(647) Blackwall of Blackwall Hall

Blackwall of Blackwall 

The Blackwalls claim their place in this study more by virtue of their long tenure of the Blackwall estate in Kirk Ireton (Derbys) than by any great place in national or local public life, and they are a classic example of a yeoman family that rose into the minor gentry and had the potential to rise further up the social scale but never did so. They no doubt took their name from the freehold Blackwall estate which was in their possession by about 1414, and possibly earlier. Craven & Stanley speculate that the Blackwalls may have been among the villein families who prospered from the labour shortage in the decades following the 'Black Death' plague of the 1340s and were able to acquire both their freedom and lands. By the 16th century they had a coat of arms recognised by the College of Arms, but in the 17th century they were still describing themselves as yeomen. Lysons in the 1790s included them in his list of vanished Derbyshire gentry families, but they have remained settled in plain sight at Blackwall down to the present day. Their 19th century acquisition of a second estate at Biggin House, Hulland, reinforced their gentry status, but not until the mid 20th century was a member of the family High Sheriff of Derbyshire, and they never produced a member of parliament or married into the peerage.

The genealogy below begins with John Blackwall (1594?-1681), who is the first of the family about whom a coherent story can be written. He seems to have been the youngest surviving son of Thomas Blackwall (d. 1625), and inherited one half of the Blackwall estate while the other half passed to his elder brother William (b. 1588). John reunited the estate, buying out his brother, and built new stables at Blackwall Hall in 1633, perhaps alongside other improvements to the property. His marriage to Alice Bradshaw (d. 1663) produced five sons and three daughters, and at his death Blackwall was bequeathed to his youngest son, Robert Blackwall (1642-1730), even though he had two older sons who were still alive. John's will mentions that one of them (his second son and namesake, John Blackwall (b. 1632) had been otherwise provided for in his lifetime, but does not explain why the eldest son, Thomas Blackwall (1630-1711) received only minor bequests. It seems possible that the family had a tradition of practising a modified form of ultimogeniture (known at the time as borough English custom), although this was not usual among landowning families, who favoured primogeniture, or in the Derbyshire area. If so, it did not continue beyond Robert's generation, for he bequeathed his estate to his eldest son, John Blackwall (1680-1749).

It was John Blackwall (1680-1749) who enlarged and remodelled the house at Blackwall in about 1736, creating much of what is standing today. By his second marriage, he had two sons and three daughters, and his eldest son, John Blackwall (1715-1802) inherited Blackwall in turn. He obtained confirmation of the family coat of arms from the heralds in 1764, and by his marriage to Mary Mellor of Idridgehay (Derbys) produced three sons. The eldest, John Blackwall (1753-1838) inherited the estate and further improved the house, while the second, Robert Blackwall (1756-1838) became a draper at Wirksworth and ultimately retired to Lincolnshire. The youngest son, Thomas Blackwall (1759-1852), became a linen merchant in Manchester and lived for a time at semi-timbered Crumpsall Hall near the city. In due course, he acquired property in north Wales, and from his six sons sprang two cadet branches of the family settled at Bryndyffryn and Dolhyfryd (Denbighshire), neither of which quite meet my definition of a country house.

John Blackwall (1753-1838), was one of the founders of the Wirksworth troop of the Derbyshire volunteers (later incorporated into the Sherwood Foresters), establishing a connection of service with the militia and territorials which persisted through several generations. He married Frances Downing from Fullwood (Notts) and had five daughters but no son to succeed him. He outlived four of his daughters and left his property to his youngest child, Emma (1805-85), the wife of Rev. Charles Evans (1809-86), who was for two periods, 1838-55 and 1867-86, the vicar of Hulland (Derbys), the next parish to Kirk Ireton. Evans, who had nine children, acquired Biggin House, Hulland as a personal residence in his parish, and as a result it passed with Blackwall Hall to his eldest son, John Blackwall Evans (1837-1918), who took the additional surname Blackwall in 1871. Blackwall Hall seems to have been leased out at this time, and John Evans-Blackwall lived at Biggin House until he moved to Nottingham in the 1880s, where he became a manufacturing chemist. Only in the first decade of the 20th century did he occupy Blackwall Hall, after retiring from business. When he died in 1918 the estate passed to his eldest son, John Eaton Evans-Blackwall (1873-1953), who changed his name to just Blackwall while still a young man. John Eaton Blackwall combined a career as a highway surveyor in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Cambridgeshire and Leicestershire with service in the territorial battalion of the Sherwood Foresters. He saw active service in the Boer War and the First World War, and received both the DSO and the Légion d'honneur. He was obliged to live where his work took him, and spent long spells at Great Shelford (Cambs), where most of his children were born, and Quorn (Leics). As he could not live at Blackwall, he handed the estate over to his eldest son, John Blackwall (1908-77) in 1931, and when he finally retired as County Surveyor of Leicestershire, he moved to Wimborne (Dorset).

John Blackwall (1908-77) continued the tradition of service with the Sherwood Foresters, retiring as a major in 1958. He was perhaps more typical of the English country gentleman than any of his predecessors for a century or more, for his life was spent managing his estate, serving as a justice of the peace and deputy lieutenant, and as High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1966-67. In 1957 he moved from Blackwall Hall (which he let 1959-78) to Biggin Hall and eventually handed on the estate to his elder son, John Blackwall (1939-2023). The younger John in turn handed on the estate in about 2018 to his son, Charles Blackwall (b. 1984), an engineer working in Formula 1 motorsport, who put Blackwall Hall up for sale in 2025.

Blackwall Hall, Kirk Ireton, Derbyshire

The house stands on a site adjoining the public road south-west of Kirk Ireton which has probably been occupied by the Blackwalls' house since the medieval period. The earliest part of the present building seems to be the north range, closest to the road, which contains some two- and three-light mullioned windows, perhaps of the 16th century, and there are indications that this building may have been L-shaped, with a cross-wing at its eastern end, but successive remodellings make these remains impossible to interpret clearly. In 1670 the house was assessed for only four hearths for the Hearth Tax, but in 1736 (date on the basement west door) John Blackwall (1680-1749) built the present west range and altered the east wing to match. This made the house approximately square, but gave it a south front with two gable ends separated by a deep recess. 

Blackwall Hall, Kirk Ireton: the south front.

Probably after John Blackwall (1753-1838) inherited the estate in 1802, the south front was refaced and heightened; the recess was filled in to form a new hall and staircase, and the front was given four large Venetian windows which are the dominant features in the appearance of the house today; echoing arched windows were also inserted into the gable ends at attic level. Later still, in the mid 19th century, a gabled porch was added to the south front, with steps to the terrace, and a pedimented shaped gable was inserted between the main gables. East and west of the north range of the house are additional service blocks and outbuildings, which may also incorporate some early fabric; the stables are dated 1633. Inside, the main rooms on the south front were redecorated when the Venetian windows were inserted, and have marble fireplaces, basket-headed arches over the window bays and wall-niches, and simple reeded doorcases.

Descent: William Blackwall; to son, Thomas Blackwall (d. 1625); to son, John Blackwall (1594?-1681); to son, Robert Blackwall (1642-1730); to son, John Blackwall (1680-1749); to son, John Blackwall (1715-1802); to son, John Blackwall (1753-1838); to daughter Emma (1805-85), wife of Rev. Charles Evans (1809-86); to son, John Blackwall Evans (later Evans-Blackwall) (1837-1918); to son, John Eaton Evans-Blackwall (later Blackwall) (1873-1953); handed over 1931 to son, John Blackwall (1908-77); to son, John Blackwall (1939-2023), who handed over c.2018 to son Charles Blackwall (b. 1984), who put the house on the market in 2022 and again in 2025.

Blackwall family of Blackwall Hall

Blackwall, John (1594?-1681). A younger son of Thomas Blackwall (d. 1625) and his wife Ellen Chaloner of Boylston (Derbys), and possibly the man of this name baptised at Kirk Ireton, 24 March 1593/4. Described himself as yeoman in his will. He married Alice (d. 1663), daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Bradshaw of Kirk Ireton, and had issue:

(1) Elizabeth Blackwall (b. 1625?), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 12 January 1625/6; married [forename unknown] Haine; living in 1681;

(2) Thomas Blackwall (1630-1711), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 28 October 1630; married, possibly 23 October 1665 at Duffield (Derbys), Ellen Harrison (d. 1709); buried at Kirk Ireton, 3 June 1711;

(3) John Blackwall (b. 1632), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 2 November 1632; married, 26 October 1657 at Kirk Ireton, Mary Haine, and had issue at least one son and one daughter; living in 1681;

(4) Robert Blackwall (b. 1635), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 18 October 1635; presumably died young;

(5) William Blackwall (1637-61), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 13 May 1637; married, 13 February 1660/1, Anne Spencer; died without issue and was buried at Kirk Ireton, 24 August 1661;

(6) Mary Blackwall (1640-92?), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 25 March 1640; married, 15 January 1661/2 at Kirk Ireton, William Froggatt; possibly the Maria Froggat buried at Wirksworth (Derbys), 18 June 1692;

(7) Robert Blackwall (1642-1730) (q.v.);

(8) Ellen Blackwall; mentioned in her father's will; married George Brewell (d. 1688) of Ashford-in-the-Water (Derbys); living in 1681.

He inherited one moiety of his father's estate in 1625 and acquired the other from his brother William. By his will, he settled his estate on his youngest son.

He was buried at Kirk Ireton, 11 April 1681; his will was proved at Lichfield, 23 April 1681 (effects £572). His wife was buried at Kirk Ireton, 16 May 1663.

Blackwall, Robert (1642-1730). Fifth and youngest son of John Blackwall (1594?-1681) and his wife Alice, daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Bradshaw of Kirk Ireton, baptised at Kirk Ireton, 21 August 1642. He married, 13 January 1675/6 at Kirk Ireton, Elizabeth Storer (d. 1738) of Kirk Ireton, and had issue:

(1) Helen alias Ellen Blackwall (b. 1676), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 6 September 1676; married, 11 May 1699 at Atlow (Derbys), Samuel Eaton and had issue three sons and one daughter; living in 1712;

(2) Alice Blackwall (1678-1715), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 10 July 1678; died unmarried and was buried at Kirk Ireton, 27 January 1714/5; will proved at Lichfield, 5 April 1715;

(3) John Blackwall (1680-1749) (q.v.);

(4) Elizabeth Blackwall (b. 1682), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 24 August 1682; married, 19 March 1709/10 at Kirk Ireton, Thomas Warrington of Hognaston, and had issue at least one son;

(5) Robert Blackwall (b. 1684), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 19 June 1684;

(6) Lydia Blackwall (b. 1686), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 10 March 1685/6;

(7) Rev. William Blackwall (1689-1731), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 27 May 1689; educated at Jesus College, Cambridge (matriculated 1709; BA 1713); ordained priest, 1714; curate of Mugginton (Derbys), 1719-28; rector of Blore (Staffs), 1728-31; married, 16 December 1719 at Mugginton, Mary (d. c.1724), widow of Ralph Burton, and had issue one son and one daughter; buried at Blore, 17 December 1731; 

(8) Thomas Blackwall (1691-1718), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 27 June 1691; probably the man of this name buried at Kirk Ireton, 14 June 1718;

(9) Sarah Blackwall (d. 1724); married, before 1712, William Melbourn (d. 1729) of Kirk Ireton; buried at Kirk Ireton, 14 August 1724.

He inherited Blackwall Hall from his father in 1681.

He was buried at Kirk Ireton, 20 September 1730. His widow was buried 6 January 1738.

Blackwall, John (1680-1749). Eldest son of Robert Blackwall (1642-1730) and his wife Elizabeth Storer of Kirk Ireton, baptised at Kirk Ireton, 8 December 1680. He married 1st, 23 January 1706/7 at South Wingfield (Derbys), Lydia Jessopp, and 2nd, 1714 (probably 23 October 1714 at Mugginton (Derbys)*), Mary (d. 1750?), daughter of Richard Hawford of Kegworth (Leics), and had issue:

(2.1) John Blackwall (1715-1802) (q.v.);

(2.2) William Blackwall (1717-91), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 23 October 1717; farmer at Gateham Grange, Alstonefield (Staffs); married, 28 April 1738 at Alstonefield, Dorothy Froggatt (1713-98), and had issue five sons and two daughters; buried at Alstonefield, 18 January 1791; will proved at Lichfield, 25 October 1791 (effects under £300);

(2.3) Mary Blackwall (1722-1801), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 7 January 1722/3; died unmarried and was buried at Kirk Ireton, 25 June 1801;

(2.4) Alice Blackwall (1725-1823), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 26 February 1724/5; married, 10 May 1764 at Kirk Ireton, George Stafford (d. 1788) of Kirk Ireton; died aged 97 and was buried at Kirk Ireton, 12 January 1823;

(2.5) Elizabeth Blackwall (d. 1760), baptism not traced; married, 16 October 1746 at Carsington (Derbys), Thomas Eaton (1715-93), hosier and alderman of Derby, and had issue five sons and two daughters; buried at St Alkmund, Derby, 16 October 1760.

He inherited Blackwall Hall from his father in 1730 and remodelled the house c.1736. He was described as 'John Blackwall of Callow' in his sister's will in 1715.

He was buried at Kirk Ireton, 17 August 1749. His first wife's date of death is unknown, but was probably about 1712. His second wife's date of death is unknown, but she may be the woman of this name buried at Wirksworth, about 25 June 1750.

* If this is the relevant marriage record, her name is given as Hereford in the register; plausible as a phonetic rendering of Hawford.

Blackwall, John (1715-1802). Elder son of John Blackwall (1680-1749) and his wife Mary, daughter of Richard Hawford of Kegworth (Leics), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 24 August 1715. He obtained a confirmatory grant of the family coat of arms, 1764. He married, 3 December 1745 at Wirksworth (Derbys), Mary (1716-74), daughter of Robert Mellor of Idridgehay (Derbys), and had issue:

(1) John Blackwall (1753-1838) (q.v.);

(2) Robert Blackwall (1756-1838), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 11 April 1756; probably the man of this name who was a linen and woollen draper at Wirksworth (Derbys); churchwarden of Wirksworth, 1818-24; married, 23 September 1784 at Appleby Magna (Leics), Catherine Harris (1758-1816) of Appleby, and had issue one son and five daughters; moved shortly before his death to Navenby (Lincs), where he died 16 October 1838; buried at Boothby Graffoe, 20 October 1838, where he is commemorated by a monument;

(3) Thomas Blackwall (1759-1852), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 6 October 1759; linen merchant in Derbyshire and later Manchester; lived at Crumpsall Hall (Lancs) and later Hendre House (Denbighs.); married, 31 May 1784 at Hinckley (Leics), his first cousin, Mary, daughter of Thomas Eaton of Derby, and had issue six sons (from whom descended the Blackwall (later Blackwall-Moulsdale) family of Bryndyffryn (Denbighs.) and the Blackwalls of Dolhyfryd (Denbighs)), and three daughters; died aged 93 and was buried at Llanwrst, 22 October 1852; will proved in the PCC, 4 December 1852.

He inherited Blackwall Hall from his father in 1749.

He died 29 December 1802 and was buried at Kirk Ireton, 1 January 1803; his will was proved in the PCC, 27 May 1803. His wife was buried at Kirk Ireton, 13 November 1774.

