CHAPTER VII.
CALEB BALDWIN, “THE PRIDE OF WESTMINSTER.”—1786 (1792)–1816.
Caleb Stephen Ramsbottom, for such were the registered sponsorial and patronymic styles of this well-known boxer, was born beneath the shadow of the venerable abbey church of St. Peter’s, Westminster, in what were the head-quarters of the costermongery of western London, in the early days of the third George, to wit, the 22nd of April, 1769. We like to be particular in the birthdays of remarkable men, for Caleb, in his day, was a more noted character, and certainly more of an “original,” than many upon whom biographers have wasted mutton fat, or, more classically, “the midnight oil.”
The reader will best form a judgment of Caleb’s qualities as a “good piece of stuff,” from an unvarnished account of his performances within the ropes. We may premise, however, that Caleb in his later days weighed but 9st. 11lbs., and therefore may well take his own assertion, that he was quite four pounds less when in his younger days he met antagonists, without much distinction of age or height; his own being five feet seven inches.
We shall pass Caleb’s youthful skirmishes with unknown antagonists, referring the curious to “Boxiana,” vol. i., pp. 301–307. The first of these, we are told, was with “one Gregory,” in 1786, and then follow flourishing accounts of victories over Jem Jones, Arthur Smith, Jerry Matthews, Bill Berks, Wadham (a grenadier), Kelly, “one Jones,” a fourteen stone coal-whipper, Bob Parker, etc., etc., all of which “the historian,” fancifully embellishes with such characteristic touches as would induce us to think that he had himself been eye witness and reporter of the frays.
In 1792, on the 14th of May, we find Caleb’s first recorded battle. It was with the well-known Tom (Paddington) Jones, at Hurley Bottom, after the fight between Mendoza and Bill Warr. They fought for a purse of £20, but after a game and even contest of half an hour, a dispute arose, and the battle was declared “a draw.” They were each so satisfied with the other’s goodness, that though they met for many long years afterwards at sparring benefits, outside the ring as spectators and inside as seconds, they never again held up naked fists as adversaries.[[113]]
After the great battle between Jem Belcher and Andrew Gamble, December 22, 1800, at Wimbledon Common, a purse of twenty guineas was contended for. Kelly, a stalwart Irishman, under the patronage of Coady, “the bruising publican,” and Burke (not Berks), offered himself. The reporter says, “Caleb Baldwin, a dealer in greens, well-known among the Westminster lads as a smart customer with the mufflers, accepted the contest. Joe Ward and Elisha Crabbe, offered themselves as Caleb’s seconds, and Tom Tring was his bottle-holder. They fought merrily twelve rounds in fifteen minutes, when Paddy, who could not latterly get in a blow, yielded to a hearty drubbing.”
In June, 1801, there is proof that Caleb was semper paratus, like other heroes. He was enjoying himself at the Pewter Platter, in St. John Street; Jackling, known as “Ginger,” brother of the renowned Tom Johnson, was there, and spoke contemptuously of Caleb’s capabilities. A quarrel was the result, and a challenge following, Caleb turned out there and then. The paragraph writer says, “Jackling, alias Ginger, Tom Johnson’s brother, having quarrelled with Caleb Baldwin, they fought a severe battle, in which the pungency of Ginger was completely overcome by the acrimony of his antagonist’s fist.”[[114]] This was thought smart writing in those days.
After Jem Belcher, of whom Caleb was always an admiring follower, had beaten the resolute Joe Berks, at Hurley Bottom, November 25th, 1801, Lee, “the butcher,”[[115]] made his appearance, followed by Caleb Baldwin, to decide their match for twenty guineas a side. Caleb was attended by Paddington Jones, his old opponent, and Joe Ward; Lee by Maddox and Seabrook. We preserve the report.
THE FIGHT.
There was no time lost in setting-to, and for the first twelve rounds much science was displayed by the lighter combatant, “the Westminster Champion,” as he is now styled. He did not, however, much reduce Lee’s strength, who fought with determined resolution.
13.—Caleb put in two straight hits through Lee’s guard; the second brought down the butcher.
14.—Lee rallied manfully. He got in the first blow; but Caleb stepped in, put on the lock, and threw him neatly. (Great shouting from the “Neddy” drivers.)
