Matthew Blackwell and an interesting neighbour
The 1841 Census records Matthew Blackwell living at 10 Stretford New Road. His next door neighbour on Stretford New Road, William Wilson who was 20 years old, was described as an "artichect". Originally, when I saw this entry on the census, I thought that "artichect" had not only been spelt wrongly but had also been put on the wrong line and should be on the same line as Matthew Blackwell. I was convinced it was an error by the census taker. These are not unknown.
In a section on Matthew Blackwell, I cover the fact that he gives evidence in a case of a damaged weir. An newspaper extract goes as follows, "Thomas Jones, Thomas Hatton, William Gee, Matthew Blackwell (stone mason, Manchester who estimated the expense of repairing the weir at £119), and Wilson (architect, who thought £119 a fair estimate of the expense for the repair of the damage))..."
This case took place in 1847. I think it's very probable that "Wilson, architect" is the same William Wilson and Matthew and he were friends and working colleagues.
However, further research showed that some years later, William Wilson, if this was indeed the same man, was responsible for the design of the layout and chapel buildings of the Sale and Brooklands cemetery in 1862, which is now grade II listed. This cemetery is in High Victorian style with notable structures in the Gothic revival style. It was one of the first cemeteries in the country to be developed to cater properly for large cities.
It is easy to imagine that the neighbours Matthew Blackwell and William Wilson were friends. There are similarities, in my opinion, between the Sale and Brooklands cemetery chapel buildings in 1863 and those built by Blackwell and Booth in Duke Road, Southport about three years later in 1865. By that time, Matthew had died (1859), but his eldest son, Isaac, had carried on in his footsteps as an architect. Blackwell and Booth were the architects for the cemetery. Isaac Blackwell was later buried in the Brooklands Cemetery. Matthew lived in Southport at the time of his death in 1859. It's just speculation, but looking at the photographs of the buildings, readers can make up their own minds.
WILLIAM WILSON Sale and Brooklands Cemetery, Chapel 1862
BLACKWELL AND BOOTH – Duke Road Cemetery Chapel Southport 1865
In Part Four I describe the commissioning by Marsden Blackwell of 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. The Directory of British Architects shows that Francis Haslam Oldham was in partnership with William Wilson in 1870.
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.
The 1841 Census records Matthew Blackwell living at 10 Stretford New Road. His next door neighbour on Stretford New Road, William Wilson who was 20 years old, was described as an "artichect". Originally, when I saw this entry on the census, I thought that "artichect" had not only been spelt wrongly but had also been put on the wrong line and should be on the same line as Matthew Blackwell. I was convinced it was an error by the census taker. These are not unknown.
In a section on Matthew Blackwell, I cover the fact that he gives evidence in a case of a damaged weir. An newspaper extract goes as follows, "Thomas Jones, Thomas Hatton, William Gee, Matthew Blackwell (stone mason, Manchester who estimated the expense of repairing the weir at £119), and Wilson (architect, who thought £119 a fair estimate of the expense for the repair of the damage))..."
This case took place in 1847. I think it's very probable that "Wilson, architect" is the same William Wilson and Matthew and he were friends and working colleagues.
However, further research showed that some years later, William Wilson, if this was indeed the same man, was responsible for the design of the layout and chapel buildings of the Sale and Brooklands cemetery in 1862, which is now grade II listed. This cemetery is in High Victorian style with notable structures in the Gothic revival style. It was one of the first cemeteries in the country to be developed to cater properly for large cities.
It is easy to imagine that the neighbours Matthew Blackwell and William Wilson were friends. There are similarities, in my opinion, between the Sale and Brooklands cemetery chapel buildings in 1863 and those built by Blackwell and Booth in Duke Road, Southport about three years later in 1865. By that time, Matthew had died (1859), but his eldest son, Isaac, had carried on in his footsteps as an architect. Blackwell and Booth were the architects for the cemetery. Isaac Blackwell was later buried in the Brooklands Cemetery. Matthew lived in Southport at the time of his death in 1859. It's just speculation, but looking at the photographs of the buildings, readers can make up their own minds.
WILLIAM WILSON Sale and Brooklands Cemetery, Chapel 1862
BLACKWELL AND BOOTH – Duke Road Cemetery Chapel Southport 1865
In Part Four I describe the commissioning by Marsden Blackwell of 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. The Directory of British Architects shows that Francis Haslam Oldham was in partnership with William Wilson in 1870.
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.
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