English Champions: James "The First" Figg

1724-06-30 The Daily Post (London, England) (page 2)
At the Amphitheatre at Hockley in the Hole, To-morrow the 1st July, will be an Engagement between two famous Lanistarians, Mr. Rowland Bennet from Ireland, and the celebrated inimitable Mr. James Figg, the former of which having been the Demolisher of the renown'd Mr. Buck, and taking a Disgust at the Dialect of the latter, as being disagreeable to the Hibernian Spirit, has summon'd him to prove the same by the Language of the Sword; so that a very hot dispute is like to arise for sometime, except their Communication be cut off.

 

1724-08-04 The Daily Post (London, England) (page 2)
At Figg's new Amphitheatre, joining to his House, at the Sign of the City of Oxford, in Oxford Road Marybone Fields, To-morrow the 5th of August, will be perform'd a Tryal of Skill by the following Masters. Whereas I Rowland Bennet, from Ireland, Master of the Noble Science of Defence, who, when I last Encounter'd Mr. Figg, having at the same Time a great Impediment in my Shoulder, was thereby rendred incapable of Exerting myself, as also of putting such Methods in Execution, as I don't doubt would, however unexpected by the Populace (and which was plainly seen) not only have turn'd the Scale another way, but likewise have convinc'd all Persons, as I asserted before, of the Possibility of one Man's equalling, if not exceeding the Judgment of another, notwithstanding their ascribing to him the Character of being Invincible; for a second Tryal of which, I do hereby Invite the said Mr. Figg to meet me as above, and Exercise the usual Weapons practis'd on the Stage. I James Figg, from Thame in Oxfordshire, Master of the said Science, that the said Mr. Bennet may have an Opportunity of exerting himself, by exhibiting all the stupendious Varieties of the Sword he is Master of, whereby to undeceive all Persons in their Opinions and Character of me, will not fail to meet him at the Place and Time abovemention'd; where I shall endeavour, not only to frustrate his Designs, but also to return such as may continue my aforesaid Character, and create in all Spectators intire Satisfaction. N. B. That at the above Place all Care is taken for the Reception of Gentlemen, whereby they are secur'd from the Insults of the Mob, in throwing Stones, or such like; none being to be admitted but those of good Appearance, &c. Attendance will be given at Three, and the Masters mount at Five precisely.

 

1724-08-11 The Daily Post (London, England) (page 2)
At Mr. Figg's new Amphitheatre, Tomorrow being Wednesday the 12th Instant, will be an Engagement between the said Mr. Figg and John Rotchel, a Cambridgeshire Hero, who having given some signal Proofs of his Abilities in the Science, with such Success as few or none has done before him, it remains a doubt what the Issue of this may prove; whether the Oxfordshire Hero who has hitherto been inimatable will be rivall'd (tho' not easily) by this Cambridgeshire Champion, or still retain his wonted Appellation, the which nothing being able to determine but the Trial, it must be refer'd to that, and be it as it will, it is thought there will be as hot a Dispute for it as has been yet known.

 

1724-08-19 The Daily Post (London, England) (page 1)
At Figg's new Amphitheatre, joining to his House, the Sign of the City of Oxford, in Oxford Road, Marybone Fields, this Day the 19th Instant, will be perform'd a Trial of Skill by the following Masters. Whereas I Christopher Perkins, from Ireland, Master of the Noble Science of Defence, who when I encountered Mr. Figg last, being, as it were, thereunto compell'd, notwithstanding the Impediment I then labour'd under, which rendred me unfit for that Purpose: Now these Disadvantages being removed, and that the said Mr. Figg, and all his Votaries, may see the Odds, I do hereby Invite him to meet me, as above, and Exercise by *Inversion (* i.e. beginning with the Staff, &c.) the usual Weapons practised on the Stage. I James Figg, from Thame in Oxfordshire, Master of the said Science, that the said Mr. Perkins, or any body else, may not have it in their Power to assert, I ever made use of any other Advantage than that of the Judgment of the Sword, will not fail to be ready to receive him at the Time abovemention'd; where, notwithstanding his Inverting the Order, I shall endeavour to give him to understand, that let him take hold of what Little of the Chain he pleases, the same Consequences will follow. Attendance will be given at Three, and the Masters mount at 5 precisely, by reason of the Decrease of the Days. N. B. Mr. Figg gives a Hat to be plaid for (instead of a Pair of Gloves, as was said in our Paper on Monday) to divert the Company before the Masters mount.

