Musical Practices of Early Black Americans

Samuel Mordecai, Richmond in Bygone Day (Richmond, 1856), 310-311.

no

Sy. Gilliat (violin)

instrument

fiddle

fiddle music

Richmond, Virginia

The most prominent member of the black aristocracy of my early years was Sy. Gilliat (probably Simon, or Cyrus,) the leading violinist, (fiddler was then the word,) at the balls and dancing parties. He traced his title to position to the days of vice royalty, having held office under Lord Botetourt, when governor, but whether behind his chair or his coach, is in the midst of obscurity. Sy. Gilliat flourished in Richmond in the first decade of this century, and I know not how many of the last. He was tall, and even in his old age, (if he ever grew old,) erect and dignified. When he appeared officially in the orchestra, his dress was an embroidered silk
coat and vest of faded lilac, small clothes, (he would not say breeches,) and silk stockings, (which rather betrayed the African prominence of the shin-bone,) terminating in shoes fastened or decorated with large buckles. This court-dress being of the reign of Lord Botetourt, and probably part of the fifty suits which, according to the inventory he made, constituted his wardrobe; to complete this
court costume, Sy. wore a brown wig, with side curls, and a long cue appended. His manners were as courtly as his dress, and he elbowed himself and his fiddle-stick through the world with great propriety and harmony.

Here is a description of Sy. Gilliat, a prominent fiddle player during this time.