John Blackwall (1753-1838) 

Blackwall, John (1753-1838). Eldest son of John Blackwall (1715-1802) and his wife Mary, daughter of Robert Mellor of Idridgehay (Derbys), baptised at Kirk Ireton, 27 December 1753. An officer in the Wirksworth troop of Derbyshire Volunteers (Maj.). He was a member of the Wirksworth Association for the Prosecution of Felons by 1830. He married, 10 March 1794 at Sutton-in-Ashfield (Notts), Frances (1767-1840), daughter and co-heiress of Zachariah Downing of Fullwood (Notts), and had issue:

(1) Mary Blackwall (1796-1828), born 20 and baptised at Kirk Ireton, 27 September 1796; died unmarried, 26 July 1828, and was buried at Kirk Ireton;

(2) Frances Blackwall (1798-1828), born 23 September and baptised at Kirk Ireton, 28 September 1798; died unmarried, 13 January and was buried at Kirk Ireton, 17 January 1828;

(3) Ann Blackwall (1800-31), born 16 December and baptised at Kirk Ireton, 21 December 1800; died unmarried, 2 July 1831;

(4) Catherine Blackwall (1802-25), born 16 September and baptised at Kirk Ireton, 25 September 1802; died unmarried, 10 May and was buried at Kirk Ireton, 14 May 1825;

(5) Emma Blackwall (1805-85) (q.v.).

He inherited Blackwall Hall from his father in 1802.

He died 6 August 1838 and was buried at Kirk Ireton; his will was proved in the PCC, 13 October 1838. His widow died 17 October 1840 and was buried at Kirk Ireton.

Blackwall, Emma (1805-85). Fifth but only surviving daughter of John Blackwall (1753-1838) and his wife Frances, daughter and co-heiress of Zachary Downing of Fullwood (Notts), born 18 January and baptised at Kirk Ireton, 10 February 1805. She married, 27 September 1836 at Kirk Ireton, Rev. Charles Evans (1809-86), vicar of Hulland (Derbys), 1838-55, 1867-86; rector of St Clement, Worcester, 1858-65 and perpetual curate of Holy Trinity, Matlock Bath, 1865-67, son of Rev. Daniel Evans, rector of Mullion (Cornw.), and had issue:

(1) John Blackwall Evans (later Evans-Blackwall) (1837-1918) (q.v.);

(2) Charles Blackwall Evans (b. & d. 1838), baptised at Hulland (Derbys), 12 September 1838; died in infancy and was buried at Hulland, 2 October 1838;

(3) Emma Frances Evans (1839-77), baptised at Hulland, 13 October 1839; married, 24 June 1863 at St Clement, Worcester (Worcs), William Statham (1836-1909) (who m2, 7 January 1880 at St Cuthbert, Bedford, Elinor (1855-1930), daughter of Rev. Howard Kempson of Bedford (Beds), and had further issue three sons and three daughters), of Green Bank, Turnditch (Derbys) and St Mary's House, Bedford, engineer and ironfounder, and had issue four sons and two daughters; died in childbirth, 28 September, and was buried at Foster Hill Road Cemetery, Bedford, 2 October 1877;

(4) Catherine Elizabeth Evans (1840-53), baptised at Hulland, 20 December 1840; died young and was buried at Hulland, 10 September 1853;

(5) Rev. Edward Evans (1842-1901), born 13 January and baptised at Hulland, 9 February 1842; educated at Brighton College, Cheltenham College, and Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge (matriculated 1861; BA 1865; MA 1869); ordained deacon, 1865, and priest, 1866; curate of Belper (Derbys), 1865-69, Doddington (Cambs), 1869-72, and Lydney (Glos), 1872-75; vicar of All Saints, Gloucester, 1875-84; rector of Preston (Glos), 1884-88; vicar of Bishopston (Glos), 1888-1901; married 1st, 11 May 1870 at Llanwrst (Denbighs), Frances (1842-82), daughter of John Blackwall of Hendre (Denbighs.) and had issue four sons (including Hugh Blackwall Evans (1874-1975), the Polar explorer) and one daughter; married 2nd, 17 April 1884 at All Saints, Gloucester, Maria (1848-1925), daughter of Isaac Slater of Lower Barton House, Gloucester, manager of Gloucester Wagon Works Co., and widow of Peter Boyd Eassie (c.1838-75), contractor, but had no further issue; died 26 April and was buried at Matson (Glos), 30 April 1901;

(6) Mary Blackwall Evans (1843-77), baptised at Hulland, 13 August 1843; married, November 1863 at Christ Church, Galle Face, Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Rev. William Edward 'Padre' Rowlands (1837-1920), a missionary in Ceylon, and rector of Bonchurch (IoW), 1895-1906, and had issue four sons and two daughters; died 25 August 1877 and was buried in Colombo Cemetery;

(7) William Evans (1845-76), baptised at Hulland, 16 March 1845; an officer in the 29th Foot (Ensign, 1864; Lt., 1866; retired by 1871); died unmarried, 19 August 1876; administration of goods granted 30 October 1876 (effects under £450);

(8) Ann Downing Evans (1846-1927), born 20 December 1846 and baptised at Hulland, 24 January 1847; married, 5 December 1876 at Kirk Ireton, Lawrence Henry Orde Woodd (1851-79), HM Inspector of Schools, third son of Basil Thomas Woodd MP of Conyngham Hall, Knaresborough (Yorks WR), but had no issue; as a widow lived with her younger sister at Tunbridge Wells (Kent), where she died 30 September 1927; will proved 23 December 1927 (estate £6,583);

(9) Fanny Blackwall Evans (1850-1941), born 24 February and baptised at Hulland, 24 March 1850; lived with her widowed sister at Tunbridge Wells (Kent); died unmarried (aged 90), 18 January 1941; will proved 7 April 1941 (estate £3,674).

She inherited Blackwall Hall from her father in 1838.

She died 17 November and was buried at Kirk Ireton, 20 November 1885; administration of her goods was granted 21 January 1886 (estate £420). Her husband died 5 May and was buried at Kirk Ireton, 8 May 1886; his will was proved 4 June 1886 (estate £3,259).

Evans (later Evans Blackwall), John Blackwall (1837-1918). Eldest son of Rev. Charles Evans (1809-86) and his wife Emma, daughter of John Blackwall (1753-1838) of Blackwall Hall (Derbys), born 24 June 1837. Educated at Rossall Sch (Lancs) and Brighton College. He took the additional surname Blackwall in 1871. He commanded the Wirksworth Company of the 2nd Derbyshire Volunteers, 1871-78. JP for Derbyshire (from 1875).  He moved to Nottingham in the 1880s and became a manufacturing chemist. He married, 8 August 1871 at Weybridge (Surrey), Lucy (1843-1923), only daughter of Richard Eaton (1815-83) of Nottingham, and had issue:

(1) Millicent Blackwall (1872-1958), born 5 August and baptised at Kirk Ireton, 7 September 1872; a Church Missionary Society missionary at Yoruba (Nigeria) from 1898; married 1st, 20 December 1904, Frank Dulley Coleman (1870-1905) and 2nd, 21 July 1908, Rt. Rev. Alfred William Smith (1876-1958), assistant bishop of Lagos (Nigeria), 1925-42 and Hereford, 1942-47, and rector of Kirk Ireton (Derbys), 1949-58, but had no issue; in 1940, the ship on which she was returning to England from Nigeria was bombed by German planes and sunk, but she was rescued after several hours in an open boat; she died 28 May 1958; will proved 13 November 1958 (estate £6,542);

(2) John Eaton Blackwall (later Blackwall) (1873-1953) (q.v.);

(3) Evelyn Blackwall (1875-1957), born 17 March and baptised at Idridgehay (Derbys), 22 April 1875; educated at London University (MA 1898); teacher; life member of Convocation of Church of England; lived at Biggin House, Hulland (Derbys); died unmarried, 21 January 1957; will proved 9 May 1957 (estate £7,683);

(4) Richard Meverell Blackwall (1877-92); born 3 August 1877; educated at Trent College, Long Eaton (Notts), where he committed suicide by poisoning himself with chloroform, 21 May 1892; buried at Kirk Ireton, 25 May 1892;

(5) Rev. William Anthony Blackwall (1880-1935), born 16 February and baptised at Hulland (Derbys), 12 March 1880; educated at Nottingham High Sch. and Queens' College, Cambridge (matriculated 1899; BA 1902; MA 1907); ordained deacon, 1904, and priest, 1905; curate of Holy Trinity, Stockton-on-Tees (Co. Durham), 1904-09; rector of Middleton St George (Co. Durham), 1909-22 and chaplain to the forces, 1915-19; vicar of Bensham (Co. Durham), 1922-29; vicar of Northallerton (Yorks NR), 1929-35; married, 1 February 1910 at Christ Church, West Hartlepool (Co. Durham), Mary Walker (1887-1967), only daughter of Edwin Harry Davis MRCS of West Hartlepool, and had issue two daughters; died at Filey (Yorks ER), 5 April 1935; will proved 23 September 1935 (estate £4,478);

(6) Robert Mellor Blackwall (1882-1914), born 18 March and baptised at Hulland, 13 April 1882; clerk in his father's chemical works at Nottingham; died unmarried, 2 January, and was buried at Kirk Ireton, 6 January 1914;

(7) (Charles Victor) Henry (Cheetham) Blackwall (1887-1978); born 12 June 1887; educated at Dean Close Sch, Cheltenham; architect before First World War; an officer in the territorial battalion of Sherwood Foresters (2nd Lt., 1910; Lt. 1913; Capt., 1916) who served in the First World War, and in the Second World War with 40th Anti-Aircraft Battalion (Maj.); emigrated to Kenya after the war but returned to England, 1956; married 18 August 1914 at Kirk Ireton, Elsa Steere (1892-1981), elder daughter of Robert Blackwall of Dolhyfryd (Denbighs.), and had issue one son; died 7 May 1978; will proved 17 October 1978 (estate £56,238).

He lived at Biggin House until the 1880s and later in Nottingham. He inherited Blackwall Hall and Biggin House, Hulland from his mother in 1885, but only retired to Blackwall after 1901.

He died 28 February 1918; his will was proved 19 May 1918 (estate £18,462). His widow died 14 March 1923; her will was proved 1 January 1924 (estate £7,703).

Lt-Col. John Eaton Blackwall (1873-1953) 

Evans-Blackwall (later Blackwall), John Eaton (1873-1953). Eldest son of John Blackwall Evans (later Evans-Blackwall) (1837-1918) and his wife Lucy, only daughter of Richard Eaton of Notts, born 27 September and baptised at Kirk Ireton, 29 October 1873. As a young man, he discontinued the use of the surname Evans.  Educated at Nottingham High School and Selwyn College, Cambridge (matriculated 1892; BA 1895). Articled pupil to County Surveyor of Nottinghamshire, 1895-98; District Surveyor with Derbyshire County Council, 1898- after 1902; County Roads Surveyor in Cambridgeshire, by 1910-20; County Surveyor of Leicestershire, 1920-c.1945; a Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers; President of the Institution of Highway Engineers. An officer in the 2nd (territorial) battn, Sherwood Foresters (Lt., 1902; Capt., 1903; Maj. by 1914; Lt-Col., 1915), who resigned his commission to serve as a Sergeant with the regular army in the Boer War (T/Lt. 1902) but later returned to the territorials; he also served in the First World War and was appointed a Chevalier of the Legion d'honneur and awarded the DSO, 1917; during the Second World War he acted as Air Raid Precautions Controller for Leicestershire (OBE, 1945). He married, 5 October 1905 at Bakewell (Derbys), Elinor Sophie (1880-1959), youngest daughter of William Statham of Totteridge (Herts), and had issue:

(1) Elinor Blackwall (1906-44), born 29 May 1906; served in Second World War with the Women's Land Army; died unmarried, 28 January 1944 and was buried at St Euny (Cornw.); administration of goods granted 28 April 1944 (estate £1,062);

(2) John Blackwall (1908-77) (q.v.);

(3) Mary Blackwall (1910-80); born 23 October and baptised at Great Shelford, 25 November 1910; married, 7 July 1945, Frank Ernest Foster (1915-62), son of William Foster of Leicester, and had issue one son; died 8 August 1980 and was buried at Dorchester (Dorset); will proved 19 September 1980 (estate £35,042);

(4) Ralph Blackwall (1912-76), born 8 September and baptised at Great Shelford, 20 October 1912; educated on HMS Conway; quarry manager before Second World War; an officer in the Royal Engineers (2nd Lt., 1940); a Member of the Institute of Highway Engineers and of the Institute of Quarrying; married, 4 September 1937 at St Mark, Portsmouth (Hants), Marjorie Gertrude, daughter of William Thomas Hind of Portsmouth, and had issue two daughters; died 1 January 1976 and was buried at Wirksworth (Derbys); will proved 1 April 1976 (estate £24,589);

(5) Anthony Blackwall (1919-84), born 23 June and baptised at Stapleford (Cambs), 17 August 1919; educated at Wrekin School; a member of Wirksworth Urban District Council, 1937; an officer in the army (2nd Lt., 1940; Lt., 1943; Capt., 1948; Maj., 1954; retired 1961), who served in Second World War and commanded a bomb disposal squad, 1953-61; Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers and Institute of Highway Engineers; County Bridge Engineer for Shropshire County Council; married, 11 March 1944, Betty Ellaline, daughter of Vernon Major Walker of Patcham (Sussex) and had issue one daughter; died Jan-Mar 1984;

(6) William Blackwall (1923-92), born 22 January and baptised at Woodhouse (Leics), 15 March 1923; educated at Rossall Sch, Selwyn College, Cambridge, and Salisbury Theological College; an officer in the Royal Engineers (2nd Lt., 1944; Lt., 1945; Capt.); died 21 February 1992; will proved 10 April 1992 (estate under £125,000).

He lived at Gt Shelford (Cambs) until he inherited Blackwall Hall from his father in 1918; he made the estate over to his eldest son in 1931, by which time he was living at The Pingle, Quorn (Leics). He lived in retirement at Wimborne (Dorset).

He died 4 October 1953; will proved 11 January 1954 (estate £1,861). His widow died 3 April 1959; her will was proved in August 1959 (estate £4,173).

Maj. John Blackwall (1908-77) 

Blackwall, John (1908-77). Eldest son of John Eaton Evans-Blackwall (later Blackwall) (1873-1953) and his wife Elinor Sophie, youngest daughter of William Statham of Totteridge (Herts), born 17 March and baptised at Kirk Ireton, 21 April 1908. Educated at Giggleswick Sch. and Midland Agricultural College, Nottingham (Nat. Dipl. Agriculture). An officer in the territorial army (Sherwood Foresters) (2nd Lt., 1929; Lt., 1932; Capt.; Maj by 1944; retired 1958). JP (from 1941) and DL (from 1967) for Derbyshire; Chairman of Wirksworth Petty Sessions; High Sheriff of Derbyshire, 1966-67; President of Ashbourne Shire Horse Society, 1968. He married, 30 April 1938 at Humberstone (Leics), Dorothy Joan Edgeley (1916-2008), daughter of Thomas Edgeley Hudson of Leicester, and had issue:

(1) John Blackwall (1939-2023) (q.v.);

(2) Richard Blackwall (b. 1946), born 12 October 1946; educated at Wrekin Sch. and Southampton Univ. (BSc 1969); employed by British Celanese Ltd., Derby; later a director of John Smith Ltd of Derby, clock and weather vane manufacturers, 1972-92 and owner of English Clockmakers Ltd., 1992-date; lived at Hulland and later at Tissington (Derbys); married, 1977 at Trentham (Staffs), Mary Louise (fl. 2014), younger daughter of E.W. Slater of Milwich (Staffs), and had issue two sons.

