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

Continuing from
William Darts "The Dyer"

It seemed odd that Boxiana would ignore Stevens's later fights over a single alledged fix, and even stranger with him apparently regaining the title.

A second reference to George Millsom is found around this time, him getting married!

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 29 October 1767
Sunday was married at St. Michael’s church, Mr. George Milsom, Apothecary, of this city, to Miss Fanny Hales, youngest Daughter of the late Alderman Hales.​

And we also see his old opponent George Meggs back in action

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 06 October 1768
Monday last the bruising match, which has been long in agitation between the notes Maggs of Pensford, and one Ellis, of Glastonbury, was decided with the space of five minutes in favour of Maggs.- Many considerable betts were depending on the issue of this battle.​

His brother also fought the Dyer, all be it, unsuccessfully.

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 04 May 1769
On Tuesday last, the famous bruising match between the noted Darch, the dyer, and Parfit Maggs, (brother to George Maggs, who a few years since beat the Nailer, at the Tennis-Court in the Haymarket, London,) was fought at Cannard's-Grave, near Shepton-Mallet in this county. The battle lasted 11 minutes, when victory declared for Darch.-Very considerable betts were depending, but the odds were in favour of the victor.​

A little after we find Stevens fighting George Millsom

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 15 June 1769
On Monday next a bruising-match between the noted Stevens, the nailor, and one George Milsom, a collier, for 50l. each side, will be fought at the Riding-School in Bristol.— Very considerable betts are depending on the issue of this battle​

George Millsom won this contest, which also makes me think Meggs beating the Nailor fairly is plausable.

Oxford Journal - Saturday 24 June 1769
On Monday last a long depending Battle was fought at the Circular Stables in this City, between the noted William Stevens, the Nailor, and George Milsom, a Collier, of Kingswood, for Fifty Pounds a Side, where the Knowing Ones were taken in. It is supposed there were ten thousand Persons present; amoung whom were two Noblemen, and several of the principal Gentlemen of the neighbouring Countis, as well as from Wales. The Champions mounted the Stafe a little before Eight in the Evening, and fought between six and seven Minutes, when Victory was declared in Favour of Milsom
​

It appear Stevens would this time lose the championship, to another former champion, in Milsom. It mentions George Meggs as the Hero of England, which I believed to mean champion, however after seeing a report calling Stevens "Hero in Boxing Exercise", I now think that that was an error

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 22 June 1769
On Monday the great bruising-match between Stevens, the Nailer, and George Milsom, a collier of Kingswood, was fought at the Riding-school in Bristol. the battle lasted about seven minutes, when victory declared for the latter. - It is thought there were present near 400 persons, and the box collection was very considerable, as great numbers paid 2s. 6d. for their admission. The betts were in favour of the Nailor till a few hours before the combat, when six to four were laid on Milsom's side, who was the favourite of the knowing-ones.- The noted Darch, who lately beat Parsitt Maggs, was second to Milsom ; and George Maggs, the present hero of England, was second to the Nailer. - Immediately after the battle, Darch challenged George Maggs to fight him for 100 guineas and the door collection ; but it is said that Maggs made no reply​

Pancratia also states that Darts fought around this time.

From Pancratia
On June 27, 1769, Bill Darts, who had long carried on a successful pugilistic career, fought and lost a long- depending battle with Lyons, a waterman, at Kingston, on Thames. Darts for the first half of the battle had a most astonishing advantage, the odds were ten to one in his favour ; Lyons, however, recovered himself, and in 45 minutes severely beat him.
​

This fight is often said to have cost Darts the Championship, which he then reclaimed, but this appears to be incorrect, since he would have lost the honor to Stevens. William Darts also had another contest arranged for this year

Debry Mercury - Friday 25 August 1769 (page 4)
DERBY, Aug. 24.
We are affored that there will be a Battle fought at this Town, opn Thursday the 7th og September next, (being the Day after our Races) Betwixt the noted Wm. Darts, or London, Dyer, and Mr William Turner, of Leicestershire.

Derby Mercury - Friday 01 September 1769
We now hear that the famous Boxing Match, between the noted Darts and Mr. Turner, will certainly be fought on the Race Ground, the Day after the Races.​

However he pulled out, claiming a hand injury.

Derby Mercury - Friday 08 September 1769
This Day about Twelve o'Clock, the two Champions at Boxing, made their Appearance on the Stage, erected for the Occasion on Sinsin-Moor, when Darts, (the Dyer) pair forfeit to Mr. Wm. Turner, alledging a Lameness in one of his Hands; and this ended the Affair, which has caused so much Talk amoungst the Knowing-Ons, without any Trial of Manhood.

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 14 September 1769
We hear from Derby, that when the two boxing champions, Darts and Turner met, the former declined fighting, alledging a lameness in one of his hands.
​

This continues with
George Millsom "The Baker" part II