Rowley of Bolton

[RuslanPashayev]

Dear Friends,
need your help with one interesting character from the 1800's. He was known under the name of Rowley of Bolton. Rowley sometimes was spelled Rowly. A champion wrestler from the 1820's to 1840's, local star.

To the best of my knowledge his real name was John Rowlance (sometimes misspelled as Rowland). I found at least 2 such individuals in Lancs records:

Baptism: 25 Aug 1805 Peel Chapel, Little Hulton, Lancashire, England
John Rowlance - Sn. of James Rowlance & Margaret
    Abode: Farnworth
    Register: Baptisms 1794 - 1808, Page 95, Entry 10
    Source: LDS Film 1885713


Baptism: 9 Dec 1810 St Katharine, Blackrod, Lancashire, England
John Rowlance - 4th Son of Joseph Rowlance & Mary (formerly Rigby)
    Born: 16 Nov 1810
    Abode: Blackrod
    Maternal Grandfather: Wm. Rigby of Shropshire
    Register: Baptisms 1807 - 1812, Page 21, Entry 9
    Source: LDS Film 2148001

I am more leaning towards the first one since Farnworth has great wrestling traditions...but of course I am not sure. I would highly appreciate any help on that.
Thanks in advance. Kind regards, Ruslan

[Girl Guide]

Have you looked in the 1841 for these two Johns?

I found one only and that was the Farnworth one born 1806.  His occupation was given as collier, i.e. coal miner.  Living with wife Betty and four children.

For some reason I couldn't find the other one in 1841.

There is the below death from the GRO:-

ROWLANCE, JOHN       35     
GRO Reference: 1841  J Quarter in BOLTON UNION  Volume 21  Page 98   

This gives a birth year of 1806 thereby suggesting that it is the Farnworth John.

Do you know when Rowley of Bolton stopped wrestling?  How far into the 1840's was he wrestling?
 

[RuslanPashayev]

Hello and thanks for your respond appreciate so we have John Rowlance aka "Rowly" (1806-1841) of Bolton, a collier...huh, I wonder if it was a mining accident which killed him.

Here's the last mention of Rowly I have:
12-15-1839. Bell’s Life in London.
William Buckley, of Oldham, will wrestle any man in England, of 9st 5lb for £50 or £100 a side; or he will wrestle Rowly, of Bolton, providing he will confine himself to 9st 9lb, for the like sum; or Josiah Bowden, of Lees, near Oldham, catch weight, and stake £50 to £40. The money is ready at Mr. William Schofield’s Foresters’ Arms, Oldham.

The challenge to wrestle Veevers, purporting to come from Mr. D. Higgin, of Burnley, did not originate, nor was it authorized, by him, it emanating from some donkey who, if found out, will have his ears well clipped.

[RuslanPashayev]

In 1834 he is called Lancashire champion, but the earliest mention of him is dated Oct. 1828 and it was the wrestling match vs T. Browne of Bury at Ashton Wakes. By the way it says  - John Rowlance of Newberry near Bolton. I tried my best to locate that place Newberry, but failed any ideas where it is now? Thanks again. Kind regards, R

[Girl Guide]

When looking for places this far back you need to access maps for the 1840's/1850's.  I'm no expert at locating old maps.

I see you are on the Lancashire board with this topic.

May I suggest that you start a new topic to ask about Newberry.  You could title it - Looking for Newberry near Bolton in the 1840's.

In the main body like you have with this one, ask if anyone can tell you where Newberry was and can they point you in the direction of a map.

Hopefully someone can help you with finding Newberry.

[RuslanPashayev]

thanks, appreciate and surely going to do it right now.

[RuslanPashayev]

alright looks like it...thanks for the assistance to Forum People !!!

[Girl Guide]

Ah, I did wonder if there may have been an adjustment of spelling down the years.  Newberry has turned into New Bury.

Not an uncommon occurrence.

[RuslanPashayev]

yeah it happens quite often with newspapers.