Mary (Hallett) Blackwell (1687 - 1743)

Born 22 Oct 1687 in Newtown, Queens, Province of New York

Ancestors

Wife of Jacob Blackwell — married 10 May 1711 in Newtown, Queens, Province of New York

Descendants

Died 26 Aug 1743 at age 55 in Newtown, Queens, Province of New York

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Daphne Maddox [send private message]

Biography

Mary’s grandparents were transplanted Brits. They had come to America and “bought” farmland on Long Island from the Indians. They had been able to feed and shelter themselves and coexist with the native Indians. Mary’s father inherited land from his father and was prosperous. Mary was the eighth of ten children. She was born on 22 Oct 1687 on Long Island.

She married Jacob Blackwell on 10 May 1711 in Newtown, Queens when she was 24

Mary and Jacob had seven children and their eldest, Sarah, was our direct ancestor. The family lived in a stone house on their farm on Blackwell Island. They inherited the farm from Jacob’s father. Blackwell Island (and Hallet’s Cove) eventually became Astoria, an area situated in the northwestern corner of the borough of Queens in New York City.

Mary helped out friends and relatives when she could. She was loyal, generous and tolerant. She must have been a good cook, too, for her husband weighed over 400 pounds when he died.

Mary died on 26 Aug 1743 at the age of 56. Jacob died 1 Dec 1744, in his 63d yr.

Sources

• Dwight, Benjamin W., Last Additions to The History of The Woolsey Family, NYGBR (NYGBS, 1875) Vol. 6, Page 28.