John "Hammer" Lane

[BELGRAVE]

I would welcome information about the celebrated Birmingham Bare-knuckle Champion John (or Jack) "Hammer" Lane who fought one of his contests in Shirley in 1835, and later became a publican (like many ex- ringmen) in Birmingham.

 

[mikejee]

Don't know if any of these are of interest:

 

[edcartermo]

Evening Despatch 19 Aug 1915

 

[edcartermo]

There was a James Lane, a well known Birmingham pugilist, who may have been a relative of the more famous John "Hammer" Lane but was of a different character altogether. James, who had appropriated the nom de ring "Hammer", appears in the Birmingham Post of 01 Oct 1886 on a charge of brutal assault on a police constable -- he was found to have in his possession a brass knuckle-duster of a pound in weight. He used his boots on the constable as he was on the ground, something the greater man John would surely never do.

 

[Alberta]

,I thought from his name he was 'Hammer' because of his fists but
John Lane baptised December 15th 1815 ?St Peter Wolverhampton parents William and Hannah

1851 Bartholomew Street,the home of William Lane age 37

John Lane age 35 b. Wolverhampton, Hammer maker,brother

1861 Duddeston Row
John Lane age 45 Hammer maker b, Wolverhampton
Mary age 36 wife b. Birmingham

 

[edcartermo]

I too thought "Hammer" was a reference to his fists. I saw a reference to him likened to a "jackhammer", so it may be a bit of both. I had looked on Ancestry for family info but had taken too literally that he was born in Birmingham. No wonder the Black Country folks get miffed with us Brummies.