He succeeded his father at Blackwall Hall by deed of gift, 1931, and made the estate over to his eldest son. The house was let 1959-78, when he lived at Biggin House, and extensively remodelled in the 1970s. 

He died 8 August 1977; his will was proved 1 November 1977 (estate £49,016). His widow married 2nd, 1982, Michael Guy Powell (1909-2004), and died 15 December 2008; her will was proved 12 August 2009.

Blackwall, John (1939-2023). Elder son of John Blackwall (1908-77) and his wife Dorothy Joan Edgeley, daughter of Thomas Edgeley Hudson of Leics, born 19 June 1939; educated at Wrekin Sch. and Derby & District College of Technology (Dipl. Admin. Mgt.). Employed by Bemrose Packaging Co. Engaged with his brother and partners in an unsuccessful scheme to develop Millfields Farm on the estate as a public house and leisure complex overlooking Carsington Water, 1991-93. A Conservative in politics, he was elected Life President of the West Derbyshire Conservative Association, 1991. He married, December 1979 at Sudbury (Derbys), Dr. Madeleine Clare Hermina Hunter (1952-2009), daughter of Kenneth Charles Cassels Hunter (1911-2007) of Brecklands, Foston (Derbys), and had issue:

(1) Lavinia Joanna Blackwall (b. 1982); educated at Repton Sch.; singer, songwriter, composer and arranger who made her name with the folk-rock band Trembling Bells and more recently as a solo artist; married, 24 May 2025 at Duntocher, Glasgow, Marco Rea, musician;

(2) Charles John K. Blackwall (b. 1984); educated at Shrewsbury Sch. and Imperial College, London (MSc 2007); mechanical engineer; head of electronics for Aston Martin Amarco Formula 1 team since 2022; married and had issue one son.

He succeeded his father at Blackwall Hall and handed it on to his son c.2018, who put it up for sale in 2022 and again in 2025.

He died 28 October 2023. His wife died 21 August 2009.

Principal sources

Burke's Landed Gentry, 1972, pp. 68-69; M. Craven & M. Stanley, The Derbyshire Country House, 2001, pp. 41-42; C. Hartwell, Sir N. Pevsner & E. Williamson, The buildings of England: Derbyshire, 3rd edn., 2016, p. 481. 

Location of archives

Blackwall of Blackwall Hall: deeds, estate and family papers, 17th-19th cents. [Derbyshire Record Office D3436, D56M]

Coat of arms

Blackwall of Blackwall Hall: Argent a greyhound in full course sable collared chequy or and gules, on a chief dancettée of the second three bezants.

Can you help?

• Can anyone provide portraits or photographs of the people whose names appear in bold above, for whom no image is currently shown?
• If anyone can offer further information or corrections to any part of this article I should be most grateful. I am always particularly pleased to hear from current owners or the descendants of families associated with a property who can supply information from their own research or personal knowledge for inclusion.

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published 9 November 2026.

(646) Blackett of Wylam Hall, Newcastle, Wallington Hall and Matfen Hall, baronets - part 2

This post has been divided into two parts. Part 1 contains the introduction to the family and describes the many houses they owned at different times. This second part contains genealogical information about the different branches of the family.

Blackett family of Hoppyland, Hamsterley

Blackett, William (1587-1648). Son of Edward Blackett (1557-1627) of Hoppyland (Co. Durham) and his first wife Jane Kirkhouse, baptised at Hamsterley, 27 November 1587. Churchwarden of Gateshead in the 1630s. He married, by 1611, Isabella, daughter of William Crook (d. 1611) of Wolsingham (Co. Durham), and had issue, possibly among others:

(1) Christopher Blackett (1613-75) (q.v.);

(2) Edward Blackett (c.1615-67); apprenticed to John Butler as a merchant adventurer in Newcastle-on-Tyne but not made free of the company until 1647, "his constant residing being at Amsterdam, from whence he hath twice repayred hether to demaund his fredome, but did not receive it by reason of troublesome tymes, which then hindered this Fellowshipp from keping courts"; a member of the Common Council and later Alderman of Newcastle; for many years factor in Amsterdam for the Newcastle Company of Merchant Adventurers; married Christiana Hering (b. 1620), and had issue one son and two daughters;

(3) Sir William Blackett (1621-80), 1st bt. [for whom see below, Blackett family of Matfen Hall, baronets].

He inherited one moiety of the Hoppyland estate at Hamsterley (Co. Durham) from his father in 1628. He moved before 1620 to Jarrow and later to Gateshead (Co. Durham).

He was buried at Hamsterley, 28 June 1648. His widow is sometimes said to be the 'Elsabeth Blackett' buried at Hamsterley, 28 January 1665/6, but the will of her grandson, Edward Blackett (1638-58) refers to items she had bequeathed to him, so she must have died before 1658.

Blackett, Christopher (1613-75). Eldest son of William Blackett (1587-1648) and his wife Isabella, daughter of William Crook of Wolsingham (Co. Durham), baptised at Hamsterley, 24 January 1612/3. He was an officer in the army of King Charles I. He married 1st, by 6 October 1631, Alice (1609-63), daughter and sole heir of Thomas Fenwick (d. 1659) of Matfen (Northbld.), and 2nd, 1664 (licence 5 April), Jane, daughter of Henry Blackett (b. 1597), and had issue:

(1.1) William Blackett (c.1633-95) (q.v.);

(1.2) John Blackett (1635-1707) (q.v.);

(1.3) Jane Blackett (c.1637-91?), born about 1637; married 1st, 26 June 1655 by John Airson, mayor of Durham, and again, 26 July 1655 at St Nicholas, Durham (Co. Durham), Rev. William Bickerton (d. 1671), intruded vicar of Wolsingham (ejected 1660) and later preacher of All Saints, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and had issue four sons and three daughters; married 2nd, 8 February 1677 at Holy Trinity, Minories, London,  Everard Digby (1639-93), but had no further issue; lived with her second husband at Westminster (Middx) and is perhaps the 'Jane Digby from Islington' buried at St Paul, Covent Garden, Westminster, 22 January 1690/1;

(1.4) Christopher Blackett (b. c.1638), born about 1638; probably died in infancy and more certainly before his half-brother of the same name was baptised in 1665;

(1.5) Edward Blackett (1638-58), baptised at Hamsterley (Co. Durham), 17 June 1638; seaman of Wishingham (Northbld); died at sea, April 1658; will proved in the PCC, 20 May 1658;

(1.6) Isabel Blackett (c.1640-87), born about 1640; mentioned in the will of her uncle, Sir William Blackett; died unmarried; will proved in the PCC, 8 November 1687;

(1.7) Christian Blackett (1644-82?), baptised at Hamsterley, 2 November 1644; married, 15 August 1671 at Hamsterley, Edward Greene, and had issue at least one daughter; possibly the woman of this name buried at All Saints, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 23 December 1682;

(2.1) Christopher Blackett (1665-80), baptised at Hamsterley, 24 August 1665; mentioned in his mother's will in 1677; died young at Bedburn Hall, Hamsterley, and was buried at Hamsterley, 24 April 1680;

(2.2) Alice Blackett (b. 1667), baptised at Hamsterley, 2 July 1667; mentioned in her mother's will in 1677; living in 1736;

(2.3) Ann Blackett (b. 1669), baptised at Hamsterley, 11 May 1669; living in 1692;

(2.4) Mary Blackett (b. & d. 1671), baptised at Hamsterley, 21 March 1671; died in infancy and was buried at Hamsterley, 20 November 1671;

(2.5) Margaret Blackett (b. 1672), baptised at Hamsterley, 10 October 1672; living, unmarried, in 1703;

(2.6) Edward Blackett (1675-1733), baptised at Hamsterley, 26 January 1675; a supporter of the Hanoverian succession during the 1715 uprising; lived at Bedburn Hall but died unmarried at New Hall, Hamsterley, and was buried at Hamsterley, 2 May 1733.

He inherited one moiety of the Hoppyland (Co. Durham) estate from his father in 1648. He inherited lands at Matfen in right of his wife in 1659.

He died in 1675. His first wife was buried at Newburn (Northbld.), 4 March 1662/3. His widow died after 13 December 1677.

Blackett, William (c.1633-95). Eldest son of Christopher Blackett (1613-75) and his wife Alice, daughter and sole heir of Thomas Fenwick of Matfen Hall (Northbld.), born about 1633. Apprenticed to his uncle, Edward Blackett of Newcastle, boothman and merchant adventurer, 1649, but transferred to Sir William Blackett (1621-80), 1st bt. in 1650, Edward Blackett being in Amsterdam. For many years he was a merchant in Newcastle, trading with Sweden and Scotland, and he was probably active in British commercial diplomacy. Robert Surtees, writing in 1811, stated that he 'was mad, or something like it', and it was perhaps for this reason that his brother John disputed his will. He was evidently married twice, for the will of his sister Isabel refers to a picture of his first wife; she is sometimes said to have been a daughter of the Duc de Boys, but no such title existed and the name is probably a corruption of a Dutch or Swedish name. At the time of his death his wife was named Mary, and a marriage licence of 1692 for a wedding at Newcastle-on-Tyne to Mary Robson probably relates to their union. He left no surviving issue.

He inherited one moiety of the Hoppyland  estate at Hamperley (Co. Durham) from his father and bought the other later. He lived in Newcastle for much of his life but evidently retired to Hoppyland. At his death he bequeathed most of his property to his widow for life, with remainder to his kinsman, Sir William Blackett (1657-1705), 1st bt, but the will was challenged by his brother John, who eventually gained possession.

He died 26 December, and was buried at Hamsterley (Co. Durham), 27 December 1695, but he is commemorated by a monument at Ovingham (Northbld.); his will was proved at Durham about 27 March 1696. His widow and executrix Mary may have remarried shortly after his death to a Mr. Dennison.

Blackett family of Wylam Hall

Blackett, John (1635-1707). Second son of Christopher Blackett (1613-75) and his wife Alice, daughter and sole heir of Thomas Fenwick of Matfen Hall (Northbld.), baptised at Jarrow (Co. Durham), 6 December 1635. Apprenticed as a merchant to George Errington of Newcastle, boothman and merchant adventurer, 1652. Merchant in Newcastle-on-Tyne, but through his acquisition of the Wylam estate rose sufficiently in social status to become High Sheriff of Northumberland, 1691-92. He married, 1672 (licence 2 April), Mary (d. 1731), daughter and heir of William Errington of Portgate (Northbld), and had issue*:

(1) Elizabeth Blackett (b. & d. 1673); died in infancy and was buried at Newburn, 11 June 1673;

(2) Alice Blackett (c.1675-1722), born about 1675; married, 22 December 1690 at Stamfordham (Northbld), Samuel Burton (who m2, 4 September 1723 at Cockfield (Co. Durham), Eleanor (d. 1736), daughter of [forename unknown] Mossock and widow of Abraham Hilton (d. 1718) of Staindrop) of Keverstone, Staindrop (Co. Durham), and had issue two sons and five daughters; died 4 May and was buried at Staindrop, 7 May 1722;

(3) Mary Blackett (1678-c.1710), baptised at St John Lee, 28 May 1678; married, 30 May 1696 at Ovingham, Ralph Myllot (d. 1716) of Whithill, Chester-le-Street (Co. Durham) (who m2, 6 November 1711 at Durham, Isabella Hixon (d. 1767)**, and had issue one son and one daughter), but probably had no issue; living in 1708 but died soon afterwards;

(4) Elizabeth Blackett (d. 1680); died young and was buried at Newburn, 16 May 1680;

(5) John Blackett (c.1680-1714) (q.v.);

(6) Christopher Blackett (c.1685-1712), born about 1685; married, 18 July 1708 at Lamesley (Co. Durham), Alice (d. 1761) (who m2, 29 September 1715 at Middleton-in-Teesdale, Francis Smart (1684-1718) of Staindrop, and 3rd, Thomas Bellasis (1684-1751) of Darlington), daughter of Robert Hilton of Durham, and had issue two sons; died 13 September and was buried at Staindrop (Co. Durham), 16 September 1712;

(7) Christiana Blackett (d. 1771?); married, 7 May 1722 at Heddon-on-the-Wall (Northbld), Thomas Slater (d. 1742) of Heddon-on-the-Wall; probably the woman of this name buried at Ovingham, 4 September 1771.

He lived at Horton Grange, Ponteland and later at Fallowfield Hall, St John Lee. He acquired the manor of Wylam in 1679, followed by two further farms in 1685. The manor came with the mineral rights, enabling the family to develop the Wylam colliery. He acquired Hoppyland after challenging the will of his brother William (d. 1695).

He died 13 September, and was buried at Ovingham (Northbld.), 16 September  1707; his will was proved at Durham, 1707. His widow was buried at Witton-le-Wear (Co. Durham), 2 February 1731.

* Some sources mention another son, William, baptised at St John Lee in 1677, but the baptism entry for this child gives the father's name as Ralph Blackett.

** Isabella married 2nd, 1 October 1723 at Redmarshall (Co. Durham), John Wood (d. 1752) of Presson and Monilaws, and died in 1767 'aged nearly 100'.

Blackett, John (c.1680-1714). Elder son of John Blackett (1635-1707) and his wife Mary, daughter and heiress of Richard Errington of Errington Hall and Beaufront, born about 1680. He married, 16 May 1709 at Haydon Bridge (Northbld.), Elizabeth (1679-1723), daughter of John Bacon (1655-1736) of Staward Peel, Haydon Bridge, and had issue*:

(1) Isabella Blackett (1710-89), baptised at Ovingham, 16 March 1709/10; married, 1742 (licence 2 February), John Clavering (d. 1773) of Norham (Northbld); buried at Kyloe (Northbld), 15 November 1789;

(2) Alice Blackett (1711-43), baptised at Ovingham, 16 June 1711; married, 9 April 1741 at St Oswald, Durham, her cousin, Samuel Burton (1713-44) of Old Elvet, Durham, and had issue one son and one daughter; buried at Houghton-le-Spring, 25 November 1743;

(3) John Blackett (c.1712-69) (q.v.);

(4) William Blackett (1714-17), baptised at Ovingham, 18 February 1713/4; died in infancy and was buried at Ovingham, 2 May 1717.

He inherited the Hoppyland and Wylam estates from his father in 1707.

He was buried at Ovingham, 12 August 1714. His widow was buried at St Oswald, Durham, 17 May 1723.

* Some accounts mention a further daughter, Mary Blackett, baptised at Stamfordham (Northbld), 21 November 1710, but it seems unlikely she could be a daughter of this John given the dates of the preceding and succeeding children's baptisms.