15.—Caleb gave his adversary a clean cross buttock.
16.—Lee had the advantage in hitting; he struck his opponent three severe blows, and brought him down.
17.—In this round Caleb displayed most excellent skill, strength, and activity. At the commencement six hard blows were struck, after which Caleb, fastening on his antagonist, threw him completely over his head. Lee’s back rebounded from the stage with great violence, and he lay panting on the ground.
18.—Caleb slipped and fell, upon the system of husbanding his strength.
19.—Caleb gave his antagonist a heavy knock-down blow.
20.—Lee fought this round with determined courage and great skill, but still Caleb had the best of it.
21.—Caleb gave another knock-down blow, and Lee, who was completely exhausted, gave in.
The contest lasted twenty-three minutes, and afforded more amusement and a greater display of science than even the preceding grand affair between Belcher and Berks.
Lord Say and Sele, The Hon. Berkeley Craven, Sir Thomas Apreece, Colonel Montgomery, Captain Taylor, and many other distinguished amateurs were present.
Jack O’Donnell having beaten Pardo Wilson (Belcher’s brother-in-law), and Smith, was now the recognised “Irish champion,” and he challenged Caleb for fifty guineas a-side, who, nothing loth, entered into articles of agreement. As there was great apprehension that the Bow Street authorities would interfere, the matter was “kept dark,” and on Friday morning, October 21st, 1803, the men and their friends started early by different roads out of town. Wimbledon Common, in the vicinity of that interesting landmark of civilisation,[[116]] the gibbet of the notorious Jerry Abershaw, was the rendezvous, and there at twelve o’clock all had arrived. Vehicles of every description and thousands of spectators and equestrians thronged the valley, a ring was quickly formed, and at half-past twelve O’Donnell entered, followed by the veteran Caleb. The men immediately threw themselves in attitude. Odds six to four on Baldwin, readily taken.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—O’Donnell put in the first blow in his adversary’s side. Caleb returned dexterously right and left, then closing, threw his opponent.
2.—O’Donnell fought very shy, but Caleb stood to his man, followed him round the ring, and put in several severe blows, which were well parried by his adversary. It was here thought O’Donnell was endeavouring to wind Caleb; however, he did not fall off in putting in his blows, and having got O’Donnell to the edge of the ring, put in a most severe body hit, which brought him down.
3.—At the commencement of this round O’Donnell appeared sick from the effects of the last blow, which Caleb perceiving, stuck to him closely, not allowing him even time for breath. O’Donnell tried to avoid him, but failed. They closed, and Caleb again threw him. (Odds had now risen as high as four to one.)
4.—This round was well contested by both combatants. O’Donnell recovered, came up in better spirits, and fought more manfully. He put in several good blows, and cut his opponent over the right eye; they closed, and O’Donnell for the first time threw Caleb.
5.—The sun now was extremely troublesome, particularly to O’Donnell, who shifted and tried hard to get the shady side; but Caleb’s cleverness was not to be out done. Some severe straight-forward blows were given on both sides; O’Donnell’s last bringing his opponent down a second time. His friends now again began to hope for success, and odds triflingly changed.
6.—O’Donnell came up smiling; Caleb made several blows tell. A blow from O’Donnell made him stagger, on which he rushed in, and with great force knocked down O’Donnell.
7.—This, although not the last, was the decisive round. O’Donnell set-to with great spirits, and displayed great courage and excellent science. Caleb made several feints, which by many were considered weakness, and the odds fell back to even betting. Caleb, however, caught his opponent off his guard, and planted a most severe blow in his kidneys,[[117]] which had a most visible effect. They dosed, and O’Donnell was thrown.
8.—The effects of the blow, so powerfully put in by Caleb in the last round, were so great, that O’Donnell was scarcely able to stand. Caleb showed as much fight as ever, followed him up, put in several good blows, and concluded both the round and the battle by giving his opponent a violent cross buttock.
O’Donnell was immediately led off the ground greatly distressed, both by the kidney blow and the last fall; he was placed in a hackney coach, but his friends neglected him even more than Berks’ did; they left him there without any assistance for nearly two hours, while Caleb was carried in triumph round the ground, and also until the termination of another battle, which consisted of forty rounds.
