John Gully, MP, boxer, horseracer,bodyguard
boud...@carliles.freeserve.co.uk
Crown Inn at Wick near Bristol. Tom Johnson has become the boxing
champion of England. His predecessor had been Henry Pearce, known as
the Game Chicken, doubtless a name to set fear into the ear of the 18th
century sports spectator. At this time bare knuckle boxing was away
of life as well as a sport. there were no gloves, simply fists against
flesh. It would be 1869 when the Marquess of Queensbury would
introduce his rules. These people would have been local heroes to the
young Gully, just as footballers shape the lives and ambitions of
today's youth. In 1791 the champion was replaced by a Bristol man, Big
Ben Brain.
Though George III sat on the throne the reigns of power were held by
his son the Prince of Wales who ruled as Regent. The Prince's life was
based on excess and enjoyment. As friends the Prince chose prize
fighters and jockeys.
John's father decided to put the landlord's life behind him and moved
with his family to Bath where he took up butchery. From this time John
would have been taught his father's trade. His early life has
unsurprisingly been missed out of the history books. However there is
a tale that comes to us of the time John found a group of roughs
torturing a dog. Incensed at the sight John went in with fist flying
and though he had never fought properly at this time he managed to
scatter the gang who fled into the night.
At this time Game Chicken was six years older than John, but he lived
locally. Jem Belcher, another local who'd won a few successful bouts
decided to move to London where he could better make money from his
talents.
Gully's father died leaving him a crippled business that had been on
the slide for some time. Things went from bad to worse and John ended
up in the debtor's prison of King's Bench.
At this time he was described as six feet tall with, of all things
beautiful hands. Thinking about the examples of Game Chicken and Jem
Belcher he kept himself fit, playing rackets and practising his boxing.
This was to prove his rescue.
Pearce visited John Gully in prison where they had a few practice
bouts. John managed to lay a few good blows on the Game Chicken and
the news soon spread around the sporting inns to be found in London,
one of which was owned by Jem Belcher, The Jolly Brewer in Wardour
Street. Gully was perfect for Pearce, an adversary who could put up a
perfect fight, yet wasn't able to beat the Champion. Gully needed a
backer, and he found one in
Mr Fletcher Reid, a man who found losing nearly as much fun as winning.
He paid off Gully's debts and set him off on the road to fight Pearce.
This bit of prize fighting would give the obscure Gully a chance for
the limelight, and indeed, a shot at the Championship.
A date was set, July 20th at Virginia Water. The event couldn't be
publicised since the fight was illegal. A certain Mr Chersey had been
backing the Chicken, but now he backed Gully. The crowd were on
tenterhooks. Somebody knew something, but no-one knew what. The fight
was moved from Chobham to Blackwater last minute because the
magistrate had caught wind of the fight. The coaches set out into the
night to get to the new venue. Because of this change the bets were
called off. Because of this Reid declared that Gully would not fight
and the match was cancelled. The main event was to be replaced by a
fight between Tom Cribb and George Nicholls.
The new fight was to take place in Hailsham on October 5th. Every pub
in the area was heaving, regardless of the hiked-up prices. Even Lord
Byron turned up with a coach full of friends. The Duke of Clarence who
would later ascend the throne as William IV rode over from Brighton
where he viewed the whole thing from horseback. Gully took quite a
beating in the first eight or so rounds, but then he started to find
his feet. By the 36th round Gully was tiring, his eyes hidden beneath
the swelling, and blood pouring from his ear. At the 58th round
Gully's friends convinced him he should concede the fight.
The fight was the sole topic of conversation at the Royal dining table
that night and Gully's reputation was made. His patrons gave him gifts
of money and Gully set himself up in a butchers shop. With the money
he made he started to gamble on the horses. Money came and went and
Gully left an account of how he once came to Doncaster without a penny
to his name. A Mr Thornhill was travelling to Doncaster and while
changing horses at Ferrybridge he came across Gully, whom he
recognised. He gave John some money to get food and then allowed him
to ride the rest of the way balancing on the step of his carriage.