Blackett, John (1712-69). Elder son of John Blackett (c.1680-1714) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of John Bacon of Staward Peel (Northbld.), born 12 November and baptised at Ovingham, 13 November 1712. High Sheriff of Northumberland, 1739-40. Landowner and coal owner who developed Wylam Colliery and in 1748 laid out a waggonway to deliver his coal downstream to a harbour where it could be loaded onto boats for delivery to London and elsewhere. He married 1st, 24 September 1734 at Bamburgh (Northbld), Dorothy (1705-40), daughter of Edward Grey of Shoreston, Bamburgh, and 2nd, 22 January 1743 at Heddon-on-the-Wall (Northbld), Elizabeth (1722-1805), daughter of Edward Crosbie of Tudhoe (Co. Durham), and had issue:

(1.1) John Blackett (1735-91) (q.v.);

(1.2) Edward Blackett (1736-75), baptised at Ovingham (Northbld.), 16 July 1736; an officer in the Dragoons (Cornet, 1754; Lt., 1755; Capt., 1761); married, 23 June 1774 at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), Christiana Simpson (c.1738-91); died in London, and was buried at St Paul, Covent Garden, Westminster (Middx), 24 March 1775; will proved in the PCC, 27 March 1775;

(1.3) William Blackett (1737-76), of Heworth, Jarrow (Co. Durham), baptised at Ovingham, 21 November 1737; died unmarried at Jarrow and was buried at Ovingham, 18 July 1776;

(1.4) Thomas Blackett (1738-1800) (q.v.); 

(1.5) Robert Blackett (1740-45), baptised at Ovingham, 13 September 1740; died young and was buried at Ovingham, 16 June 1745;

(2.1) Dorothy Blackett (1749-1839), baptised 15 December 1749 at Ovingham; married, 9 July 1787 at Ovingham, Rev. William Fleming (c.1751-1809), master of Kepier School, Houghton-le-Spring and later master of Haydon Bridge Grammar School and perpetual curate of Hexham, but had no issue; died aged 89 and was buried at St John, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 21 March 1839; will proved in the PCC, 11 July 1839;

(2.2) Christopher Blackett (1751-1829) (q.v.);

(2.3) Elizabeth Blackett (1752-1803), baptised at Ovingham, 1 November 1752; married, 18 August 1787 at Ovingham, William Jobling (1756-1810) of Newton Hall, Bywell (Northbld), and had issue one son and two daughters; died 14 August 1803;

(2.4) Christian (k/a Kitty) Blackett (1754-1828), baptised at Ovingham, 28 June 1754; married, 7 April 1779 at Ovingham, John Stoddart of Newcastle, rope merchant, and had issue at least one son; will proved at Durham, 9 May 1828 (effects under £100);

(2.5) Robert Blackett (1756-1802), baptised at Ovingham, 8 February 1756; an officer in the Royal Navy (Lt., 1782); water bailiff to Newcastle Corporation; married 1st, 15 May 1794 at Ovingham, Mary Dodd (d. 1797), and had issue two sons; married 2nd, 7 May 1799 at Jarrow (Co. Durham), Jane Miller, and had issue one further son; died at North Shields (Northbld), 31 August, and was buried at St John, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 3 September 1802; will proved 23 December 1802;

(2.6) Isabella Blackett (1758-59), baptised at Ovingham, 19 November 1758; died in infancy and was buried at Ovingham, 27 January 1759.

(2.7) Walter Blackett (1760-62), baptised at Ovingham, 22 June 1760; died in infancy and was buried at Ovingham, 11 July 1762;

(2.8) Isabella Blackett (b. & d. 1762), baptised at Ovingham, 24 June 1762; died and was buried at Ovingham on the following day, 25 June 1762;

(2.9) Walter Blackett (1766-92), baptised at Ovingham, 8 August 1766; surgeon at Wolverhampton (Staffs); died unmarried but is said to have had an illegitimate daughter by Ann Armstrong of Earsdon (Northbld.); died 1 March and was buried at Houghton-le-Spring (Co. Durham), 4 March 1792; died intestate and administration of his goods was granted at Durham, 1792.

He inherited the Wylam Hall estate and lands in Co. Durham from his father in 1714, and came of age in 1733. He sold the Hoppyland property in Co. Durham and invested in developing the Wylam coal mine and waggonway on his Northumberland estate.

He died 12 November and was buried at Ovingham, 23 November 1769. His first wife was buried at Ovingham, 19 October 1740. His widow was buried at Ovingham, 27 October 1805.

Blackett, John (1735-91). Eldest son of John Blackett (1712-69) and his first wife, Dorothy, daughter of Edward Grey of Shoreston, baptised at Ovingham, 31 July 1735. Educated at Lincoln College, Oxford (matriculated 1753) and Lincoln's Inn (admitted 1753). He was unmarried but according to some accounts he had an illegitimate daughter by Jane Wilkinson:

(X1) Anne Blackett alias Wilkinson (b. 1769), baptised at Ryton (Co. Durham), 15 February 1769; married, 31 July 1791 at Ryton, George Young, and had issue four sons and three daughters; death not traced.

He inherited the Wylam Hall estate from his father in 1769.

He was buried at Ovingham, 8 January 1791.

Blackett, Thomas (1738-1800) Fourth son of John Blackett (1712-69) and his first wife, Dorothy, daughter of Edward Grey of Shoreston, baptised at Ovingham (Northbld), 3 December 1738. Apprenticed to John Harrison of Newcastle, boothman, and was admitted a freeman of Newcastle, 1762. Merchant in Newcastle. A member of the Common Council of Newcastle (Sheriff, 1764-65). He married 1st, 12 December 1765 at All Saints, Newcastle-on-Tyne, with 'a large fortune', Martha (1745-91), daughter of Thomas Poole of Newcastle, merchant, and 2nd, 31 May 1792 at Ovingham, Mary Barwick of Ripon (Yorks WR), but had no issue.

He lived in Newcastle until he inherited the Wylam Hall estate from his elder brother in 1791. At his death the estate passed to his half-brother, Christopher Blackett.

He died at Oakwood House, 16 May, and was buried at Ovingham, 19 May 1800. His first wife was buried at Ovingham, 19 May 1791. His second wife married 2nd, 27 July 1801 at Whickham (Co. Durham), Joseph Forster of Hexham (Northbld); her date of death is unknown.

Christopher Blackett (1751-1829)

Blackett, Christopher (1751-1829). Eldest son of John Blackett (1712-69) and his second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Crosbie of Tudhoe (Co. Durham), baptised at Ovingham, 28 June 1751. Merchant; Postmaster of Newcastle-on-Tyne, by 1777-1816; County Treasurer of Northumberland by 1796. A Whig in politics, he founded the London newspaper, The Globe in 1803, which he retained until 1823, when it was bought by Robert Torrens who took it in a more radical direction. He was agent for the Blackett-Beaumont Lead Mines in the north Pennines, 1805-07; and was appointed Receiver-General of Taxes for Northumberland and Durham in 1816. After inheriting the family estate and the Wylam coal mine, he commissioned an engine for use on the Wylam waggonway from Richard Trevithick, but it proved too heavy for the wooden rails. He relaid the waggonway with iron rails and since Trevithick had given up his business, he asked his mine manager, Timothy Hackworth, and his team to build two new engines, 'Puffing Billy' and 'Wylam Dilly', which came into use in 1813-14 and were the earliest practical steam locomotives in the world. He married, 15 February 1779 at St Andrew, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Alice (1757-1831), daughter of William Ingham (1728-60) of Newcastle, physician, and had issue:

(1) Alice Elizabeth Blackett (b. & d. 1779), born about November 1779; died in infancy and was buried at St John, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 18 December 1779;

(2) Alice Blackett (1781-1837), born 28 January and baptised at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 9 July 1781; married, 10 March 1801 at St John, Newcastle, Anthony Surtees (1769-1838) of Hamsterley Hall (Co. Durham), and had issue five sons and three daughters; died 6 January and was buried at Ebchester (Co. Durham), 15 January 1837;

(3) John Blackett (1783-86), baptised at St John, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 30 July 1783; died young and was buried at St John, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 2 April 1786;

(4) Elizabeth Blackett (1784-1856), born 20 June and baptised at St John, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 26 July 1784; lived at Wylam Cottage with her sister Dorothy; died unmarried at Wylam, 19 November 1856, and was buried at Ovingham (Northbld.); will proved at Durham, 9 December 1856 (effects under £8,000);

(5) Christopher Blackett (1787-1847) (q.v.);

(6) Dorothy Christian Blackett (1790-1851), born 21 June 1790 and baptised at St John, Newcastle, 11 December 1792; lived at Wylam Cottage with her sister Elizabeth; died unmarried, 1 November 1851, and was buried at Ovingham; will proved 7 January 1852 (effects under £6,000);

(7) Jane Blackett (1792-1825), born 21 May and baptised 11 December 1792; died unmarried, 14 May and was buried at Ovingham, 21 May 1825;

(8) William Fenwick Blackett (1793-1868), born 14 September, and baptised at St John, Newcastle, 30 October 1793; a partner in the Northumberland & Durham District Banking Co.; County Treasurer of Northumberland, c.1829-54; lived latterly at Newton Hall (Northbld); married, 22 October 1825 at Forgan (Fife), Catherine Porterfield (1798-1863), daughter of Robert Stewart of St. Fort (Fife), and had issue five sons and one daughter; died at Newton Hall (Northbld), 20 June, and was buried at St Peter, Bywell (Northbld), 23 June 1868; will proved 29 July 1868 (effects under £60,000);

(9) Mary Blackett (1795-1811), born 8 February and baptised at St John, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 14 March 1795; died young, 23 September 1811, and was buried at Ovingham;

(10) Thomas Blackett (1796-97), born 7 February and baptised at St John, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 4 April 1796; died in infancy and was buried at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 19 January 1797;

(11) Edward Blackett (1797-1824), born 14 October 1797 and baptised at St John, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 15 January 1798; a midshipman in the Royal Navy, 1810-17; educated at Lincoln College, Oxford (matriculated 1817) and St John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1818; BA 1822); was in Greece, c.1822-24, during its War of Independence, where he was a friend of Lord Byron; died at Zante (Greece), 19 July 1824;

(12) Rev. John Alexander Blackett (later Blackett-Ord) (1803-65), born 20 January and baptised at Ovingham, 27 October 1803; educated at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1823; BA 1827); ordained deacon, May 1829, and priest, September 1829; vicar of Heddon-on-the-Wall (Northbld.), 1829-53; rector of Wolsingham, 1853-65; assumed the additional surname of Ord, 1855, when his wife inherited the Whitfield Hall (Northbld) estate of her uncle, which is still the property of their descendants; married, 11 April 1842 at Cheltenham (Glos), Anne Jane (1818-90), only daughter of Lt-Col. Andrew Hamilton, and had issue four sons and six daughters; died 10 July 1865; will proved 18 August 1865 (effects under £14,000).

He inherited the Wylam Hall estate from his half-brother in 1800.

He died 25 January and was buried at Ovingham, 4 February 1829; his will was proved in the PCY, 23 February 1830. His widow was buried at Ovingham, 30 August 1831.

Blackett, Christopher (1787-1847). Second, but eldest surviving, son of Christopher Blackett (1751-1829) and his wife Alice, daughter of William Ingham, born 22 June and baptised at St John, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 23 October 1787*. An officer in the Percy Tenantry Volunteers (Maj., 1803), Northumberland Riflemen (Maj., 1805) and later in the 18th Hussars (Cornet, 1809; Lt., 1809; Capt., 1815) and 7th Dragoons (Capt. on half-pay, 1819; retired 1839). Essentially a Whig in politics, but opposed to parliamentary reform and the extension of the franchise, he sat as Tory MP for Beer Alston (Devon), 1830-31. After failing to avert the Great Reform Act, he reverted to Whiggism and after failing to be elected for Newcastle in 1836, was elected unopposed as MP for South Northumberland, 1837-41. He married, 15 August 1818 at Latton (Essex), Elizabeth (1781-1833), daughter and co-heir of Montague Burgoyne (1750-1836) of Mark Hall (Essex), and had issue:

(1) John Fenwick Burgoyne Blackett (1821-56) (q.v.);

(2) Frances Mary Blackett (1822-95), born at Sheen Lodge, East Sheen, September 1822 and baptised at  Mortlake, 1 November 1822; married, 31 August 1857 at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), Claude Felix Henri du Quaire (1833-60), Comte du Quaire in France; resumed British nationality, 1873; died in London, 14 March, and was buried at Brompton Cemetery, 19 March 1895; will proved 1 May 1895 (estate £35,523);

(3) Edward Algernon Blackett (1824-73) (q.v.);

(4) Montagu Blackett (1828-66), born at Sheen Lodge, 4 September, and baptised at Mortlake, 3 October 1828; educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1844; BA 1848; MA 1861; President of the Oxford Union, Trinity term, 1848); bought Greenhills (Co. Tipperary) in the Encumbered Estates Court in 1852, but sold it again in 1860 and lived subsequently at Wylam and Guildford (Surrey); JP for King's County (Co. Offaly); an officer in the King's County Militia (Capt., 1855); married, 4 September 1862 at St James Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), Emma Mary (1825-87), daughter of Very Rev. Gilbert Elliot, dean of Bristol, but had no issue; died of 'congestion of the lungs' at Geneva (Switzerland), 28 May 1866; his will was proved 26 June 1866 (estate under £9,000).

He rented Sheen Lodge at East Sheen (Surrey) until he inherited the Wylam estate from his father in 1829. He did not occupy Wylam Hall, which was let, but made his home at Oakwood House, Wylam.

He died at Westoe (Co. Durham), 16 January 1847, and was buried at Ovingham (Northbld); his will was proved at Durham, 24 November 1847. His wife died 29 March and was buried at Ovingham, 6 April 1833.

* Some sources give his date of birth as 12 June 1788, but this appears to be wrong; the dates above are given in the bishop's transcript of the parish register.

John Fenwick Burgoyne Blackett
(1821-56) 

Blackett, John Fenwick Burgoyne (1821-56). Eldest son of Christopher Blackett (1787-1847) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of Montague Burgoyne of Mark Hall (Essex), born 21 March and baptised at St Marylebone, 26 April 1821. Educated at Harrow and Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1838; BA 1847; President of the Oxford Union, Hilary Term 1840) and Lincoln's Inn (admitted 1842). Fellow of Merton College, Oxford, 1842-45. Writer and politician of considerable promise who was Liberal MP for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1852-56, but was obliged to resign as a result of over-work, which evidently induced some form of breakdown. He retired to France in an unsuccessful attempt to regain his health. He was unmarried and without issue.

He inherited the Wylam Hall/Oakwood House estate from his father in 1847.

He died at Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, Champagne (France), 25 April 1856, and was buried at Ovingham (Northbld); administration of his goods was granted to his brother, 21 January 1857 (effects under £4,000).

