Blackburn, John George (1846-1913)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by J.W.C.

John George Blackburn was born at Whitwell Colliery, December 31st, 1846. For over fifty years he was a member of our Church, and had been present at the Sunday School anniversary at Gilesgate Moor, in the Durham Circuit, for fifty-one years without a break. His chief interest was in the work amongst the “bairns,” and for this he was singularly gifted; he won the affection of the children and yet was a capital disciplinarian. He also served the Church as a class leader and choirmaster. He was for many years the treasurer of the Trust.

One of the greatest pleasures of his life was to be present at the Mow Cop celebrations in May, 1907, and while there he led an impromptu lovefeast and commenced the new organ fund in Mow Cop Chapel.

He was called away with tragic suddenness, while at work in his stable on the evening of November 14th, 1912. His sister, Mrs. Hannah Smith, had died only a week before at the age of eighty-two years, and on the day after his death his daughter-in-law, Mrs. T. B. Blackburn, passed away at the age of twenty-eight years. Such heavy losses evoked much sympathy, and the double funeral was very largely attended, when Rev. H. Fletcher conducted the service in our Church. At the memorial service on January 12th, 1913, Rev. J.W. Clifford, M.A., preached. Mr. Blackburn’s memory will be cherished by his family of two sons and five daughters, and to all his relatives we offer our sincerest sympathy.

Family

John was born on 31 December 1846 at Whitwell Colliery, Co. Durham, to parents Michael Blackburn, a deputy overman (1851), and Hannah Henderson.

Census returns identify the following occupations for John.

1861 coal miner
1871 assistant grocer
1881 cartman
1891 cartman
1901 carrier

He married Jane Harvey (1840-1904) on 16 October 1870 at Belmont, Co. Durham. Census returns identify eight children.

Ethel Mary (1872-1948) – a general domestic servant (1891)
Hannah Jane (1873-1931) – married William Lowery, a coal miner (1911), in 1899
Elizabeth Ann (b1875)
Thomasina (1877-1964) – a domestic housemaid (1901)
John W (1879-1954) – cartman (1901); a contractor (1911); haulage contractor (1939)
Annie Louisa Harvey (1882-1958) – a charge nurse (1911); assistant matron (1939)
Thomas Benjamin (1885-1967) – a cartman (1911); colliery labourer (1939)
Evelyn (b abt1893) – only identified in 1901 census return

He married Mary Fairbank (b abt1857) in the summer of 1906 in the Durham Registration District, Co. Durham.

John died on 14 November 1913 at Gilesgate Moor, Co. Durham.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1913/912

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers