Black Jack Stevens

[Joshua Rogan]

Not to derail this thread, but have you turned up any info on a prizefighter of the time known as George "Sugar" Hutchinson?

[seanr]

Not to derail this thread, but have you turned up any info on a prizefighter of the time known as George "Sugar" Hutchinson?

Nope. Never heard of him.

[Joshua Rogan]

Nope. Never heard of him.

Shame. I think it was Paddy(?) who posted a press clipping a while ago. If he does turn up in your research please start a thread on him!

[Debra A]

Apologies in advance-I've nothing to add on Maher but I do happen to have an 1888 pic of Ching Hook taken by Harry Carpenter at Mile End.

[seanr]

Apologies in advance-I've nothing to add on Maher but I do happen to have an 1888 pic of Ching Hook taken by Harry Carpenter at Mile End.

His name is variously given as Hook, Gook and Ghook. It's a made up title and having dealt with the many spellings of Gehringer, there's nothing too surprising about a name having many variations.

His debut as Ching Gook seems to have been at a certain Bluecoat Boy, Dorset Street reported by Sporting Life on Tuesday 31 January 1882:



If you're in a reading mood, Grappling with History's three part blog on Ching Hook is excellent and includes another, more charming picture (IMHO) of him: https://grapplingwithhistory.com/201...zekiah-moscow/

The author of those posts suggests she is working on a book and so may be interested in your research on the Alec Munro murder/ manslaughter/ accident (delete as appropriate).

[seanr]

Jack Stevens, Ching Ghook's pupil in 1887, is around about the same age and similar weight to Black Jack Stevens but described in 1887 as Jewish. If Jack Stevens of 1887 is not the same person as the later Black Jack Stevens, then this promising youngster described as 'likely to be heard of often in the future', in fact was not heard of so much at all.

Two Spitalfields boxers named Jack Stephens of around the same age is certainly plausible. I'm currently unsure if it's the same person but I consider it possible.

[Debra A]

His name is variously given as Hook, Gook and Ghook. It's a made up title and having dealt with the many spellings of Gehringer, there's nothing too surprising about a name having many variations.


If you're in a reading mood, Grappling with History's three part blog on Ching Hook is excellent and includes another, more charming picture (IMHO) of him: https://grapplingwithhistory.com/201...zekiah-moscow/

Thanks Sean. That website looks very interesting and I agree about the other picture of Ching Hook being a much nicer one. I do like the 'fighting stance' photographs in the NA Stationer's Archives too. I emphasised Hook not to suggest it was the correct spelling, just a different one from the opening post but was the same man.

[MrBarnett]

Here’s one account of Black Jack’s funeral. It was very much an RC affair.

Looking into Stevens again has given me a possible lead on Billy Maher’s family, so thanks for that, Sean!

[MrBarnett]

In one report of the Stevens killing, his wife mentions that Billy Maher’s sister was married to her brother.

Provisionally I’m thinking that might have been Honora Maher who married Daniel Collins in 1877. That in turn leads me to a Maher family living in Aldgate in 1871.

Thanks again, Sean!

[MrBarnett]

Here’s Stevens’ 1888 marriage cert:

[MrBarnett]

In one report of the Stevens killing, his wife mentions that Billy Maher’s sister was married to her brother.

Provisionally I’m thinking that might have been Honora Maher who married Daniel Collins in 1877. That in turn leads me to a Maher family living in Aldgate in 1871.

Thanks again, Sean!

From memory Billy M gave his place of birth as ‘Gravel Lane’ and ‘City’ on census returns.

[seanr]

From memory Billy M gave his place of birth as ‘Gravel Lane’ and ‘City’ on census returns.

There is a Gravel Lane near Aldgate off Middlesex Street.

[MrBarnett]

There is a Gravel Lane near Aldgate off Middlesex Street.

Hi Sean,

Yes, that’s the one I’d assumed it was rather than Wapping.

[MrBarnett]

The Maher family I’m focussing on were living in Crown and Sheers Court in 1871. That was just across Rosemary Lane (Royal Mint Street) from Queen Street where Margaret Sullivan’s family were living at the same time.

It was said in court that Billy’s attack on Maggie in 1897 was part of a long-standing feud between the two. I’d previously viewed that in the light of Billy’s loyalty to Ann McCarthy, who had good cause to be wary of Maggie’s relationship with her father, but perhaps there had been an earlier family feud between the Mahers and the Sullivans in the Irish enclave around Rosemary Lane.

[seanr]

A couple more references to Ching Ghook sparring with Jack Stevens of Spitalfields from 1887.


Sportsman, November 8th 1887


Sporting Life, Friday 30th December 1887


Then in January 1888, the earliest reference I've yet found to Black Jack Stevens.


Sporting Life, 19th January 1888

Jack Stevens the boxer from Spitalfields who trained with Ching Ghook in 1887 is a very close contemporary with Jack 'Black Jack' Stephens the boxer from Spitalfields, and same age, same weight.