printed advertisements for his shows remain in existence, including at the Library of Congress. Some include his image.^[7]

Performers

• Bert Swor (1871-1931) from 1911 to 1931.^[8]
• Billy Church (?-1942).^[9]
• Dan White (actor) (1922-1930) Tampa, Florida^[10]
• John Leipold, music director from circa 1922-1926^[11]

Shows

• Darkest America, first staged in 1896^[12]

Notes and References

1. Encyclopedia: . Monarchs of Minstrelsy . Al G. Field . 1911 . 214 . 9785871153987 .
2. News: Al Field Bequeaths Show. Will Requests Brother and Relative to Continue Minstrel Troupe . . April 9, 1921 . 2015-01-27 .
3. Encyclopedia: . Olympians of the Sawdust Circle . Al G. Field . 2015-01-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140123205249/http://www.circushistory.org/Olympians/OlympiansF.htm . 2014-01-23 . dead .
4. Web site: WATCH YOURSELF GO BY. AL G.. FIELD. February 12, 1912. Google Books.
5. Web site: Once-famous minstrel settled here. ThisWeek Community News.
6. News: Al G. Field Dead. Pioneer Minstrel Dies at His Home in Columbus, Ohio, at 72 Years . The New York Times . April 4, 1921 . 2015-01-27 .
7. Web site: Al. G. Field Greater Minstrels the show you know.. Courier. Company. February 12, 1905. www.loc.gov.
8. News: Bert Swor, 65, Dies. Old-Time Minstrel . . December 1, 1943 . 2015-01-26 .
9. News: Billy Church; Member Al G. Fields's Minstrel Company Dies in Columbus . The New York Times . December 27, 1942 . 2015-01-27 .
10. Web site: The Times 22 Oct 1936, page Page 8 . 2023-04-17 . Newspapers.com . en.
11. Web site: 10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2093361 . 2011 . Sherk . Warren M. .
12. Book: A Century of Musicals in Black and White: An Encyclopedia of Musical Stage Works by, About, or Involving African Americans: An Encyclopedia of Musical Stage Works by, About, or Involving African Americans . 9780313064548 . Bernard L Peterson JR . 25 October 1993 . Abc-Clio .