Continuing from Tom Juchau "Disher" Of the fighters of the black period, Darts is one who more has been written about, though it seems much of what has been written on this period is inaccurate. Going back to 1765, we find reports of William Darts boxing London St James Chronicle January 12, 1765 Yesterday a severe Battle was fought on Putney Common, between the noted Dart, a Dyer, in Southwark, and one Gregory, the famout Whitehapel Drover, for 50l., which held for twenty-five Minutes, but was declared in Favour of the former. Oxford Journal - Saturday 19 January 1765 Yesterday died of his Bruises, Gregory, the famous Whitechapel Drover, who on Monday last fought the noted Dart, a Dyer in Southwark, on Putney-Common, and Warrants are issued out for apprehending him. Not always successfully it must be said (though journeyman in this context doesn't refer to his pugilistic ability) London St James Chronicle February 28, 1765 Yesterday a great Boxing-Match was fought at the Nag's Head in Hackney-Road, between one Holmes a Journeyman Baker, and the famous Dyer, when, after an obstinate Contest of more than twenty Minutes, the Baker beat his Antagonist More than one journeyman baker took up the noble art of face punching. Gazetteer And New Daily Advertiser May 3, 1765 Monday morning last, a terrible boxing match was fought in the long field behind Bedford-hous, for five guineas aside, between the celbrated Tom Cooke, a journeyman baker, in Red-lion-street, Holborn, and the noted coach-spring-maker; when, after a most severe contest, which laster 25 minutes, victory was declared in favour of the baker. It is said, that near 400l. were depending upon this battle; and the odds, at first setting-to, were greatly in favour of the vanquished. I will add this. London St James Chronicle February 26, 1765 It was reported Yesterday about Town, that a certain noted Bruiser, who lately went over (on high Encouragement) to Ireland to fight a Boxing Match for a considerable Sum of Money, after beating his Antagonist, went to drink a Glass with him, as is usual on such Occasions, when the other took the Opportunity of stabbing him in the Belly with a Clasp Knife, of which Wounds in a few Hours after he expired. I suppose it is not surprising that the moral character would be questionable, in the participants of what was basically a human blood sport, though the other side it that normally the antagonists would reconcile. Which then takes us to the previously mentioned apocryphal win over Juchau for the title in 1766. In 1767 we find George Meggs taking part in another contest, but I have not been able to find the result Oxford Journal - Saturday 31 January 1767 A letter from Bristol say that George Meggs, the famous Hero of Pensford, in Somersetshire, who beat William Stevens, the Noted Nailer, at the Tennis Court, on which there were so many Thousand Pounds depending, is now matched to fight with Richard Hunt, a Kingswood Collier, whom he hath once beat before ; but as it was a very long Battle between them at that Time, and not altogether fairly decided at last, Hunt is the present Challenger. They are to fight on a raised Stage on Clarken Down, near Bath, for One Hundred Guineu a Side of their own Money. There will be a great deal won and lost at this Battle, if the Champions are suffered to decide it Darts himself would fight again, seemingly defending his title. This also gives an example of the regular objections to boxing in this period. London Evening Post March 10, 1767 To the Printer of the London Evening-Post Mr. Printer, We are told, that a great Boxing-Match is to be fought next Tuesday, at a certain Inn neat Whitechapel, between the noted Dyer, and a Gardner from Chifwick, for a considerable sum of money. But it is hoped, some humane and honest Office or other, will take care to put a stop to such brutal diversion, and not suffer the laws of the land to be so publickly broken. Your's, &c. Humanus. Public Advertiser April 3, 1767 Wednesday the Match at Boxing, which was intended to be fought at an Inn near White-chapel (as mentioned in a former Paper) between the noted Dyer and a Country Gardner, was determined about Four o'Clock in the Afternoon, at a Place called Fairmead Bottom, about two Miles Distance from the Bald-Face Stag, near Epping-Forest. Two to one were laid, on the Parties stripping, on the Gardner, but the Dyer beat him in fifteen Minutes. A considerable Sum was collected for the Conqueroer, Later that year Darts fought William Stevens, The Nailor Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 06 August 1767 A boxing match for several considerable sums of money, is to be fought one day this week, between Stevens the nailer and Dart the dyer, at Colnbrook, if not prevented by the magistrates. Once again we can see there was an issue of police interferance in this era. Oxford Journal - Saturday 22 August 1767 Yesterday a Battle was fought between Stephens the Nailor and Dart the Dyer, in a Booth which was erected for that purpose in four Hours, at a Plac called Pyle, near Colnbrook, for a considerable Sum of Money : Notwithstanding the Nailor was knocked down the first Blow, the Dyer gaver out in a few Minutes, and so the Hum ended. Leeds Intelligencer - Tuesday 25 August 1767 Yesterday a severe battle was fought at Colnbrook, between the noted Dyer and the Naylor, on which upwards of 1000l. were depending. The odds, at first, were six to one in favour of the Dyer; but, after a contest of fifteen minutes, the Naylor came off conqueror, by which the knowing-ones were greatly taken in. As can be seen, the Dyer's reign was ended by Stevens shortly after it began, and not, as is generally reported by Tom Lyons in 1769. Around this time there was an especially brutal match reported between James Bromley and Samuel Freeman Derby Mercury - Friday 21 August 1767 On Monday the 10th Instant, was fought at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, a great Boxing Match, between James Bromley, a Blacksmith, of Crich, in this County, and Samuel Freeman, of Birmingham, for One Hundred Guineas. An incredible Number of People from all Parts assembled on this Occasion: The Combatants fought an Hour and a Half, and though they were both almost spent, and hardly able to stand, much Blood being spilt, and each Man most terribly bruised, yet neither would submit: At length, a Surgeon who attended, declared, if they were not immediately parted, Death must be the Consequence: Proclamation was then made, that all Wagers were void, and that it was a drawn Battle, the Seconds having interfered and parted the two Antagonists against their Will. —The Derbyshire Dons went off in Triumph, boasting their Hero walked from the Place of Action; when Freeman was obliged to be carried to bed, in a Chair Another hard fought contest was reported between Primroe and Lyton. Newcastle Chronicle - Saturday 23 May 1767 Yesterday morning the fighting butcher, known by the name Primroe, fought with one Layton, a paviour, in a field near the Foundling hospital, for a wager of 20l. besides considerable betts : The batte lasted near 32 minutes, and Primrose came off conqueror ; though both parties were so much bruised that they were carried away in a coach. This continues with William Stevens "The Nailer" Part II
