George Millsom (also spelled Milsom) is considered to have been Champion of England from his 1762 win over George Meggs until his 1765 loss to Tom Juchau For some reason there is nearly nothing written on him, and he is possibly the English champion about which the least is known, with nearly all writing on him in reference to other boxers. From Boxiana From the year 1761 to 1783, a period of twenty-two years, the CHAMPIONSHIP was in a very unsettled state, and knocked about quickly from one nob to another ; as there were few heads that could be found whom the Conqueror's Cap would fit for any length of time : — George Meggs, who bought the title from the Nailer, had it soon wrested from him by Milsom, the baker; Tom Juchau soon milled it out of Milsom ; and the renowned Bill Darts punished all pretensions toward the elevated prize from Tom Juchau. . . From Boxiana GEORGE MEGGS, Of no particular note as a Pugilist, except beating the Nailer. He received instruction from Slack, and fought with Milsom, the baker, at Calne, in Wiltshire, for forty minutes, which was well contested, but Milsom was declared the conqueror. Meggs was not satisfied, and demanded another trial, when Milsom beat him easy the second time. Parsitt Meggs, brother to the above Pugilist, also tried it on with Milsom, but, in the event, got a severe beating. From Pugilistica George Meggs, the collier, was from the pugilistic nursery of Bristol. After this surrep- titious seizure of the championship, he returned to his native place, we presume, for in July, 1762, we find him fighting " a pitched battle for a considerable sum (" Fistiana" says 100) with one Millsom, a baker, of the rival city of Bath." This came off at Calne in Wiltshire, when, after a fierce battle of forty minutes, Millsom was acknowledged the conqueror. In the next month (August, 1762), Meggs, having challenged Millsom to a second combat, was a second time beaten. Parfitt Meggs, noticed hereafter, a noted west country boxer, also surrendered to Millsom. From Pancratia August 27, 1765, Millsom, who had so successfully beat the two Meggs, fought a battle with Thomas Juchau, at Colney, near St. Alban's, in which he failed enjoying his usual triumph, Juchau proving the conqueror.
Oxford Journal - Saturday 01 January 1763 On Monday next a Battle is to be fought at the Tennis-Court at Barton Hundred, near Bristol, by Maggs and Milsom. Many Bets are depending, the Courage and Strength of the Champions being well known to the Gentlemen of the Fist, &c. Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 06 January 1763 Last Monday the boxing Match between Parss Maggs and George Milsom, was fought at the Tennis-Court near Bristol, when, according to the Bruisers Language, Milsom in a few Minutes beat his Antagonist hollow. There were several bye Battles. —We hear, Milsom was so elated with his easy Victory, that he has sent a Challenge to George Maggs, who lately beater the Nailor, to fight for 100 Guineas 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 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 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 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 Stage a little before Eight in the Evening, and fought between six and seven Minutes, when Victory was declared in Favour of Milsom Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 24 May 1770 On Monday last the much talked-of buising-match between George Maggs, of Pensford, and George Milsom, of Kingswood, was decided on Leigh down near Bristol, within four minutes, in favour of the latter.- Very large sums were depending on the issue of this battle, and many of Magg's friends were so sanguine in his behalf, that bets of two to one against Milsom were laid to a considerable amount.
I have put the reports that were in this post in the previous on in order to keep everything organised. There is very little information on Millsom, and it seems odd that what is said on him in secondry sources, in terms of the 1762 fights with Meggs, and a 1765 loss to Juchau, are not found in primary sources. It is nice however to have some primary sources comfirming he was living and fighting around this time, it took me a long time to find what little there is, but hopefully more information can be found to shed light on this part of boxing history. Heavyweight Champions from Ancient to Present Bareknuckle history meta-thread
