Members of the the Blackwell family in the 1860s onwards and the Church of the English Martyrs .
As noted previously, records of Matthew and his family have not been found so far in the 1851 census. He died at Southport in 1859 and he had a house there at 9 Hill Street. Paul Blackwell's research on the death certificate has led him to conclude that the cause of death of Matthew Blackwell was spinal stenosis.
We know that Isaac Blackwell, Matthew's eldest son and his wife, had their son Arthur John baptized at Holy Trinity church, Southport on 12th February 1863, so Isaac may have been living at Hill Street after the death of his father, Matthew. Similarly, Marsden Blackwell was married to Elizabeth Mercer at the same church in Southport on 23rd November, 1864. Her father, Henry Mercer, was a wine and spirit merchant. Edwin Blackwell and Jane Geddes were witnesses at this wedding. They were to marry in 1868, but they did not have any children.
This may just mean that the Blackwells used the Trinity Church, Southport, as their main church but it is equally possible that some of them were living in Southport, at least from time to time. In an earlier Part, I mentioned the polluted nature of Manchester and the likelihood that Southport was used as often as possible to enjoy fresh air.
In 1861, two years after Matthew Blackwell's death, the census shows that Ann Blackwell was living at 75 Coupland Street, Manchester, with six of her children, excluding Isaac and Sarah Ellen each of whom were married and Richard Henry whose whereabouts are unknown. This would have been in a relatively new house.
Today, Coupland Street no longer exists, except as part of the University of Manchester alongside the side of the Dental Hospital. Some one hundred years later, Ann Blackwell's great grand-daughter, Margaret "Pearl" Blackwell was teaching infants at the Holy Name Roman Catholic School in Dover Street (see map) only a stone's throw from Coupland Street. By that time, the inhabited area was one of deprivation and poverty and Pearl Blackwell had to cope with children who were often from families with severe problems of all kinds. Pearl Blackwell, a dedicated teacher, travelled in daily on the bus from the Withington and later Didsbury areas of Manchester further south.
This is another example of the cycle of decline of urban areas. In Ann Blackwell's lifetime, this area had been undeveloped, partially rural. She lived in a house which would have been relatively newly built - she was described in the 1861 census as a "Proprietess of Houses" - yet one hundred years later, the housing had been abandoned by the middle classes and not long afterwards in the 1960s, was demolished by the Manchester Council in slum clearances.
Similarly, Ann Blackwell moved to Bristol Street and lived there until her death in 1889. A Bartholomew map of 1880 shows Bristol Street at the extreme south of the housing developments.
Bristol Street can be found directly above the "S" of "Side" in Moss Side which appears in Block Capitals on the map. At this time, Moss Side as I knew it as a child in the 1950s,, and indeed Whalley Range where I lived had not yet been built. There are a few villas and a farm.
Isaac Blackwell's family and the Williams family
In the 1861 census, Isaac Blackwell and his wife, Sarah Anne (Williams) were listed as living at 64 Chorlton Road, Manchester. Isaac was described as an Architect employing one clerk and two apprentices. Not far away at number 60 Chorlton Road lived Isaac's sister, Sarah Ellen, who was married to John Williams and they had a daughter, Lucy A (I later found out this stood for Adeline), five years old. John Williams, whose father was a "High Bailiff" was listed as a Calico Agent, employing one boy(?). It is highly probable that John Williams and Sarah Anne Williams were brother and sister as their place of birth is the same, Eccleshall, Staffordshire. John Williams was given money from Matthew Blackwell's trust after his death by his mother-in-law Ann Blackwell.
In 1871, Isaac was living at 7 Lansdowne Terrace, Moss Side, with his wife Sarah Anne (nee Williams) and their two children, Arthur J and Harry G Blackwell. Isaac was listed then as an Architect's Clerk.
