Part Seven - The Architects Blackwell and Son and Booth from 1857

Matthew Blackwell's Life and Last Years at Southport

As we know, Matthew Blackwell started as stonemason and was later termed a marble mason, then architect. We know he studied architectural drawing and won a prize. Clearly, he was an entrepreneur and developer, too. He had amassed a large property portfolio by the time of his death in 1859 which he used by creating a Trust to support his wife and his nine children after his death.

It does look likely that he lived at Southport for some years before his death in 1859. Here is a drawing of Lord Street, Southport in the year of Matthew's death. Southport was a very fashionable resort for wealthy people.

As well as Isaac, Matthew's son Marsden followed in his footsteps as an architect. I have managed to unearth some examples of their work.  It's quite possible that in his last years, Matthew Blackwell worked with his son Isaac on designs for their company's projects.

Market in Southport

In the "Annals of Southport and district. A chronological history of North Meols from Alfred the Great to Edward VII", there is an entry for 26th June 1857,

"Foundation stone of a new Market in Chapel Street laid by Dr. Peter Wood, Chairman of the
Improvement Commissioners. Blackwell and Son, Manchester, architects ; Mr. William Heyward, builder."

Blackwell and Son would have consisted of Matthew and his eldest son, Isaac, in all probability. I found a photograph of the market (the market was replaced in 1881). It may be that the market was too small for its purpose.

Blackwell and Booth after Matthew Blackwell's Death

Blackwell and Booth carried out work in Southport and Bury from the 1860s.

St Thomas, Pimhole, Bury (consecrated 10/12/1866: Blackwell Son and Booth) 

The church above at Bury is described as being the work of Lawrence Booth, but this attribution lacks documentary evidence, whereas the attribution of Blackwell Son and Booth is clear.

In Southport, we know that a pair of cemetery buildings in High Victorian Gothic style which are listed Grade II, were completed around 1865 by Blackwell Son and Booth.

"Annals of Southport, 1086 to 1886" has the following entry for 1865 on page 154

December 16th Southport Cemetery completed, at a cost of £4,000. Church portion consecrated by the Bishop of Chester. Architects of buildings, Messrs. Blackwell, Son, and Booth; builders, Statham Brothers.

These buildings can be found here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listed_buildings_in_Southport

I put pictures of this building in an earlier episode of this history.





Former Barclays Bank in Silver Street, Bury, completed 1868, is also Grade II listed:

http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-210725-barclays-bank-

Also Bank Chambers, next door

http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-210584-bank-chambers-

In 1871, Worralls Directory of Bury and Bolton lists the company as

Blackwell,Son and Booth, architects and surveyors, Union chambers, 27 Union st.

Barnes Hospital

Barnes Hospital at Cheadle was also designed by Blackwell and Booth and was opened in 1875 and is a Victorian Gothic design.

http://lostplaces.weebly.com/barnes-hospital-cheadle.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnes_Hospital,_Cheadle

Barnes Hospital, Cheadle

In its derelict state, the hospital was used in a number of TV episodes and films.

In the last few years, this building has been redeveloped into expensive apartments.

I wonder what Isaac Blackwell might have made of this renewal of the original design?

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.

tbjolliffe@gmail.com