George Taylor is tradionally credited with claiming the Championship of England after the Pipes and Gretting back and forth in around 1734, before losing the title to Jack Broughton in 1740 From A Treatise Upon the Useful Science of Defence By Capt. John Godfrey 1747 GEORGE TAYLOR, known by the Name of GEORGE the BARBER, sprang up surprisingly. He has beat all the chief Boxers, but Boughton. He I think, injudiciously fought him one of the first, and was obliged very soon to give out. Doubtless it was a wrong Step in him to commence a Boxer, by fighting the standing Champion : For GEORGE was not then twenty, and BROUGH TON was in the Zenith of his Age and Art. Since that he has greatly distinguished himself with others; but has never engaged BROUGHTON more. He is a strong able Boxer, who with a Skill extraordinary, aided by his Knowledge of the Small and Back-Sword, and a remarkable Judgement in the Cross-Buttock-Fall, may contest with any. But, please or displease, I am resolved to be ingenuous in my Characters. Therefore I am of the Opinion, that he is not over-stocked with that necessary Ingredient of a Boxer, called a Bottom ; and am apt to suspect:, that Blows of equal Strength with his, too much affect him and disconcert his Conduct. Before I leave him, let me do him this Justice to say, that if he were unquestionable in his Bottom, he would be a Match for any Man. From Modern Manhood by Henry Lemoine George Taylor, known by the name of George the Barber, sprang up surprizingly He had but one eye. He beat all the chief Boxers, but Broughton at first, and he even beat him at last, as well as Broughton's conqueror, Jack Slack. George was wrong in engaging the standing Champion of the day, and the opinion of the publick was so much in Broughton's favour, that there arose as hiss among some of the audience, which made him soon give out. He was not then twenty, and Broughton was in the zenith of his age and art. However, he was a strong able Boxer, and had a considerable knowledge of the small and back sword, and a remarkable judgment in the cross-buttock-fall, but still he was not, full bottomed, and blows of equal strength. too much deranged his conduct. From Modern Manhood by Henry Lemoine Before the establishment of Broughton's Amphitheatre, the booth was kept at Tottenham-Court, in which the proprietor, Mr George Taylor, who succeeded Mr. Fig, invited the professors of the art to display their skill, and the public to be present at the exhibition of it. The bruisers then had the reward due to their prowess, in a division of the entrance money, which sometimes was an hundred, or an hundred and fifty pounds. The general mode of sharing was for two-thirds to go to the winning champion, while the remaining third was the right of the loser ; though sometimes, by an express agreement of the parties, the conqueror and the vanquished shared alike.
From Pugilistica GEOEGE TAYLOR— 1734-1758. Prince Boswell — James — Harris — Smallwood — Slack — Buckhorse — Tom Faulkner. On the decease of Fig the immediate patrons of pugilism seem to have cooled in their ardour, as we hear but little of the doings at the amphitheatre. For four years George Taylor was his successor, and in 1740 we find him assuming the title of "Champion" and proprietor of the “Great Booth in Tottenham Court Road." With regard to the title of “Champion," at this period, and for nearly a century subsequent, it was assumed by and applied to almost every boxer who challenged publicly. We make this remark to clear the way for some observations we shall make upon George Taylor's defeat by the renowned Broughton. There is some curious blundering about the date of the first fight between George Taylor and Broughton ; indeed, we should feel inclined to say that his first defeat was much earlier than the date of 1740, which is given in all the Chronologies, John Bee's “Fistiana" and “Boxiana" included. He was proprietor of the "Great Booth” from 1734, and we have Captain Godfrey's authority for saying that "he was not, when he fought Broughton, more than twenty years old," and comments on the imprudence of such "a first attempt." It will be seen too, in the Life of Broughton, that the Captain speaks (writing in 1746-7) thus of Broughton — " for seventeen or eighteen years he has fought, etc., and never been beaten." From this we may fairly infer that it was some years prior to 1740 that Broughton first defeated George Taylor. Taylor, whose portrait is certainly good-humoured and prepossessing, is described as being a " strong, able pugilist," according to the fashion of those times but shifty and "deficient in bottom." George's skill in the "cross-buttock fall" is also recorded, and his cleverness in the ''hanging-guard” and "back-sword" favourably spoken of. With these qualifications he entered Fig's amphitheatre, and seems almost immediately to bave become its proprietor. His