Isaac Blackwell died on 2nd December, 1876 at the age of only 48. He was listed as living at 19 Bold Street, Moss Side and died at Cheadle. Research (by Paul Blackwell) on his death suggests he had an illness that affected his brain, possibly similar to the spinal condition which affected Matthew his father. which may explain why he is stated to have died intestate in an 1877 trust document (covered in another Part). In any event, in the National Lunacy Register he was recorded as being admitted to Cheadle Hospital on 15th March 1875 and died there in December 1876. Probate was granted to his widow Sarah Anne Blackwell on 22 February, 1877 of the same address with “Effects under £800”. On 28th February 1890, 13 years later, the Probate stated that the estate was left unadministered by his widow and was granted to Arthur John, her son, a “Mariner in the Merchant service”. The personal estate was valued at £963 11s 10d. It is quite possible that his wife was seriously ill after his death, as she died less than three years later, leaving Arthur and Harry who were 16 and 14 years' old respectively.
I explained in an earlier Part that my discussions with my cousin Paul Blackwell led me to the discovery of the family grave of Isaac Blackwell (1828-1876) at a cemetery not too far from where Paul Blackwell lives with his family in Manchester. There seemed to have been a rift in the family between Isaac Blackwell and his descendants and the descendants of his brother Marsden. I believe this was the result of differences about religion as Marsden's wife was a devout Roman Catholic and all their children were brought up in that religion. This had led, I think, to the gap in knowledge about the fate of that branch of the family.
When Paul Blackwell paid a visit to the grave of Isaac, it is likely, I think, that it was the first visit by any descendant of Marsden Blackwell.
The text of the headstone reads as follows,
In loving remembrance of Isaac Blackwell, died Dec. 2 1876 in his 49th year. Also Sarah Anne, his wife, died Oct. 24. 1879, in her 45th year. Also Arthur John, elder son of the above. Died in South Africa July 18 1918, in his 56th year and is buried at Johannesburg. Also Neville Bernard, RFA, only son of Harry G and Mary A Blackwell, killed in action Sept 22, 1917 in his 25th year, and is buried at Ypres. Also Mary Ann (Polly) wife of Harry G Blackwell died April 5. 1931 in her 66th year.
To Paul Blackwell and to me, this was a great discovery, as the whereabouts of Isaac's grave had been a mystery. What was even more interesting about this headstone was that it contained information about the death of Arthur John, Isaac's son, in South Africa, that was unknown to us. It also commemorated the death in World War 1 in action at Ypres in 1917 of Neville Bernard Blackwell (which was known as a result of Paul's research), and it told us that Harry G's wife, (G for Gratrix), was known as Polly.
Ann Blackwell
Ann Blackwell was left a wealthy woman after Matthew Blackwell's early death at the age of 55 in 1859. The Trust which he set up provided for Ann and all his children.
In 1861, Ann was described on the census as a "Proprietress of Houses". She was then living with some of her children at 75 Coupland Street, "All Saints". The children then with her, two years after Matthew's death, were Harriet, 28, Elizabeth Ann, 25, Marsden, 20, an "Architect Ap", Edwin, 18, a "warehouseman", Emily 15, and Julia, 11, "scholars". Ten years later in 1871 Ann had moved to Bristol Street, Hulme with her daughters. She was described at that time as an "Accountant". By 1881 and still at the same address, aged 74, Ann was described as "Independent". Her daughters Harriet and Elizabeth were still living with her at that time and also her niece Ann "Bissele" (Bissell) was living there. Ann Bissell was the daughter of Mary Marsden, and one of Richard Marsden’s grand-daughters.
Ann Blackwell died in August 1889. We know she was buried at Trinity Church, Southport from a legal agreement related to her will dated 24th October 1889, found in the box of Documents related to the Blackwell family.
Elizabeth Blackwell
Elizabeth Blackwell had moved to 57 Heywood Street, Moss Side by 1891, and was described as "Living on her own means" with the same Ann Bissell, who is her cousin and who was described as her companion. By 1901, they had moved to 3 Lime Grove.
