Before we get into this I have to say, no, I was not lazy about this post. I have checked every book and online resource I have and even gained a few new ones. One of my favorite historians, Christopher James Shelton, wrote this: "There is no record of how Peartree lost his title or how Gritton would be named, even by Figg, as the English bare-knuckle champion of 1727." That is not to say there is no record stating Gritton is the champ of 27, there's a bit on Gritton in the main sources, Boxiana, Pugilistica, Godfrey, etc but there is no more to say on Nat than I covered in the Bob thread and no reference or connection from Nat to Gritton. I'll explore more into Gritton when the time comes, but there is no mention of Nat in his story or any other fighter's story from that era outside of Bob in those sources. If there is more on Nat it's in a lost London Times article or some such similar. I don't think there's more to know without spending money. That said, when the thread's complete I'll do just that. I'm already spending hundreds in books, and honestly a newspaper collection would be cool, even a recreated, digital, or scanned collection. So, this thread is something of a placeholder. If I never come up with anything I'll likely rewrite this and stage the who Figg-Venetian thing through Peartree so the thread makes sense on it's own. If you've read the Whittaker thread there's nothing new here. If you've some gumption, beat me to finding something new to add. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Gentlemen, perhaps, as how, you may think, that I have picked out the best man in London to beat this here foreigner; but if you will come this day se'nnight, I'll produce a man that shall BEAT BOB WHITAKER, by fair hitting, in ten minutes." It had the desired effect by the company proving as great and as fine as the week before, and who came to see whether Figg was not trilling with them; it being considered a difficult task to beat such a bottom man as Bob in so short a space of time. On the day appointed, the Amphitheatre, as before, was crowded at an early hour, and poor Whittaker's laurels were doomed to be but of short duration. Nat Peartree was the man looked out to deprive him of his honours; and who was considered a most admirable boxer. it was supposed that Peartree was a match for any of the pugilists. He was famous for fighting at the face, and putting in his blows with great strength; yet felt doubtful in being able to beat Whittaker by force, as the latter had proved himself, upon many occasions, a most enormous glutton, and therefore cunningly determined to fight at his eyes. The event proved Peartree's judgement to be correct, for, in about six minutes, he had directed his arms so well that Whittaker was shut out from daylight by both his eyes being closed up. In this distressed situation he became an object of pity, by being completely at the mercy of his antagonist; when poking about awhile for his man, and finding him not, he wisely gave in, with these odd words "Dam'me, I am not yet beat, but what signifies when I cannot see my man?!" ------------------------------------------------------------- So while I was hunting for just about any story other than Peartree toppling Whittaker I came across a website for a video game based on the title bout video game. I mentioned it in the Whittaker thread when discussion Gondolier's name. I actually have title bout, it's pretty cool and if you're familiar with the d20 system it's pretty intuitive. Anyway my point is among the collection of video game bullshits they have these records. They're not real record they're records derived from the simulator, their records for their sim title. I know it's just bull****, but still it is something, and it's not like these guys were uneducated. All things considered, looking at their site, if one of them came here to speak on the era they'd be one of the most informed posters we have. If you're interested, here's Nat's record: http://royalexplorersclub.net/Peartree_Nathaniel.html Heavyweight Champions from Ancient to Present
Senya found this. I already also mentioned it in the main thread, but for anyone going thrugh this in the future. The only contemporary mention I've seen of Peartree. 1738-05-11 The Derby Mercury (page 4) Last Friday Night was buried, Thomas Allen, commonly called Pipes, particularly famous for his Art and Bravery in Boxing; He was Gallery Door keeper to Drury-Lane Playhouse; and the Funeral (which was extraordinary decent) was, for his faithful Services, defray'd by his Master. It was remarkable, that his Pall was supported by John Broughton, Nathaniel Peartree, George Taylor, George Stevenson, Benjamin Boswell, and Thomas Dimmack. Six of the most celebrated Boxers that this or perhaps any Age has produced. To see half a Dozen such brave Fellows affectionately and decently attending him to his Grave is an Instance (as in their Scene of Life he was often their Antagonist) of the innate generous Love of Valour for which Englishmen are so justly distinguish'd. Edit: I found one other mention Derby Mercury - Wednesday 08 February 1738 Yesterday was fought at Tottenham-Court-Booth, the great Boxing-Match between Stephenson the Coachman, and Taylorthe Baber; 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 scare 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. Edit 2: I'll avoid bumping this, but I feel Godfrey's writing should be included as it seems to be the source for the later writings. From A Treatise Upon the Useful Science of Defence By Capt. John Godfrey 1747 The Man [to beat Bob Whittaker] was NATHANIEL PEARTREE, who knowing the other's Bottom, and his deadly way of Flinging, took a most judicious Method to beat him. — Let his Character come in here — He was a most admirable Boxer, and I do not know one he was not a Match for, before he lost his Finger. He was famous, like PIPES, for fighting at the Face, but stronger in his Blows. He knew WHITAKER'S Hardiness, and doubting of his being able to give him Beating enough, cunningly determined to fight at his Eyes. His Judgement carried in his Arm so well, that in about six Minutes both WHITAKER'S Eyes were shut up ; when groping about a while for his Man, and finding him not, he wisely gave out, with these odd Words — Damme— I am not beat, but what signifies my fighting when I cannot fee my Man ?
I've been looking at some genealogical records, I've possibly found him. There was a Nathaniel Peartree christened in 1696 in Middlesex, and Marrige records from Fleet, London in 1722 and 1747.