This match was considered extremely even as to the skill and strength of the combatants. Both had fought numerous minor battles, and two or three regular ring-fights, in which neither of them had been beaten. Caleb being some years older than his opponent, O’Donnell’s youth was considered to be an equivalent for Caleb’s more practical science.
The fight above alluded to was between one Beckley, known as “Blue Breeches,” and Clarke, which ended in a draw after fifty minutes’ desperate milling.
In November of the same year, O’Donnell again challenged Caleb for 100 guineas. His friends declared the last fight a mistake, the next they said would be “the real thing.” This, however, came to nothing, and Caleb, who had long wished to try his skill with the Jewish phenomenon, Dutch Sam, was backed by his friends, for fifty guineas; and Tuesday, August 7th, 1804, fixed for the combat, which took place at Wood Green, near Hornsey. (See Life of Dutch Sam, ante, Chapter V.)
This first defeat of Caleb was by no means a dishonourable one, and when in the October following a second match was made, Sam, to the surprise of the amateurs, declined to go on with it, and forfeited his deposit. Caleb’s friends maintained that he was out of condition on the first occasion.
On Tuesday, August 6th, 1805, the long expected battle between Bill Ryan and Caleb Baldwin crowded the Lewisham side of Blackheath with thousands of eager spectators. The seat of combat was not determined until very late on the Monday night, and many who expected it to be at Wilsden Green, travelled there only to be disappointed. A ring having been formed, about eleven o’clock the combatants entered, Ryan attended by Tom Jones and Puss, and Caleb by Pearce, the Game Chicken, and Mountain. Odds were rather in favour of Caleb, but in general betting was even. After the usual ceremony they set-to.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—Much sparring; Caleb at last put in two good blows right and left. They closed, and both fell.
2.—Caleb made a hit, and while closing, Ryan threw in a severe blow, and cut his opponent in the face; closed, and both fell.
3.—Caleb threw in some tolerably clean body blows. Ryan ran in and threw him.
4.—Caleb put in a blow over Ryan’s eye; it soon swelled and became black. Caleb terminated the round by giving Ryan a complete somersault. The advantage was all with Baldwin.
5.—A good round. Caleb held his lead by several sharp blows. They closed, and after a sharp struggle Caleb was uppermost. (Shouts for Westminster.)
10.—Every move in favour of Caleb, who was the quicker and more resolute fighter.
11.—Caleb slipped in, hit, and slipped out again. Ryan followed him, when Caleb hit up, closed, and threw him another swinging fall.
12.—Slow sparring. Both blowing, and Ryan very shy of his man. Caleb put in a tremendous blow upon his opponent’s head, and brought him down.
13.—Caleb with great dexterity repeated his blow, and Ryan fell again. (Odds were now five to one in favour of Caleb.)
15.—Ryan very shy. He, however, rallied, and threw in several very good hits. Caleb now began to show exhaustion, as was somewhat expected from his violent exertion.
16.—Ryan began to show to advantage. Caleb was fatigued, and Ryan’s superior strength appeared manifest.
21.—Every round now added fresh superiority to Ryan, who, although much fatigued, threw his opponent every time.
22.—This was the last round in which there was any fighting. Caleb summoned all his courage, put in some well-aimed blows, but was too weak to withstand his opponent, who again brought him down.
26.—Caleb fell, almost exhausted, and while falling Ryan hit him. The ring was instantly broken in, and a cry of “Foul” raised. It was clearly a mere dodge to save the stakes. But while the connoisseurs were debating the question, a party of dragoons arrived and dispersed the assemblage. The combatants, both pretty well thrashed, were put together in a postchaise and brought to London. The fight had lasted half an hour, when this wrangle took place.
At a subsequent meeting it was agreed that the military interference made it a drawn battle. Ryan declined a renewal of the match.