Marsden Blackwell
Marsden Blackwell was born in 1840. The 1841 census showed him living at 10 Stretford New Road with the large Blackwell family. It is probable that it was a house newly built by Matthew. There is no 1851 census record for the family. We are lucky to have a crayon drawing of farmyard animals that my mother told me was drawn by Marsden when he was 12 years old, this would have been in 1852. Recent correspondence with my cousin Gillian has brought to light another similar drawing which her mother told her was drawn by Marsden when he was 10 years old. Here is the drawing which my mother was given,
Since I wrote this entry, I received a copy of the other drawing by Marsden Blackwell, which is of a horse's head. Thank you, Gillian. This picture is below
Marsden Blackwell married Elizabeth Mercer on 23 November 1864 at Holy Trinity Church Southport Lancashire and also at St Mary's a Roman Catholic Church at Southport. This church later became known as St Marie's on the Sands.
My cousin Gillian recently showed me an image which is either a daguerrotype or an ambrotype with a note that it was of Marsden Blackwell in 1855. I managed to take a photo of it, which was difficult in the conditions. Marsden Blackwell would have been 15 years old at the time.
A note on the Church of St Mary's, Southport
It is described as one of the most important Catholic Churches in the Gothic style after the Reformation. The church was designed by Augustus Pugin and opened in 1841. The building of the church would have been prohibited before 1829. After this date, the Catholic Emancipation Act ended the Penal Laws. The church still exists, but has been modified. Below is an early drawing. It is possible that Marsden Blackwell would have taken note of the architectural design by Pugin when he was married to Elizabeth Mercer there.
In 1871, Marsden was living in Butler Street with his wife Elizabeth and children, Harry, Charles, Frederick and Herbert. Marsden Blackwell was described as an Architect and Surveyor's clerk. In the 1871 census, the birthplace of Harry, Charles and Frederick is given as Southport. So it is not really clear if Marsden and Elizabeth actually lived at Southport, or if perhaps, Elizabeth lived at Southport when her children were born? We do not know what happened to Matthew's house at Southport when he died in 1859.
By 1881, Marsden had moved to 135 Bishop Street in Moss Side, described as Clerk to Architect. Elizabeth and Marsden had produced further children, namely Alfred, Marie, Ernest and Edith. By 1891, they had moved to 41 Greame Street, with Marsden then described as a "Surveyor's Assistant" with Harry a "Hosier's Assistant", Charles an "Under Cashier", Frederick a "Provision Salesman", Herbert an "Architect's Assistant", with Marie, Ernest and Edith 16 years old or younger. In 1901 as Surveyor's Assistant at the age of 60, Marsden was still living at 41 Greame Street, with Harry and Charles both "Auctioneer's Clerk", Frederick, a "Provision Salesman", Herbert a "Surveyor's Assistant", Ernest, 22, a "Milliner's Salesman", with Edith at 22, unmarried.
Marsden Blackwell Elizabeth Mary Blackwell nee Mercer
The status of Marsden Blackwell was revered by some members of the Blackwell family who were his grandchildren. I think this is understandable as his father was an architect, builder and stonemason and his brother Isaac was also an architect. Architects ran in the family. I do not know what projects he was responsible for other than the English Martyrs church described below. His description in the census varies from "Architect and Surveyor's clerk" (1871) to "Clerk to Architect" (1881) to "Surveyor's Assistant" (1891), to "Surveyor's Assistant" (1901). On the other hand, Slater's Directory in 1903 has Marsden Blackwell listed at the 64 Bridge Street address as "Architect" and "Surveyor" at his home address of 41 Greame Street.
Marsden Blackwell commissioned the design and building of the Roman Catholic Church of the English Martyrs, Alexandra Road, Whalley Range, Manchester with Francis Haslam Oldham, an architect in Sale in 1895. Marsden Blackwell was to receive payment for his work and one third of any profits. The plot of land was bought in 1893. On May 4, 1895, the feast of the English Martyrs, the foundation stone was laid by Bishop Bilsborrow. In just over a year the nave and aisles were completed, and the church was opened and blessed on July 5, 1896 but not consecrated until 1922.
