Snuffy, That's great. Thank you. You little beauty! Calico Sal! Worth a thought indeed.

Black Sal, for what it's worth, was a character in the very popular book by Pierce Egan, "Life in London" (to give it it's short title). It was published in the 1820s. It would seem that she was already well known. In the book she does a dance with a Chimney sweep called Dusty Bob. His name may also have been known. She is dressed like a milkmaid, so could be connected with the milkmaids of the Mayday celebrations who dance with chimney sweeps. There are referrences to them from earlier than 1820, I seem to recall.
Egan made Sal "Afican Sal" but that may not mean much except a change of fashion, I'm thinking.

Egan's book became a very popular play as well. Any earlier characters he may have used, and changed, rapidly could have been eclipsed by his work.

So - Snuffy, Any thoughts on Dusty Bob?

Black Bess - hmm, I'll take a look in my files. Off to look for "Calico Sal" and Bess. I feel another treasure hunt coming on. Sadly I can't afford a copy of Egan's book. Have to travel to Melbourne and read it, decked out in white gloves, in the library. The web has a bit but you can't beat doing your own reading quite yet. Cheers and thanks, Snuffy. Joy