FATHER

John Blackburn

MOTHER

Elizabeth

WIVES

Mary Courtney

Rachel Morton

CHILDREN with Mary Courtney

1. Elizabeth Blackburn
   b. 6 mo, 4 (no year given) Abt. 1704
   m. 2 mo, 6, 1728 Samuel Morton
   (brother of Rachel Morton, John Blackburn's second wife)

2. Mary Blackburn
    b. 11 mo, 7 (no year given)

3. Sarah Blackburn
    b.. 12 mo, 14 (no year given)

4. Thomas Blackburn
   b. 8 mo, 13 (no year given) Abt. 1702
    m. 17 Jun 1742 Armagh, Ulster, Ireland to Alice Hewitt
    d. Bef. 1 Nov 1794 Menallen, York, PA (will probated 1 Nov 1794)

5. Joseph Blackburn
   b. 7 mo, 16 (no year given)
   d. 1 mo, 21 1712/13

CHILDREN with Rachel Morton

1. Samuel Blackburn
    b. 1st mo, 1 (no year given) Abt. 1717
    d. 7 Jan 1723/4 Loughall, Armagh, Ireland

2. John Blackburn
   b. 6 mo, 30 1720
   m. Abt. 1739 Rebecca Harlan
   d. 24 Aug 1767

3. Joseph Blackburn
    b. Bef. 1726
    d. Bef. 26 Mar 1787 N. Huntington, Westmoreland, PA

4. Rachel Blackburn
    b. Bef. 1726
    m. 8th mo, 29, 1759 Andrew Dennen

5. Anthony Blackburn
    b. Abt. 1725
    m. 20 Apr 1752 Deborah Simmons
    d. Bef. 21 Jun 1802 S. Huntington, Westmoreland, PA (will probated 21 Jun 1802)

6. Abigail Blackburn
    b. 5 Nov 1727
    m. 1748 to James Wilson in York, PA
    d. 1800 Guilford, NC

7. William Blackburn
    b. 4th mo, 30 (no year given) Abt. 1728

8. Elinor Blackburn
    b. 12th mo, 24, 1730/31
    d. Aft. 16 May 1770

John Blackburn
by Susan Brooke
April 2023

John Blackburn was probably born in Loughall, Armagh, Ireland. (1)  Some say he was baptized 13 Aug 1675 but there is no source added.  He married twice. (2) He had five children with his first wife and then she probably died in childbirth.  His second wife was Rachel Morton.  They had another 8 children.  In 1736 he migrated to Pennsylvania. He wrote his will on 14 Jan 1752 and the will was probated on 23 Aug 1752. (3)

Sources

(1) Blackburn and Allied Descendants of John Blackburn Sr. who came from Ireland to Pennsylvania in 1736 by Evelyn D Gibson, 1978  

John Blackburn, Sr., farmer and probably a weaver; son of John and Elizabeth Blackburn, both of whom died in Loughgall, County Armagh, Ireland.  The designation of 'John, Sr.' is used hereafter since it soo appears in the Quaker records in Pennsylvania, and in deference to this man's status as head of the family and progenitor of this line of Blackburns in America.

The date of birth of John Blackburn, Sr. remains unknown; born probably at Loughgall in Co. Armagh, Ireland, and is known to have resided there before his migration to America in 1736; died between 1 mo.-14-1752 (date will will was signed) and 8 mo-23-1752 (date will was probated in York (now Adam) Co., Pa.); said to be buried at Old Menallen Burying Ground.

John Blackburn married twice, both times by Quaker ceremony at Ballyhagen Meeting, Armach, Ireland. He married first 8th mo 2, 1701, the widow Mary Courtney Winter of Muloughdroy, Ireland.  Mary died, probably in childbirth abt. 1712/13.   John married second at Ballyjagen Meeting "the sixteenth day of the third month called May" - 1717, Rachel Morton, b. 10 mo 18, 1694, daughter of William and Elinor Morton of Creanogh, County,  Armagh, (A transcript of the Richhill Meeting records lists the year of this second marriage as 1716, but the marriage certificate bears the date 1717.)

It is quite probable that John Blackburn first brought his family to the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Samuel and Elizabeth (Blackburn) Morton.  Samuel and Elizabeth had preceded John's family to America (arriving about 1729) and were members of New Garden Meeting. The exact place of residence of John Sr and family between 1736 an 1745 is unknown, although they remained members of New Garden during that time.

On August 20, 1745, a land warrant was issued to John Blackburn, Sr. for 100 acres of land on a small branch of Possum Creek in Menllen Twp. in Lancaster (now Adams) County, PA.  At a later date, the survey shows this tract of land actually contained 175 acres, 43 perches and an allowance of six percent for roads.  this property in Lancaster County was located in north central part of what is now Adams County.  If john Sr. followed the custom of the time, he may have lived on this land for a time before the land warrant was issued.

At New Garden Meeting 9th mo, 29, 1746: "John Blackburn Sr requests a certificate for self and family to Sadsbury Meeting.  Certificate to Sadsbury requested for Rachel Blackburn." 

York County PA Will Book A, page 63; Family History Library microfilm 22,131. This will designates wife, Rachel; four sons: John, Anthony, Joseph, Thomas and two daughters: Rachel Blackburn and Abigal Willson. "Whereas John Blackburn of Manalen Township County of York and Provance [sic] of Pensylvania [sic] being in Weakness of Body but of sound and Desposing mind and memory have thought good to make order and apoint [sic] this my last Will and Testement in Manner and form following Revoaking [sic] and Dissenuling [sic] all manner of Will or Wills before by me made. I Comit [sic] my Soul to God almighty who give it me and my Body to be Deacently [sic] Buried at the Descretion of Reachel [sic] Blackburn and my Son John Blackburn whom I order and appoint ?? Executors to see the orderly Accomplishments of the my Will and to see al my worldly Debts and Funeral Charges everywhere to be paid I do order and give to my Loveing Wife all and Singler my Hosuehold Goods and Chattles that I do now possess to her Youse [sic] and Disposing Except one cow and one sheep that I do have and give to my Daughter Reachel Blackburn and Except one Cow that I do have and give to my Daughter Abegill Willson it is allso [sic] my will and mind and I do give and devise unto my Sons Anthony and Joseph Blackburn my Plantation or Peck of Land that I now llive on to be Equaly [sic] divided Between them Except my Dwelling hous [sic] and Horses to the Use of my Loving Wife during her natural life or widow,wood [sic]. I do also order and alow [sic] that my two Sons Anthony Blackburn and Joseph Blackburn to provide and procure a Living or alow [sic] my Loveing [sic] wife to have a Living raisd upon the fr. willed Primessies during her natural Life or widowhood. I do also Leave and bequeth [sic] to my Sons Thomas and John Blackburn the Sume [sic] of five shillings to Each of them. In Witness whereof I do hereunto Set my Hand and Seal this fourteenth day of the first Month in the Year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and fifty two. John Blackburn signed by his mark. Signed Sealed & delivered in the Presents of Thomas Wilson & Jacob Henshaw."

(3) Will written 14 Jan 1752 and probated 23 Aug 1752
FHL film 22131 image 65
York County, PA Will BK A page 63

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