I recollect being told by my mother that it had been intended for the church to have a taller spire, but no-one seemed to know the full story of why this was not built. The tower and spire were not completed in Marsden Blackwell's lifetime. I imagine the reason was shortage of funds. Marsden Blackwell died in September 1906 at 17 Grosvenor Road. The tower and spire were completed in 1926. The stones for this purpose came from a disused Presbyterian church of St Andrew in Ramsbottom (1873, by James and Robert Garnet), which had passed to the church from Our Lady and St John, Chorlton.
As I mention in another part of this chronicle, Marsden Blackwell's wife Elizabeth was a devout Roman Catholic and all their children were brought up in that faith. Prior to the construction of the English Martyrs church, the family appear to have attended St Wilfrid's Church. Ernest Blackwell and his wife, Mary Forrest, my grandparents, were married at St Wilfrid's Church. Information about that church is included in Part Two.
The church of the English Martyrs was used by the grandchildren of Marsden, some of whom, including my mother, Cyrilla; her sister, Rita and her brother Jack, were married at the church in the 20th century.
My cousin Gillian told me that Marsden Blackwell was converted to Roman Catholicism on his deathbed.
I would be very pleased if anyone with interesting information about the Blackwell family lets me know. I can incorporate new information into these writings at any time. I can also correct any errors that might be identified. Please get in touch to let me know.
As noted previously, records of Matthew and his family have not been found so far in the 1851 census. He died at Southport in 1859 and he had a house there at 9 Hill Street. Paul Blackwell's research on the death certificate has led him to conclude that the cause of death of Matthew Blackwell was spinal stenosis.
We know that Isaac Blackwell, Matthew's eldest son and his wife, had their son Arthur John baptized at Holy Trinity church, Southport on 12th February 1863, so Isaac may have been living at Hill Street after the death of his father, Matthew. Similarly, Marsden Blackwell was married to Elizabeth Mercer at the same church in Southport on 23rd November, 1864. Her father, Henry Mercer, was a wine and spirit merchant. Edwin Blackwell and Jane Geddes were witnesses at this wedding. They were to marry in 1868, but they did not have any children.
This may just mean that the Blackwells used the Trinity Church, Southport, as their main church but it is equally possible that some of them were living in Southport, at least from time to time. In an earlier Part, I mentioned the polluted nature of Manchester and the likelihood that Southport was used as often as possible to enjoy fresh air.
In 1861, two years after Matthew Blackwell's death, the census shows that Ann Blackwell was living at 75 Coupland Street, Manchester, with six of her children, excluding Isaac and Sarah Ellen each of whom were married and Richard Henry whose whereabouts are unknown. This would have been in a relatively new house.
Today, Coupland Street no longer exists, except as part of the University of Manchester alongside the side of the Dental Hospital. Some one hundred years later, Ann Blackwell's great grand-daughter, Margaret "Pearl" Blackwell was teaching infants at the Holy Name Roman Catholic School in Dover Street (see map) only a stone's throw from Coupland Street. By that time, the inhabited area was one of deprivation and poverty and Pearl Blackwell had to cope with children who were often from families with severe problems of all kinds. Pearl Blackwell, a dedicated teacher, travelled in daily on the bus from the Withington and later Didsbury areas of Manchester further south.
This is another example of the cycle of decline of urban areas. In Ann Blackwell's lifetime, this area had been undeveloped, partially rural. She lived in a house which would have been relatively newly built - she was described in the 1861 census as a "Proprietess of Houses" - yet one hundred years later, the housing had been abandoned by the middle classes and not long afterwards in the 1960s, was demolished by the Manchester Council in slum clearances.
Similarly, Ann Blackwell moved to Bristol Street and lived there until her death in 1889. A Bartholomew map of 1880 shows Bristol Street at the extreme south of the housing developments.
Bristol Street can be found directly above the "S" of "Side" in Moss Side which appears in Block Capitals on the map. At this time, Moss Side as I knew it as a child in the 1950s,, and indeed Whalley Range where I lived had not yet been built. There are a few villas and a farm.
