Sir William Blackett, 1st Baronet, of Newcastle
Encyclopedia
Sir William Blackett, 1st Baronet (May 1621 – 16 May 1680) was a businessman who founded a mercantile and industrial base in Newcastle
and was a member of the British House of Commons
representing Newcastle-upon-Tyne
.
Blackett was the third son of William Blackett
and his wife Isabella Crook and was born in Gateshead
. His father, was a successful businessman at Jarrow and Gateshead and retired to Hoppyland, County Durham
. Blackett was also a businessman and the following story about him was printed in the Newcastle Daily Journal of 18 April 1893.
"Sir William, soon after he commenced business risked his little all in a speculation in flax
, and having freighted a large vessel with that article received the unpleasant intelligence that the flax fleet had been dispersed in a storm, and most of the vessels either lost or captured by the enemy. He took his accustomed walk next morning, ruminating on his loss, and was aroused by the noise of a ship in the river. He jumped upon an adjoining hedge, hailed the vessel and found it to be his own, which had without difficulty weathered the storm. He instantly returned and hiring a horse rode in a very short time to London and hastened to the exchange, found the merchants in great alarm about the loss of the flax fleet and speaking of the consequent high price of flax. On informing them that he dealt in that article and had a large quantity to dispose of, speculators soon flocked around him and he sold his whole cargo at a most extravagant price, and the produce of that adventure laid the foundation for one of the largest fortunes acquired in Newcastle. Sir William (and also his children) is said to have regarded with a kind of veneration the hedge from which he first perceived the vessel and made it the extent of his future morning walks. "
He is believed to have extended his fortune by buying land in the 1660s and 1670s, and was also involved in coal and lead mining. He also had a successful career in public life, being firstly High Sheriff of Northumberland
in 1660. He was Governor of the Hostmen Company of Newcastle 1662–1663 and 1667–1668. He was an Alderman
of the City of Newcastle and became Mayor
of the City in 1666. In 1673 he was both knighted and then created a Baronet on 12 December. He was elected as Member of Parliament
for Newcastle in 1673 and retained his seat until 1680.
Blackett married Elizabeth Kirkley in 1645 and was succeeded as baronet by their son Edward
to whom he left a substantial fortune. He also left a fortune to his second son William who acquired the Wallington estate. Following the death of his first wife he married Margaret Rogers, widow of Captain John Rogers and daughter of Ralph Cock.
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
and was a member of the British House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
representing Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Newcastle-upon-Tyne (UK Parliament constituency)
Newcastle-upon-Tyne was a borough constituency in the county of Northumberland of the House of Commons of England to 1706 then of the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1918...
.
Blackett was the third son of William Blackett
Blackett
Blackett or Blacket is a surname of English derivation.Blackett is an English surname that originated in England and is found throughout the English speaking world. The name is a corruption of Black Head, and in early times had various spellings as Blakehed, Blackheved, Blackved and Blackett...
and his wife Isabella Crook and was born in Gateshead
Gateshead
Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England and is the main settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. Historically a part of County Durham, it lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne opposite Newcastle upon Tyne and together they form the urban core of Tyneside...
. His father, was a successful businessman at Jarrow and Gateshead and retired to Hoppyland, County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
. Blackett was also a businessman and the following story about him was printed in the Newcastle Daily Journal of 18 April 1893.
"Sir William, soon after he commenced business risked his little all in a speculation in flax
Flax
Flax is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. It is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and was probably first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent...
, and having freighted a large vessel with that article received the unpleasant intelligence that the flax fleet had been dispersed in a storm, and most of the vessels either lost or captured by the enemy. He took his accustomed walk next morning, ruminating on his loss, and was aroused by the noise of a ship in the river. He jumped upon an adjoining hedge, hailed the vessel and found it to be his own, which had without difficulty weathered the storm. He instantly returned and hiring a horse rode in a very short time to London and hastened to the exchange, found the merchants in great alarm about the loss of the flax fleet and speaking of the consequent high price of flax. On informing them that he dealt in that article and had a large quantity to dispose of, speculators soon flocked around him and he sold his whole cargo at a most extravagant price, and the produce of that adventure laid the foundation for one of the largest fortunes acquired in Newcastle. Sir William (and also his children) is said to have regarded with a kind of veneration the hedge from which he first perceived the vessel and made it the extent of his future morning walks. "
He is believed to have extended his fortune by buying land in the 1660s and 1670s, and was also involved in coal and lead mining. He also had a successful career in public life, being firstly High Sheriff of Northumberland
High Sheriff of Northumberland
This is a list of the High Sheriffs of the English county of Northumberland.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post...
in 1660. He was Governor of the Hostmen Company of Newcastle 1662–1663 and 1667–1668. He was an Alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
of the City of Newcastle and became Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the City in 1666. In 1673 he was both knighted and then created a Baronet on 12 December. He was elected as Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Newcastle in 1673 and retained his seat until 1680.
Blackett married Elizabeth Kirkley in 1645 and was succeeded as baronet by their son Edward
Sir Edward Blackett, 2nd Baronet
Sir Edward Blackett, 2nd Baronet was a baronet and a member of the British House of Commons representing Ripon and Northumberland.Blackett was the eldest surviving son of William Blackett and his wife Elizabeth Kirkley...
to whom he left a substantial fortune. He also left a fortune to his second son William who acquired the Wallington estate. Following the death of his first wife he married Margaret Rogers, widow of Captain John Rogers and daughter of Ralph Cock.