advertisements invite "champions" of the different branches of " self-defence" to come and display their skill. The terms were that the proprietor should take one-third of the door-money, and the remaining two-thirds be divided among the "champions," at the rate of one-third to the loser and two-thirds to the winner. We are told the entrance-money often reached £150, and occasionally it was more. Among the more noted boxers who illustrated the art at George Taylor's "great booth," were the renowned Jack Broughton the waterman, the Pather of the English P.R., who beat all opposed to him, especially George Taylor himself ; Prince Boswell, Stevenson the coachman. Will Willis, Tom Smallwood, Buckhorse, Jack James, Field the sailor, Pipes and Gretting already mentioned, and others of the school of Fig. One of the most remarkable battles at Taylor's booth was that of Broughton and Stevenson, April 24, 1741 (see Life of Broughton, post, p. 22). On the 16tb of June, 1741, George Taylor met a formidable gipsy, known as Prince Boswell. He appears to have been a tricky fighter, and, like most such over-clever pugilists, deficient in pluck. He had, we are told, a terrific hit with his left (when be could plant it), but this being forbid by George's skill, be made but a poor fight of it. Captain Godfrey says of this Bohemian, who is stated in "Pancratia" to have been son to the king of that wandering people, ''Praise be to bis power of fighting, bis excellent choice of time and measure, bis superior judgment despatching forth bis executing arm ! But fie upon bis dastard hearty that mars it all I As I knew that fellow's abilities, and bis worm-dread soul, I never saw him beat but I wished him to be beaten. Though I am charmed with the idea of his power and manner of fihbting, I am sick at the thoughts of bis nurse-wanting courage. Farewell to him, with this fair acknowledgment, that, if be bad true English bottom (the best fighting epithet for a man of spirit), he would carry all before him, and be a match even for Broughton himself." Despite of all these qualifications, the Gipsy lost heart at finding Taylor so difficult to get at, and surrendered after a few sharp rounds. On the 19tb of July, 1741, we find recorded the name of Jack James, as beating one Chicken Harris, a poulterer, after a severe though short battle. Tom Smallwood, too, was one of Taylor's team. On the 2drd of November, 1741, one of the severest boxing matches that bad taken place for years was fought between Tom Smallwood and Richard Harris, a backmaker, for fifty guineas. The fight lasted an hour, with many alternations of success, Smallwood proving the winner. Smallwood was a mere stripling, as we shall note hereafter. On the same day we find a very good bye-battle was fought between Buckhorse and Harry Gray, the clogmaker (see Buckhorse, post). The advertisements and challenges of the boxers of this period are matters of curiosity, as illustrating the manners of another age ; we therefore insert a few which hare been preserved in connexion with this period of Taylor’s career From the Daily Advertises, April 26th, 1742. “At the Great Booth, Tottenham-Court, on Wednesday next, the 28th instant, will be a trial of manhood, between the two following champions : “Whereas I, William Willis, commonly known by the name of " the fighting Quaker," have fought Mr. Smallwood about twelve months since, and held him the tightest to it, and bruised and battered him more than any one he ever encountered, though I had the ill-fortune to be beat by an accidental fall ; the said Smallwood, flushed with the success blind Fortune then gave him, and the weak attempts of a few vain Irishmen and boys, that have of late fought him for a minute or two, makes him think himself unconquerable ; to convince him of the falsity of which, I invite him to fight me for One Hundred Pounds, at the time and place above-mentioned, when I doubt not but I shall prove the truth of what I have asserted by pegs, darts, hard blows, fal1s, and cross-buttocks. "WILLIAM WILLIS" “I, Thomas Smallwood, known for my intrepid manhood and bravery on and off the stage, accept the challenge of this puffing Quaker, and will shew him that he is led by a false spirit, that means him no other good than that he should be chastised for offering to take upon him the arm of the flesh. "THOMAS SMALLWOOD" "Note.