Edward Algernon Blackett (1824-73) 

Blackett, Edward Algernon (1824-73). Second son of Christopher Blackett (1787-1847) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of Montague Burgoyne of Mark Hall (Essex), born at Sheen Lodge, East Sheen (Surrey), 18 July, and baptised at Mortlake (Surrey), 14 September  and again at Ovingham (Northbld), 13 December 1824. Educated at Cheam (Surrey). Joined the Royal Navy, 1838 (Lt., 1847; last service, 1855; retired as Cdr., 1870). Landowner and colliery owner; a director of the Great Mountain Silver-Lead Mining Co. Ltd. of Llandwrog (Caernarvons.), 1871-73. JP and DL for Northumberland and King's County [Co. Offaly]. A Liberal in politics, but he took little part in public affairs. He married 1st, 25 May 1852 at Templeharry (Co. Offaly), Lucy (1827-63), daughter of Rev. William Minchin of Greenhills (Co. Tipperary), and 2nd, 15 September 1870 at St Mary, Dublin, Alicia Dorcas (1844-1927), daughter of Dr. Richard Carey MD of Newton Barry (Co. Wexford), and had issue:

(1.1) Edward Umfreville Blackett (1853-1920) (q.v.);

(1.2) Lucy Fanny Blackett (1854-1952), born 25 April 1854; married, 25 April 1877 at Ovingham (Northbld), George Frend (1850-1921) of Silverhills (Co. Offaly), a land agent who was mortally wounded in a shooting in 1920 during the Irish revolutionary war; they had issue five sons and one daughter; she died (aged 97) at The Cottage, Roscrea (Co. Tipperary), 16 January 1952;

(1.3) John Ingham Burgoyne Blackett (1856-1917), born at Greenhills (Co. Tipperary), 16 August 1856; educated at Repton; coffee planter in India, where he died unmarried, 28 February and was buried 1 March 1917; administration of goods granted 8 June 1918 (estate in England, £405);

(1.4) Elizabeth Alyson Blackett (1858-1915), born at Greenhills, 6 March 1858; married, 5 September 1888 at St Paul, Onslow Sq., Kensington (Middx), as his second wife, Lt-Col. Sir James Frederick Stuart-Menteth (1846-1926), 4th bt., of Mansfield (Ayrs.) and Rownham's Mount, Nursling (Hants), and had issue one son and three daughters; died 30 November and was buried at Rownhams, 3 December 1915; will proved 31 January 1916 (estate £3,754);

(1.5) Christopher Montagu Blackett (1859-1940), born at Wylam, 26 June and baptised at Ovingham, 26 October 1859; educated at Wellington College; an officer in the Rifle Brigade (2nd Lt., 1878; Lt., 1880; Capt., 1887; retired 1893) and Royal Rifles Reserve Regt. (Capt., 1900; Maj., 1902; retired 1908), lived at Broughton Craggs, Cockermouth (Cumbld.) and later at Corbridge (Northbld.); JP for Northumberland; married, 24 February 1902 at St Paul's Collegiate church, Malta, Evelyn (1871-1963), youngest daughter of John Charles Blackett of Thorpe Lea, Chertsey (Surrey), but had no issue; died 16 March 1940; will proved 22 May 1940 (estate £2,183);

(1.6) Mary Alice Blackett (1860-1937), born at Wylam, 18 October 1860; married, 16 April 1885 at Tixover (Rutland), Charles Matthew Prior (1861-1940) of Adstock Manor (Bucks), and had issue two sons and two daughters; died 21 July 1937; will proved 6 October 1937 (estate £430);

(1.7) Algernon Minchin Blackett (1862-66), born at Oakwood House, Wylam, 1 February, and baptised at Ovingham, 21 May 1862; died young, 11 January 1866;

(2.1) Dorcas Mona Blackett (1871-1946), born at Wylam, 14 August 1871; married, 24 April 1901 at St Joseph RC church, Southampton (Hants), Sir Alfred Lewis Bower (1858-1948), 1st bt., of Manor Place, Chislehurst (Kent), wine merchant in Fleet St., London and Lord Mayor of London, 1924-25, and had issue one daughter; died 5 May 1946 and was buried at St Mary's RC church, Chislehurst; will proved 24 January 1947 (estate £9,503);

(2.2) Algernon Carey Blackett (1873-1902), born 6 May 1873; educated at Bedford GS, Wellington College and Emmanuel College, Cambridge (matriculated 1892; BA 1895); solicitor; emigrated to South Africa, 1897; at the outbreak of the 2nd Boer War he joined Bethune's Mounted Infantry as a trooper (severely wounded) and in 1901 transferred to the South African Constabulary (Lt.); he was killed in action at Vlakfontein, Transvaal (South Africa), 8 February 1902; buried at Syferfontein but later reinterred at at Standerton, Gert Sibande, Eastern Transvaal [now Mpumalanga] (South Africa).

He bought parts of his wife's father's estate in the Encumbered Estates Court in 1853 and also other lands nearby. He lived in Ireland until about 1859 and then moved to Wylam, where he unexpectedly inherited the estate from his elder brother in 1856.

He died 10 August 1873. His first wife died as the result of a carriage accident while returning from a visit to Matfen Hall, 29 September 1863. His widow died 4 April 1927; her will was proved 7 June 1927.

Edward Umfreville Blackett (1853-1920) 

Blackett, Edward Umfreville (1853-1920). Eldest son of Edward Algernon Blackett (1824-73) and his first wife, Lucy, daughter of Rev. William Minchin of Greenhills (Co. Tipperary), born at Emell Castle (Co. Offaly), 19 May 1853. Educated at Repton and Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. An officer in the Royal Artillery (Lt., 1873; Capt., 1882; Maj., 1890; Lt-Col., 1899; Col., 1903; retired 1904). He married 1st, 9 August 1879 at Stormont Castle (Co. Down), Florence Rachel Therese Laura (1860-94), only daughter of John Cleland of Stormont Castle, and 2nd, 7 April 1896 at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), Sybil Rachel (1858-1917), daughter of Sir Vincent Rowland Corbet, 3rd bt., of Acton Reynald (Shrops.), and had issue:

(2.1) Frances Rachel Florence Blackett (1897-1982), born 19 February and baptised at Barrackpore, Bengal (India), 17 April 1897; died unmarried, 15 August 1982; will proved 30 November 1982 (estate £6,876);

(2.2) Sybell Mary Blackett (1899-1955), born 28 August and baptised at St Neots (Hunts), 2 October 1899; educated at University College, London (admitted 1918); served in Second World War as a volunteer ambulance driver in London; died unmarried, 22 May 1955; will proved 29 August 1955 (estate £16,324);

(2.3) Christopher John Walter Blackett (1900-71) (q.v.).

He inherited the Wylam Hall/Oakwood House estate from his father in 1873 and came of age the following year. He also had a house in Ireland at Barnagrotty (Co. Tipperary), which he probably built in the 1890s.

He died 13 December 1920 at his brother's house at Broughton Craggs (Cumberland); his will was proved 27 May 1921 (estate £67,865). His first wife died at Dalhousie, Punjab (India), 12 August 1894; her will was proved 5 February 1895 (estate £3,818). His second wife died 25 June 1917 and was buried at Great Broughton (Cumbld.); her will was proved 31 August 1917 (estate £2,570).

Blackett, Christopher John Walter (1900-71). Only son of Edward Umfreville Blackett (1853-1920) and his second wife, Sybil Rachel, daughter of Sir Vincent Rowland Corbet, 3rd bt., of Acton Reynald (Shrops.), born in Portobello, Edinburgh, 9 September 1900. Educated at Malvern College and Corpus Christi College, Oxford (BA 1923). In 1928 he emigrated to Northern Rhodesia, intending to settle and farm there, but he later returned to England. He served in the Second World War with the Auxiliary Air Force and RAF Volunteer Reserve, 1939-45. After the Second World War he was a member of Hexham Rural District Council. He was unmarried and without issue.

He inherited the Wylam Hall/Oakwood House estate from his father in 1920 and came of age the following year. Wylam Hall was greatly reduced in size and Oakwood Hall continued to be let; he lived at Brewery House, Wylam. The estate was sold after his death, as neither he nor his sisters had any children to inherit the property.

He died 6 December 1971; his will was proved 9 February 1972 (estate £197,837).

Blackett family of Newby Hall and Matfen Hall, baronets

Sir William Blackett (1621-80), 1st bt. 

Blackett, Sir William (1621-80), 1st bt. Third son of William Blackett (1587-1648) of Jarrow (Co. Durham), yeoman, and his wife Isabella (d. 1666), daughter of William Crook (d. 1611) of Wolsingham (Co. Durham), born at Jarrow (Co. Durham) and baptised at Gateshead (Co. Durham), 13 May 1621. He was apprenticed to a Newcastle merchant called William Sherwood in 1636, and became an active overseas merchant, trading especially with Denmark. Admitted a member of the Company of Merchant Adventurers at Newcastle, 1645.  He invested in the purchase of land with mining potential in Northumberland, Co. Durham and Yorkshire, and made a fortune from coal and lead mines in the Tyne valley. He was sub-farmer of coal duties, 1668-80 and Commissioner for the Carriage of Coals in the Port of Newcastle, 1679-80. Made a Freeman of Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1646, he was a member of the Common Council from 1648 (Sheriff, 1660-61) and an Alderman, 1661-80 (Mayor, 1666-67). He also became a Member of the Eastland Co., and the Hostmen's Company in 1652 (Governor 1662-64 and 1677-79). MP for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1673-80; DL (from 1670) and JP (from 1673) for Northumberland. He was an officer in the Northumberland Militia (Capt., 1660). He was created a baronet by King Charles II, 12 December 1673, the usual fee being remitted 'in consideration of his good services'. He married 1st, 10 July 1645 at Hamsterley (Co. Durham), Elizabeth (1617-74), daughter of Michael Kirkley (1568-1621) of Newcastle, merchant adventurer, and 2nd, c.1675, Margaret (1631-1710), daughter of Henry Cocke and widow of Capt. John Rogers (1621-71) of Denton (Northbld) and Newcastle, and had issue:

(1.1) Elizabeth Blackett (1646-94), baptised at All Saints, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 5 May 1646; married, 4 January 1664 at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Timothy Davison (1642-96) of Beamish (Co. Durham), and had issue ten sons and seven daughters; died 10 September, and was buried at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 13 September 1694;

(1.2) Isabella Blackett (1648-1718?), baptised at All Saints, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 21 August 1648; married, 1672 (licence 16 August), Shem Bridges (1640-1715) of Ember (alias Imber) Court, Thames Ditton (Surrey), East India merchant and later one of the Six Clerks in Chancery, but had no issue; perhaps the woman of this name buried at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), 1 April 1718;

(1.3) Sir Edward Blackett (1649-1718), 2nd bt. (q.v.);

(1.4) Christian Blackett (1651-1716), baptised at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 16 April 1651; married, 30 December 1669 at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Robert Midford alias Mitford (1645-1713) of Seghill (Northbld.), and had issue nine sons and eight daughters; buried at Earsdon (Northbld), 9 July 1716; will proved 1716;

(1.5) Michael Blackett (1652-83), born 5 August and baptised at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 10 August 1652; married, 16 September 1674 at Norton (Co. Durham), Dorothy (fl. 1714) (who m2, 11 September 1688 at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster, Sir Richard Browne (c.1656-89), 3rd bt., and 3rd, Rt. Rev. Dr John Moore (1646-1714), bishop of Ely), daughter of William Barnes of Sadberge (Co. Durham) and had issue one daughter, who died in infancy; died 26 April and was buried at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 29 April 1683;

(1.6) John Blackett (1653-54); died in infancy and was buried at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 4 May 1654;

(1.7) Sir William Blackett (1657-1705), 1st bt. [for whom see below, Blackett (later Calverley Blackett), of Wallington Hall, baronets];

(1.8) Christopher Blackett (1659-78), baptised at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 14 April 1659; died unmarried and was buried at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 8 July 1678.

He purchased Newe House (later Anderson Place), Newcastle from Sir Francis Anderson in 1675.

He died 16 May, and was buried at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 20 May 1680; his will was proved 22 July 1680. His first wife died 7 April 1674. His widow died in Westminster (Middx) in 1710; her will was proved in the PCC, 13 November 1710.

Sir Edward Blackett, 2nd bt. 

Blackett, Sir Edward (1649-1718), 2nd bt. Eldest son of Sir William Blackett (d. 1680), 1st bt., and his first wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Michael Kirkley of Newcastle, merchant, born 22 October and baptised at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 25 October 1649. He became a member of the Newcastle Merchant Adventurers, 1672, and of the Hostmen’s Company, 1684. High Sheriff of Northumberland, 1679–80. He succeeded his father as 2nd baronet, 16 May 1680. A freeman of Ripon from 1688; MP for Ripon, 1689-90 and for Northumberland, 1698-1700. JP for Northumberland and North Riding of Yorkshire, 1677-88, 1689-1718 and for Ripon, 1679-1718; High Sheriff of Northumberland, 1679-80. He married 1st, 12 May 1674 at Bedale (Yorks NR), Mary (d. 1676), only child of Thomas Norton of Langthorne (Yorks), 2nd, 6 October 1676 at Tadcaster (Yorks WR), Mary (1658-96), daughter of Sir John Yorke, kt. of Richmond (Yorks NR), and 3rd, 21 October 1699 at St Mary-le-Bow, Durham, Diana (d. 1713), daughter of Sir George Booth, 1st Baron Delamere, of Dunham Massey (Ches.) and widow of Sir Ralph Delaval (1649-96), 2nd bt., of Seaton Delaval (Northbld.), and had issue:

(1.1) William Blackett (1674-75), baptised at Bedale, 25 February 1674/5; died in infancy and was buried at Bedale, 17 January 1675/6;

(2.1) Elizabeth Blackett (1678-1711), baptised at Richmond (Yorks NR), 4 March 1677/8; married, 10 June 1703 at Ripon Minster, John Wise (1675-1744) of Burton Leonard (Yorks), son of Thomas Wise, but had no issue; died 22 May 1711 and was buried at Ripon Minster, where she is commemorated on her father's monument;

(2.2) Henrietta Maria Blackett (1679-1754), born 24 March 1678/9 and baptised at Ripon Minster (Yorks WR), 31 March 1679; married, 12 May 1719 at St Stephen Walbrook, London, Samuel Saville (d. 1745) of Chelsea and later Westminster (Middx); probably the 'Mary Savel' who died 9 December 1754 and was buried at Eltham (Kent), as her will requested her burial there alongside her husband; will proved in the PCC, 17 December 1754;

(2.3) Alethea Blackett (1680-1761), born 10 June and baptised at Aldborough (Yorks WR), 10 July 1680; married, 2 September 1734 at Ripon Minster, Waldegrave Tancred (1676-1742), but had no issue; buried at Ripon Minster, 30 May 1761; will proved in the PCY, 1761;

(2.4) William Blackett (1681-1714), born 5 July and was baptised at Kirby Hill near Boroughbridge (Yorks WR), 10 July 1681; married, 17 December 1699 at Aldborough, his step-sister, Diana (1686-1711), then aged 13, daughter of Sir Ralph Delaval (1649-96), 2nd bt., and had issue one daughter; died 23 February and was buried at Ripon Minster, 26 February 1713/4, where he is commemorated on his father's monument;

(2.5) Sir Edward Blackett (1682-1756) (q.v.);

(2.6) John Blackett (1683-1750) (q.v.); 

(2.7) Thomas Blackett (1685-1716?), born 21 January and baptised at Ripon Minster, 27 January 1684/5; died unmarried and was perhaps the man of this name buried at St Andrew, Holborn (Middx), 25 August 1716;

(2.8) Isabella Blackett (1686-1750), born 25 February and baptised at Ripon Minster, 4 March 1685/6; married, 23 October 1715 at Ripon Minster or Sawley chapel in Marton-cum-Grafton (Yorks NR)*, as his second wife, William Norton (c.1654-1735), and had issue one daughter, who predeceased her; buried at Kirk Deighton (Yorks WR), 19 January 1749/50;

(2.9) Christopher Blackett (1687-1764), born 6 August and baptised at Ripon Minster, 12 September 1687; married, 22 July 1712 at Walthamstow (Essex), Jane Saville (d. 1761), and had issue one son and one daughter; died in London and was buried at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster (Middx), 14 March 1764; will proved in the PCC, 19 March 1764;

(2.10) Anne Blackett (1688-1753), born 3 December and baptised at Ripon Minster, 22 December 1688; married, 5 March 1709 at Ripon Minster, Edward Ridsdale (1683-1769), and had issue four sons and six daughters; buried at Ripon Minster, 31 May 1753;

(2.11) Henry Blackett (1689-90), born 31 December 1689 and baptised at Ripon Minster, 1 January 1689/90; died in infancy and was buried at Ripon Minster, 3 March 1689/90;

(2.12) Christiana Blackett (b. 1691), born 27 May 1691; probably died young but death not traced.

