Person Page - 308

     Rev. John Durburrow Blair was born on 15 October 1759 at Faggs Manor, Chester Co., PA. He was the son of Rev. John Blair and Susan Durburrow. Occupation: Pastor (Presbyterian.)
Note: From The Encyclopedia of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America ...:

He was born at Fagg's Manor, Pennsylvania, October 15th, 1759. He was a son of the Rev. John Blair. He graduated from the College of New Jersey in the year 1775. After his graduation he was appointed, on the recommendation of Dr. Witherspoon, Principal of Washington Henry Academy, in Virginia, where he remained for a number of years. October 28th, 1784, he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Hanover. Soon after this he received a call from the Church in Pole Green, in Hanover, of which the Rev. Samuel Davis had been pastor while in Virginia, and having accepted the call, was ordained to the pastoral office. About 1792 he was induced to remove to Richmond, and open a classical school. At the same time he began to gather a church, holding his services in the Capitol. In due course of time a building was erected for his congregation, on Shockoe Hill, where he officiated during the remainder of his life. He died, January 10th, 1823. Mr. Blair was highly esteemed in the community. He was a man of benevolence, of polished manners, and fitted to adorn any company As a preacher he was solid and orthodox. His style was graceful and polished, and his delivery was in perfect keeping with his style. One of his peculiarities was that he was never willing to marry any one who had not been baptized, and sometimes, when he discovered at the moment when the ceremony was about to be performed that the bride had not received baptism, he would abruptly pause and proceed to administer it.

Rev. John Durburrow Blair died on 10 January 1823 at Richmond, VA, at age 63.

     John Blair III was born on 13 September 1790 at Jonesborough, Washington Co., TN.¹ He married Mary H. Chester on 7 August 1812 at Jonesborough, Washington Co., TN. John Blair III died on 22 March 1863 at Jonesborough, Washington Co., TN, at age 72.

     Judith M. Blair was born on 2 February 1945 at Cambridge, Guernsey Co., OH. She married Danny L. Allender, son of Milford Leo Allender and Anna Barbara Gress, in 1991. Judith M. Blair died on 9 July 2019 at Cambridge, Guernsey Co., OH, at age 74.

     Maranda Blair was born on 22 May 1861 at Harrison Co., IN. She married William Quebbeman on 10 March 1883 at Harrison Co., IN. Maranda Blair died on 3 March 1923 at Harrison Co., IN, at age 61.

     Margaret Blair married George T. Johns.¹

     Note: Possibly the daughter of William Frank Blair and Bridget "Agnes" Fahey, found in the 1910 and 1920 censuses, Columbus, Ohio. Margaret Alice Blair was born circa 1905 at Ohio.¹ She married Serle David DeVault, son of Joseph Gilbert DeVault and Nannie Elvira DePew, on 14 February 1930.

     Margaret Elizabeth Blair was born in 1710 at Ireland. She was the daughter of Samuel Blair and Martha Campbell Lyle. Margaret Elizabeth Blair married George Duffield on 5 March 1759 at Pennsylvania.

     Margaret Ellen Blair was born on 29 February 1844 at Seneca Co., OH. She was the daughter of Isaac Blair and Margaret Ann Weeks. Margaret Ellen Blair married Levi Nutter, son of Benjamin Starr Nutter and Margaret Martin, on 8 March 1866 at Poneto, Wells Co., IN. Margaret Ellen Blair died on 7 February 1913 at Missaukee Co., MI, at age 68. She was buried in February 1913 at Caldwell Township Cemetery, Caldwell Twp., Missaukee Co., MI, Findagrave #49975503.

     Millard Blair was born on 30 June 1888 at Virden, Macoupin Co., IL.¹ He was the son of James Rufus Blair and Permelia Caroline Davis.¹ Millard Blair married Mabel Lena Curry, daughter of James Albert Curry and Emma Isadora Rigg, circa 1914. Millard Blair died on 10 January 1919 at Springfield, Sangamon Co., IL, at age 30. He was buried in January 1919 at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon Co., IL, Findagrave #35954392.

