The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-09-25

Mrs. A. u. Hammond.
found her a most entertaining person. for.
despite her advanced age, she has won
derIul memory of events OF the past, and
related in most entertaining manner
many Of the events or her professional life
and Of her acquaintance with some OF the
most prominent people of the time when
she shone as brilliant star in the theatre
cal world.
The lady is a descendant OF Scotch and
English parents. Her father, John Kerr,
a ScOtchmaD, was in his day teacher Of
language and writer of note. He was an
intimate friend OF the Earl of Fife, grand
father of the present Earl, and whose
nelghbOr he was in Scotland.
Mr.. Kerr went to London, where he held
an important position in the office Of the
Privy Seal at the Somerset House, but upon
his marriage he was dismissed from the
service, as at that time none but single men
were permitted to hold Office in that depart
ment.
From that time ON he devoted himself to
play-writing, meeting with more than
ordinary success. and at one time he turn ed
his attention TO playhouses. He opened the
first French theater Ia London, a place OF
amusement that was potronized exclusively
by the nobility and all the great ladies and
gentlemen of the country. Ole singul ar
fact 10 connection with this tbeater was
that there was no fixed price of admission.
The patrons contributed according TO their
means and inclination. Mr.. Kerr was not
only the proprietor. but he was also the
first manager.
1t was while telling of the early part of
her history that the old lady, her face
Frightening as her thoughts wandered back
to the dim and distant past, spoke of meet
Ing some OF the Celebrated people there.
Yes" said she, ''it was while / was a
little girl. that used to go in this theater,
and ii was there that King George ~
petted me, stroked my hair and kissed ME.
1t was there that | saw the great Duke of
Wellington. Well do | remember standing
by his knee aud taking from him sweet
meats. which he offered. He was grand
old general, wasn't he"
Mr.. Kerr opened the old West London
Theater in Nottingham Court road and had
for players men whose names have been in
seTbed on the histrionic roll of fame.
Mrs. Hammond's mother for time had
her kitchen and dining-room under the
apartments in Orange court, Lester Fields,
in which Kerr was instructlng the young
mind. in the act of mastering foreign
tongues, and it was in these underground
rooms that the elder Wallack. Keane,
Charles Kemble and others equally famous
spoke their first lines. These who were
then young men mbtious To shine, dubbed
together. built small stage in the place and
took their first lessons in acting there. re-
ceiving valuable suggestions from school
master and playwright.
Mrs. Hammond told of the time when
she was still a child, of her father being in
charge Of college boarding place in Lon
don which was patr0nZed by the secre-
taries, the confessor and other attendants
of Napoleon l. who became refugees when
the star Of lie petit cap0ral set after Water
loo was lost to the people of France.
among those who were there then" said
Mrs. Hammond with sigh, was Lord
Byron, "and he took me in his arms and
petted me-but l was little child then"
Some time in the twenties the Kerr FAM
lily bid farewell to England. coming to the
United States, where MI Kerr continued
writing for the stage. The first stage YER
sion OF rip Van Wrinkle" was written by
him for Henry Beverley, who in his time
was famous actor.
The last play that her father wrote said
Mrs. Hammond, was entitled "fhe Mail
Robbers" 1t was most realistic produc-
ton, based upon facts, and he attempted to
produce the play in Boston. He was pre-
vented from doing so because the men who
were accused Of the robbery as presented
In the play were on trial and verdict had
not been found against them. Soon after
that Mr. Kerr died In the city of Boston.
Mrs. Hammond made her first appearance
on the stage when 10 years of age. dancing
and playing boys parts. As a child actress
she spoke her first lines as Jackie Horner in
the play of Jack Horner" and Eliza in
THE Battle OF Mindon," old time produc-
tions that are buried under the dust of
years. The first long part she took was
Lady Randolph in the tragedy of Doug
lass"
She created a good impression from the
ohn IN, e.,
with her audiences until she became an ac-
knowledged favorite. She trod the boards
of the Arch-street Tbeater, those Of the
Walnut, went TO Baltimore and from
there to Washington. while Andrew Jack
son occupied the White House. She was
introduced to the hero OF New Orleans, and
besides being c0mplimented by him was the
recipient of many cOurteses from him.
Mrs. Hammond also appeared on the
stage at the national capital while Martin
days." said the old lady in reconnting them,
were among the brightest of my life. /
wish | could live them over again."
While she was there the two sons of Pres
ident Van Buren-Abraham and John-be-
came stsges,ruck and she instructed them
In their parts. playing with them on one
occasion In the tragedy of Douglass"
"At that time.' said The dear lady, 81 was
rendered benefit. 1t was good one, and
l tell you all the big boys were there" Her
wrnkled face seemed to grow young again
as it lighted up with smile at the recalling
of the event.
Mrs. Hammond as Annie Kerr was versa
tile for she was not only an actress, but she
was q great dancer and at one time leader
Of the ballet She has appeared in three
different theaters In one night. She APP
peared in the first part of drama In the
franklin Theater. Chatham square, then
drove to the Park Theater to dance with
the world-renowned Augusta, and was then
whirled to the Bowery to take the leading
part in farce, and often times, after q
triple performance, going to her rooms to
study untill daylight for some new part in
the evening.
Mrs. Hammond said that she had made n
fortune, but lost 1t In the dggings around
Forest City, In Sierra County, where she
lived for thirty years. She came TO San
Francisco in 1854. played in the old Metro
politan, then taught dancing aud gave In
structions for the stage. after which she met
and married Mr.. Hammond. who was pio-
neer OF Forest City. About year ago she