Norfolk County MA Archives Biographies.....Blackburn, Esq, John March 10, 1777 - April 21, 1861
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Author: E. O. JAMESON

JOHN BLACKBURN, ESQ.

JOHN BLACKBURN, son of Henry Blackburn, was born March 10, 1777, in Bradford, 
England. By indentures now in existence, it appears that under date of May 1, 
thirtieth year of the reign of King George III., in the year 1790, he was 
bound an apprentice to James Harnsworth in the township of Shepley in the 
parish of Bradford, England, for a period of seven years, he then being 
thirteen years of age. About 1801 Samuel Slater wanted his younger brother, 
John Slater, to come to America and bring a machinist that understood building 
and working cotton machinery, and he prevailed upon Mr. Blackburn to come with 
him. He was in the employ of Mr. Slater for a year, who after obtaining all 
the information and benefit of his skill at a moderate compensation advised 
him to return to England. But not wishing to return he went to building a 
stone wall for a neighbor until employed by the Messrs. Jenckes, of Pawtucket, 
to build a mill for them, and put it into operation, which he did 
successfully. Afterward, on the fourteenth day of May, 1805, he entered into 
an indenture with others to build a cotton mill in Medway Village, of which an 
account is given elsewhere. Retaining an interest in the mill during his life, 
he settled in Walpole, June 11, 1811, and continued the construction of 
machinery and the manufacture of cotton yarn with his son, George Blackburn, 
until 1828, when their works were totally destroyed by fire. He then retired 
upon a farm, and died April 21, 1861, at the age of eighty-four years. He had 
six children, George and Hannah Battel, who were born in England, William born 
in Pawtucket, R. I., Mary, A., born in Medway, and John Henry, and one who 
died in infancy, born in Walpole, Mass. His son, Mr. John Henry Blackburn, 
resides in Walpole, Mass. He has in his possession the ancient indentures by 
which his father was bound out when a lad of thirteen years. He has also a 
watch and a large family Bible printed in 1777, which were brought by his 
father from England.


Additional Comments:
THE BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT PERSONS, AND The Genealogical Records 
OF MANY EARLY AND OTHER FAMILIES IN MEDWAY, MASS. 1713-1886.

Illustrated
WITH NUMEROUS STEEL AND WOOD ENGRAVINGS.

BY
E. O. JAMESON,

THE AUTHOR OK "THE COGSWELLS IN AMERICA," "THE HISTORY OF MEDWAY, MASS.." ETC.

MILLIS, MASS. 1886.

 Copyright, 1886.

E. O. JAMESON, MILLIS, MASS.

All Rights Reserved.

 J. A. & R. A. REID, PRINTERS, PROVIDENCE, R. I.



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