     Minnie Blair was born on 4 October 1890 at Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI. She married Lewis Turney Oberheim, son of Rev. William Wesley Oberheim and Susan Catherine Smith. Minnie Blair died on 24 December 1923 at Freeport, Stephenson Co., IL, at age 33. She was buried in December 1923 at Center Hill Cemetery, Center Hill, Carroll Co., IL, Findagrave #89553796.

     Montgomery Blair was born on 10 May 1813. He was the son of Francis Preston Blair and Eliza Violet Gist.

     Naomi or Nannie Blair was born. She was the daughter of Judge William Blair.

     Paul Cornelius Blair was born on 29 October 1915 at Mechanicsburg, Sangamon Co., IL. He was the son of Millard Blair and Mabel Lena Curry. Paul Cornelius Blair married Carol June Groharing, daughter of Louis Kyle Groharing and Lela Ann Nace, on 9 June 1937 at Davenport, Scott Co., IA. Paul Cornelius Blair died on 17 April 1999 at Tampa, Hillsborough Co., FL, at age 83.

     Rebecca Blair was born in 1754 at Sussex Co., NJ. She was the daughter of Rev. John Blair and Susan Durburrow. Rebecca Blair married Rev. Dr. William Linn, son of William Linn and Susanna Trimble, on 10 January 1774 at Princeton, Mercer Co., NJ. Rebecca Blair died in 1799 at New York City, NY.

     Rose J. Blair was born on 6 November 1911. She married Geza Ratzenberger. Rose J. Blair died on 21 April 1992 at age 80.

     Note: From The Encyclopedia of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America ...:

He was born in Ireland, June 14th, 1712. He came to America when quite young, and was educated at the Log College at Nashaminy under the Rev. William Tennent. Having completed his classical and theological study, he was licensed to preach, November 9th, 1733, by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, and in the following September accepted a call to Middletown and Shrewsbury, New Jersey. Here he continued about five years, but there are no records remaining to indicate the amount of success that attended his labors. He was called to Cranbury, New Jersey in 1734, but apparently did not accept. In 1739 he received a call to the Church in New Londonderry, otherwise called Fagg's Manor, in Pennsylvania. This call he accepted, and removed to his new residence in November, 1739, but his installation did not take place until April, 1740. Shortly after his settlement at Fagg's Manor he established a classical school, which produced such men as Davies, Rodgers, Cumming, James Finley, Robert Smith and Hugh Henry, "as scholars, preachers, pastors, patriots, in their piety and success," says Webster, "a noble company of goodly fellowship, showing the Church what manner of men the apostles and martyrs were."
In connection with Mr. Blair's ministry at Fagg's Manor, there occurred, in 1740, a very remarkable revival of religion. The number of the awakened increased very fast; scarcely a sermon or a lecture through the whole Summer failed to produce impressions, and many persons afforded very hopeful, satisfying evidence that the Lord had brought them to a true acceptance of Christ.

Mr Blair made a tour of preaching through New England in the Summer of 1744. He was a prominent actor in those scenes which, in his day, agitated and finally divided the Presbyterian Church. He agreed with Gilbert Tennent in his opinions, and cooperated with him in his measures, and, of course, rendered himself obnoxious to the "Old Side" party in the Church. In his doctrinal views he was a thorough Calvinist, as appears from his "Treatise on Predestination and Reprobation."

Mr. Blair's last illness was contracted from his going, upon an urgent call, and in an enfeebled state of body, to meet the Trustees of New Jersey College. As he approached his end, he expressed the strongest desire to depart and be with Christ, and but a minute or two before his departure, he exclaimed, "The Bridegroom is come, and we shall now have all things." The monument over his remains in the burying ground of Fagg's Manor bears the following inscription:--

Here lieth the body of

The Rev. Samuel Blair Who departed this lifeThe Fifth Day of July, 1751, Aged Thirty-nine Years and Twenty-one Days.

In yonder sacred house I spent my breath; Now silent, mouldering, here I lie in death;These lips shall wake, and yet declare A dread Amen to truths they published there.

He was the brother of Rev. John Blair and his sister married Robert Smith, of Fagg's Manor. Robert Smith had two famous educator sons: John Blair Smith and Samuel Stanhope Smith. His daughter married another famous educator, Rev. David Rice, the first Presbyterian minister to settle permanently in Kentucky.

Samuel Blair was born on 14 August 1712 at Ireland. He was the son of Samuel Blair and Martha Campbell Lyle. Samuel Blair died on 5 July 1751 at Fagg's Manor, PA, at age 38.

     Samuel Blair was born at County Antrim, Ireland. He married Martha Campbell Lyle. Samuel Blair died on 20 March 1754.

     Samuel Blair was born. He was the son of Judge William Blair.

     Note: From "Encyclopedia of the Presbyterian Church in the United States ..."

He was a son of the Rev. Samuel Blair, of Fagg's Manor, Chester county, Pennsylvania, and nephew of the Revs. John Blair and Robert Smith, and brother-in-law of Rev. David Rice. He was born at that Fagg's Manor in 1741. He graduated at the College of New Jersey with honor, in 1760, at the age of nineteen. He afterwards served as tutor there for about three years--from 1761 to 1764. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of New Castle, in 1764. He was popular as a preacher from his first appearance in the pulpit. His discourses were written out in full, with great care, and his elocution was at once chaste and impressive.

In November, 1766, Mr. Blair was installed pastor of the old South Church in Boston, as a colleague of the Rev. Dr. Sewall. On his way there, after his acceptance of the call, he was shipwrecked in the night, losing his wardrobe and manuscripts, and escaping narrowly with his life. His exposure on this occasion, injured his health and the loss of his sermons, which he had written with great care, depressed his spirits. He resigned his charge October 10, 1769. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Pennsylvania, in 1790. After resigning his charge at Boston, he took up his residence at Germantown, now a part of Philadelphia, where he passed the remainder of his life, in retirement and devotion to his books, except that he served two years as Chaplain of the Continental Congress, and preached at other times, occasionally as opportunity offered. Mr. Blair was a man of polished manners, and a superior scholar, a well-read theologian and an eloquent pulpit orator. He published two sermons, one of which was occasioned by the death of his first cousin, the Rev. Dr. John Blair Smith, Philadelphia, 1799. Rev. Samuel Blair was born in 1741. He was the son of Samuel Blair. Rev. Samuel Blair died in 1818.

     Thomas H. Blair was born in March 1850 at Indiana.¹ He married Joanna Brown on 3 March 1881 at Jasper Co., IL. Thomas H. Blair lived on 2 June 1900 at Noble, Richland Co., IL, teamster.¹ He died on 24 April 1915 at Richland Co., IL, at age 65.

     Judge William Blair was born in 1730 at Ireland or American Colonies. He was the son of Samuel Blair and Martha Campbell Lyle. Judge William Blair died in 1778.
Note: Parents and descendants of William Blair based on the research of Joseph Fox, 2012.

     (?) Blaisdell married Elizabeth Ball, daughter of Joseph Ball and Cordelia May Bird, after 4 April 1940.¹

     Abraham Blake was born circa 1804 at Virgninia.¹ He married Margaret (?).

     Agnes Ann Blake was born circa 1905 at Madison Co. (probably), IN. She was the daughter of Henry Blake and Ora Mae Keesling.

     Albert C. Blake was born circa 1877 at Adams Twp., Madison Co., IN.¹ He was the son of Joseph P. Blake and Ruhama Williams.¹

     Anna E. Blake was born circa 1854 at Illinois.² She married Alexander McLean Wright.² Anna E. Blake was buried at Moran Cemetery, Moran, Allen Co., KS.

     Anna Maria Blake was also known as "Dolly". She was born in 1843. She married Col. Henry Middleton Rutledge. Anna Maria Blake died on 21 February 1872. She was buried in February 1872 at Calvary Episcopal Church Cemetery, Fletcher, Henderson Co., NC, Findagrave #117813493.

     Dr. Benjamin F. Blake was born in November 1855 at West Virginia.¹ He married Armina V. Munsinger, daughter of Joseph Munsinger and Martha E. Stang, circa 1885, No children as of 1900 census.¹

     Cophine Audrie Blake was born circa 1904 at Madison Co. (probably), IN. She was the daughter of Henry Blake and Ora Mae Keesling.

     Dellie M. Blake was born in February 1888 at Madison Co. (probably), IN.¹ She was the daughter of Henry Blake.¹