Isaac Blackwell's family and the Williams family
In the 1861 census, Isaac Blackwell and his wife, Sarah Anne (Williams) were listed as living at 64 Chorlton Road, Manchester. Isaac was described as an Architect employing one clerk and two apprentices. Not far away at number 60 Chorlton Road lived Isaac's sister, Sarah Ellen, who was married to John Williams and they had a daughter, Lucy A (I later found out this stood for Adeline), five years old. John Williams, whose father was a "High Bailiff" was listed as a Calico Agent, employing one boy(?). It is highly probable that John Williams and Sarah Anne Williams were brother and sister as their place of birth is the same, Eccleshall, Staffordshire. John Williams was given money from Matthew Blackwell's trust after his death by his mother-in-law Ann Blackwell.
In 1871, Isaac was living at 7 Lansdowne Terrace, Moss Side, with his wife Sarah Anne (nee Williams) and their two children, Arthur J and Harry G Blackwell. Isaac was listed then as an Architect's Clerk.
Isaac Blackwell died on 2nd December, 1876 at the age of only 48. He was listed as living at 19 Bold Street, Moss Side and died at Cheadle. Research (by Paul Blackwell) on his death suggests he had an illness that affected his brain, possibly similar to the spinal condition which affected Matthew his father. which may explain why he is stated to have died intestate in an 1877 trust document (covered in another Part). In any event, in the National Lunacy Register he was recorded as being admitted to Cheadle Hospital on 15th March 1875 and died there in December 1876. Probate was granted to his widow Sarah Anne Blackwell on 22 February, 1877 of the same address with “Effects under £800”. On 28th February 1890, 13 years later, the Probate stated that the estate was left unadministered by his widow and was granted to Arthur John, her son, a “Mariner in the Merchant service”. The personal estate was valued at £963 11s 10d. It is quite possible that his wife was seriously ill after his death, as she died less than three years later, leaving Arthur and Harry who were 16 and 14 years' old respectively.
I explained in an earlier Part that my discussions with my cousin Paul Blackwell led me to the discovery of the family grave of Isaac Blackwell (1828-1876) at a cemetery not too far from where Paul Blackwell lives with his family in Manchester. There seemed to have been a rift in the family between Isaac Blackwell and his descendants and the descendants of his brother Marsden. I believe this was the result of differences about religion as Marsden's wife was a devout Roman Catholic and all their children were brought up in that religion. This had led, I think, to the gap in knowledge about the fate of that branch of the family.
When Paul Blackwell paid a visit to the grave of Isaac, it is likely, I think, that it was the first visit by any descendant of Marsden Blackwell.
Isaac Blackwell's grave Brookland Cemetery, Marsland Road, Sale. Plot L997
Photo by Paul Blackwell first family visitor for at least half a century 08.02.15
The text of the headstone reads as follows,
In loving remembrance of Isaac Blackwell, died Dec. 2 1876 in his 49th year. Also Sarah Anne, his wife, died Oct. 24. 1879, in her 45th year. Also Arthur John, elder son of the above. Died in South Africa July 18 1918, in his 56th year and is buried at Johannesburg. Also Neville Bernard, RFA, only son of Harry G and Mary A Blackwell, killed in action Sept 22, 1917 in his 25th year, and is buried at Ypres. Also Mary Ann (Polly) wife of Harry G Blackwell died April 5. 1931 in her 66th year.
To Paul Blackwell and to me, this was a great discovery, as the whereabouts of Isaac's grave had been a mystery. What was even more interesting about this headstone was that it contained information about the death of Arthur John, Isaac's son, in South Africa, that was unknown to us. It also commemorated the death in World War 1 in action at Ypres in 1917 of Neville Bernard Blackwell (which was known as a result of Paul's research), and it told us that Harry G's wife, (G for Gratrix), was known as Polly.
Ann Blackwell
Ann Blackwell was left a wealthy woman after Matthew Blackwell's early death at the age of 55 in 1859. The Trust which he set up provided for Ann and all his children.
