The Wilkinsons
Many of our people will remember Lillie and Charlie Wilkinson, who, with an excellent troupe, played their great specialty, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," here last winter, and will undoubtedly be pleased to learn that they will return here and play "Uncle Tom's Cabin" at the Academy of Music on Friday evening Sept. 19th. The Wilkinsons have a world-wide reputation, and they render this old but never to be worn out play better than any other company in existence. Miss Lillie is undoubtedly the best Topsy in the world, while Charley has played Gumption Cuto since 1853, and has no equal in that role on the state. Little Georgie L. Fox, eight years old, daughter of the lamented G. L Fox, and own cousin to the original Eva, Cordelia Howard, plays the character of that angelic child to perfection. There is a first class company of ladies and gentlemen in support, together with appropriate scenery, music and effects, the whole under the personal direction of Mr. Chas. Wilkinson, the originator of the people's popular prices, General admission, 25 cents; reserved seats, 35 cents. Seats at Allen's bookstore. Music by Andlefinger's full orchestra.
~Oswego Daily Times [New York], Tues. Evening, 16 Sep 1879
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Charlie and Lillie Wilkinson are winning much favor in the New England States with their new play, "Priscilla the Cherub," which they will present in Whitney's Opera House to-morrow (Tuesday) night. It affords ample scope for fun and sentiment, and will be enjoyed by the audience. This play was written expressly for them by E. A. Locke, and is said to be one of the most interesting and popular plays on the state. Lillie Wilkinson as the "Cherub" and Charlie Wilkinson as "Septimus Washington Gill, the lightning rod man" are not to be excelled, and the entertainment will be a pleasing one and worthy of a liberal patronage.
~Fitchburg Daily Sentinel [Massachusetts], 16 Jan 1882
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Worcester, Mass., April 12--Mrs. Lillie E. Wilkinson, 79 years old, who had the distinction of making famous the part of Topsy in "Uncle Tom's Cabin," died here yesterday. She was a native of England and up to the time of her retirement from the stage thirty-eight years ago she played with several famous actors, including Edwin Booth, and she was at the head of her own company in "East Lynn." While she was not the original Topsy, she developed the part until it was one of the principal features of the play.
~Abilene Daily Chronicle (Kansas), Mon., 12 Apr 1920
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1900 (Jun) Census, Worcester, Worcester, MA:
Lillie Wilkinson, sgl, 58, b Aug 1841, England, parents England, imm. 1841, lodging house, own mortgaged home.
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1910 (Apr) Census, Worcester, Worcester, MA:
Lillie Wilkinson, 69, wd, 2 born/liv, b England, parents England, imm. 1841, lodging house proprietor.
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1920 (Jan) Census, Worcester, Worcester, MA:
Lillie Wilkinson, own home free of mortgage, 79, wd, imm. 1841, nat. 1867?, b England, parents England, housekeeper-at home.
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Contributed by 10 Gen Thacher:
Lillie's 1st spouse is William Marden (b. 1814 NH). They had 2 sons: John William (1857-1935) and Edward E (b. 1860). Lillie also has a brother John (b. 1840) listed in the 1850 Philadelphia census with Lillie and mother Rachael, but have no further info on him.

Rachael's death register record states her parents are Philip Harvey and Leah Solomon of London, England. The parents of my grandfather Benjamin Harvey (b. 1824) are Philip Harvey and Leah (unknown), all b. London d. Philadelphia. Lillie emigrated to NYC with her parents in Jan 1838 (Louisa on the passenger list), so her birth year must be 1837. Her father is Sidney Cantor, b 1812 London, a theatrical costumer.

This is a wonderful theatrical family - thank you for honoring its members and keeping their memories alive.