The race started in 1715, and the following appears from the books of the Company which are held at Watermen's Hall: "On the First of August, Thomas Dogget, comedian, a great Whig in Politics, lately joint manager of Drury Lane Theatre for Wilks and Cibber, gave a coat and badge to be rowed for by six Watermen in the first year of their Freedom."
Doggett himself organised the race until his death in 1721, when he instructed his executors to endow the race, which was to be managed by Mr Edward Burt of the Admiralty Office. Doggett's will set out detailed particulars of the style and cost of the badge and livery and he laid down that the race was to be held each 1st August forever. However, the race is now held in July the dates varying according | to the tides. Mr Burt was apparently unwilling to assume the burden laid on him by Doggett's will, and it was arranged that the executors should pay over to the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers the sum of £300 and that that Company, which also added £50 to the fund, should henceforth carry out Thomas Doggett's instruction.
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Thomas Doggett was an Irish actor and comedian who came to London about the year 1690. After playing many parts at Drury Lane, he became manager of that theatre and later of the Haymarket Theatre. He appears to have taken a considerable interest in the Watermen of the Thames who were much more numerous than they are today and were then the equivalent of the modern taxi drivers.
They were licensed to row passengers along and across the River Thames to the various plying stairs. It was a common custom for rowing wagers to take place on the River so that Doggett was no innovator in founding the race. Being a staunch Whig, he funded the race which now bears his name to commemorate the first anniversary of the accession of George 1 to the throne.