In 1861, Ann was described on the census as a "Proprietress of Houses". She was then living with some of her children at 75 Coupland Street, "All Saints". The children then with her, two years after Matthew's death, were Harriet, 28, Elizabeth Ann, 25, Marsden, 20, an "Architect Ap", Edwin, 18, a "warehouseman", Emily 15, and Julia, 11, "scholars". Ten years later in 1871 Ann had moved to Bristol Street, Hulme with her daughters. She was described at that time as an "Accountant". By 1881 and still at the same address, aged 74, Ann was described as "Independent". Her daughters Harriet and Elizabeth were still living with her at that time and also her niece Ann "Bissele" (Bissell) was living there. Ann Bissell was the daughter of Mary Marsden, and one of Richard Marsden’s grand-daughters.
Ann Blackwell died in August 1889. We know she was buried at Trinity Church, Southport from a legal agreement related to her will dated 24th October 1889, found in the box of Documents related to the Blackwell family.
Elizabeth Blackwell
Elizabeth Blackwell had moved to 57 Heywood Street, Moss Side by 1891, and was described as "Living on her own means" with the same Ann Bissell, who is her cousin and who was described as her companion. By 1901, they had moved to 3 Lime Grove.
Marsden Blackwell
Marsden Blackwell was born in 1840. The 1841 census showed him living at 10 Stretford New Road with the large Blackwell family. It is probable that it was a house newly built by Matthew. There is no 1851 census record for the family. We are lucky to have a crayon drawing of farmyard animals that my mother told me was drawn by Marsden when he was 12 years old, this would have been in 1852. Recent correspondence with my cousin Gillian has brought to light another similar drawing which her mother told her was drawn by Marsden when he was 10 years old. Here is the drawing which my mother was given,
Since I wrote this entry, I received a copy of the other drawing by Marsden Blackwell, which is of a horse's head. Thank you, Gillian. This picture is below
Marsden Blackwell married Elizabeth Mercer on 23 November 1864 at Holy Trinity Church Southport Lancashire and also at St Mary's a Roman Catholic Church at Southport. This church later became known as St Marie's on the Sands.
My cousin Gillian recently showed me an image which is either a daguerrotype or an ambrotype with a note that it was of Marsden Blackwell in 1855. I managed to take a photo of it, which was difficult in the conditions. Marsden Blackwell would have been 15 years old at the time.
A note on the Church of St Mary's, Southport
It is described as one of the most important Catholic Churches in the Gothic style after the Reformation. The church was designed by Augustus Pugin and opened in 1841. The building of the church would have been prohibited before 1829. After this date, the Catholic Emancipation Act ended the Penal Laws. The church still exists, but has been modified. Below is an early drawing. It is possible that Marsden Blackwell would have taken note of the architectural design by Pugin when he was married to Elizabeth Mercer there.
In 1871, Marsden was living in Butler Street with his wife Elizabeth and children, Harry, Charles, Frederick and Herbert. Marsden Blackwell was described as an Architect and Surveyor's clerk. In the 1871 census, the birthplace of Harry, Charles and Frederick is given as Southport. So it is not really clear if Marsden and Elizabeth actually lived at Southport, or if perhaps, Elizabeth lived at Southport when her children were born? We do not know what happened to Matthew's house at Southport when he died in 1859.
By 1881, Marsden had moved to 135 Bishop Street in Moss Side, described as Clerk to Architect. Elizabeth and Marsden had produced further children, namely Alfred, Marie, Ernest and Edith. By 1891, they had moved to 41 Greame Street, with Marsden then described as a "Surveyor's Assistant" with Harry a "Hosier's Assistant", Charles an "Under Cashier", Frederick a "Provision Salesman", Herbert an "Architect's Assistant", with Marie, Ernest and Edith 16 years old or younger. In 1901 as Surveyor's Assistant at the age of 60, Marsden was still living at 41 Greame Street, with Harry and Charles both "Auctioneer's Clerk", Frederick, a "Provision Salesman", Herbert a "Surveyor's Assistant", Ernest, 22, a "Milliner's Salesman", with Edith at 22, unmarried.
