(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.