He inherited lands in Northumberland and Yorkshire from his father in 1680, and acquired further land in Yorkshire through his first two marriages. He purchased Newby Park (Yorks WR) in 1677, and spent some £32,000 on building a new house there c.1685-93.

He died 22 April, and was buried at Ripon Minster, 3 May 1718. His first wife died following childbirth and was buried at Bedale, 30 May 1676. His second wife died 28 November and was buried at Ripon Minster, 2 December 1696. His third wife died 7 October, and was buried at Ripon Minster, 10 October 1713.

* The event is recorded in both registers, but with greater detail in the Marton register, which is probably where the event actually took place.

Blackett, Sir Edward (1682-1756), 3rd bt. Third, but eldest surviving, son of Sir Edward Blackett (1649-1718), 2nd bt., and his second wife, Mary, daughter of Sir John Yorke, kt. of Gowthwaite (Yorks), baptised at Aldborough (Yorks WR), 30 October 1682. An officer in the Royal Navy from 1703 (Lt., 1707; Cdr., 1711; Capt., 1713; retired about 1715). He succeeded his father as 3rd baronet, 22 April 1718. JP for Northumberland. He married, 29 May 1716 at Basildon (Berks), Mary (1675-1756), daughter of Rev. Thomas Jekyll DD and widow of Nicholas Roberts (1670-1715)*, merchant, but had no issue.

He inherited Newby Park and Willimoteswick (Northbld.) from his father in 1718, but rented the Prior's House at Hexham from Sir Walter Calverley Blackett in preference to Newby. The medieval and Tudor Prior's House was significantly remodelled in c.1736.

He died 1 March and was buried at Hexham Abbey (Northbld.), 6 March 1756, where he is commemorated by a simple headstone. His widow died 29 November 1756 and was buried at Hexham, 7 December 1756, where she is commemorated by a similar slab to her husband.

* Nicholas and Mary Roberts had a son and daughter, and their son Nicholas seems to have succeded his stepfather in lease of the Prior's House, where he lived until his death in 1761.

John Blackett (1683-1750) 

Blackett, John (1683-1750). Fourth son of Sir Edward Blackett (1649-1718), 2nd bt., and his second wife, Mary, daughter of Sir John Yorke, kt. of Gowthwaite (Yorks), born 30 November 1683, baptised at Aldborough (Yorks WR) on the same day, and again at Ripon Minster, 11 December 1683. He was established as a merchant and lived for some years at Rotterdam (Netherlands), 1708-13; after returning to England, he was a member of the Merchant Adventurers Co. and the Hostmen's Company in Newcastle. He married, 7 April 1718 at St Bride, Fleet St., London, Patience (1696-1788), daughter of Henry Wise (1653-1738), gardener to King William III, and had issue:

(1) Sir Edward Blackett (1719-1804), 4th bt. (q.v.);

(2) William Blackett (1720-82), born 19 August and baptised at Kensington (Middx), 16 September 1720; an officer in the army (2nd Lt., 1740; Capt., 1744; Maj., by 1761; Lt-Col., 1762); Lt-Governor of Plymouth, 1771-82; married, 27 February 1776 at St Andrew, Plymouth (Devon), Henrietta Harriet Brownjohn (d. 1798) of Chester (who m2, 29 June 1793 at St Swithun, Walcot, Bath (Som.), Arthur Molesworth (c.1732-1803) of Clanfearkill (Co. Armagh)), but had no issue; buried at Bathampton (Som.), 30 June 1782; administration of his goods (with will annexed) granted 14 October 1782; his will contains the charmingly phrased request to his wife 'that as she has been troubled with one old fool that she will not marry a second';

(3) Patience Blackett (b. & d. 1723), baptised at Kensington, 8 November 1723; died in infancy and was buried at Kingston-on-Thames (Surrey), 7 December 1723;

(4) Rev. Henry Blackett (1725-1808), baptised at Hampton (Middx), 16 July 1723; educated at Trinity College, Oxford (matriculated 1743; BA 1746; MA 1749); rector of Boldon (Co. Durham) c.1770-1808; died unmarried and was buried at Boldon, 7 December 1808; will proved in the PCC, 19 May 1809;

(5) John Blackett (b. & d. 1727), baptised at Hampton (Middx), 7 March 1726/7; died in infancy and was buried at Hampton, 26 May 1727;

(6) John Erasmus Blackett (1729-1814), born 1 January and baptised at Kensington, 8 January 1729; apprenticed to a Liverpool merchant; later in partnership with Alderman Simson, a leading coal dealer in Newcastle; steward of the lead mines of his cousin, Sir Walter Calverley Blackett (1707-77) [see below]; one of the founding partners in the Newcastle-on-Tyne Fire Office, 1783; sheriff of Newcastle, 1756, and mayor of Newcastle, 1765, 1772, 1780 and 1790; an officer in the Northumberland militia (Capt., c.1760); married, 29 March 1761 at Episcopal Chapel, Edinburgh, Sarah (1739-75), daughter of Robert Roddam of Heathpool (Northbld.), and had issue two sons and two daughters; died 11 June and was buried at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne (Northbld.), 16 June 1814; will proved at Durham, 1814;

(7) Matthew Blackett (b. 1730), baptised at Kensington, 28 October 1730; merchant; died unmarried, while at sea.

After returning to England, he occupied Newby Hall until 1748 when his brother sold it to Richard Elcock Weddell (d. 1762). In 1729 he purchased the manor of Hornby (Yorks NR). However, he seems to have lived mainly in the south of England, first at Kensington and later at Hampton Court (Middx).

He died  27 April, and was buried at Ripon Minster, 2 May 1750; administration of his goods was granted 7 June 1750. His widow died aged 91 on 16 January, and was buried at Ripon Minster, 21 January 1788; her will was proved in the PCY, 1788.

Sir Edward Blackett, 4th bt. 

Blackett, Sir Edward (1719-1804), 4th bt. Eldest son of John Blackett (1683-1750) of Newby Hall and his wife Patience, daughter of Henry Wise, gardener to King William III, born 29 March and baptised at St Margaret, Westminster, 7 April 1719. Educated at Trinity College, Oxford (matriculated 1737) and Lincoln's Inn (admitted 1740).  He succeeded his uncle as 4th baronet, 1 March 1756. High Sheriff of Northumberland, 1757-58. MP for Northumberland, 1768-74, being proposed by Lord Percy and Sir Walter Calverley Blackett and elected unopposed. He became an assiduous attender and speaker in Parliament where he took a fairly independent line, although he generally supported the Government position. After six years, he found the responsibility burdensome, largely because he was so much in demand at public meetings in his constituency, and he declined to stand for re-election. He married, 26 September 1751 at Lincoln's Inn chapel, London, Anne (1719-1805), daughter and heiress of Oley Douglas (1684-1719) of Grays Inn and Matfen (Northbld.), and had issue:

(1) twin?, Edward Blackett (c.1752-96); died unmarried in the lifetime of his father, 26 June, and was buried at St James, Garlickhythe, London, 2 July 1796;

(2) twin?, Anne Blackett (c.1752-1829); said to have eloped with William Scott (1755-1836), son of Benjamin Scott (d. 1763), and to have been married without her father's consent at Gretna Green; they were married again, 15 November 1785 at Stamfordham, and had issue two sons and two daughters; after a few years she was reconciled to her father, who bought Thorpe House for her and her family in 1789; died at Thorpe, July 1829, and was buried at Ripon Minster, 11 August 1829;

(3) John Blackett (1756-66), baptised at Stamfordham (Northbld.), 17 March 1756; died young and was buried at St James, Garlickhythe, London, 14 May 1766;

(4) twin, Mary Blackett (1758-63), baptised at Stamfordham, 27 March 1758; died young and was buried at Halton (Northbld), 11 December 1763;

(5) twin, Sir William Blackett (1758-1816) (q.v.).

His wife inherited the Matfen estate, but in about 1774 he bought land at Thorpe (Surrey) and soon afterwards settled at Thorpe Lea House, which he apparently leased and then purchased in 1794. In 1802 he sold this having built a larger villa nearby, confusingly also called Thorpe Lea House, and in 1789 he bought yet another house in the parish, Thorpe House, for his grandson, Edward Scott.

He died 3 February 1804 at Thorpe Lea (Surrey), and was buried at Ripon Minster, 18 February 1804, where he and his wife are commemorated by a monument; administration of his goods (with will annexed) was granted 20 April 1804. His widow died at Thorpe Lea, 30 December 1805 and was buried at Ripon Minster, 13 January 1806; her will was proved in the PCC, 11 April 1806.

Sir William Blackett, 5th bt. 

Blackett, Sir William (1758-1816), 5th bt. Third and youngest, but only surviving, son of Sir Edward Blackett (1719-1804), 4th bt., and his wife Anne, daughter and heiress of Oley Douglas of Matfen (Northbld.), born 16 February and baptised at Stamfordham (Northbld.), 27 March 1758. Educated at Trinity College, Oxford (matriculated 1778) and undertook a Grand Tour in 1784-85, visiting Turin, Bologna, Florence, Naples, Rome, Venice, Mantua and Milan, and probably returning via Switzerland and Vienna. He succeeded his father as 5th baronet, 3 February 1804. High Sheriff of Northumberland, 1807-08. He married, 6 August 1801, at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), Mary Anne (c.1782-1859), daughter of Benjamin Keene of Westoe Lodge (Cambs), and had issue:

(1) William Douglas Blackett (1802-05), born 13 August and baptised at St Marylebone (Middx), 9 October 1802; died 2 March 1805; it is not clear where he was first buried, but he was finally interred at Ripon Minster, 13 January 1806;

(2) Sir Edward Blackett (1805-85), 6th bt. (q.v.);

(3) Maria Patience Blackett (1806-87), born 24 October and baptised at St Marylebone, 20 November 1806; married, 24 June 1847 at St Mary, Bryanston Sq., Westminster (Middx), as his second wife*, Count Edmond Charles Marie Cureau de Roullée (1801-87) of Castle Gaillat, Bayonne (France), but had no issue; died in France, 19 February 1887; will proved 31 May 1887 (effects £54,433);

(4) Henry Collingwood Blackett (1808-56), born at Thorpe Lea, 16 February and baptised at St Marylebone, 21 March 1808; educated at Eton; an officer in the 1st Life Guards (Cornet & Sub-Lt., 1825; Lt., 1827; retired 1834); inherited the manor of Sockburn from his father and built Sockburn Hall, 1833-34; JP for Co. Durham and Yorks (NR) and DL for North Riding of Yorkshire; married, 24 November 1846 at Newton Kyme (Yorks WR), Theophania (1803-77), daughter of Thomas Lodington Fairfax (1770-1840) of Newton Kyme, but had no issue; died 27 May 1856; will proved in the PCC, 4 November 1857;

(5) Frances Blackett (1809-26), born 15 December 1809 and baptised at Thorpe (Surrey), 30 January 1809; died young, 1 June and was buried at St Marylebone, 7 June 1826; her remains were removed to Brookwood Cemetery, Woking (Surrey) when the St Marylebone burial ground was cleared in the 1980s;

(6) John Charles Blackett (1813-96), born 3 April and baptised at Thorpe, 22 May 1813; inherited his father's property at Thorpe, 1816 but sold it to his mother in 1831; joined the Royal Navy in 1827 (Midshipman in HMS Victory; Lt.,, 1834; retired 1838); a keen yachtsman and a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron from 1842, his vessel Albatross was the first of her size (76 tons) to circumnavigate the world; emigrated to Tasmania and later New Zealand, where he built a substantial house called Fairlawn at Campbell's Point, before returning to take up residence at Thorpe Lea House (which his mother had given back to him) in about 1862; he married 1st, 22 June 1845 at Brighton, Tasmania (Australia), Maria (1815-47), daughter of Benjamin Berthon (1784-1854), and had issue two daughters; married 2nd, 18 March 1852 at St Paul, Auckland (New Zealand), Emily Jane (1833-99), daughter of Col. William Wild Cockcraft, and had further issue four sons and seven daughters; died 8 August and was buried at Thorpe, 12 August 1896; will proved 4 September 1896 (effects £95,184);

(7) Charles Blackett (1815-98), baptised 22 December 1815; an officer in the army (Ensign/2nd Lt., 1835; Lt., 1837; retired 1844); a mental patient at Moorcroft House Asylum, Hillingdon (Middx) from 1859 until his death; died unmarried, 19 March and was buried at Hillingdon, 23 March 1898; administration of goods granted to his nephews, 17 May 1898 (estate £104,603).

He inherited the Matfen estate and Thorpe Lea House from his parents, and lived chiefly at Thorpe.

He died at Westoe Lodge, Castle Camps (Cambs) 'after a long and severe illness', 27 October, and was buried 4 November 1816 at Bartlow (Cambs), where he is commemorated by a monument; his will was proved in the PCY, June 1817 (effects under £14,000). His widow died 7 August and was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, London, 13 August 1859; her will was proved 12 November 1859 (effects under £100,000).

* His first wife having been her cousin, Anne Marie Scott (d. 1845).

Sir Edward Blackett, 6th bt. 

