U.S.A.

In discussing the U.S.A. I should perhaps first refer readers to the section Myths, Romance or Truth and Reality. I should state that the emphasis of my research has been in the UK. However, since first publishing the Website  my insight into the Blackstone families in  the USA has grown. 

They seem to fall into the following groups:

1) Those who  descend from George Blackiston & Barbara Lawson & hence the Durham family. One gentleman the Rev. Christos Christou Jr., sent me a magnificent pedigree back to Hugo de Blaykeston by way of George Blackiston. There seems to be a large contingent of Blackstones in the U.S.A. who can attribute their origins to George and therefore Hugo. They now have an opportunity to verify this connection, and their connection to each other, by means of the DNA study. * see below

2) Those who descend from the Rev William Blaxton ...roots are uncertain and for which there are some vague, unsubstantiated claims.

3) Descendents of Argyle Blackstone...roots uncertain. Jim Blackstone is believed to herald from this line. Jim is a great resource on U.S.A Blackstones.* see below

4) Descendents perhaps of some ship building families in Boston.* see below

5) Arrival post 1800's. Including some of my own family.

6) Misc.

I think for the purpose of this website I will focus on listing any records I have naming  people said to have emigrated to America. In order of year. Starting with the Rev Wm Blaxton:

The Rev. William Blackstone  who according to Nathaniel Brewster Blackstone left England in early August 1623 and reached New England in mid September. Having set sail with a Captain Robert Gorges. According to Nathaniel Brewster Blackstone, the Reverend had a brother Nathaniel who sailed to New England around the same time. I've found no record of this Nathaniel (see Myths, Romance or Truth and Reality). He is believed by many to be the ancestor of the Blackstones of Maine (see the Blackstone DNA Study).

Others include:

        CORNELIUS, DE  HULL, Oct. 31, 1642, p. 842. 502 acs. known as Lilley Valley, beg. next to  Mrs. Edlos Swamp, near his own land & S. E. upon      John Davis. S. W. to the river, ending neare a place called the Scaven 250 acs. of this land was granted to William Cox in 1637. Trans. of 10 pers: Thomas Blackston, Richard Bird, Richard Hewes, James Dupen, Mary Howtree, Jon. Dodd, Robert Hayes, Samll. Waterhowse, Walter Jones, Wm. Thomas. (39)

SAME. 150 acs. Iyeing in Ware River in Mockjack Bay, beg. on the Ewd. side of Deep Cr. & running Wly. up the creek to marked tree of George Beenes (or Beeues) land. 29 Jan. 1651, p. 357. Trans. of 3 pets: Joseph Blaiton, Leonard Ambrose, Henry Clarke.  (39)

Argyle Blackstone (? 1626-1668) I'm not going to go into any detail on Argyle but would refer people to Jack childers@dca.net who had compiled a history of this family. Argyle is found in early records of Virginia but his origins are at present unclear. Perhaps he has some connection with either Thomas or Jon above. 

There has been a lot of debate regarding his origins. There is some claim that he was from Scotland? There is also a claim that he was the son of  Thomas Blackstone & Sarah  ? I've yet to see evidence to substantiate either of these claims. These are links to some of my thoughts on the subject /blackstone/messages/l . It is clear that he has connections with a William Hawkins.htm whose family came from Devon, ENG & is said to be connected to Sir Francis Drake. Of particular interest is the idea that Argyle may named after a  Capt Samuel Argoll explorer and one time Governor of Virginia. Note that a descendent of Argyle has taken part in the DNA study. 

George Blackiston (1611-1669). George was a Mercer and at one time Sheriff of Newcastle. He emigrated to Maryland between 1668-1669. The following outlines his family:

Refs.: A: Christopher Johnston, “Blakistone Family,” MG 1:48—68. B: Hist. of

Durham. By Surtees. 3:402, 4: 107—108; D: RD5OO:139.

ARMS: Argent, two bars and in chief three cocks Gules. CREST: A cock Gules

(or, a cock Or, crest, wattles, and collar Gules). MOTTO: Doe Well and Doubt

Not (NERA 8:552).

1. JOHN BLAKISTONE of Blakiston Hall, m. 1st Elizabeth, dau. of Sir George Bowes of Dalden and Streatham, Kent (Her Royal Descent is given below); their fifth son was (A): Rev. MARMADUKE.