Two years after his fight John married his first wife and bought The
Plough in Carey street. She was described a s a beautiful woman,
though later accounts say she was coarse and vulgar. Perhaps this was
due to the 12 children she bore. As the book says, her husband climbed
many rungs above Carey (queer) Street and circumstances alter barmaids.
In 1801 Gully got his first challenge, a bigger man from Lancaster.
After 36 rounds the two men were exhausted and a feeble punch from
Gully finished the match. The fight was watched by a Captain Barclay.
Before a month was out another fight was arranged. Only 28 rounds this
time and Gully was undisputed champion. The news of the fight reached
London society a long time before Gully got there.
The fight certainly did plenty for the trade in the Plough where
customers would be served by the 21 year old Gully. His life in the
ring was finished and he retired undefeated.
The backer of many of the Gully fights was Captain Barclay, who was
also a champion walker. His fame brought crowds and it became
necessary for Barclay to employ Gully as a bodyguard.
Walking was a strange game and many members of society took a part in
it. In 1809 Captain Robert Barclay took on a wager that he could walk
1,000 miles in 1,000 hours. The bet was for 1,000 guineas, the
equivalent of 20 years income for most. If Barclay managed the feat he
was likely to make £40million in today's money. Not that the money
was the sole object.
It was six weeks later. The game would be up at 4pm and by 2-30 of
that day Barclay had completed 998 of them. His well fitting clothes
now hung from him due to the excesses of the last six weeks.
Throughout his journey he had been accompanied by John Gully who would
defend him from predators at night. There were many who would profit
from Barclay's failure, as well as the other terrors of the night.
furthermore, someone had to be there to keep the crowds away since
their pressing bodies would hinder the walker's speed. After a break
Barclay set out again at 3-15, getting to the half mile marker at 3-26,
he arrived at the finishing post at 3-37, a full 23 minutes short of
the deadline. Gully led three rousing cheers from the crowd.
Barclay lost 32lbs, in case you want an alternative to weightwatchers.
A mere eight days after he left Gully behind as he left to join the war
against the French.
Racing and fighting were linked because the same people attended and
bet at both., though the higher prizes came from horses
In 1810, Danny Dawson poisoned the horse on Newmarket Heath. Gully
burst into tears and claimed he was a ruined man. It's pleasing to
note that Dawson was hanged at Castle Hill, Cambridge, though alas not
so much for cruelty to animals, but for damage towards property.
John learned his lesson and took to laying the odds to other people
while also executing commissions for those wanting to bet. In 1812
there were fewer horses, but the amount played for were much much
higher. There was not the same betting that occurs today, with the man
in street putting a small bet each way on a horse or two. Most of the
gambling that took place was between a few select, and very rich
gentlemen. Because some of the gentlemen were often a little slow in
paying up in the event of their losing we saw the dawn of the
professional bookmaker, or 'leg' otherwise known as a bettor-round.
One of these men was a William Crockford. When he was about thirty
seven he had seen Gully trying his luck in the ring, and it would be
another twenty-five years before his clubhouse was built in Piccadilly.
This showed that it was not only the participants or the winners of
debts that were making the big money. By 1810 Crockford had bought a
horse of his own, and though he didn't know much about horses he did
know plenty about people. The records say that Crockford was an
incredibly ugly man, with flesh like raw veal. Paralysis left him with
a waddle and he was liked by no-one. He had a brain like some great
adding machine, and it was this man whom John Gully chose to associate
with. Crockfords business mind was good for Gully, and his own
strength of character meant that Gully's standards were never lowered
to those of Crockford.
So, though he had little capital of his own Gully started to build up
his fortunes by doing a little gambling, but also from his commissions
for the placing of bets. He knew families such as the Mellishes
through his prize fighting, so he already had one foot in the door.
