Isaac Perrins

Isaac Perrins
Born	c. 1751
Died
Occupation(s)	Bareknuckle prizefighter, engineer, publican, fire brigade leader
Years active	1780s–1801
Known for	Bareknuckle prizefighting; engineering work for Boulton and Watt; leading Manchester fire brigade

Isaac Perrins was an English bareknuckle prizefighter and engineer from the 18th century, renowned for his exceptional physical power combined with a gentle disposition. He is most famously remembered for his defeat in one of the period’s most infamous boxing matches against the English Champion Tom Johnson. The bout was notable for the stark disparity in their physiques, with Perrins often likened to a Hercules contending with a much smaller adversary.

Alongside his prizefighting career, Perrins was employed by Boulton and Watt, producers of steam engines, working at their Soho Foundry in Birmingham. His professional activities extended beyond local work as he occasionally traveled across the country, serving as an informant on patent violations. Later in life, he managed a public house in Manchester, undertook independent engineering projects, assumed leadership of the Manchester fire brigade in 1799, and passed away roughly one year into that role while performing his duties.

Early life

Details about Isaac Perrins’ early years remain scarce; his birth is estimated around 1751. His father, also named Isaac, was engaged by Boulton and Watt to install stationary steam engines throughout the West Midlands until his death in 1780. The younger Perrins rejected an assignment in Cornwall but accepted a position based in Birmingham with the same company in 1782.

Prizefighting

During Perrins’ era, bareknuckle boxing enjoyed considerable popularity in Birmingham. Despite its legal status as disorderly assemblies posing risks of prosecution, the sport benefited from aristocratic patronage—including support from royal princes—which resulted in relatively lenient enforcement and many matches taking place on private estates. Interest peaked around 1786 due to involvement by the Prince of Wales (later King George IV) and his brothers.

At that time, prizefighting primarily denoted boxing and was viewed as an emblem of national bravery and personal honour. Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham notes Perrins’ first significant bout occurred on 7 October 1782 at Coleshill, where he swiftly defeated Jemmy Sargent after knocking him down thirteen times. Supporters of Perrins reportedly earned £1,500 through betting on this victory.

Although London was the leading centre for boxing, Birmingham was considered second in prominence. In 1789, fighters from Birmingham issued open challenges to London pugilists to assert their confidence and organisational strength; one such challenge came from Perrins directed at Tom Johnson. After overcoming all local contenders, Perrins declared he would fight any man in England for a stake of 500 guineas.

The much-anticipated encounter between Perrins and Johnson took place at Banbury on 22 October 1789 and was billed as a contest between Birmingham and London for the English Championship title. Initially scheduled for Newmarket during a race meeting, authorities denied permission to hold it there. Standing tall and weighing , Perrins was physically imposing compared to Johnson’s height of and weight of . He was reputed to lift iron weights of with ease and was acknowledged not only for his strength but also for his skill and bravery despite his size advantage.

The match commenced with caution; Johnson employed evasive maneuvers uncommon at the time—dodging and deliberately falling to evade blows—which perplexed Perrins but were permitted by the referees. The grueling fight extended over 62 rounds lasting approximately 75 minutes until exhaustion overcame Perrins. Johnson’s strategic movement ultimately outmatched the larger but less experienced Perrins within a framework of loosely enforced regulations.

Backers supporting Perrins had placed substantial wagers on him but suffered losses; Thomas Bullock, a principal supporter of Johnson, reportedly won £20,000 (equivalent to £220,000 in 2010) and rewarded Johnson with £1,000. Both fighters received payments of 250 guineas each; additionally, Johnson claimed two-thirds of net gate receipts amounting to £800. The event drew an audience estimated between 3,000 and 5,000 spectators and was acclaimed as one of the most demanding yet fair contests ever witnessed.