 

1724-09-08 The Daily Post (London, England) (page 3)
At Figg's new Amphitheatre, joining to his House, the Sign of the City of Oxford, in Oxford Road, Marybone Fields, To-morrow the 9th of Sept. will be perform'd a Trial of Skill by the following Masters. Whereas I John Hoyle, from Beverly in Yorkshire, Master of the Noble Science of Defence, when I disputed with Mr. Figg's Pupil last, the Preference in the Judgment of the Sword, seeing Mr. Figg at the same Time to be disgusted at what (I believe) most of the Spectators thought very reasonable; but that such sinister Means of depressing my Character may not add to the magnifying his own, and not thinking myself inferior to any Master, as also to make Mr. Figg sensible thereof, I do hereby invite him to meet me as above, and Exercise the Weapons in the following manner, i. e. four Bouts at each Order of the Sword, instead of three, and the Staff to be omitted, the Reason of which preceeds from my Incapability of wielding it, by receiving a Wound in my Left Hand in the Service Abroad. I James Figg, from Thame in Oxfordshire, Master of the said Science, do, and shall always think that to be allowable which shall be thought so by the Encouragers of the Sword; and that it may not be thought that I take more Advantage of any Master than what the Judgment of the Sword affords, I will not fail to meet the said Mr. Hoyle on his own Terms; where, contrary to his above Assertion, I shall endeavour to be as Dextrous as may be, in giving him and all Spectators intire Satisfaction.

N. B. Attendance will be given at Two, and the Masters mount at Four precisely, by reason of a Dispute between two other Masters, Mr. Clarkson, the Old Soldier, and Mr. Stevenson, known by the name of Greylock; who, after the former Masters have ended, will entertain the Spectators with an Exhibition throughout all the Weapons, and which is to be left to their Decision.


1724-09-09 The Daily Post (London, England) (page 1)
AT Figg's new Amphitheatre, joining to his House, the Sign of the City of Oxford, in Oxford Road, Marybone Fields, this Day the 9th of Sept. will be acted a Tragi-Comedy, call'd The Competitors. The principal Parts to be perform'd by the celebrated Mr. James Figg, Oxonian, and Mr. John Hoyle, Eborac, or Yorkshire Professor: The Master of Debate being which of them are the most Emphatical and Excellent in their Performances, it is to be left to (and they are to rise and fall by) the judgment of the then Assembly.

N. B. Attendance will be given at Two, and the Masters mount at Four precisely, by reason of a Dispute between two other Master, Mr. Clarkson the Old Soldier, and Mr. Stevenson, known by the Name of Greylock; who after the former Masters have ended, will entertain the Spectators with an Exhibition throughout all the Weapons, and which is to be left to their Decision.

 

1724-09-14 The Daily Post (London, England) (page 2)
At Figg's new Amphitheatre, joining to his House, the Sign of the City of Oxford, in Oxford Road, Marybone Fields, on Wednesday next, being the 16th of Sept. 1724. Will be perform'd a Tryal of Skill by the following Masters. I Edward Sutton, Pipemaker, from Gravesend, in the County of Kent, Master of the Noble Science of Defence, am strangely surpriz'd that Mr. Figg should have a Character beyond any other Master. Therefore, for the Credit of the Sword, do desire him to meet me as above at the usual Weapons, knowing myself equaliz'd with any, desiring him to exert the utmost of his Skill with the greatest Severity, not questioning in the least, but to give as good Satisfaction as ever was given on the Stage. I James Figg, from Thame in Oxfordshire, Master of the said Science, am under as great a Surprize, that the above Mr. Sutton should be ignorant of the Cause of my having that Character, having, as I thought, given both him and all others Demonstrations thereof, the which to repeat, I will not fail meeting him as appointed, in Order to see how far his Knowledge of Equality does extend, as also to undeceive him, if he imagines that through me he will advance it any farther. N. B. Attendance will be given at 2, and the Masters mount between 4 and 5 at farthest, because of the Decrease of the Days: As also that the usual Diversion at Blunts will be exercis'd for a Silver Spoon.

 

1724-10-21 The Daily Post (London, England) (page 1)
This present Wednesday the 21st Instant, at Mr. Figg's Amphitheatre, will be decided a great Controversy between the said Mr. Figg, and the experienc'd famous Edward Sutton of Gravesend Pipemaker, who abhorring the Thoughts of an Equal, much more a Superior, has invited our Oxonian Hero, who has hitherto undoubtedly been unequal'd, to dispute with him that Character, at which Time this famous Man of Kent is resolv'd to maintain the Appellation of their being unconquerable, and by the said Country 'tis thought he will gain the Point; but most others are inclinable to believe, that he will not only miss of the same, but also suffer a Repique.

 

1727-06-10 - 1727-06-17 The Ipswich Journal, or, The Weekly-Mercury (Ipswichm Suffolk, England) (page 3)
LONDON, June 13.

The Company at Mr. Figg's Amphitheatre was agreeably entertain'd this Week; and pretty much at his own Expense; for there having been some private Disputes between him and Mr. Sutton, the Gravesend Champion; the last was determined to end them, in that publick Manner; so to it they went in Earnest; The Hero of the Day was Mr. Sutton, who came off Victorious; and his Opponent 'tis thought will not be fit for Action for some time, being wounded in the Belly, and, to use their own Term, made a Devil of; that is, Cloven in the Foot.