— The Doors will be opened at Ten, and the Combatants mount at Twelve. "There will be several bye-battles, as usual; and particularly one between John Divine and John Tipping, for Five Pound« each." The next notice it at the lapse of a month, and runs thus :- "May 4th, 1742. “At George Taylor's Booth, Tottenham Court Boad. “There will be a trial of manhood here to-morrow, between the following champions, via. : "Wheres I, John Francis, commonly known by the name of the Jumping Soldier, who have always had the reputation of a good fellow, and have fought several bruisers in the street, etc., nor am I ashamed to mount the stage when my manhood is called in question by an Irish braggadocio, whom I fought some time ago, in a bye-battle, for twelve minutes, and though I bad not the success due to my courage and ability in the art of boxing, I now invite him to fight me for two guineas, at the time and place above-mentioned, where I doubt not I sha1ll give him the truth of a good beating. "JOHN FRANCIS.” THB IRIBHMAN’8 ANSWER. "I, Patrick Henley, known to every one for the truth of a ^god fellow, who never refused any one on or off the stage, and fight as often for the diversion of gentlemen as for money, do accept the challenge of this Jumping Jack; and shall, if he don’t take care, give him one of my bothering blows, which will convince him of his ignorance in the art of boxing. "PATRICK HENLEY." Fierce Egan says, "Paddy kept his promise for he so bothered the gig of the Jumping Sailor, that he was not able to move, much more to jump, for some time. Paddy gave him a Tipperary fling, which so completely shook all his recollection out of him, that he never troubled the town afterwards with any of his epistolary challenges! " For all which Hibernian perforvidum ingenium we have no authority on record. The "Chronologies" say "Henley bt. Francie (J.).' we suppose on the faith of the accuracy of "Boxiana."
In the year 1742 differences arose between Broughton, now in the highest favour with the Duke William of Cumberland (afterwards so fatally known at Culloden in the year '46), and other distinguished patrons of the Ring. The schism, which was fatal to George Taylor's establishment, will be noticed in our Life of Broughton, and ended in Taylor's joining Bronghton's company of ''champions" in 1744-5, after a sounding challenge to that boxer. From this period George Taylor appears to have held his own in numerous displays, but nothing of importance occurred till his memorable battle with Slack (see Slack), a butcher from Norwich, afterwards so renowned for his conquest of the great Broughton. Taylor's battle with Slack has come down with no details, farther than that it lasted twenty-five minutes, and was a display of steady coolness and science over rushing impetuosity. Slack proved an awkward fellow to keep off, but George was too wary, and in less than half-an-hour the butcher was beaten to a stand-still. Among the patrons of “the noble art," during the period of George Taylor's proprietorship of the Great Booth, may be numbered Frederick, Prince of Wales, the father of George the Third, before whom we may fairly infer Taylor many times exhibited. It was not then the custom, except incidentally, to give the people anything like our present "Court Circular," thus keeping the general public au courant to the movements of royalty and its branches. We find, however, among the works of Paul Whitehead, the poet, who is styled by Captain Thompson, his biographer’ “This Champion and Bard of Leicester Souse,"* a poem entitled, "The Gymnasiad, or Boxing Match." It is printed entire in the edition of his collected works. Dodsley, London, 1777. *The residence of George the Third, wherein he received the address of the Corporation of London on his accession (June 16, 1727); and also the mansion of his son Frederick, Prince of Wales, above-mentioned, who died in his father's lifetime. Here were held the glove matches above alluded to. Here, too (afterwards called Saville House), George the Third was proclaimed, on the 25th October, 1760, and received the great bodies of the State. Its subsequent history— as Miss Linwood’s Gallery of Needlework, rooms for sparring and fencing exhibitions, conjuring, etc., cafe chantant, casino, and restaurant— brings as to its fate by fire in the month of March, 1863, and its proposed resuscitation in 1879, as "The Alcasar” theatre, concert-room, and hotel. Sic transit, etc. Taylor, when he retired from the stage, became landlord of the Fountain Inn at Deptford. But as the old war-horse is said to ***** his ears at the sound of the trumpet, so, although declining in the vale of years, he replied to the challenge of Tom Faulkner, “the noted cricketer." Tom, it appears, had twice been worsted by Taylor, in bygone days; yet he felt so confident he could reverse the verdict, that he challenged George for 200 guineas and "the gate money." They met on August the 5th, 1758, at a mile and a-half from St. Alban's, Herts. The betting was three to one on Taylor, who is called in the account "the old successor of Fig.” it would appear that there was “no love lost" between the combatants. It was a complete hammering set-to. For the first twelve or thirteen rounds, Faulkner was dreadfully punished and floored several times. The fourteenth round proved a proper trial of skill and strength; at length, Faulkner levelled Taylor, when the odds began to drop a little, and Faulkner