Blackett, Sir Edward (1805-85), 6th bt. Second, but eldest surviving, son of Sir William Blackett (1759-1816), 5th bt., and his wife Mary Anne, daughter of Benjamin Keene of Westoe Lodge (Cambs), born in London, 23 February and baptised at St Marylebone (Middx), 29 March 1805. He succeeded his father as 6th baronet, 27 October 1816, and came of age in 1826. An officer in the 1st Life Guards (Cornet & Sub-Lt., 1826; Lt., 1828; retired 1829). JP and DL (from 1831) for Northumberland; High Sheriff of Northumberland, 1833-34. After his first marriage, he and his wife took an extended Grand Tour through France, Switzerland and Italy, 1830-31. He married 1st, 1 May 1830 at St Margaret, Westminster (Middx), Julia (1808-46), daughter of Sir Charles Monck, 6th bt., of Belsay Castle (Northbld.); 2nd, 16 October 1851 at St Andrew, Bywell (Northbld.), Frances Vere (1800-74), daughter of Sir William Loraine, 4th bt., and widow of William Henry Ord MP, of Whitfield (Northbld.); 3rd, 15 June 1875 at Ottershaw (Surrey), Isabella Helen (1820-79), daughter of John Richardson of Kirklands (Roxburghs.); and 4th, 5 August 1880 at Thorpe (Surrey), his kinswoman, Alethea Rianette Anne (1841-1920), second daughter of Maj-Gen. William Henry Scott, who had previously been engaged to his eldest son. He had issue:

(1.1) Sir Edward William Blackett (1831-1909), 7th bt. (q.v.);

(1.2) Louisa Blackett (1832-70), born at Westminster (Middx), 29 May and baptised at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster, 16 July 1832; married, 8 December 1863 at Matfen, Admiral of the Fleet the Hon. Sir Charles Gilbert John Brydone Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound KCB (1818-95) of Bonjedward (Roxburghs.) (who m2, 4 February 1874, Lady Harriet Emily (1835-1913), daughter of Henry Liddell, 1st Earl of Ravensworth, and had further issue one son and three daughters), third son of Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 2nd Earl of Minto, and had issue four sons (three of whom died young); died 17 July and was buried at Petersham (Surrey), 20 July 1870; administration of her goods granted 2 June 1871 (effects under £800);

(1.3) Frances Julia Blackett (1834-1906), born 23 August, and baptised at Scarborough (Yorks NR), 5 September 1834; lived at Ventnor (IoW); died unmarried, 2 June 1906; will proved 12 July 1906 (estate £19,122);

(1.4) Emma Laura Blackett (1835-36), born 25 October 1835 and baptised at Matfen, 8 March 1836; died in infancy, 4 June 1836, and was buried at St George's Fields, Hyde Park (Middx);

(1.5) Anna Maria Blackett (1837-1918), born 19 May and baptised at All Souls, Langham Place, Marylebone (Middx), 5 July 1837; married, 10 March 1863 at Matfen, Godfrey Wentworth Beaumont (1835-76), son of Richard Beaumont (1799-1877), and had issue four sons and five daughters; died 11 August and was buried at Kildale (Yorks NR), 14 August 1918; administration of goods granted 20 December 1918 (estate £5,008);

(1.6) Georgiana Emma Blackett (1839-1929), born 5 April and baptised at St Mary, Bryanston Sq., Westminster, 18 June 1839; married, 2 August 1871 at St Thomas, Portman Sq., Marylebone, John Crawford Wilson (1834-85), son of James Minden Wilson (1785-1858), and had issue one son and one daughter; died 21 February and was buried at Kensington Cemetery, Hanwell (Middx), 26 February 1929;

(1.7) Charles Francis Blackett (1841-1919), born at Matfen, 6 July 1841; an officer in the Rifle Brigade (2nd Lt., 1858; Lt., 1861; Capt., 1872; retired 1877; hon. Maj., 1881); director of Holt & Co., army agents; married, 27 November 1886 at Holy Trinity, Dover (Kent), Henrietta Louise Johanna Martha (1860-1944)*, daughter of Carl Friedrich Schmidt, and had issue one daughter; died 3 February 1919 and was buried at Bathwick (Som.); will proved 10 May 1919 and 23 January 1920 (estate £22,862);

(1.8) Henry Wise Ridley Blackett (1842-1935), born 24 June 1842; an officer in the army (2nd Lt., 1861; Lt., 1867; Capt., 1872; Maj., 1881; retired 1882; hon. Lt-Col., 1884); died unmarried aged 93 on 28 December 1935 and was buried at Milland (Sussex), 1 January 1936; will proved 8 February 1936 (estate £35,866);

(1.9) Mary Elizabeth Blackett (1844-1915), born 20 October and baptised at Matfen, 21 December 1844; married, 5 August 1865 at Matfen, George Mark Leycester Egerton (1837-98), and had issue one son and four daughters; died at York, 8 October 1915; will proved 28 April 1916 (estate £2,468);

(1.10) Frederick Arthur Blackett (1846-80), born 10 June and baptised at Matfen, 5 November 1846; an officer in the Royal Navy (Lt.); died unmarried when he was lost at sea in HMS Atalanta, 1 February 1880; administration of goods granted 12 November 1880 (effects under £3,000).

He inherited the Matfen estate from his father in 1816, and built a new house at Matfen in 1828-36, initially to the designs of Thomas Rickman, but completed to his own designs. He also employed John Dobson to build Bonnyrigg Hall as a shooting box for summer use.

He died at Matfen Hall, 23 November 1885, and was buried at Matfen; his will was proved 29 March 1886 (effects £33,809). His first wife died 25 June 1846. His second wife died 28 May 1874; her will was proved 18 July 1874 (effects under £1,000). His third wife died 28 February 1879; her will was proved 8 July 1879 (effects under £1,500). His widow married 2nd,  5 November 1888, Capt. Sir Henry Frederick Gisborne Holt (1864-1944) of Ropley Grove (Hants), and died 22 April 1920; her will was proved 12 June 1920 (estate £272).

* She died in Bucharest (Romania), but after the end of the Second World War her remains were returned to England and reburied with her husband at Bathwick (Som.), 17 June 1947.

Sir Edward William Blackett, 7th bt. 

Blackett, Maj-Gen. Sir Edward William (1831-1909), 7th bt. Eldest son of Sir Edward Blackett (1805-85), 6th bt., and his first wife Julia, daughter of Sir Charles Monck, 6th bt., of Belsay Castle (Northbld.), born at Naples (Italy), 22 March, and baptised at St Mary, Bryanston Sq., Westminster (Middx), 1 July 1831. Educated at Eton. An officer in the army (Ensign, 1851; Lt., 1854; Capt., 1855; Maj., 1862; Lt-Col., 1870; Col., 1878; retired as Maj-Gen., 1881), who fought in the Crimean War (where he was severely wounded, had a leg amputated, and was appointed a Chevalier of the Legion d'honneur, 1856); aide-de-camp to HM Queen Victoria, 1878-81; appointed CB, 1880. He succeeded his father as 7th baronet, 1885. High Sheriff of Northumberland, 1889-90. He married, 23 November 1871 at St Marylebone (Middx), the Hon. Julia Frances (1844-1913), youngest daughter of Kenelm Somerville (1787-1864), 17th Baron Somerville, and had issue:

(1) Sir Hugh Douglas Blackett (1873-1960), 8th bt. (q.v.);

(2) Arthur Edward Blackett (1874-1959), born at Birch Hall, Windlesham (Surrey), 14 May, and baptised at Bagshot (Surrey), 15 July 1874; lived at Sockburn Hall (Co. Durham) until 1920, when it was sold, later in London, and finally at Matfen Hall; married, 30 October 1917, Diana de Bonetto (1885-1943), daughter of Rudolph J. Goetz, a Swiss diplomat in London, but had no issue; died 24 February 1959 and was buried at Matfen; will proved 11 May and 30 July 1959 (estate £51,308);

(3) Ethel Blackett (1876-84), born 22 April 1876; died young, 8 October, and was buried at Matfen, 11 October 1884;

(4) Ralph Blackett (1877-1964), born 19 September, and baptised at Hampreston (Dorset), 27 October 1877; an officer in the army (2nd Lt., 1897; Lt., 1898; Capt., 1905; retired 1912), who served in the Boer War; married, 2 April 1910 at St Peter, Dublin, Evaleen Maud Mary (1870-1952), daughter of Maj-Gen. Walter Weldon (1828-1907), but had no issue; died at Hexham (Northbld), 20 June 1964; will proved 25 September 1964 (estate £52,808).

He inherited Matfen Hall from his father in 1885.

He died in London, 13 September 1909, and was buried at Matfen; his will was proved 19 November 1909 (estate £145,322). His widow died 30 March 1913 and was also buried at Matfen; administration of her goods was granted 22 July 1913 (estate £3,225).

Blackett, Sir Hugh Douglas (1873-1960), 8th bt. Eldest son of Maj-Gen. Sir Edward William Blackett (1831-1909), 7th bt., and his wife the Hon. Julia Frances, youngest daughter of Kenelm Somerville, 17th Baron Somerville, born 24 March and baptised at Windlesham (Surrey), 15 May 1873. Educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1892). An officer in the Highland Light Infantry (2nd Lt. 1897; Lt., 1899) and Northumberland Yeomanry (Lt., 1901; Capt, 1905; retired 1906 but returned to colours, 1914; Maj., 1915; retired 1919); JP for Northumberland; High Sheriff of Northumberland, 1914-15. He was a racehorse owner and occasional polo player. He succeeded his father as 8th baronet, 13 September 1909. He married, 5 February 1903 at Swillington (Yorks), Helen Katharine (1876-1943), third daughter of George William Lowther (1837-90) of Swillington, and had issue:

(1) Sir Charles Douglas Blackett (1904-68), 9th bt. (q.v.);

(2) Sir George William Blackett (1906-94), 10th bt. (q.v.);

(3) Sir Francis Hugh Blackett (1907-95), 11th bt. (q.v.);

(4) Rupert Henry Blackett (1911-92), born 13 February and baptised at Matfen, 26 March 1911; educated at Eton and Lincoln College, Oxford (BA 1932); an officer in the Durham Light Infantry (2nd Lt., 1932; Lt., 1934; Capt., 1939; Maj. by 1945; retired 1948), who served in the Second World War (wounded twice); married, 11 January 1941, Felicity Mary Audley (1912-2011), daughter of Lt-Col. William Alfred Scudamore-Smith and formerly wife of Thomas A. Clapton of New Jersey (USA), and had issue one son and one daughter; died 1 May 1992 and was buried at Matfen;

(5) A daughter (b. & d. 1914), born 13 December 1914, but died unnamed the same day.

He inherited Matfen Hall from his father in 1909.

He died in London, 13 November 1960 and was buried at Matfen; his will was proved 21 February and 30 March 1961 (estate £183,944). His wife died as the result of an accidental fall down the cellar steps at Matfen, 10 January 1943, and was buried at Matfen; administration of her goods was granted 15 September 1943 (estate £4,799).

Blackett, Sir Charles Douglas (1904-68), 9th bt. Eldest son of Sir Hugh Douglas Blackett (1873-1960), 8th bt., and his wife Helen Katharine, third daughter of George William Lowther, born 14 August and baptised at Swillington (Yorks), 25 September 1904. Educated at Eton and Royal Military College, Sandhurst. An officer in the army (2nd Lt., 1924; Lt., 1926; Capt., 1937; Maj., 1941; retired 1947), who served in the Second World War (prisoner of war, 1942-45). He became a licensed private pilot, 1930. High Sheriff of Northumberland, 1953-54; DL for Northumberland (from 1953). He succeeded his father as 9th baronet, 13 November 1960. He married, 28 September 1935 at Drayton (Som.), Ursula Mary (1910-89), younger daughter of Maj. Maurice Fearing Cely-Trevelian of Midelney Manor (Som.), and had issue:

(1) Caroline Ann Blackett (1936-2014), born 22 June 1936; married, 1 June 1957 at Matfen, Capt. (Geoffrey Thomas) Warren Fenwicke-Clennell (1928-2013) of Kirk Hammerton Hall (Yorks), son of Lt-Col. Geoffrey Edward Fenwicke-Clennell of Eland Hall, Ponteland (Northbld), and had issue two sons and one daughter; died 8 August 2014;

(2) Edward Douglas Blackett (b. & d. 1938), born 29 July and baptised at Matfen, 26 August 1938; died in infancy, 7 October 1938;

(3) Lucinda Mary Blackett (b. 1940), born 28 June 1940; married 1st, 11 April 1964 (div. 1971), Ewan Iain Macleod Hilleary, youngest son of Iain Hilleary of Tayinloan, Isle of Skye, and had issue two sons; married 2nd, 1971 (div. 2001), as his second wife, Sir Michael Henry Basil Peto (1938-2008), 4th bt., and had further issue two sons.

He inherited Matfen Hall from his father in 1960, but from 1965 leased the house to the Leonard Cheshire Foundation, which operated it as the Northumberland Cheshire Home. He lived at Halton Castle (Northbld), on the Matfen estate.

He died 26 December 1968 and was buried at Matfen; his will was proved 9 May and 4-5 September 1969 (estate £289,358). His widow died 21 January 1989 and was buried at Matfen; her will was proved 3 April 1989 (estate £471,422).

Blackett, Sir George William (1906-94), 10th bt. Second son of Sir Hugh Douglas Blackett (1873-1960), 8th bt., and his wife Helen Katharine, third daughter of George William Lowther, born at Londonderry Lodge, Bedale (Yorks NR), 26 April, and baptised at Burneston (Yorks NR), 3 June 1906. Served in Second World War with Corps of Military Police. He married 1st, 26 July 1933 at Ellesmere (Shrops.), Euphemia Cicely (1906-60), youngest daughter of Maj. Nicholas Robinson of Frankton Grange, Ellesmere (Shrops.), and 2nd, 5 November 1964 at St John Lee (Northbld), Daphne Laing (1913-2000), who served in the Second World War with the WRNS, daughter of Maj. Guy Laing Bradley of Bridge End House, Hexham (Northbld.), but had no issue.

He inherited Matfen Hall from his elder brother in 1968, but continued the lease to Cheshire Homes, and lived at 'Colwyn', Corbridge (Northbld.)

He died 22 January 1994 and was buried at Matfen; his will was proved 12 April 1994 (estate £778,161). His first wife died 22 October 1960 and was buried at Matfen; her will was proved 16 January 1961 (estate £443). His widow died at Corbridge (Northbld), 16 June 2000 and was buried at Matfen; her will was proved 20 October 2000.

Blackett, Sir Francis Hugh (1907-95), 11th bt. Third son of Sir Hugh Douglas Blackett (1873-1960), 8th bt., and his wife Helen Katharine, third daughter of George William Lowther, born 16 October 1907. Educated at Eton. An officer in the army (2nd Lt., 1927; Lt., 1930; Capt., 1938; Maj., 1944; retired 1948), who served in the Second World War. He married 1st, 11 July 1950, Elizabeth Eily (1922-82), daughter of Howard Dennison of Valparaiso (Chile) and formerly wife of [forename unknown] Barrie, and 2nd, 20 November 1985 in Edinburgh, Mrs. Joan Chowdry, and had issue:

(1.1) Angela Frances Blackett (b. 1951), born 17 July and baptised at Halton, 16 September 1951; married, 9 June 1979, Ewan Follett Bell (b. 1945), and had issue two sons and one daughter;

(1.2) Charlotte Elizabeth Blackett (b. 1952), born 6 September 1952; had issue one daughter;

(1.3) Sir Hugh Francis Blackett (b. 1955), 12th bt. (q.v.);

(1.4) Marcus Henry Blackett (b. 1961), born 9 March 1961; married, 2000, Chia-li Chen (b. c.1970), and had issue one son and one daughter.

He died 9 February, and was buried at Matfen, 15 February 1995; his will was proved 3 May 1995 (estate £120,601). His first wife died 24 July 1982; her will was proved 27 July 1983 (estate £86,263). His widow was living in 2003.