2. Rev. MARMADUKE BLAKISTONE, of Newton Hall, 5th son of John (1)

and Elizabeth (Bowes), was Vicar of Woodborne, Rector of Reddmarshall in

1585, Rector of Sedgefield, 1599, and Prebendary of Durham; bur. at St.

Margaret’s Crossgate on 3 Sep 1639. He m. 30 June 1595 at St. Mary-Ic-Bow

Margaret James, who was bur. at St. Margaret’s on 10 March 1636.

Rev. Marmaduke and Margaret were the parents of (A): TOBYE, d. by 24 Dec 1646; JOHN, bapt. 21 Aug 1603; Rev. THOMAS, Vicar of North Allerton and Prebendary of Wistow; FRANCES, bapt. 2 Feb 1605/6, m. John Cosin, Lord Bishop of Durham; ROBERT, bapt. 7 Jan 1607; RALPH, bapt. 24 June 1608; MARY, bapt. 30 June 1613; HENRY, d. 1666; PETER, bapt. 23 Oct

1614; GEORGE; and MARGARET, m. Thomas Shadforth.

3. JOHN BLAKISTON, son of Rev. Marmaduke (2) and Margaret (James), was bapt. 21 Aug 1603. He d. leaving a will dated 1 June 1649, proved in London on 24 March 1650 by his widow Susan. He m. Susan Chambers on 9 Nov 1626 at All Saints, Newcastle.

John Blakiston was an M. P. for Newcastle-on-Tyne in the Long Parlia­ment, and signed the Death Warrant of Charles I on 29 Jan 1648/9.

His widow Susan was living 31 May 1661 when her effects as a widow of a regicide were seized by the Sheriff of Durham.

John and Susan were the parents of (A): JOHN, bapt. 6 Jan 1630, bur. 13

April 1632; JOHN, bapt. 18 April 1633; JOSEPH, 1635—1677; NEHEMIAH,

named in his father’s will, 1649; REBECCA, bapt. 29 Aug 1627, m. by 1649

James Lance; and ELIZABETH, b. and d. 1649.

4. GEORGE BLAKISTON, son of Rev. Marmaduke (2) and Margaret (James), was Sheriff of Durham in 1656, and emigrated to Md. c1668. He settled in SM Co. where he d. by 30 Sep 1669. He m. Barbara, dau. of Henry Lawson of Newcastle, and left descendants in MD (A; B).

5. JOHN BLAKISTON, son of John (3) the Regicide Judge, was bapt. 18 April 1633, and was bur. at Newcastle-on-Tyne, on 12 March 1701/2. He was admitted to Gray’s Inn 20 March 1649. Hem. Phoebe, dau. of William Johnston of Kiblesworth and sister of Sir Nathaniel Johnston, Bart., and was the father of (A): NATHANIEL, Gov. of MD; and others.

6. NEHEMIAH BLAKISTON, son of Regicide John (3), was named in his father’s will of 1649 and prob. came to Md. with his uncle George in 1668. He d. by 11 (Snow) Gerard, and left descendants in MD (A)

Captain Peter Blackstone  

17th Nov. 1699. Shipper by the supply of London, Mr Peter Blackstone, bound from Pymouth for Virginia: Thomas Darracourt. (PRO: E190/1059/4) (43)

"1 PETER, ‘old’ in 1719. In that year a young man known as Thomas Blackstone was receiving plank for old Peter B., Captain of a ship then in the Piscataqua River. N.H. Ct. files 18430. Whether this was the Thomas taxed in Dover in 1716, and some relat. to either Peter or (2) is unasc. In 1716 Capt. Peter was sued for 30 weeks’ shaving at Newcastle. In 1717 Pepperell sued him for 4 gal. of rum in 1714, and for a debt of Tho. Potts charged over by P. B.’s order in 1715. Potts was neighbor of (2)." (46)

Note: the Naval Record Society list a Peter Blakston Lieut. 29 Jan 1697 (Pearsall May microfilm) & in the Merchant service 1699 (Pitcairn Jones Papers) (47)

Maryland Marriages, 1634-1777 lists a Capt. Peter Blackstone m. 1st March 1701 to Eliz'th (?) 2 TA-24 (48)