was getting into favour. George, finding that his man gained upon him, began to shift, and fell now and then without a blow, which occasioned considerable murmuring, and the friends of Faulkner insisted-that he had won the battle; but Faulkner was above taking any advantage and wished to fight it out. The combatants set-to more furiously than ever. Taylor, inspired with the thought of his fame and former victories, stood up like a hero; and Faulkner, recollecting that it must either make or break him, fought like a lion. After a terrible conflict of an hour and fifteen minutes, the veteran George Taylor acknowledged he was conquered. Greater courage and skill could not be displayed; and it was supposed, that had not Taylor laboured under the manifest disadvantage of an eye of which he had been blind for some time, Faulkner could not have beaten him; as the contest was only put an end to by Taylor having the other eye closed from a blow. The veteran hero thus added another to the list of great men who have "lingered too long upon the stage," or returned to exhibit those powers in their decadence which were admired in their prime. We shall have many occasions in the course of this history to show the unconsciousness of decaying powers among the heroes of the ring. George Taylor did not recover the shock of this defeat, and died in the December following (1758) at his house at Deptford.
Thanks to Senya for many of these reports, I will add any others that I can find. Daily Post July 7, 1729 At Mr.STOKES’s AMPHITHEATRE, In Islington Road, this present Monday being the 7th of July, will be perform’d a Trial of Manhood by the following Champions, Whereas I James Taylor, Lighterman, now Waterman at Hunderford Stairs, who lately fought and vanquish’d the stout Mr.Stevens, Carman of Aldgate, am now match’d to a Trial of my Manhood with the famous Mr. James Burt, Poulterer of Leadenhall Market, who hath fougth Rober Donnel 35 Minutes, and gain’d a compleat Conquest. Note, These two Champions never yet were beat. They fight for Twenty Pounds, the best Man to have the Wager laid, and the Benefit of the whole hous. N.B. There will be a Laced Hat fought for at Back-Sword by several Men from both Ends of the Town, before the Champions mount the Stage. The Doors will be open at Three o’Clock, and the Champions mount at Six. London Daily Journal May 12, 1730 At Mr. STOKES’s Amphitheatre, In Islington Road, this present Tuesday, the 1sth of this Inst. May, will be a Trial of Manhood by the following Champions. James Taylor, Waterman and Lighterman, and Champion of the River of Thames, have distinguished myself, and quitted myself with Bravery in the Art of Boxing of several brave stout Champions at Mr. Stokes’s Seat of Valour, do now challenge the Champion Whitacre, the Lincolnshire Drover, to a Trial of his Manhood for Twenty Pounds, the best Man to have the Benefit of the House, defraying all Charges. I John Whitacre, Lincolnshire Drover, will not fail meeting this undaunted Hero of the River of Thames, and fight him for the abovesaid Sum of Twenty Pounds, and let him know the Difference of Rowing by the Help of Tides, and Driving of good Fat Cattle to London Market on sure Ground; which if he don’t mind his Strokes as I shall, he may fall a vanquish’d Hero at my Feet. N.B. There is to be the two famous Boys that fought Thirt-five minutes a Fortnight ago, fights for two Guineas before the Champions mount the Stage, which there never was suc a Battle since the Memory of Man. Note, This is to acquaint Gentlemen, that by their deferring the Time off for long before they come in, that they lose seeing best Part of the Diversion before the Champions mount. The Doors will be open’d at 3 o’Clock, and the Masters mount at 6 precisely. Derby Mercury - Wednesday 08 February 1738 Yesterday was fought at Tottenham-Court-Booth, the great Boxing-Match between Stephenson the Coachman, and Taylor the Barber; there was a prodigious crowded House of Nobility and Gentry, at 5s. a Ticket: The Odds before they began was six to four on the Coachman who has but one Eye; and tho’ the Coachman at the very Beginning of the Battle struck the Barber just above the Eye such a Blow, that the Wound seem’d as if done with a Sword, and the Blood gush’d out, and run into that Eye, that he could scarce see, yet the Barber flung him seven Times successively, fought away boldly, and beat him in eleven Minutes: Peartree was the Coachman’s Second, and Boswell the Barber’s. There were vast Sums of Money lost on this Match: A noble Lord took a bett of 300 Guineas to 200, that the Barber would beat the Coachman. During the Battle, Part of the Benches fell down, and several were hurt and a poor Man had his Thigh broke. 1747-12-18 The Derby Mercury (page 4) LONDON. Yesterday another terrible Battle was fought between Taylor and Slack, in which the former came off Conqueror with great Difficulty.
