Black Period Revised: William Stevens "The Nailer" Part I

Continuing from
Prologue

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Having defeated Slack, it seems Stevens soon after gave him a rematch, with the reports describing it like so

1760-06-06 The Derby Mercury (page 1)
LONDON, June 5.
on Monday the famous Battle was fought between Slack and Stephens, the Nailer, at the Tennis-Court in James-Street, Haymarket, at which were present several Noblemen and Persons of Distinction. The Combatants had only three Bouts; in the first Slack struck his Antagonist a violent Blow on the Side of his Head; at the second, Stephens hit Slack under the short Ribs, and gave him a desperate Fall; and finally pursuing his Advantage, gave him so dreadful a Blow on his Stomach, that he lay for some Time senseless on the Stage, and was obliged, after about three Minutes and a half Contest, to submit to the superior Strength of his Adversary. The Streets were crowded with Spectators to see the Combatants pass and repass.

We hear that upwards of 10,000l. has been won and lost by the last Battle between Slack and the Nailer.

It is said that Slack very kindly advised the Nailer to make his Will, and get his Coffin ready, for he had but a short Time to live. Great Men like others are sometimes mistaken.
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It seems not everyone was a fan of Stevens, or whatever the following means

London Evening Post - July 8, 1760
We hear there is a fine Satyrical Print engravings, to be called the Triumphs of Merit; in which there will be three Figures as represented as receiving the Adorations of the Publick; namely, the Author of Trisram Shandy. the Boxing Nailor, and K—y F—r.​

In July 1760 there was another notable contest between Fosscot the Drover, and Cheltham, which was attended by Stevens "and most of the noted bruisers", with Fosscot winning in an upset, as reported in Leeds Intelligencer - Tuesday 08 July 1760.

The Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 08 January 1761 also reports a battle described as "thought to be the most obstinate Battle ever fought", in which Hunt of Pensford defeated Collins of Weston, after nearly one and a half hours. This battle was for 10 Guineas


Stevens would then fight George Meggs.

Derby Mercury - Friday 13 February 1761
We hear that a Trial of Skill will be decided in a few Days, between William Stephens the Nailor, and George Maggs, large Sums having been laid on this Occasion.​

The Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 26 February 1761 claims that this battle was delayed to the next Monday, having oringally been scheduled for the previous Monday, at the request of several noblemen. However the outcome of the match was reported the next day!

Derby Mercury - March 6th February 1761
London March 2nd
This Day at Noon, the Match between Maggs and the Nailor was fought at the Tennis Court in James Street, near the Hay Market. The Odds at first were greatly for the Nailor, but it was decided in favour of the former, who obtained the Victory over his Antagonist

Public Ledger - March 3, 1761
Yesterday the great boxing match, which has beemn so long in agitation, and upon which so many considerable sums were depending, between Meggs, a collier, from Bristol, and the famour Nailor, sho some time since beat Slack, was decided at the Tennis-court, in James-street, in the Hey-Market; Smallwood was second to Meggs, and Faulkner to the Nailor; the knowing ones were very much take in; for before they set to, the betts were three to one in favour of the Nailot, and two to one was laid the battle did not last five minutes. At the first onset, the Nailor missing his blow, Meggs hit him on the side of his head and knocked him down, after which nothing material happened but hugging and dodging, with which they prolonged the battle about seventeen minutes, when the Nailor gave out; the prices of the feats were half guineas ad crowns, and 'tis thought that twice the number of people were turned away for want of room, than those who saw the battle.

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 05 March 1761
Monday last the Trial of Skill between George Maggs, of Pensford in this County, and Stephens the Nailer, was decided at the Tennis-Court in St. James-Street, near the Hay-Market, London. There were assembled the greatest Concourse of Nobility, Gentry, &c/ ever known on the like Occation. The Champions mounted the Stage between Twelve and One. At first setting to, Maggs struck the Nailer down; afterwards the Nailer knocked him down twice; and for ten Minutes he seemed to have the Advantage: However, the heroic Maggs, by his great Skill, uncommon Strength, unequal'd Courage, and matchless Agility, soon changed the Scene; struck the Nailer down six Times successively; and finally stript him of all Laurels he had acquired by his many former Victories.--- Smallwood was Second to Maggs, and Faulkner to Stephens.---
According to the most exact Accounts, the Battle lasted just seventeen Minutes and a half.
A certain Royal Personage was present, and won large Sums. 'Tis said upward of 50,000l. depended on the Issue of this Battle: One Nobleman lost above 2000l.
We hear that Maggs and the Nailer were weighed a few Days before they fought; and that there were only five Pounds Difference, which was in Maggs favour.

Oxford Journal - Saturday 07 March 1761
Monday the tryal of Skill between the Nailor (who so easily beat Slack some Time since) and Maggs from Bristol, was determined at the Tennis-Court in James-street, by the Hay-market, before several People of Distinction, and a great Number of Spectators ; when Maggs in about eight-teen Minutes and a half, tore the Laurels from the Brow of the most powerful Nailor, and gained to himself, the Honour of being the Champion amoungst the Broughtonians.
'Tis said several Knowing Ones were out of the Secret​

In Modern Manhood Henry Lemoine states that Jack Slack, who had been training Meggs bribed Stevens to throw the fight, with Stevens admitting to having done such. This may be true, however the newsreports I have seen never claim anything like this, and hold Stevens and Meggs both in pretty good regard.

I think "the Champion amoungst the Broughtonians" can be understood as being Champion of England, which solidifies the Champion status of William Stevens and George Meggs.

It is unclear to me what to make of this report

London Evening Post December 3, 1761
Williams Stevens, the Nailor, who has been for some Time the Hero in the Boxing Exercise (as it is called) has entitled himself in the Poor Guards.​

This continues with
George Meggs "The Collier"

Note: An earlier version had the wrong date for the Derby Mercury report.