Wrestling Heritage

After making this find I tried to locate a detailed match report in local newspapers and what I learned was that this match apparently had never happened!




But that didn’t stop me from continuing my research and in the issue of New York Clipper dated October 4, 1856 I read about some details of the match between T. Ashton of Lancashire and his rival from the neighbouring Yorkshire called J. Robinson.

“WRESTLING.
The match between Peter Lord and Thos. Ashton for $100 a side, is off, Ashton having forfeited the $50 already deposited. P. Lord is open for any other man on the same terms. He can be heard of at Joseph Andrews’, 116 Cedar street, New York.
(New York Clipper, 26 September 1857).

“WRESTLING MATCH.-
A Wrestling Match will take place at the house of Wm. Butler, 218 Ninth avenue, corner of Twenty-fifth street, between two celebrated wrestlers, vis., Jno. Robinson, of New York, (late of Saddleworth, England,) and Thos. Ashton, of New York, (late of Lancashire, England). They will contest for the first two falls out of three-fair back falls-Lancashire fashion; Robinson staking $100 to Ashton’s $80; for which match $50 to $40 is now staked in the hands of Jas. Buckley the remaining $50 to $40 to be made good on the day of wrestling, between the hours of one and two P. M The match to come off on Monday afternoon, Oct. 6th; the parties to meet at the above house at two o’clock. Either party failing, to forfeit the money down. Both men being well known for their wrestling qualities, we may expect a very exciting event. The Referee will be chosen on the ground. Admittance 25 cents.”
(New York Clipper, 4 October 1856)