Exeter Flying Post, Wrestling on Plymouth Hoe (1824)
The wrestling and other sports on the Hoe, are going on with much spirit, and is not expected to be finished until the latter end of the week.
Exeter Flying Post, Kingsbridge wrestling: Cann victorious (1824)
Wrestling.—At Kingsbridge the famous Cann was again victorious. Some of the play was very good: many of the Devonshire veterans played, among them the venerable Flower.
Exeter Flying Post, Okehampton Grand Wrestling advertisement (1824)
OKEHAMPTON ANNUAL GRAND WRESTLING MATCH, For TWENTY SOVEREIGNS! ON THURSDAY and FRIDAY, the 5th and 6th of AUGUST next, another grand opportunity presents itself for Devonias justly celebrated sons to display their courage and science, in the noble and manly exercise of WRESTLING, Where, last year, so many fine fellows gained those never-fading laurels, which […]
Exeter Flying Post, Newton Abbot and North Tawton wrestling results (1824)
WRESTLING.—Okehampton grand Wrestling Match takes place to-morrow and Friday. Twenty Guineas, being the sum to be wrestled for, the lovers of that gymnastic sport in the neighbourhood anticipate a treat, as it will no doubt induce many of the best players in the county to contend for the various prizes.—On Wednesday and Thursday last there […]
Exeter Flying Post (12 Aug 1824)
WRESTLING.—The grand Wrestling Match, which took place at Okehampton on Thursday and Friday last, has, as was anticipated, afforded one of the richest treats ever witnessed by the admirers of this manly exercise, the excellent science and John Bull like courage here displayed, excited the admiration and applause of every one present. By 1 o’clock, […]
Exeter Flying Post, Okehampton Grand Wrestling: Cann champion (1824)
WRESTLING.—The grand Wrestling Match, which took place at Okehampton on Thursday and Friday last, has, as was anticipated, afforded one of the richest treats ever witnessed by the admirers of this manly exercise, the excellent science and John Bull like courage here displayed, excited the admiration and applause of every one present. By 1 o’clock, […]
Exeter Flying Post, Brighton wrestling: Carney vs Cannon (1825)
Two matches, one at billiards, the other at wrestling, took place at Brighton, Thursday. These matches were made in London, about three weeks back, at a celebrated sporting house, between Mr. Hayne, of Tavistock-street, and Mr. Carney, a gentleman from the Sister Kingdom, well known among the members of the turf and the ring. Mr. […]
Exeter Flying Post, Topsham Grand Wrestling advertisement (1825)
GRAND WRESTLING FOR TWENTY-FIVE SOVEREIGNS. TO be WRESTLED FOR, in the BOWLING-GREEN of the SALUTATION INN, TOPSHAM, (Fair Back Falls,) on Monday the 20th of June, the Capital Prize of Fifteen Sovereigns, Seven of which will be given to the Best Man, And on the Following Day, A Purse of Ten Sovereigns, Five of which […]
Exeter Flying Post, Ashburton wrestling: Cann vs Thorn (1825)
A grand wrestling match took place at Ashburton on the 18th and 19th. A man named THORN of Widecombe-in-the Moor, possessed immense strength and who had distinguished himself in the Life Guards at Waterloo, had been put into training by some gentlemen at Ashburton, for the purpose of pitting him against the champion, Abraham CANN. […]
Butter, Remarks on irritative fever (1825)
An indirect reference to Devon Wrestling in reference to shin injuries and conditions of disease (not caused by Wrestling, but by other ailments): Now in Devonshire especially, a habit prevails of kicking shins in wrestling. In this gymnastic exercise, two men collar each other, and kick each other’s legs; whosoever throws his opponent first on […]
Exeter Flying Post, ‘Lion hearted Cann’ (22 Sept 1825)
WRESTLING.—We have before had occasion to advert to the idle stories, which have found their way into the London prints, relative to a challenge given from Cornwall, to back Polkinhorn and Parkin, against the champion A. Cann, and Jordan, to wrestle for 100 guineas,—but we now find the same system of deception is practising nearer […]
Exeter Flying Post, Cornwall challenges Devon: Polkinghorne correspondence (1825)
