Miss [Margaret] Cheer

Cheer, Miss [Margaret] (fl. 2nd half 18th century), actress. Little is known about this performer, who for a brief period of time was a reigning favorite on American stages. She apparently made her debut with Douglass's company in Charleston in 1764 and later moved with the troupe to Philadelphia and New York. Among the many roles for which she was applauded were her Portia, Ophelia, Juliet, and Cordelia, as well as Belvidera in Venice Preserved and Sylvia in The Recruiting Officer. She is said to have married Lord Rosehill in Maryland in 1768 and appeared on the stage only infrequently thereafter. However, Burke's Peerage gives the name of the Lord's wife as Catherine Cameron, which may have been Miss Cheer's real name. She returned later to England and did not play again in America until 1793, when she returned under the name of Mrs. Long. Her reception was cool and she soon retired permanently.