Commemorative copper medals were minted for each combatant bearing Latin inscriptions: Bella! Horrida bella! ("wars, horrible wars") alongside "Strength and magnanimity" for Perrins and "Science and intrepidity" for Johnson. These medals may have been produced by associates of Boulton and Watt. The National Portrait Gallery preserves two prints depicting the Banbury fight from 1789 and 1812.

Perrins is believed to have participated in what may have been his final fight—an 85-minute contest held at Shrewsbury in July 1790; later attempts to arrange a match against champion Ben Bryan did not materialize. These efforts raised concerns at Boulton and Watt regarding his dedication to work responsibilities.

Despite the harsh nature of prizefighting, historian Henry Downes Miles described Perrins as intelligent, modest, well-liked, jovial, and humorous—traits that benefited his subsequent career as a publican—while also characterizing him as an "erratic histrionic genius" whose impulsive conduct limited his full potential.

Work

Perrins was employed as a foreman by Boulton and Watt in Birmingham and was dispatched across the country on behalf of the company. During a 1787 visit to Scotland, he examined a Symington invention that was suspected of potentially violating Boulton and Watt’s patent; however, Watt himself dismissed the device. In 1789, Perrins installed the first stationary steam engine from Boulton and Watt in Manchester at Drinkwater's Mill. By June 1791, he had uncovered unauthorized copies of Boulton and Watt machinery in Deansgate, including one created by Joshua Wrigley featuring a similar "smokeless fire-place," though the company chose not to pursue legal action.

His position within the firm was important enough to warrant business correspondence; for instance, John Stratford sought his counsel in October 1791. Perrins was literate and possessed an education consistent with the standards of the era—an essential quality for engine erectors who needed to comprehend technical manuals.

In 1793, Perrins relocated permanently to Manchester to manage a public house, a typical career move for retired prizefighters who frequently received financial assistance to obtain such licenses. A review from 1901 observed that successful boxers often ran pubs equipped with rooms for weekly sparring matches.

Despite this career change, Perrins maintained his status as an authorized engine erector for Boulton and Watt until 1794, when he was dismissed due to issues related to alcohol consumption. Known for his quick temper and confrontational nature, he frequently clashed with both coworkers and clients and faced criticism over poor engine maintenance in Manchester. He disputed these claims, arguing that he was not compensated for upkeep duties.

Following his termination, Perrins continued to assist the company by identifying patent-infringing engines in Leeds between 1795 and 1796, and probably in Lancashire thereafter. The 1797 edition of Scholes's Manchester and Salford Directory lists him as a "victualler and engineer," residing at the Fire Engine public house on Leigh Street—one of the earliest recorded instances of the term "engineer" in Manchester records.

While some accounts suggest he managed the Neptune public house at the time of his death, historian W. H. Chaloner contests this assertion.

By 1800, Perrins had resumed engineering work with Boulton and Watt amid their production difficulties and shortage of qualified engine erectors. He also operated his own millwright enterprise and was preferred by certain Manchester engine owners for installation and maintenance services over those offered by the firm. After moving to New Street, Hanover Street, he was appointed conductor of firemen and inspector of engines by the Manchester police commissioners in December 1799—a role effectively equivalent to leading the fire brigade. One source, considered unreliable, claims he held this position for two decades until his death.

Death

The Annual Register announced Perrins' passing at age 50 on 10 December 1800, describing him as an "engine-worker" and referencing his celebrated boxing match against Johnson. The notice attributed his death to exertions sustained while assisting with a fire rescue in Manchester. In reality, he died on 6 January 1801 after contracting a fever following his efforts during a significant blaze on 10 December that caused damage estimated at £50,000. On 29 December 1800, commissioners awarded Perrins an annual pension of £20 in recognition of his "meritorious services."

A memorial honoring Perrins and his wife Mary—who had died several months earlier—was installed at St John's Church on Byrom Street. Although the church was demolished in 1931, St John's Gardens now occupies the site and preserves some relics from the original church and its graveyard.

References

Notes

Citations

Further reading

A selection of documents concerning Isaac Perrins found within the Boulton and Watt Collection at Birmingham Central Library: