Details of Sculptor

Surname

Blackburn

Alternative Surname

First Name

John I and II, of Norwich

Initial of Surname

B

Year of Birth/Baptism

Flourished

c1774-1813

Year of Death

Biographical Details

They were stone and marble masons active in Norwich c1774-1813. In 1774 John Blackburn I advertised in the Norwich Mercury that he had taken over the business of John Ivory ‘in all its branches’ and was ready to take orders. In 1776 another notice in the same paper stated that Ivory had ‘about two years since by Deed in Writing, in consideration of one Hundred Pounds then paid him, resigned the above yard all his business in the Stone mason way to the said John Blackburn’. In 1788 Blackburn placed an advertisement in the Bury Post stating that ‘the articles which existed between Mr. Ivory and him confining him from executing marble business has been for some time by mutual consent entirely dissolved. He now executes every article in the stone and marble branches. Monuments, ornamental and plain chimney-pieces in the most improved taste, best manner and on reasonable terms’.
In 1784 Blackburn’s son, John Blackburn II advertised that he had ‘taken Part of his Father’s Yard in the Rose-lane, King Street, where he executed on his own Account every article in the Stone and Marble business’ (Norwich Mercury, 14 Feb1784). It is, therefore, unclear which of the Blackburns became a freeman of Norwich in 1788 and was employed by Sir Thomas Proctor Beauchamp on repairs to Langley Park, Norfolk, in 1796 (Beauchamp Archives, cited by Gunnis 1968, 56). It was probably the younger Blackburn who sold the stock in trade of his business at Castle Meadow, Norwich, in 1813 (Norwich Mercury, 14 Aug 1813) and died the following year ‘aged about fifty years, after a lingering illness’ (Bury Post, 18 May 1814).
Literary References: Gunnis 1968, 56; RG/JP, 2, 163
Archival References: GPC
Additional Manuscript Sources: Blackburn/Cobb