Person Page - 318

     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

     Dixie L. Blake was born on 8 December 1928 at Brunswick, Chariton Co., MO. She married James Patrick Higgins, son of John Mathew Higgins and Hildred Katherine Withers, in 1952. Dixie L. Blake died on 30 November 2007 at Sun City, Maricopa Co., AZ, at age 78

Obituary -- (Findagrave.com):

Daughter of Charles & Evelyn (Shull) Blake.

Married to Jim Higgins.

Survived by her husband Jim of 55 years. Other survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, James Patrick and Shirley Higgins of Seward, NE Michael and Cecilia Higgins of Reno, NV and daughter and son-in-law Catherine and Scott Von Minden of Lincoln. Dixie also leaves 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and a sister Charlotte Blake of Sun City, AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Blake T Higgins and a granddaughter Christa Ocken.

She was buried in December 2007 at Greenwood Cemetery, York, York Co., NE, Findagrave #23240183.

     Donna Jean Blake was born on 28 September 1944 at Madison, Dane Co., WI. She was the daughter of Robert Lincoln Blake and Mildred June Nabholz. Donna Jean Blake married Eugene Matthew Brabender, not married -- her obituary refers to Gene as her "significant other". Eugene was first married to Karen Jean Zespy in 1964. Donna Jean Blake died on 26 November 2005 at age 61

Obituary, the Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI, 7 DEC 2005, p.6:

Meland, Donna Jean
BLUE MOUNDS -- Donna Jean Meland, age 61, of Blue Mounds, died unexpectedly on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2005, at her home. She was courageously battling cancer. She spent most of her time devoting herself to her children and her granddaughter, Amber. All her precious cats will miss her dearly. Donna is survived by her children, Kim (Dusty) Mainwaring of Mount Horeb, Norm Meland of Colorado, and Brenda Ann Blake; her granddaughter whom Donna treasured dearly, Amber Brabender; a brother, Benjamin Blake; two sisters, Roberta (Al) Johnson, both of Mount Horeb, and Judie (Duane) Meier of Illinois; her significant other, Gene Brabender's children; two sons Kenny (Sandra) Brabender and Tony (Sue) Brabender and their children, Seth, Tara and Raquel; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert in 1950 and Mildred in 1996, Blake and her significant other, Gene Brabender in 1996. In respect to her family and friends, it was Donna's wish to die quietly and in private. A private graveside service was held on her brother Benjamin Blake's birthday, Friday, Dec. 2, 2005, at Resurrection Cemetery in Madison.

She was buried in 2005 at Resurrection Cemetery, Madison, Dane Co., WI, Findagrave #12620469.

     Eleanor Blake was born circa 1916 at Madison Co., IN.¹ She was the daughter of Harry Blake and Della Thelma Markle.¹

     Ellen M. Blake was born circa 1902 at Madison Co. (probably), IN. She was the daughter of Henry Blake and Ora Mae Keesling.

     Ellsworth L. Blake was born in 1889 at Jackson Co., OH. He married Pearl M. Vance on 1 January 1911.

     Emma Blake was born circa 1904 at Madison Co., IN.¹ She was the daughter of Harry Blake and Della Thelma Markle.¹

     Florence Blake was born in March 1884 at Madison Co. (probably), IN.¹ She was the daughter of Ralph Blake and Emma R. Brandenberg.¹ Florence Blake married Howard A. Hodson, son of William W. Hodson and Elizabeth Rachael Windell, on 11 February 1907 at Madison Co., IN. Florence Blake died in 1918. She was buried in 1918 at Mechanicsburg Cemetery, Mechanicsburg, Henry Co., IN.

     Florence Mary Blake was born on 14 January 1896 at California.¹ She was the daughter of John Francis Blake and Margaret Cecilia McGuire. Florence Mary Blake married Frederick Dorsey Schnebly, son of David Miller Schnebly and Mary Rummel Cromer, on 28 June 1922, Ceremony by Rev. M. Power.² Florence Mary Blake died on 11 October 1974 at Santa Clara Co., CA, at age 78. She was buried in October 1974 at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Menlo Park, San Mateo Co., CA.

     Francis M. Blake was born on 2 June 1830. He was the son of Theopholis W. Blake. Francis M. Blake married Frances Romaine Womeldorff, daughter of Daniel Warren Womeldorff and Harriet Newell Kerr, on 25 March 1857 at Gallia Co., OH. Francis M. Blake died on 14 September 1901 at age 71. He was buried in September 1901 at Payne Cemetery, Chenoa, Livingston Co., IL, Findagrave #10554785.

     George O. Blake was born in September 1890 at Madison Co. (probably), IN.¹ He was the son of Ralph Blake and Emma R. Brandenberg.¹ George O. Blake married Hallie M. (?).²

     Goldie Marie Blake was born on 14 July 1911 at Danville, Highland Co., OH. She was the daughter of Ellsworth L. Blake and Pearl M. Vance. Goldie Marie Blake married Delbert Richard Hixson, son of Arthur L. Hixson and Elmyra Kidd, on 6 December 1930 at Ohio. Goldie Marie Blake died on 17 November 2005 at Blanchester, Clinton Co., OH, at age 94.

     Harlan E. Blake was born on 31 December 1918 at Ogle Co., IL. He was the son of Hugh Blake and Kathryn Elizabeth Long. Harlan E. Blake began military service on 19 August 1942 WW II service, enlisted, unmarried, per U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 (index only), online at ancestry.com. He died at Leaf River, Ogle Co., IL.

     Harry Blake was born in July 1878 at Madison Co. (probably), IN.¹ He was the son of Ralph Blake and Emma R. Brandenberg.¹ Harry Blake married Della Thelma Markle, daughter of Samuel Markle and Ann Sarah Riggs, on 10 January 1901 at Madison Co., IN. Harry Blake died in 1915. He was buried in 1915 at Mechanicsburg Cemetery, Mechanicsburg, Henry Co., IN.