WRESTLING.—We have before had occasion to advert to the false stories, which have found their way into the London prints, relative to a challenge given from Cornwall, to back Polkinhorn and Parkin, against the champion A. Cann, and Jordan, to wrestle for 100 guineas. (COPY.) TRULL, 11th August, 1825. SIR,—A challenge having been given by […]
Exeter Flying Post, ‘The Rival Champions’ (8 Dec 1825)
WRESTLING.—The Rival Champions.—The Amateurs of this ancient and truly noble sport, may expect soon to have one of the greatest treats ever experienced in this or any other part of England, in a contest between the renowned Devonshire Champion Abraham Cann, y’clept the Nonpareil, and the no less celebrated Polkinghorn, of Cornwall.—The time and place […]
Exeter Flying Post, Cann’s letter accepting Polkinghorne’s challenge (1825)
WRESTLING.—The Rival Champions.—The Amateurs of this ancient and truly noble sport, may expect soon to have one of the greatest treats ever experienced in this or any other part of England, in a contest between the renowned Devonshire Champion Abraham Cann, y’clept the Nonpareil, and the no less celebrated Polkinghorn, of Cornwall. St. Thomas, near […]
Exeter Flying Post, Cann accepts Polkinghorne’s challenge (1825)
WRESTLING.—The Rival Champions.—The Amateurs of this ancient and truly noble sport, may expect soon to have one of the greatest treats ever experienced in this or any other part of England, in a contest between the renowned Devonshire Champion Abraham Cann, y’clept the Nonpareil, and the no less celebrated Polkinghorn, of Cornwall. “St. Thomas, near […]
Royal Cornwall Gazette, Polkinghorne Letter (14 Dec 1825)
WRESTLING. To Mr. ABRAHAM CANN, St. Thomas’s, Exeter. SIR, Although you did not answer mine of Sept. 20th, nor accept the proposals with respect to time, place, and amount of stake——I see yours of the 10th inst., in the Devon Freeholder, dated Dec. 2, wherein you now assert your readiness to try the championship of […]
Exeter Flying Post, Morchard wrestling: Cann thrown by Dartmouth (1825)
WRESTLING.—At Morchard Grand Wrestling Match, yesterday and to day, for 12 Sovereigns, the Champion A Cann was thrown by the younger Dartmouth, by an unlucky fall, after 35 minutes severe play. Mr. Wreford carried off the first prize, and James Cann won the second; during the play A Cann’s shoe was thrown out by the […]
Exeter Flying Post, ‘Challenge letters’ (5 Jan 1826)
WRESTLING—We this week present our readers with verbatim copies of the answer of Polkinhorne to Abm. Cann‘s letter, inserted in our paper of the 25th instant, together with the rejoinder of the latter:—comment from us is almost wholly unnecessary, the letters will bear pride for themselves; but we cannot avoid the strong impression we have, […]
Exeter Flying Post, Cann–Polkinghorne articles of play (1826)
WRESTLING—We this week present our readers with verbatim copies of the answer of Polkinhorne to Abm. Cann’s letter. To Mr. ABRAHAM CANN, St. Thomas, Exeter. SIR,—I acquainted you that my answer letter of Sept. 26, now near three months past, was laid before the stewards of the Champion Belt, at Bristol, and published in the […]
Abraham Cann, Wrestling Champion of England (1826)
Portrait of Abraham Cann, whole length, standing outdoors, directed slightly to left, making wrestling moves; wearing half-open jacket fastened with strings, breeches and stockings; top hat lying on the ground at his foot at left. Lithograph Printed by: Thomas Bayly Published by: J Penny Published by: John Dickinson – https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1868-0612-1077 Inscription content: Lettered below image with the […]
Gauci, James Polkinhorn – The famous Cornish wrestler (1826)
Lithograph in the British Museum (1943,0410.2111), by Maxim Gauci: Portrait of James Polkinhorn; whole length, standing in three-quarter profile to right, leaning slightly forward, with arms folded, his left foot placed in front, wearing short jacket fastened with cord; impression had been folded for posting. 1826 Lithograph on chine collé © The Trustees of the […]
Exeter Flying Post, Dartmouth wrestling notice (1826)
The Wrestling and other sports at Dartmouth on Tuesday and Wednesday next, are expected to be well attended.