This may be considered the legitimate wind-up of Caleb’s professional career as a pugilist, after twenty years of ring practice (1786–1806), with one solitary defeat, and that at the hands of the renowned Dutch Sam. From this time Caleb figures as one of the most active and interesting characters in “the Fancy,” and the liveliest leader and councillor of the followers of the ring. For years he was in his sphere a sort of pugilistic Palmerston in the Westminster purlieus of Downing Street. His courage was never doubted; his science was unquestionable; his honesty never impeached, and his fun was perennial. Caleb, though never quarrelsome, was always ready upon warrantable occasion to “sport his canvas.” Few harder hitters were to be found, and many first-rate pupils were turned out by him. In his own dominion, on the downs of Tothill, his opinions upon sporting matters commanded deference, and Caleb’s judgment in matters concerning man, dog, badger, or bull, was almost without appeal.
In May, 1816, a curious day’s “outing” took place, to witness a battle between a couple of “darkies,” hight Stephenson[[118]] and Sam Robinson; “Ethiopian” bruisers, like Ethiopian serenaders, being now in fashion, from the exploits of such men as Richmond, Kendrick, and Co. To Coombe Warren, also, one Bristow, known as “Young Massa,” in the service of a sporting gentleman, had repaired. Caleb as one of the M.C.’s was beating out the ring, when he applied the thong to Young Massa, who, new to his freedom and unacquainted with the person and privileges of Caleb as a public functionary, retorted by a couple of such unexpected facers as drew “the veteran’s” cork. A row was the immediate consequence, in which Caleb proposed to cast the question of his ring privilege to the winds, and then and there vindicate his insulted manhood. He was at length indulged. The two principals actually quitted the ropes and Caleb was “indulged” with “a round or two,” as he expressed it. Bill Richmond hereon offered to pick up Bristow, and Harry Harmer valeted the Veteran. The affair showed that Young Massa was not to be easily disposed of. The report is Pierce Egan’s, though it is not even alluded to in his life of Caleb Baldwin.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—Caleb seemed angry, and eager to check this daring novice for his presumption, set-to with great courage, and wished to mill off hand this sprig of colour, but Massa laughed at the attempt, returned hit for hit, and in closing brought the veteran down.
2.—Young Massa not only showed pluck, but his attitudes were imposing, and the champion of Westminster did not know what to make of him. Caleb hit out viciously, which the black returned on the nob of his opponent, and the veteran, in a close, went down undermost.
3.—On setting-to Massa put in a severe facer, and followed it up so strongly, that the champion was fairly hit down.
4.—Young Blacky, full of gaiety, pointed his finger at the veteran, by way of derision, and kept moving with great agility that he might not be smashed by the superior science he had to contend against. Some blows were exchanged, and, in closing, this game sprig fibbed Caleb severely, and brought him again down undermost.
5.—The youth of the Black encouraged him to proceed, and he hit out rather in a scientific style, as if he had taken lessons. Caleb seemed not able to stop him, and the veteran’s sight appeared somewhat defective, as he generally hit short. In closing, as before, the Black fibbed away, and Caleb went down undermost.
6.—Caleb, on his guard, had the best of this round, and, in closing, turned the novice down.
7.—Young Massa seemed an apt scholar, quite on the alert, and, under the guidance of such a second as Richmond he stood more than a chance to do something. He put in three severe hits, got away cleverly, and succeeded finally in bringing down his man.
8.—Caleb’s nob was properly crimsoned, and in every round he received more than he gave. His once acknowledged talent for serving out appeared to be gone by, or else this almost conqueror of Dutch Sam could never have suffered so many rounds to have passed over to his evident disadvantage. The young Black had too much gaiety for him, and he threw the champion against his will.
9.—Caleb got a little into work, and gave Massa a small taste; but he seemed to make no impression; however, he ultimately brought the young one down.
10.—This was a sort of scuffling round, but Caleb had the best of the throw.
11.—Blacky ran in with great velocity, and gave his opponent a tremendous body blow—a perfect winder! It was heard at some distance, and the champion felt not a little surprised. In closing, they both went down.
12.—Appearances were most certainly against Caleb; but yet some trifling odds were betted, from what he had formerly done, that the old trump would be able to come through the piece. At Caleb’s age, the Black must have been considered a dangerous unlucky customer to have fallen in his way, so unprepared as he then was. It was altogether an unfortunate turn up for the veteran; and even the terrors of the ring did not in the least abate the confidence of the young adventurer, who hit out and faced his man more like an experienced boxer than a raw chance miller. Caleb again found himself on the ground.
