Yes, Ruth, that may be the fulcrum.

If the modern Anglian blackface molly derives its name and blackface habit from Shropshire border, then if Shropshire border is tainted, so is Anglian molly.

If it doesn't OR if blackface predates minstrelsy then the blackface habit is clearly NOT based on minstrelsy, so the suspicion of racist reference is not well founded.

THat was my point.