There may be no connection but at the PRO, London is the will of Peter Blackston or Blackstone (1723), Mariner now bound on a Voyage to St Christophers in the good ship Lawrence of Stepney PROB 11/593. It is not easy to decipher but he states himself as being of Lymehouse, Stepney.  He mentions his wife Elizabeth and son Peter. Recent information provided by Robert Louis Blackstone, & his sister Judy, indicates that they are one and the same. Namely, 'Colonial Maryland Soldiers and sailors 1634-1734', at the Winsconsin Historical Society in Madison, lists:

Blackstone, (Blakestone, Blakiston), Peter (England and Talbot County), captain and master of the pink SUPPLY in 1706; mariner and landowner in Maryland by 1712; "Peter Blakestone, the Elder, late of Parish Stepney in County of Middlesex, mariner" died testate before Nov 28, 172? (appointment of attorney). (ref, AALRSY#1:124; TALR 9:30; INCA 33B:126)

"2 WILLIAM, Dover Point, planter, had gr. of 40 a. on Fresh Creek Neck in 1693-4, and with w. Abigail sold land in 1696 deeded them that yr., by her parents, Humphrey and Sarah Varney. Jury 1695. List 358c. Living 1 Apr. 1724, he was dead by 1727; his wid. was liv. in 1729, when she with other settlers there from 30 to 40 yrs. bef. signed a Cocheco Point petn. Deeds in 1754 of the int. of three ch. in a grant in Rochester he owned with Richard Hammock and James Hanson, indicate seven ch., of whom only four are cert. ku.: Abigail, a Berw. wit, in 1714, in. Ambrose Claridge of Portsm. Elizabeth, m. George How of Portsm.; wid. 1754. Benjamin, elder son 1754, m. at Ipswich, 7 Nov. 1724, Mehitable Hunt, dan. of William and Sarah (Newman), and settled in Falm. His will made 30 Apr. 1759; d. bef. 19 Dec. 1763. 10 ch. William, b. 1718, m. and set­tled in Newcastle, Me. Ch. Wives of two other early settlers at Newcastle, Lydia, w. of Samuel hall, and Patience, w. of Josiah Clark (37), are by trad. claimed as Blackstone daus. by desc,, while one or more of the foll. perh. have better claims: Thomas, Dover tax list 1716, added name in Portsm. same year; Mary, of Dover, m. at Portsm. 14 Jan. 1730-1 Thomas Blackle of Staverton, Devon.; Sarah, a Portsm. wit. in 1715; or even Hannah m.. at Marblehead 11 Feb. 1710-1 Benj. White. Several of those may have d.s.p. before 1754." (46)

The following Will transcript may be of interest:

In the Name of God Amen I Thomas Blackstone of the parish of Southwark in the County of Surry Mariner being of sound Mind Memory and Understanding God be praised do by Divine permission make publish and declare these presents to be and contain my last Will and Testament in manner following And first I commend my Soul to God who gave it And my Body I commit to the Dust from whence it came to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executor hereunder named and touching the disposal of such Temporal Estate as the Lord hath been pleased to bestow upon me I order give devise and bequeath the same as followeth That is to say I give and bequeath unto my Wife Mary Blackstone my best harateen Bed with all the Beding and ffurniture thereunto belonging now in my fore Chamber and I give devise and bequeath unto my Brother Richard Blackstone and his heirs for Ever All that my Messuage or Tenement and two Acres of Land or thereabouts with the Appurtenances thereunto belonging situate lying and being at Maryland in America And I give and bequeath unto my said Brother Richard Blackstone All that my Sloop or Vesel called the Dolphin Burthen about Twenty Tons now lying at Maryland aforesaid And I give and bequeath unto my Brother in Law Hugh Coleman my fine drab cloth coat and my red waistcoat and Breeches And I order direct and appoint that my Negro servant Thomas Lawson now at Maryland all my horses and other Goods and Effects that I am possessed or elsewhere shall be sold and disposed of and the Moneys arising by Sale of the same together with all the Rest and Residue of my Goods Chattels Credits Ready Moneys parts of ships and all other my Estate whatsoever both Real and personal after payment of my just debts and ffuneral Expenses I give devise and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my said Wife Mary my Honoured Mother Mary Coleman my Brother-in-Law Samuel Spurrier of the said parish of Saint John in Southwark Victualler and my sister Susannah Darby equally to be divided between them four part and share alike and I make name and constiute and appoint my said Brother-in-Law Samuel Spurrier to be sole Executor of this my Will and do revoke all former Wills by me made In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the sixteenth day of May in the Year of our Lord Christ one Thousand Seven Hundred and fforty one. Thos Blackstone signed sealed published and declared by the said Thomas Blackstone the Testator as and for his only last Will and Testament in the presence of us. Wm Sanders Tho. Poulney. Abr. Harman

This Will was proved at London on the Twenty fifth day of May in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and fforty one Before the Worshipfull Edward Kingston Doctor of Laws Surrogate to the Right Worshipfull John Bettesworth also Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted By the oath of Samuel Spurrier the sole Executor mamed in the said Will To whom was granted Administration of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased being first Sworn duly to administer the same.