13 and last.—Caleb, full of pluck, seemed to rally all his capabilities into action, and rushed toward the scratch with all the eagerness of a Richard, mentally exclaiming—“Perish the thought; ne’er be it said that Caleb, the renowned Caleb Baldwin, of milling notoriety, ever surrendered his hard-earned laurels into the hands of a mere strippling novice, and that too a Black!” The champion put in some of his teasers, and, it is but justice to observe, that the young one was not a jot behind hand in returning some good hits. It was a milling round altogether, but, in closing, Caleb was again down. Some interference now appeared to be made, and the darling fame of Caleb was rescued from the tottering brink of destruction by Blacky giving in, to the great astonishment and surprise of the spectators, as the young one had only a very slight scratch over one of his eyes. Caleb was thus enabled once more to return to his dominions as the conquering hero. Young Blacky, upon being persuaded to relinquish the contest, received the sum of 30s., collected by subscription, as a reward for the pluck he manifested in daring to enter the lists with so renowned a punisher as Caleb Ramsbottom Baldwin.[[119]]
Caleb henceforth wisely confined himself to seconding and ring-keeping, in which his services were conspicuous and constant. On May 15, 1817, we find a joint benefit announced for two veterans, Caleb Baldwin and “Old Joe Ward,” now in his seventy-second year. Cribb and Tom Oliver sparred on this occasion. The wind-up was between Caleb and Paddington Jones. “The first-named old trump prefaced his set-to by informing the company that twenty-eight years ago he and his friend Jones fought a tough fight together and had been ‘pals’ ever since. (Applause.) Caleb still retains considerable energy, and the display of the ‘old school’ was very creditable. Two sons of Caleb also exhibited their skill with the gloves, the second with young Perry, who ‘bested’ him. Caleb’s first-born set-to with Jack Martin, but his pipes were out of order and he took off the gloves as quickly as he well could. They will not continue the renown of the father’s name.”
We find Caleb’s name in numerous benefits for his brother pugilists, and in 1819 (Sept. 16), he advertised a benefit at the “Minor Theatre in the Strand.” As these announcements occasionally possess a curiosity from their scarcity, we subjoin one of Caleb’s as a specimen:—
CALEB BALDWIN
Respectfully acquaints his Friends and the Public, he would be proud to see them at the
MINOR THEATRE, IN THE STRAND,
On Thursday, 16th September, 1819,
Where he intends to exhibit with one of the Primest Little Nonpareils[[120]] of the Day; and as several of the First-rate Pugilists have promised to meet him there, he anticipates they will receive a High Treat.
The Cognoscenti, the Lads of the Turf, and the Fancy in general, cannot obliterate from memory the amusement they have enjoyed from the able, spirited, and active manner in which Caleb always kept the Ring for them on Days of Sport; nor can it be forgotten, he has fought upwards of Thirty Battles, and was never beat, previous to that unsuccessful set-to with Dutch Sam.
This true-bottomed Champion of his day once moved in comfort and prosperity; and we have to deplore that the case is now altered. We trust a Real-bred Sportsman will never see a Worthy Veteran of the Turf in Distress, and shut up that spirit which should distinguish such a character. The single reflection of
A THOROUGH-BRED WESTMINSTER SCHOLAR AT LOW-WATER MARK, AND WANTING A LIFT,
will require no further invitation, nor suffer exertion to sleep on the subject.
The Amusements will commence at Two O’clock.
Tickets, 3s. each, to be had at
Tom Oliver’s, Great Peter Street, Westminster; Randall’s, Chancery Lane; Harmer’s, Plough, Smithfield; T. Cribb’s, Mountain’s, St. Martin’s Lane; and W. Austin’s, the Black-a-Moor’s Head, Whitcomb Street.
On the 8th November, 1827, the veteran Caleb received his last “warning to quit,” and shuffled off this mortal coil, in the spot of his nativity, and many an “old one” recounted his early deeds, with disparaging reflections (not always deserved) on the young ’uns who were likely to succeed him.