Midlands Region.

Midlands West.

(Cheshire, Hereford, Shropshire, Stafford & Worcester).

Cheshire.

I have scanty references in Cheshire:

  1.  The I.G.I lists a marriage of Jane Blackestone to John Moss in 1791. 

  2. 1851 the family of Mr John Blakiston, son of Sir Matthew Blakiston 2nd Bt., at Mobberley Hall.

  3. 1851 at Birkenhead the family of Thomas Way Blackstone. Son of James Way Blackstone Master Mariner of West Teignmouth, Devon.

Hereford.

My sole references are:

Inq. P.M. 15 Hy vii (1500)
James Whitney esq. 
Rowland Blakeston seised of manor of Ocle Pichard near Hereford near Wales (Ocle Pychard)

25/23 Vol. XXII 1485-1509
17th Feb 1504 Ric. Blacston gentilman 'excheator' in Herfords & adjacent marsh of Wales 802

Shropshire.

Three references, from the I.G.I.:

  1. 1723 Shrewsbury, William Blackstone relative of Ernest Wenger.

  2. 1773 Albrighton, Elizabeth Blakston married Henry Nicholas.

  3. 1816 Stockton by Bridgenorth, Hannah Blackstone daughter of John & Jane christened.

1881 Census:

  1. Knutsford Nether, Mary & Dorothea Blakiston , two daughters of Major John Blakiston of Mobberley Hall, CHS.

  2. Macclesfield, Ann Blackson widow aged 46 born in Ireland.

Misc.:

Charles Reginald Blakiston Surgeon, son of the Rev Douglas Yeoman Blakiston, of the Durham family, died here in 1887.

The Rev Robert Blakiston lived at Shrewsbury. His descent is via the Seaton family.

Stafford.

I.G.I.:

  1. 1724 Lichfield, marriage of Nathaniel Blackston & Ann Walmsley. In 1726 they christened a daughter Mary at Lichfield. Is this perhaps the son of Col. Nathaniel Blakiston?

  2. 1752 Sheen, Ann Blackstone married Richard Critchlow.

  3. 1783, Wednesfield, Mary Blackstone daughter of William & Hannah christened.

  4. Early 1800's family of Samuel Blackstone & Prudence at Quarnford.

  5. 1864 Checkley, John son of Henry Blaxton & Eliza christened.

1881 Census;

  1. Brockton Villa, Brockton, family of Matthew Folliott Blakiston, Solicitor son of Rev Douglas Yeoman Blakiston & brother of H.E.D. Blakiston. Various members of this family lived in and around Staffordshire.

  2. Wolverhampton, Henry Blaxton aged 52. Head Confectioner born Birmingham. Origins yet to be determined.

Worcester.

  1. Geoorge Frank Blakiston, son of the Rev John Blakiston & Frances (nee Gartrop), lived with his family at Bellbroughton. Origins are with the Norton family. He died there in 1837.

  2. Charles Aaron Blackstone Jet Ornament Manufacturer, who roots are at Whitby & prior to that Beverley, died at Evesham in 1941.

Midlands East.

(Derby, Leicester, Nottingham & Warwick)

Derby.

I have found no records here until the early 1800's. Then there are a few random references, not listed here, but  including:

  1. Sir Matthew Blakiston & his family at Sandybrooke Hall

Leicester.

There are three references, on the I.G.I., prior to 1800. Then in 1819 at Blackfordbury we find John Blakiston bother to Sir Matthew Blakiston 3rd Bt. Two further references occur in 1843 & 1865. In 1881 at Leicester was the family of Leonard Blaxton carpenter aged 26 of Leicester. Origins yet to be determined.

The following very early references are of note:

23/29 Vol I Hy III ------
23/30 Vol ii Edw I -----
23/31 Vol iii Edw I-----
23/32 Vol iv Edw I
p349. 468
Wm de Fortibus sometime Earl Albermarle 4Jul 15 Edw I
Leicester/Senstern Hugh de Blaston I Bovate
Hugh BLASTON

Nottingham.

Is of interest to me because of it's proximity to Blaxton, Yorks & Lincoln. (see discussion on Blaxton Hall below). There are random occurrences on the I.G.I. over the years. But I also chanced across the following very early references.

Thoroton Soc. Rec. Series. Vol 3 1321-1350 p.16-17
Manors of Gryngleye and Whetleye.:
Concerning the robbing of these King's Manor.
Amongst others REGINALD DE BLAKESTON was declared on oath to have robbed the manor.(27)

Thoroton Soc. Rec. Series. Vol XII 1350-1430 Nottinghamshire.
Reginald DE BLAKESTON

Thomas de Holand, Earl of Kent.
Inq. taken 20 Ric II [17 May 1397]
by the oath of 
PETER BLAKESTON OF ADYNGBURUGH
Peter Of Adyngburugh BLAKESTON (26)

BLAXTON HALL

"BLACKSTONE HALL (lost) is Bakestanhou 1227 CIR, Bakystonhou t. Hy 3 Welbeck, Baxtanhou 1287 For, Bakestanhowe 1300 ib., Baxtanehow 1300 ib., Blakestone hawe 1539 WoodsRept, Blacke­stone Hall 1663 ib. It is clear that the first element here is the common north-country bakstane, ‘flat stone used for baking.’ The second is probably ON haugr. Hence ‘hill from which bake-stones are taken.’ For Hall cf. infra 123." (36) Suprisingly the term may not actually refer to a Hall. There is a good possibility that the Blaxton's of Horncastle, LIN & hence the Rev William Blaxton stem from this location. It's exact location has been lost but it is known to be near Haughton which is now in the parish of Walesby. It was the former residence of the Earls of Clare and the first Duke of Newcastle. The records of the Borough of Nottinghamshire 1547-1625 Vol. IV p.415, locates Blakestone Hall as between the village of Wellowes and the great way which leads to Nottingham (37)

Rev. Thomas Blakiston Vicar of Northallerton, NRY, married into a Nottinghamshire family in 1628. That of the Odingsells. Thomas was ejected from his ministry during the Civil War.

In 1881 a Frederick C. E. Blakston was living at his Uncles in Nottingham. His origins where in Scarborough.

Warwick.

I have no records in Warwick until the 1800's when members of H.E.D. Blakiston's relations lived there.

                                                                                                                                           

Index