The Foleys put their bets his way, and soon a list of big betting
families were placing bets through John Gully. It is even said that
the Prince of Wales placed his bets through Gully. It certainly seems
that this was a business that a man was born to rather than one a man
could train into. Gully was a natural with his knowledge of horses,
his knowledge of people, his knowledge of gambling and his connections
to the betting fraternity. Gully lived in a time without mass
communication and had to keep his ear to the ground. Crockford's
horse, Sultan, took a fall at Doncaster. It was the favourite for the
S.Ledger, and the more astute dealers would hedge their bets by placing
money elsewhere. They would also ride off to local towns such as
Leeds and Sheffield to place bets there before the news of the fall
broke. To be good, you needed the connection, the acumen and a fast
horse!
By 1812 Gully had a horse running under his own name, and he had become
a figure big enough to cast a shadow over Mr Crockford, who was none
too pleased. Crockford became ruder and ruder with regard to Gully,
who's behaviour was unimpeachable. This carried on until Crockford
went too far one day at Doncaster races when there was a 'smart
altercation'. Crockford was never rude again to John Gully. Indeed,
though they could never be described as friends it seems that good
business sense took hold of the pair who realised that they would do
better working together than apart at the business of parting fools
from their money.
>From 1812 to 1827 we don't hear much from Gully. He is doubtless
making his money, gradually, from the bets he is placing. He has a few
horses of his own that, though not great successes, probably made their
money. This was one of the times in Gully's life that wasn't all whiz
bang, and it is a time that he used establishing an intelligence
network within the racing community that would bring him information on
horses, jockeys and stable-boys. Though seen as a little corrupt by
certain gentleman of the turf, it certainly stood Gully in good stead.
His connections with the North of England start with a friendship with
Mr Watt, a Yorkshire horse owner. Gully betted for him and together
they made plenty of money.
In 1827 we come to Gully's famous horse Mameluke who cost Gully 4,000
guineas. We also come to the story of George Payne, who was apparently
advised by Gully to bet against Jerry. Now if Jerry won then Payne
stood to lose between £24 and £33,000 at the S. Leger. However,
though there were plenty of bets hoping that Jerry would win there were
also a considerable group who wanted a different result. Bob Ridsdale
the trainer, Mr Watt, the stable owner, Frank Richardson, the
blacksmith, who had a reputation for nobbling horses, and Gully
himself. Croft, Jerry's trainer and the trainer of the jockey Edwards
was worried enough, but on his way along the Great North Road he had a
fit when he saw Edwards the Jockey driving along in a carriage with
Ridsdale. Knowing something was wrong he made plans with Jerry's owner
to change the jockey, though they didn't tell Edwards until the morning
of the race. Seeing the change Ridsdale tried to hedge his bets.
Gully stayed with his bets, losing his money as Jerry romped home. The
following day he apologised to Payne for his advice, intimating that
they had all been fooled into believing that Jerry was ailing. He did
give further advice to Payne which reaped £12,000 to better balance
the books.
Mameluke, a recent possession of Gully cost him dear at his first
outing, the S.Leger at Doncaster. There was doubtless some
skulduggery, and the starter was sacked after the race, but Matilda
took the prize. In 1829 Mameluke went on to win the Whip and the
Oatlands. George IV gave a backhanded compliment when Gully and Lord
Chesterfield were going to buy the same horse. George said "My dear
Chesterfield, buy the Chifney's horse by all means; if you don't beat
me with him Gully will, and I don't mind being beaten by you."
Gully was moving in circles to which his birth had not allowed entry.
These days a self-made man might be admired or applauded, but in the
early 19th century such a man found his place in society with great
difficulty. A man's birth was more important than his current
situation, but there seems to be a feeling that Gully escaped this.
Consider as well the time that Gully had spent in prison, and we have
to assume he had a remarkable personality. Lord Greville, who had
plenty of vitriol in his diary for Gully also had to admit ' he has a
strong sense, discretion, reserve and a species of good taste which has
prevented in the height of his fortunes his behaviour from ever
transgressing the bounds of modesty and respect.' Perhaps because he
was lacking in formal education Gully often kept silent, though these
were often interpreted as profound responses. We must also acknowledge
the fact that it does not do to show disrespect and animosity to one
who was once the boxing champion of England.