1748-02-04 The London Daily Advertiser (page 2) At Mr. Broughton's Amphitheatre in Oxford-Road, on Wednesday next, the 10th instant, will be a decisive Trial of Manhood between John Slack, from Norwich, and George Taylor. Tickets will be deliver'd at the Door for the Matted Gallery at Five Shillings each. The Doors to be opened at Nine. Note, For the more convenient Reception of the Sporting Gentlemen, Mr. Broughton has greatly enlarg'd his Gallery. N. B. Mr. Broughton proposes, with proper Assistants, to open an Academy at his House in the Hay-Market, for the Instruction of those who are willing to be initiated in the Mystery of Boxing; where the whole Theory and Practice of that truly British Art, with all the various Stops, Blows, Cross-Buttocks, &c. incident to Combatants, will be fully taught and explain'd; and that Persons of Quality and Distinction may not be deterr'd from entering into a Course of these Lectures, they will be given with the utmost Tenderness and Regard to the Delicacy of the Frame and Constitution of the Pupil, for which Reason Mufflers are provided, that will effectually secure them from the Inconveniency of black Eyes, broken Jaws, and bloody Noses. 1748-02-20 The Ipswich Journal (page 2) Country News. 2. Norwich, Feb. 13. At Broughton's Amphitheatre in London on Wednesday last, was decided the third Battle between George Taylor the Barber and John Slack, which ended in Favour of the Barber in twelve Minutes, in which not above three were employed in Fighting, both being very circumspect, and trying to make each other Fight. There were very few Blows or Falls: The Barber was in very fine Order, and not only fixed a severe Blow on Slack just below his Ribs (where he had stopped several before with his Elbows) which he could not get rid of, but followed it with two or three more desperate ones in the same Place, which forc'd Slack to give up.---The Truth is, that Strength and Weight must be served, and there was a great Superiority in both on Taylor's Side.---The Box was 117l. Norwich Mercury. 1748-11-26 The Whitehall Evening-Post Or London Intelligencer (page 2) A few Nights since was buried John James, particularly famous for his Art and Bravery in Boxing, the Funeral (which was extraordinary decent) was defrayed by his Father. It was remarkable, that his Pall was supported by Broughton, Taylor, Stevenson, Smallwood, Slack, and Field, six of the most celebrated Bruisers that this, or perhaps any Age has produced. 1749-02-03 The Derby Mercury (page 2) LONDON, February 1. Yesterday the Boxing-Match between Taylor the Barber and Slack the Butcher, was fought at Broughton's, and was as severe a one as ever was known ; they fought twenty-six Minutes, when Slack was defeated. There was present the greatest Number of Nobility ever known on such Occasions. Derby Mercury - Thursday 23 February 1749 Wednesday died at Bromley in Kent, Mr. George Taylor, Barber, noted for his Skill in the Art of Boxing. The Ipswich Journal - Saturday 11 March 1749 Yesterday the great Boxing Match was fought at Broughton's Amphitheatre in Oxford-Road, between Walter Finley from Edinburgh, and the famous Geroge Taylor, when Taylor soon beat Finley to his Heart's Content.— Finley is a stout jolly Man. 1750-02-03 The Ipswich Journal (page 2) F. London, Thursday, Feb. 1. Yesterday was fought at Broughton's Amphitheatre, a Boxing-Match which held 25 Minutes, between George Taylor and John Slack, when the former, with some Difficulty, beat his Antagonist. Before the battle began, the Odds were three to one against Slack, but at one time the Bets became eve (Note Jack Slack defeated Jack Broughton in April 1750) 1751-02-09 The Ipswich Journal (page 3) Friday Post. London, Thursday, February 7. 