Note the Following:

On will of Captain Thomas Blackstone, of London, Mariner, Baltimore Co., 1743, is a shield with ermine or fleurs-de-lis and three crescents in chief, topped by a helmet and a crescent for the crest. Samuel Spurner was the executor, but the arms cannot be placed as a Blackstone or a Spurner. REP:   Wills, Balto. Co., Box B, folder 63.  (42) Said to be one time of Calvert Co. died Testate in great Britain on May 25 1741 (44)

*I have recently made in-roads into Thomas Blackstone's family. From the 1600's to mid 1800's a family of Blackstone's lived in Southwark. They were chiefly Watermen, Lightermen and Granary House owners. It is to this family that Thomas and his brother Richard belong.

Other Blackstones listed by Nathaniel Brewster as leaving for, or having connections with, America include: William Blackstone & his brother Henry, children of Sir William Blackstone Jurist.

Maine Families in 1790 Lists the following:

Plus:

LYDIA BLACKSTONE, b Medford MA 7 Apr 1753 dau of Ebenezer & Lydia (Francis) Blunt (VR): d Farmington May 1830: m Bristol 1781 Benjamin Blackstone (VR) who d c1786: m (2) cl790 Francis Tufts of Farmington who had seven chn by his first marriage. Children:     Francis Gould Butler, History of Farmington, Maine, 1776-1885, 1885]

Children of Benjamin & Lydia (Blunt) Blackstone

I.     John, settled in Damariscotta

ii.     Josiah, moved to Mainville OH

iii.   Sarah, m 4 July 1808 Moses Greeley (yR Bristol): moved to Maineville OH

iv.   Mary, b Bristol 12 Mar 1786 (VR): m Bristol 17 Mar 1808 Francis Butler (VR) son of Ephraim & Lovie (Pease) Butler: d Farmington 24 Apr 1823 (51)

1790 First Census of United States Maine Head of Households

  1. Lydia Blackston Sandy River, First Township Lincoln County, 2 free white males under 16 & 3 females including head of households..

  2. William Blackston Carrs Plantation, Lincoln County, 1 free white male of 16 upwards including heads of households, 3 free white males under 16 & 3 free white females, including heads of households.

  3. William Blackston Carrs Plantation, Lincoln County, plus 1 free white male over 16 yrs including heads of households, 2 free white females including heads of households.

  4. Benjamin Blackstone, Falmouth Town, Cumberland County 4 free white males,  over 16yrs including heads of households, 3 free white males under 16yrs, 4 females including heads of households.

A family by the name of Schwarzensteiner’s  emigrated to America from Bavaria in 1851 and anglicized their name to Blackstone:

Father was Josef Schwarzensteiner . Mother was Anna Maria Steinbeisser

Anna Maria came to America ( Altoona , Pennsylvania ) with (4) children after the Josef died in Germany . The children were:

Ludmilla aka as Louisa b. 1838 , Rutilus aka as William or Dill b. 1840 , Cyprian aka as Joseph b. 1844 – he married into the Westover family,  a family with direct connection to Royalty such as Charlemagne, Basilus aka as Boston b. 1846.

This information came from the Catholic Church in Regensburg , Germany and was provided by Karin Blackstone

The Immigrants Ships Transcribers Guild list for the SS Montana sailing from Liverpool and Queenstown to New York, March 27, 1879 one Mr T. Blackstone aged 23 Gent. He lists his sovereignty as United States, Country to reside United States, class of passenger Cabin.

Finally, my Gt. Grandfather George Bennison Blakeston had a sister Ada Ann Blakeston born in 1864. She emigrated to America. She married James W Hall, a carpenter. They had three children:  Ruth Neal (1893-1971), Blake K Hall (1898 - ) &  Mildred (1901-). They lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan.                            

Ada Ann.

 

                                                                                                                                                     

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