Exeter Flying Post, Paignton and Topsham wrestling advertisements (1826)
WRESTLING. TO be WRESTLED FOR, at PAIGNTON, on Thursday & Friday the 22d & 23d of June, a PURSE of 20 SOVEREIGNS; Of which, the Best Man will receive, Six Pounds,—Second Ditto, Four,—Third, Three,—Fourth, One. Sixteen Standards will be made, all of whom will have a Dinner. Fair Play, which commences at Ten o’Clock precisely, […]
Exeter Flying Post, Broadclyst and Paignton wrestling advertisements (1826)
WRESTLING. THE ANNUAL GRAND WRESTLING MATCH FOR 20 SOVEREIGNS, Will take place at BROADCLYST, on Tuesday and Wednesday the 11th and 12th days of July next.—Particulars of which will be expressed in a future advertisement. Dated Broadclist, 8th June, 1826. WRESTLING. TO be WRESTLED FOR, at PAIGNTON, on Thursday & Friday the 22d & 23d […]
Exeter Flying Post, Ashburton and Crediton wrestling advertisements (1826)
ASHBURTON ANNUAL WRESTLING will be on Monday and Tuesday, the 17th and 18th of July, for a Prize of TWENTY FIVE SOVEREIGNS, when every encouragement will be given to deserving Players. June 20th, 1826. CREDITON WRESTLING. THE Sum of TWENTY-FIVE GUINEAS, will be Wrestled for at Crediton, on Wednesday and Thursday the 5th and 6th […]
The London Magazine (1826)
WRESTLING. THE amateurs of athletic performances were gratified towards the end of last month, with an exhibition of the old national feat of wrestling. Several matches were played between Devonshire and Cornwall men, on the 19th, 20th, and 21st, at the Eagle Tavern green, in the City Road.—The science displayed on the occasion shows, that […]
Exeter Flying Post, Paignton wrestling match report: Jordan first prize (1826)
WRESTLING.—The Paignton match commenced on Thursday last. The single play on the first day passed off rather laggingly, serving, however, to shew the strength of the muster, and enlightening the spectators by the promise it gave of capital work for the next day. At 2 o’clock, on Friday, the double play commenced, it was South […]
Exeter Flying Post, Exeter, Okehampton and Honiton wrestling advertisements (1826)
EXETER GRAND WRESTLING MATCH WILL take place on MONDAY & TUESDAY, the 28th and 29th of AUGUST instant, in a commodious Field adjoining the Black-Boy Turnpike Gate, at the Head of ST. SIDWELL’S, when 30 SOVEREIGNS Will be divided as follows: The Best Man, 10 Sovereigns; Second Best, 7 ditto; Third Best, 5 ditto; Fourth […]
Exeter Flying Post, Okehampton and Honiton wrestling reports (1826)
WRESTLING.—The Okehampton Grand Match commenced on the 16th inst. Twenty four men got share, and the double play brought with it some of the richest turns that have ever been witnessed; the men all fresh from their native hills displayed a strength and vigor almost superhuman, as they were stripped they seemed very Atlases. Woolaway […]
Morning Chronicle, Eagle Tavern wrestling: Warren, Pyle and Clarke (1826)
WRESTLING. Yesterday afternoon, the grounds of the Eagle Tavern were filled with spectators (paying each) to witness the exertions of some of the best wrestlers that could be collected from Devonshire and Cornwall, two of the most noted Counties in England for this species of gymnastic exercise. The sport commenced about two o’clock, by two […]
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Collection Principles
Background and scope
The Devonshire Wrestling Society archive has been assembled over more than twelve years of systematic research into the history of Westcountry martial arts. When this work began, the documentary record was sparse and dispersed: sources were few, descriptions were thin, and access required navigating institutional barriers that most researchers would not have the time or resources to overcome. The archive now comprises 421 records — 322 newspaper articles (1778–1947), 35 manuscripts, 11 posters, 48 books, one letters patent, two cemetery inscriptions, and two memorials — spanning approximately one thousand years of history across five defined periods and three core disciplines: wrestling, cudgelling, and pugilism.
