Possible Clues:

• How a minstrel modified subjects for outdated comedians' jokes
• They can be significant and popular at port in Massachusetts? Women relatives!
• Relatives at the bar perhaps - the butt of married men's jokes
• Custom at foundation and the rest home for going to the bar with relatives
• Married men's nemeses who aren't slim sadly
• Relatives
• Some acquired relatives
• (Feared?) relatives
• Awful relations whom nothing can keep away?
• Relations men gain by marriage