In Part Four I posted as follows,
"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."
In this Part, I shall follow the family of Harry Gratrix Blackwell, one of Isaac and Sarah Anne's two sons. We have just a single confirmed photograph of Harry Gratrix, when he was a child. This came from the photo album held by Paul Blackwell
Please get in touch if you wish to comment on anything in this blog.
"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."
In this Part, I shall follow the family of Harry Gratrix Blackwell, one of Isaac and Sarah Anne's two sons. We have just a single confirmed photograph of Harry Gratrix, when he was a child. This came from the photo album held by Paul Blackwell
Harry Gratrix Blackwell, 1870 - Five years old
Harry got married in 1886 at the age of 21 to Mary Anne "Polly" Martin. By that time both his parents had died. Little is known about his wife, her name "Polly" was found on the gravestone for Isaac Blackwell and his wife.
Harry and Polly had four children together, Gladys Dorothea Blackwell (b 1888), Constance Mary Blackwell (b 1890), Neville Bernard Blackwell (1893) and Kathleen Cecilia Blackwell (b 1895). Gladys and Kathleen were both married, but Constance did not marry. Neville fought in the First World War and will be covered in the next Part.
This part will be continued to cover further details of the family.
tbjolliffe@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment