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
30_s._, 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, 3_s._ 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.