Much is written of horse-racing at this time and it seems that very
little fair racing actually went on with payments and counterpayments
going from owners to jockeys to trainers to stable boys. Other than
that, horses might be maimed or killed if they were seen as a threat to
a quick money pot. Arguments between owners were commonplace and in
1833 Gully found himself quarrelling with Ridsdale after he had spread
rumours about a recent win. During an argument Gully hit Ridsdale with
the riding crop which landed him in the Assize Court at York. Before
Mr Justice Taunton it was reported that Gully had hit Ridsdale "with
all the force a Gully arm could bestow". The trial ended with Ridsdale
being awarded £500 damages.
The success in the trial was the last bit of luck Ridsdale had. After
this he saw his fortune dwindle, until most of his property had to be
sold. One item 'a wretched, ill conditioned colt-foal' was bought by
Ridsdales brother, and went on to win the Derby in 1839 under the name
Bloomsbury. During this time, Gully, did what he could for his old
friend in spite of their past.
John managed to keep his riches at a time when people were ruined by
gambling. Many of the names mentioned in the story so far met ignoble
ends in spite of their noble names
In 1832 the story takes on an even more local flavour as John Gully
becomes M.P. for Pontefract. James Smith wrote in celebration
You ask me the cause that made Pontefract sully,
Her fame by returning to Parliament Gully
The etymological cause I suppose is
His breaking the bridges of so many noses
For those without the Latin, the name of Pontefract comes from
Broken-Bridge.
The rumour goes that he went to the hustings as a result of a bet.
Whether this is true we'll never know. As a Whig he was reported to be
very interested in politics and committed to his causes. He also
became a country gentleman as John Gully of Ackworth Park. He was
quite a celebrity in an area of the world where the S. Leger was the
most exciting day of the year. Becoming an M.P. and buying such a
property made the seal on Gully's position as a real gent. Though he
took his seat, he had been unwilling in the beginning. The locals had
asked him to stand, but he refused, and it was only when he started
arguing and speechifying with Lord Mexborough, who had held Pontefract
as a pocket Borough, that Gully agreed to stand. Local support was so
great, with a march organised that Mexborough dropped his candidate on
the day, leaving the way open for Gully.
According to Hansard Gully actually said little when he was in the
House, however he proved to be a bit of character who advise was often
sought, or stories solicited from. In 1836 he decided he liked
Parliamentary life so much that he decided to stand again. His 509
votes beat the 498 of Lord Mexborough's son Lord Pollington, both of
whom beat the third candidate with 478. Dickens, as Boz described him
thus. " The quiet gentlemanly looking man in the blue stout, grey
trousers , white neckerchief, white gloves, whose closely buttoned coat
displays his manly figure and broad chest to great advantage is a well
known character. He has fought a great many battles in his time, and
conquered like all the heroes of old, with no other arms than those the
Gods gave him.
John found himself having to buy a new suit, a court suit as he was
presented to the king, a long way from his humble and occasionally
disastrous beginnings. The suit was put away after the meeting only to
be worn some years later by his grandson. In 1837 William IV died and
Parliament was dissolved. This time he decided not to stand, though
four years later he was induced to stand again, but was defeated in the
vote.
.
John's first wife had died, and she had been unable to adapt to the
changes in society. Many of the children died young. One son, Robert,
went to China where he was captured. He kept a diary there written in
his own blood. The diary returned from China, but Robert did not. A
plaque to the memory of Robert can be found inside S. Cuthbert's
church. It tells of his being shipwrecked on the 10th March 1842, and
of the privations of which he suffered until around August 13th when
he, with 300 other British were murdered in the town of Tywan Foo.
Robert was 28 years old.
Gully's second wife was Mary Lacey, from an old Northern Catholic
family. Her father had turned the family Manor into an Inn to make
ends meet. They met when John stayed at the inn, and having seen Mary
decided to stay the night. During that night she charmed him with her
singing and they were married soon after.