Blackett, Sir Hugh Francis (b. 1955), 12th bt. Elder son of Sir Francis Hugh Blackett (1907-95), 11th bt., and his first wife, Elizabeth Eily, daughter of Howard Dennison of Valparaiso (Chile), born 11 February 1955. Educated at Eton. Operated Matfen Hall as an hotel, 1999-2020. High Sheriff of Northumberland, 2007-08. He married, 1982, Anna Margaret (b. 1959), younger daughter of James St George Coldwell (1930-2012) of Somerton (Oxon), and had issue:

(1) Amelia Lucy Blackett (b. 1984), born 15 March 1984; married, 2013, Thomas Philip Palmer Anderson (b. 1978), son of John Philip Palmer (later Anderson) (b. 1948) of Littleharle Tower (Northbld.), and had issue four daughters;

(2) Isabella Rose Blackett (b. 1986), born 21 April 1986; married Daniel Maguire, son of Stephen Maguire of Inverleith, Edinburgh (Midl.), and had issue one son;

(3) Flora Charlotte Blackett (b. 1988), born Jul-Sept. 1988; educated at Gordonstoun, Nottingham Trent University (BSc 2011) and University of Kent (MSc 2016); conservationist;

(4) Henry Douglas Blackett (b. 1992), born 2 February 1992; heir apparent to baronetcy; married, c.2024, Joséphine Marie Dorothée Nicole (b. 1986), daughter of Konstantin Joachim Gebhard von Klitzing (b. 1951), of Paris.

He inherited the Matfen Hall estate from his uncle in 1994. The Cheshire Homes having given up their tenancy in the same year, he converted the hall into an hotel and wedding venue, which opened in 1999, and made his home at Halton Castle on the estate, a few miles west of Matfen. He sold Matfen Hall in August 2020 to the Walwick Estate Group.

Now living. His wife is now living.

Blackett (later Calverley Blackett) family of Wallington Hall, baronets

Sir William Blackett (1657-1705), 1st bt. 

Blackett, Sir William (1657-1705), 1st bt. Fourth son of Sir William Blackett (1621-80), 1st bt. [for whom see above, Blackett family of Newby Hall and Matfen Hall, baronets] and his first wife Elizabeth, daughter of Michael Kirkley of Newcastle, merchant, born 5 April and baptised at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 9 April 1657. He inherited a major part of his father's interests in the coal industry in the north-east of England, and further expanded so that by 1700 he was the second largest coal producer in the region, who was said to enjoy an income of £10,000 a year. Freeman of Newcastle from 1678; alderman of Newcastle, 1683-87, 1688-1705 (Mayor, 1683-84, 1698-99); at first a moderate Tory in politics, he was elected MP for Newcastle, 1685-87, 1689-90, 1695-1700, 1705, but from 1698 was increasingly a supporter of the Whigs and was offered a place on the Treasury board by King William III, which he declined. A member of the Hostmen's Company of Newcastle from 1681 (Governor, 1684, 1691, 1692); High Sheriff of Northumberland, 1688-89; JP for Northumberland, c.1700-05. He was sub-farmer of the coal duties at Newcastle, 1680-88. In the early 18th century he spent most of his time in Newcastle, and helped to establish a charity school and the keelmen's hospital in Newcastle. Although he had a large income he lived more expansively than his father, with significant expenditure on building, elections and charities, and incurred some debts; he also made generous bequests to his family which burdened his estate further. He was raised to a baronetcy, 23 January 1685. He married, 27 January 1685 at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne (with a portion of £6,000), Julia (1668-1722), daughter of Sir Christopher Conyers (1621-93), 2nd bt., of Horden (Co. Durham), and had issue:

(1) Julia Blackett (1686-1736) (q.v.);

(2) Elizabeth Blackett (b. 1688), born 5 April and baptised at St Andrew, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 16 August 1688; married (with a portion of £6,000), 31 August 1714 at St Benet, Paul's Wharf, London, William Marshall of Wimbish (Essex), and had issue one son and one daughter; often said to have been buried at Chrishall (Essex), 2 October 1727*, but was apparently still living in 1761 when she was mentioned in the will of her sister Isabella, Countess of Buchan;

(3) Sir William Blackett (1690-1728), 2nd bt. (q.v.);

(4) Isabella Blackett (b. 1692), baptised at St Andrew, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 3 February 1691/2; died young;

(5) Christopher Blackett (1695-96), born 18 June and baptised at St Andrew, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 4 July 1695; died in infancy, 10 January, and was buried at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 12 January 1695/6;

(6) Frances Blackett (1696-1750), born 23 July and baptised at St Andrew, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 6 August 1696; married, 8 February 1727 at St James Garlickhythe, London, Hon. Robert Bruce MP (d. 1738), son of Charles Bruce (1682-1747), 3rd Earl of Ailesbury and 4th Earl of Elgin, but had no issue; died 16 July and was buried at Maulden (Beds), 21 July 1750;

(7) Mary Blackett (1697-98), baptised at St Andrew, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 3 August 1697; died young and was buried at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 21 April 1698;

(8) Isabella Blackett (1700-63), born 25 October and baptised at St Andrew, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 12 November 1700; married, 15 September 1743, as his second wife, David Erskine (1672-1745), 9th Earl of Buchan, but had no issue; died in London, 14 May, and was buried at St John, Hampstead, 21 May 1763; will proved in the PCC, 7 June 1763;

(9) Diana Blackett (1703-42), born 11 September and baptised at St Andrew, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 28 September 1703; married, 23 June 1720 at St Paul's Cathedral, London, Sir William Wentworth (1686-1763), 4th bt., of Bretton Hall (Yorks WR) and had issue four sons (of whom three died young and the survivor inherited his father's baronetcy, a significant part of the Sir William Blackett's fortune, and took the name Blackett) and four daughters; buried at St Martin-le-Grand, Coney St., York, 14 April 1742;

(10) Anne Blackett (1705-83), born 10 May and baptised at St Andrew, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 24 May 1705; married 1st, 24 November 1719 at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), when he was 57 and she was 14, John Trenchard (1662-1723) of Abbots Leigh (Som.), the influential English political writer and politician, who between 1720 and 1723 published, with Thomas Gordon, 144 essays known as Cato's Letters, condemning corruption and lack of morality within the British political system and warning against tyranny; the republican and anti-clerical tone of the letters subsequently informed the political doctrines of the American separatists; after her husband's death she married** his publishing partner, Thomas Gordon (c.1691-1750), and may have had issue; she died at Abbots Leigh, 15 April 1783. 

He inherited Newe House (later Anderson Place) in Newcastle from his father in 1680 and purchased further lands in Yorkshire and Northumberland with coal and lead deposits. In 1689 he acquired the Wallington estate from Sir John Fenwick, and built a new house there in the 1690s.

He died in London, 2 December 1705, when he was said to be one of richest commoners in England, and was buried with much pomp and ceremony at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 29 December 1705. His widow married 2nd, Sir William Thompson (1678-1739), a baron of the exchequer, but had no further issue; she died 16 August 1722.

* There is an entry for the burial of an Elizabeth Marshall at Chrishall on 2 October 1728 (not 1727), but it is unclear if this relates to the right person. I have not been able to find a probable burial or will for an Elizabeth Marshall after 1761 however.

** This may have been a marriage of convenience, giving Gordon access to Trenchard's considerable fortune (he had lent £60,000 to William III in 1689) and enabling him to continue publishing, while Anne, who was widowed at 18, gained a competent manager of her financial affairs. It is not known whether she shared the political opinions of her husbands.

Sir William Blackett (1690-1728), 2nd bt. 

Blackett, Sir William (1690-1728), 2nd bt. Elder and only surviving son of Sir William Blackett (1657-1705), 1st bt., and his wife Julia, daughter of Sir Christopher Conyers, 2nd bt., of Horden (Co. Durham), born 11 February and baptised at St Andrew, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 25 January 1690. Educated at University College, Oxford (matriculated 1705). He succeeded his father as 2nd baronet, 2 December 1705, and inherited his father's coal and lead mining interests. He became a freeman of Newcastle in 1710, a member of the Newcastle Merchant Adventurers in 1718, and of the Hostmen's Company, 1720 (Governor, 1726-28). He was an Alderman of Newcastle and served as Mayor, 1718-19. A Tory in politics, he was elected (despite being a minor) to succeeded his father as MP for Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1710 and sat until his death in 1728. JP for Northumberland, 1711-28. As a young man, he was a Jacobite sympathiser, but ultimately declined (possibly only after a warrant was issue for his arrest) to join the Jacobite uprising in 1715. As a result he was regarded as a traitor by both sides, but he survived with his estates intact and managed to live down the unpopularity. He was a generous, free-spending gentleman whose political, charitable and personal extravagance rapidly led him into debt and left his estates incumbered almost to their full value. He married, 20 September 1725 at St John, Hampstead (Middx), Lady Barbara (1706-61), daughter of William Villiers, 2nd Earl of Jersey, but had no legitimate issue. He did, however, have illegitimate children by Elizabeth (1686-1713), daughter of Ralph Ord of West Ord (Northbld):

(X1) Elizabeth Ord (1711-59), born 10 December and privately baptised at a house in Westminster, 31 December 1711; inherited her father's estates on condition that she married his nephew, Sir Walter Calverley (1707-77) (q.v.) and took the name Blackett. which she did; died 21 September and was buried at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 27 September 1759;

(X2) William Ord (1713-19), born 25 January and baptised at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), 22 February 1712/13; died young in the lifetime of his father, and was buried at Highgate (Middx), 20 March 1718/19.

He inherited the Wallington estate from his father in 1705.

He died 25 September 1728 and was buried with great ceremony at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 7 October 1728, when his baronetcy became extinct. His partner, Elizabeth Ord, died following childbirth, 27 February 1712/13. His widow married 2nd, 13 March 1729 at Westerham (Kent), Bussy Mansel (c.1701-50), 4th and last Baron Mansell of Margam (Glam.), but had no further issue; she died 11 June and was buried at Newick (Sussex), 21 June 1761; her will was proved in the PCC, 18 June 1761.

Julia Blackett (1686-1736) 

Blackett, Julia (1686-1736). Eldest daughter of Sir William Blackett (1657-1705), 1st bt., and his wife Julia, daughter of Sir Christopher Conyers, 2nd bt., of Horden (Co. Durham), born 18 May and baptised at St Andrew, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 25 May 1686. She married, 7 January 1707 at St Andrew, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Sir Walter Calverley (1670-1749), 1st bt., a Jacobite who fled the country following the failed uprising of 1715, and had issue:

(1) Sir Walter Calverley (later Calverley-Blackett) (1707-77), 2nd bt. (q.v.);

(2) Julia Calverley (1714-87), born 20 May and baptised at Otley (Yorks WR), 17 June 1714; married, 29 January 1733 at Guiseley (Yorks WR), Sir George Trevelyan (1707-68), 3rd bt., of Nettlecombe (Som.), and had issue two sons (the elder of whom, Sir John Trevelyan (1735-1828), 4th bt., inherited the Nettlecombe estate in 1768 and Wallington in 1777) and four daughters; died 28 December 1787.

She died 16 September 1736 and was buried at Calverley (Yorks WR). Her husband died 15 October and was buried at Calverley, 22 October 1749.

Sir Walter Calverley Blackett 
(1707-77) by Sir Joshua Reynolds 

Calverley (later Calverley Blackett), Sir Walter (1707-77), 2nd bt. Only son of Sir Walter Calverley (1670-1749), 1st bt., and his wife Julia, eldest daughter of Sir William Blackett (1657-1705), 1st bt., born 18 December 1707 and baptised at Calverley (Yorks WR), 15 January 1708. Educated at Westminster School (admitted 1717) and Balliol College, Oxford (matriculated 1724). Alderman of Newcastle from 1729 (Mayor, 1735, 1748, 1756, 1764, 1771). He took the additional name Blackett in 1733 in compliance with the request of his father in law. High Sheriff of Northumberland, 1731-32. A Tory in politics, he was MP for Newcastle-on-Tyne, 1734-77, though after suffering the vast expense of a contested election in 1740 (when his bill was £6,319), he arranged a deal with the Whig, Matthew Ridley, to divide the town's representation, which lasted until 1774. Although his sympathies remained generally Tory, he positioned himself as a more independent member, and sometimes voted with the Government.  He was a generous benefactor to Newcastle, building a public library in 1736, raising and contributing liberally to supporting the unemployed during the hard winter of 1739-40, and endowing the Newcastle Infirmary in 1751. He was also prominent in Hexham, where he owned the Priory estate and was responsible for building the first bridge across the Tyne, which was destroyed in 1771. He succeeded his father as 2nd baronet, 15 October 1749. His portrait was painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds. He married, 27 August 1729 at St Andrew, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Elizabeth Ord (1711-59), illegitimate daughter and heiress of Sir William Blackett (1690-1728), 2nd bt., but the marriage was not happy* and they had only one child: 

(1) Elizabeth Blackett (1735-52), born 5 July and baptised at St Andrew, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 6 August 1735; died unmarried, 23 May 1752 and was buried at Kensington; her remains were exhumed 29 July 1778 and reinterred at Calverley, 15 August 1778.

He inherited the Calverley Hall estate in Esholt, Calverley and Horsforth (Yorks WR) from his father in 1749, but sold it all to John Thornhill in 1755 for £112,000. He inherited the Wallington Hall estates in right of his wife, but found these incumbered with debts of some £77,000, which cost almost their annual value to service. When the court of Chancery ordered the sale of Wallington to repay the creditors in 1750 he was able to purchase it for £70,000, and he also invested heavily in modernising and improving the house and grounds. In 1776 he also purchased the Longwitton estate in Northumberland from the Swinburnes. Dying without surviving issue, he bequeathed these estates to his nephew, Sir John Trevelyan (1735-1828), 4th bt., and also left £40,000 to the latter's brother, Walter Trevelyan.

He died 14 February 1777 and was buried at Kensington (Middx); in accordance with instructions in his will, his remains were exhumed 29 July 1778 and reinterred at Calverley, 15 August 1778. His wife died 21 September and was buried at St Nicholas, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 27 September 1759.

* Sir Walter is said to have sought consolation in the arms of his female servants and country women, many of whom were remembered in his will, although there seems to be no evidence of his fathering illegitimate children.

Principal sources

Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 2003, pp. 385-86; Burke's Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies, 2nd edn., 1841, pp. 63-64; Burke's Landed Gentry, 1969, p. 50; A.W. Purdue, The ship that came home: the story of a northern dynasty, 2004; G. Finch, The Blacketts: a northern dynasty's rise, crisis and redemption, 2021; 

https://www.theblacketts.com/ (an exceptionally full and reliable genealogical site).

Location of archives

Blackett family of Wylam: deeds, family and business papers, 1608-1802 [Northumberland Archives, ZBK]

Blackett family of Matfen Hall, baronets: deeds, accounts, estate and legal papers, 1257-19th cent. [North Yorkshire Record Office, ZE]; deeds, estate, family, legal and household papers, 1298-1937 [Northumberland Archives, ZBL]

Blackett family of Newby Hall, baronets: some deeds survive among the records of their successors, the Weddell and Vyner families [West Yorkshire Archives Service, Leeds WYL 5013]

Blackett family of Wallington, baronets: some papers survive among the records of their successors, the Trevelyans of Wallington [Northumberland Archives, ZWN]

Coat of arms

Blackett of Wylam Hall: Argent, on a chevron between three mullets sable, three escallops argent.

Can you help?

• Can anyone provide portraits or photographs of the people whose names appear in bold above, for whom no image is currently shown?
• If anyone can offer further information or corrections to any part of this article I should be most grateful. I am always particularly pleased to hear from current owners or the descendants of families associated with a property who can supply information from their own research or personal knowledge for inclusion.

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published 27 October 2026 and updated 29 and 31 October 2026. I am grateful to Muhammad Shahid and Paul Theroux for suggestions about the identity of the 'Duc de Boys'.