Marsden Blackwell Elizabeth Mary Blackwell nee Mercer
41 Greame Street, probably in 1960s.
I knew Greame Street in my youth as one of the streets in Moss Side, an area that was very much in decline and it was later demolished in slum clearances in the 1960s along with nearly every house in the area.
The status of Marsden Blackwell was revered by some members of the Blackwell family who were his grandchildren. I think this is understandable as his father was an architect, builder and stonemason and his brother Isaac was also an architect. Architects ran in the family. I do not know what projects he was responsible for other than the English Martyrs church described below. His description in the census varies from "Architect and Surveyor's clerk" (1871) to "Clerk to Architect" (1881) to "Surveyor's Assistant" (1891), to "Surveyor's Assistant" (1901). On the other hand, Slater's Directory in 1903 has Marsden Blackwell listed at the 64 Bridge Street address as "Architect" and "Surveyor" at his home address of 41 Greame Street.
Marsden Blackwell commissioned the design and building of the Roman Catholic Church of the English Martyrs, Alexandra Road, Whalley Range, Manchester with Francis Haslam Oldham, an architect in Sale in 1895. Marsden Blackwell was to receive payment for his work and one third of any profits. The plot of land was bought in 1893. On May 4, 1895, the feast of the English Martyrs, the foundation stone was laid by Bishop Bilsborrow. In just over a year the nave and aisles were completed, and the church was opened and blessed on July 5, 1896 but not consecrated until 1922.
I recollect being told by my mother that it had been intended for the church to have a taller spire, but no-one seemed to know the full story of why this was not built. The tower and spire were not completed in Marsden Blackwell's lifetime. I imagine the reason was shortage of funds. Marsden Blackwell died in September 1906 at 17 Grosvenor Road. The tower and spire were completed in 1926. The stones for this purpose came from a disused Presbyterian church of St Andrew in Ramsbottom (1873, by James and Robert Garnet), which had passed to the church from Our Lady and St John, Chorlton.
As I mention in another part of this chronicle, Marsden Blackwell's wife Elizabeth was a devout Roman Catholic and all their children were brought up in that faith. Prior to the construction of the English Martyrs church, the family appear to have attended St Wilfrid's Church. Ernest Blackwell and his wife, Mary Forrest, my grandparents, were married at St Wilfrid's Church. Information about that church is included in Part Two.
The church of the English Martyrs was used by the grandchildren of Marsden, some of whom, including my mother, Cyrilla; her sister, Rita and her brother Jack, were married at the church in the 20th century.
My cousin Gillian told me that Marsden Blackwell was converted to Roman Catholicism on his deathbed.
Copyright David Dixon and licensed for re-use under the Creative Commons Licence
Copyright David Dixon and licensed for re-use under the Creative Commons Licence
Overall, it seems to me that Marsden Blackwell's reputation as an architect was exaggerated within the family, as I can find no specific building which he designed and built.
tbjolliffe@gmail.com
Hi Tom,
ReplyDeleteMy family lived at 41 Greame St from
1964 to 1972 when that beautiful street and community was demolished. Those were the best years of my life. I now live in London, but I am constantly searching the archives for old pictures of the area and have found it impossible to find photographs of the stretch of Greame St between Alexandra Rd and Withington Rd until I stumbled across your very interesting story of the Blackwell family.
I wonder if you know where I might be able to find some photographic or any other type of history of the area?
Regards,
Donovan Johnson
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDonovan
ReplyDeleteThanks for the note. This is a set of general photos from the 60s.
https://confidentials.com/manchester/90-photos-of-manchester-in-the-1960s
But I think the following one might be what you need. Enter the name of the street in the search window. It goes from 1963, I think.
https://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass
Use my Google email for further communication.
tbjolliffe@gmail.com
Good luck
Tom