With his new bride he bought Ackworth Park for £21,000. This was an
ideal location for him, and like residents to this day he used Ackworth
as a dormitory, using it as a base to travel to Haydock, York,
Doncaster and Pontefract. The Hall, though much changed dated from
around 1630. It was once a hunting lodge and was once owned by Mary
Lowther, who had endowed the Almshouses in Ackworth. Much of the land
was used to grow hemp, to make ropes. It might seem a strange crop
until we consider Ropergate in Pontefract, which was the street of the
rope-makers. In 1850 he wrote a letter from Ackworth Park to his
daughter. He talks of getting old Lomax to say mass for him. He also
talks of his approval for the new Whig candidate, something which
surprises him since the candidates father is a Lord. He branched out
into coal mining. Again, it's possible that this is down to a bet, but
he held the shares until they yielded a profit and in 1838 invested in
the sinking of the Thornley pits. In 1862 he sold his shares and
invested in the Wingate Grange Estate.
His time in Ackworth was busy apart from his dealings with the turf.
He had a growing interest in religion though his tastes were becoming
Unitarian. As a result of this managed to rise above the boundaries
that were between one denomination and another. John is recorded as
taking the Chair at the Bible society Meetings, so we can see that he
was at this given time hearing Mass given by the Catholic priest as
well as taking the chair for the discussions at the Quaker meetings.
It's hard to think of a greater divide in religious thought at the
time.
His household was a full one. The census of 1851 shows the house to
own 123 acres with 6 labourers tending to it. Mary his wife is listed
as well as his children Annie, Louisa, Philip, Maria and Samuel. They
were obviously well looked after since the census also lists a Butler,
a Groom, a footman, a Ladies Maid, a cook, a kitchen Maid, two house
maids and a nursemaid.
Perhaps the most famous Gully tale in Ackworth is that of his Burial
ground. The plot lies adjacent to the churchyard of S. Cuthbert's,
looking almost like a private part of the larger plot. However, it
dates back to the time that one of Gully's daughter's died. As we have
said, Mary Gully was a Catholic and wished for a catholic service for
her daughter's funeral, however, the incumbent of that time would not
allow Father Lomax onto the property so Gully railed off part of his
land which abutted the Churchyard. the land was duly consecrated by
Father Lomax and this became a private burial ground for the Gully's.
1947 seems to be the last time the grave was opened to admit members of
the family.
He sold his house in Ackworth to Harry Hill in 1851 for £21,500.
The racing then called Gully from his Ackworth home and he moved to
Marwell near Winchester, with his horses moved to Goodwood.
In 1846 he won the Derby with Pynchon 1st and the Oaks with Medicant.
John won £2.000. As John's life went on he began to write for The
Nestor of the Turf, a sporting magazine. In 1841 he gave a Christmas
address which briefly described his day. He noted as well " December
26th, I find by the papers that I died after a short illness, much
lamented and at Paris."
The North Called again and Gully moved to Cocken Hall in Durham. In
County Durham he invested his winnings in collieries at Trimdon, Hetton
and Thornley. He lived at 7 the North Bailey
He died in Durham, though not in his own house, rather to one he was
taken to in his illness. He died on the 9th March , 1863. He was
buried at Ackworth, next to his daughter. A Unitarian Minister, Goodym
Barmby came from Westgate Chapel to carry out the internment on March
14th, as the records at Westgate attest. Ackworth was filled with the
sight of black draped carriages as the Mayor and Corporation of Durham
attended with half the carriages of Yorkshire and Durham in attendance.
His will was written on Nov. 11th 1860 and left £500 per annum to his
wife, £30 per annum to his brother and £26 per annum to his sister
throughout their lifetime. He also bequeathed £4000 to three married
daughters as well as £2000 to his son Richard and £1000 to William.
£10,000 was allowed for development of the Wingate Colliery.
Mrs Gully died in 1877 and was buried with John back in Ackworth.
Stephen Carlile, 2003
A guide to what the illustrations show can be found in bold sections.