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| Old Spitalfields Market Image: Hulki Okan Tabak | Pixabay |
Maria Thompson, daughter of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis, married John Blackett. Well, I'll give this pair of slippery characters the benefit of the doubt: on the census returns they say that they're married, but I haven't [yet] found a record of a wedding anywhere. John Blackett's birthplace is given as Spitalfields and there is a potential baptism at St. Leonard's, Shoreditch on 27 Jul 1811, which would make him the son of a Joseph and Frances Blackett.
Likewise, they appear reticent to register their children:
- Maria Blackett bap. 29 Jun 1834 at St Mary's, Whitechapel
- Henry Blackett born 1847 (mentioned only on 1851 census)
In 1841, Maria Blackett (25) Dressmaker - no sign of John or any child - is staying with her brother Daniel, in Cransley, Northamptonshire.
In 1851, John and Maria Blackett are living in Wellington Place, Back Road, St George in the East with the household comprising: John Blackett (39), Butcher; Maria (38); Henry Blackett (4) and George Collins (24), Carpenter, Widower, Lodger; John Nursey (18) Lodger and John Grant (25) Lodger.
In 1861, at 4, Back Road, St George in the East, are John Blackett (49) Butcher; Maria (47); William Hill Adcock (21) Bookseller's Assistant, Visitor (Maria's brother Daniel's wife's brother's son); Benjamin Thompson (19) Bricklayer, Nephew (Daniel's son) and Henry M Thompson (10), Sugar Maker, Nephew.
John Blackett died in 1866, in St George in the East, aged 54.