James J. Fuld (The Book of World-Famous Music) says:
The first known printing of this song ["Jimmy Crack Corn"] was on Jan. 20, 1846, under the title Jim Crack Corn, or Blue Tail Fly by F.D. Benteen, Baltimore.... The opening notes of the song are similar to those in Miss Lucy Long, copyrighted in 1842 by George Willig, Philadelphia.

I'm not at home now. I'll check another reference later. Not that "Masato's gone away."

~Temporary Guest Masato