Abraham Cann, the Last Champion in Devon Style Wrestling
Abraham Cann was born at Colebrooke, near Crediton around 1794. His rise to fame as the Devon champion and, ultimately, Champion of all England was impressive. His fight with James Warren of Redruth took place at the Eagle Tavern, City Road, London, on 21st September 1826. A month later Cann was again fighting a Cornishman, James Polkinghorne of St. Columb. The event took place at Tamar Green on 23rd October 1826 and resulted in Cann winning the title of Champion of the West of England. Devon wrestling contests were usually associated with inns like the Salutation at Topsham or the White Hart at Okehampton. In Exeter, two popular venues were the St. Thomas and St. Sidwell’s districts – both noted for other rough pursuits such as bull baiting. Large prizes were raised by gentlemen subscribers and key matches attracted several thousand people. The distinctive feature of Devon wrestling was that contestants were allowed to kick each other’s shins. Cornish wrestlers fought without shoes and grasped each other by the short jacket which was always worn. Here Cann is shown in the foreground, dressed as a wrestler with a statue of Hercules behind on a plinth which bears an image of a wrestling match. On the left hand side are his hat and scarf. He wears a sleeved jacket over his bare chest, breeches, gaiters and strong shoes or boots. Cann died at Colebrooke on 7th April 1864. A memorial stone, erected by public subscription, is in Colebrooke churchyard.
Object Summary
- Accession Loan No.
- 12/1959
- Category
- Fine Art
- Collection Class
- Paintings
- Medium
- oil on canvas
- Common Name
- Abraham Cann, the Last Champion in Devon Style Wrestling
- Simple Name
- painting
- Inscription Transcription
- Purchased at a sale of the effects of Sir Rothe Lethbridge of Sand Style Park nr. Bishop Lydard Somerset in February 1914 by Vyvyan Sinclair Smith and given to me by his father G Sinclair Smith (natal of Combe Copplestone JM Pope 22 Febr. 1914). Abraham Cann was buried Colebrook Churchyard and a stone in his memory was erected by subscription.; This portrait of Abraham Cann was purchased by me for 2/6 Abraham Cann was described as resembling Tom Belety, modest, unassuming, cool and taciturn, inoffensive, victorious - he was a master .... copied from annals of sport Vol 12 1827; Abraham Cann - born Spreyton in Devon - died April 1864, he was for many years the champion Devon wrestler - I purchased the portrait for 2/6 - the name of painter being unfought (sic)... out - was .... Lucky 16
- Period Classification
- Victorian (1837-1901)
- Production Town
- Ashburton
- Production County
- Devon
- Production Country
- United Kingdom: England
- Production Date
- c 1846
- Production Person Initials
- Henry
- Production Person Surname
- Caunter, attributed to
- Production Year Low
- 1846
- Production Year High
- 1850