16. We hear that the Boxing Theatre in Tyburn Road will soon be suppressed by the Bench of Justices, as it is thought to contribute to the Nursery of a great Number of loose, idle, and disorderly People. Wh. Ev. Post. 17. Yesterday was decided the Boxing-Match between Taylor and Slack, which lasted about 15 Minutes, and was ended in favour of Taylor, at a Time when it was thought that Slack would have beat him, the Odds being Ten to One of it; but it was said that in the last Fall he hurt his Leg, and therefore gave out. 1751-02-16 The Ipswich Journal (page 1) Country News. 1. Norwich, Feb. 9. At Broughton's Amphitheatre, on Wednesday last, after the most bloody Battle that ever was seen for the time it lasted, which was just sixteen Minutes, George Taylor beat his Antagonist John Slack, from this City. The House was full before Nine, and the Fight over by Ten o'Clock. The Odds before setting to were Two to One on Taylor. For the first six Minutes there never was faster Fighting, or more terrible Blows and Falls, but Slack had the worst of it, and the Odds were greater against him than at the Beginning; but in the next five Minutes, which were employed in hard Boxing, without a Fall, the Battle was brought even, and both of them seemed equally tired, and out of Wind; from this time, Slack's straight Blows began to take Place, and he had greatly the Advantage, both in Fighting and Falls, insomuch that the Odds were at 14 Minutes more in his Favour than they had ever been against him; 'till unluckily, when it was impossible for him to have lost but by an Accident, by a Twist of his Leg to disengage himself from his Adversary's Lock, and in which he succeeded so as to give the Fall, he had the Misfortune to put out his Knee, which lost him almost a certain Victory. Taylor, who may be truly said, to have won this Battle out of the Fire, has declared he will appear no more on the Stage, so that our Countryman is now the first Fighting Man in England. There was above 200l. in the boxes, besides Tickets. 1751-03-16 The Ipswich Journal (page 3) We are assured that George Taylor, the noted Boxer, is match'd to fight Tom Smallwood, of Bow-Street, Covent-Garden, well known in the same Art, on the 1st of May next, 100 Guineas to 50; and that there are very great Bets depending on this Battle, Smallwood having thrice beaten the famous Norwich Butcher, Slack. Friday 15 May 1752 Derby Mercury - Yesterday Slack beat Falkner, after an Engagement of 27 Minutes. It was allowed by the Spectator to be the greatest Battle that was ever fought and though the Odds before setting too were three to one on Slack, yet during the Battle, the Betts came about two to one on Falkner. Two Minutes before it was ended, it was generally thought that the next fall would determine the Victory, and they were both so weak, that they could hardly lift up their Arms to strike a Blow, but a Fall ensuing from their closing, Falkner was the undermost, which determin'd his Fate; and his Conqueror, when attempted to be lifted off from the vanquish'd Hero, Flipt out of the out of the Second's Arms, and lay on the Stage as flat as his Antagonist, and they were both obliged ti be carried off the Stage, The Seconds were George Taylor, and Tom-Boy; the former to Falkner, and the latter to Slack. Oxford Journal - Saturday 25 June 1757 London, June 21. Last Thursday Evening died of Gout in his Stomach, aged 43 Years, Mr. George Taylor the Barber, Master of the Fountain Inn and Tavern, in the Broadway, Deptford, formerly a noted Boxer.
The listing of his as a Champion of England before Broughton appears dubious to me, it appears Broughton was already Champion when they first fought from Godfrey's writings, and that the date of the first battle was earlier than often written. While it is interesting that Henry Lemoine claims Taylor beat Broughton eventually, I'm not ready to accept this claim without something to back it up (e.g. a news report). However it seems George Taylor nevertheless breifly became Champion of England by beating Jack Slack, before subsequently retiring and giving up the Championship. He also has the significance of taking over Figg's ampitheatre after him. Heavyweight Champions from Ancient to Present Bareknuckle history meta-thread