The material has been drawn from archives, museums, and libraries at both local and national level, as well as from diaspora communities. Access varied considerably: some holdings were straightforwardly available through public or gated online repositories; others required direct institutional inquiry, formal licensing, or payment. Licence fees for individual items have, in some cases, reached several hundred pounds. Items acquired under licence are retained for private research purposes only and are not published. A small number of items from private collections likewise remain unpublished, pending permission. All records for which publication rights have been secured are made freely and openly available.
The cost of the archive — in time and in money — has been substantial. It is offered without charge because the traditions it documents belong to the communities that produced them, and because those who come after should not be required to repeat the effort already expended.
Acquisition method
Every record in the archive was acquired through a consistent five-stage process:
Identification. Awareness of potential sources was established through systematic searches of public and private institutional indexes worldwide, and through direct correspondence with subject specialists already engaged with relevant holdings.
Access. Depending on the institution, access was obtained through online repositories, direct application, or formal licensing. Correspondence was initiated with several hundred institutions over the course of the project. Where institutions confirmed the absence of relevant holdings, this was recorded. Where access was granted, the means of access was documented.
Storage. All acquired material is held in a single centralised repository, ensuring that research access is permanent and that no duplication of acquisition effort is necessary.
Preparation. Every record has been transcribed to render it fully searchable and taggable. Images have been assigned metadata recording provenance, licensing terms, and resolution specifications for publication purposes.
Publication. The publicly available inventory represents all records for which the requisite permissions have been obtained.
Acquisition tenets
In order to ensure consistency and intellectual coherence across the archive, all prospective additions are evaluated against the following criteria, which are applied collectively and in sequence. A record should satisfy the majority of these criteria before inclusion is considered.
Relevance. The record must have a demonstrable and direct connection to the Six Shires (Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire) as the location of practice, the origin of practitioners, or the primary institutional context. Records concerning Westcountry practitioners competing elsewhere (in London, the United States, or South Africa, for example) are eligible where the practitioner’s regional identity is explicitly identified in the source. Records documenting the export of Westcountry martial arts beyond Britain are admissible and desirable, consistent with existing holdings relating to California, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa. The record must concern one or more of the three disciplines in scope: Westcountry wrestling (Devonshire or Cornish style), cudgelling or single-stick as practised in the region, or pugilism and boxing with a demonstrable Westcountry connection. Records documenting the co-occurrence of two or more disciplines are particularly valuable and should be prioritised.
Integrity. The source must be primary or a reliable early secondary record. For newspaper sources, this means a contemporaneous report; for books, a first or early edition, or a verified transcription thereof. Secondary scholarship is admissible where it contains primary-source quotations not otherwise independently accessible, provided these are clearly identified as such.
Balanced representation. The curatorial target is approximate parity — not of record count, which will inevitably reflect the uneven survival of evidence — but of intellectual representation across the three core disciplines. Where any discipline is underrepresented relative to this target, acquisitions in that discipline should be prioritised accordingly.
Material culture. Physical objects — trophies, belts, equipment, and architectural features — are admissible where they carry inscriptions or documentary provenance that independently attest to the practice of a discipline in the region.
Verifiability. The source must be identifiable with sufficient bibliographic precision to be cited in APA format and, where possible, to be independently verified by a reader consulting the original. Oral tradition, undocumented folklore, and secondary paraphrases without citation do not meet this standard. Where a source is available online, a direct URL must be provided.