Henry Sampson

Henry Sampson a prominent player in the north of England, played in the Sheffield area with great success. He was born at Hallam, near Sheffield, on March 13, 1813. A short, stout man, under 5' 6" in height, he was a fine scientific batsman, playing back entirely, with a straight bat. He was a useful bowler and fielded generally at long-stop. An excellent single-wicket player he was engaged in various contests with success. His first single-wicket match was in 1832, which was also the first game in which his name appears, when only 19 years old. His greatest success in these matches came in 1841, when he defeated Thomas Marsden, the former champion of England, who though past his prime was still an excellent batsman, by an innings and 50 runs. Sampson's first full season was in 1838 and by 1840 he was chosen to represent the North against Marylebone at Lord's. In 1841 he was engaged, for a short time, at Lord's and was selected for England against Kent on two occasions. By 1842 he removed to Reading where he kept an inn but in 1844 he returned to the north playing in all the important matches for his town and county. On December 4, 1848, he was presented with a silver cup by his cricketing admirers of Sheffield. He played for the United England Eleven for whom he scored well on occasions. In later years he was `mine host' of the Adelphi Hotel in Sheffield. He died on March 29, 1885.
RJ Brown, The Cricketer