On 26th January, 1845, a fist-fight between Isaac Taylor and Charles Derrick was arranged at the at the Victory Inn in St. Sidwells, Exeter. It was not between known pugilists and, no doubt, would have passed unnoticed had not Charles Derrick died as a consequence. Isaac Taylor together with James Jackson and Sambo (a black), the seconds to the combatants, were charged with manslaughter.
Maria Moore, a servant to Mr. Balkwill, the landlord of the Victory witnessed the challenge. She gave evidence to the Assize Court when the case came to trial, two months later:
" I was present and heard them talk about fighting, Taylor sat near the fire, and Derrick sat opposite to him, but afterwards went and sat behind him. Derrick said 'I.m damned if I won't give you a bone to pick to-morrow.' Taylor replied 'Then meet me to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock for 10s. or for 20s. meet me in good fellowship, and come back and drink with us like a man.' There was no appearance of a quarrel.
"Cross-examined: I heard that Derrick challenged Taylor - not Taylor Derrick. The first words I heard were from Taylor who said 'Charley did you mean what you said just now.'
The fight took place the next morning. John Woollacott, an ostler at the White Lion, St. Sidwell's witnessed the fight:
"I was at a field near the Barracks between 11 and 12, there were many people looking at a fight between Derrick and the prisoner Taylor, who were both stripped. They fought half an hour. Jackson seconded Taylor, and Sambo seconded deceased. They fought for 10s. Taylor threw Derrick several times - they fell together, Derrick being under, Thrown by the 'fore-hip' Derrick did not seem beat at all when the fight was over. During the fight Taylor struck Derrick several times in the head. They struck each other , but I did not seeTaylor strike Derrick anywhere but in the head. I left them both in the field after the fight was over - they shook hands - Derrick was then standing up by Sambo. I saw Derrick in the hospital next day, and after that, I saw Derrick in the hospital next day, and after that, I saw the dead body of Derrick in the Hospital.
"Cross-Examined - I went to the field to see the fight - it was a fair stand up fight. Derrick hit Taylor many times. The ground was very wet and slippery; and Derrick fell twice without a blow, from it being so slippery. I heard no cries of 'shame, take the man away.'"
The Grand Jury found this a case difficult to judge. They were away for a quarter of an hour. Of course the meeting itself was a breach of the peace and therefore an offence but everyone in England accepted that, as Mr. Slade who defended Taylor and Jackson (but not Sambo the black) said: "This was a fair stand up fight, without malice - there were no knives or deadly weapons used, which had occasionally of late disgraced the name of Englishmen. It was a manly stand up fight, carried on according to the style which was characteristic of the English nation."
The Jury returned a verdict of guilty against all, but recommended mercy, as the fight was fair and no advantage was taken of the deceased by the prisoners.
The judge sentenced all three to one month's imprisonment without hard labour.
