Nothing is known about the early life of William. He is Ian's 6x great grandfather.

William was probably involved in the repairs of the merchant ship William & Elizabeth in 1787. This ship had been built on the Thames in 1770 but required a thorough overhaul due to damage and age. In the petition of his widow, Frances, to Trinity House after his death in 1797 she stated that he had been employed as Mate and Carpenter for ten years. It's likely that William was engaged as shipwright for the repairs in 1787 and then joined as the ship's carpenter on its subsequent voyages. This suggest he was already an experienced shipwright by 1787 and hence had the role of Mate in addition to carpenter on board the ship.^a1,b1

He married Frances Pickering (1763–?)★ on 20 Sep, 1789 at St. Giles Church in St. Giles in the Fields, Middlesex, England^c1 and went on to have three children with her:–

• Esther baptised on 23 Sep, 1785 at St. Paul's Church in Shadwell, Middlesex, England^d1. Married Gabriel Badder on 30 Nov, 1812 at St. Giles Church, St. Giles in the Fields^c2. Died.
• William Edward★, shipwright, baptised on 28 Feb, 1790 at St. Mary's Church in Whitechapel, Middlesex, England^e1. Married Elizabeth Bain★ on 11 Feb, 1812 at St. Giles Church, St. Giles in the Fields^c3,f1. Died on 28 May, 1845 at 42 Caroline Street in Ratcliff, Middlesex, England^g1 at the age of fifty-five.
• John Alexander baptised on 3 Oct, 1794 at All Hallows Church in All Hallows Barking, London, England^h1.

William died in 1796 aboard the William & Elizabeth^b1,n1. In 1797 William's widow, Frances, submitted a petition to Trinity House for a pension to support herself and her three children after his death. She stated that William had been Mate and Carpenter on the William and Elizabeth for over ten years and that he had died on a voyage to Nevis in the Leeward Islands.

Timeline

1785

23 Sep

Daughter, Esther Blackbrough (1785–?), baptised at St. Paul's Church, Shadwell, Middlesex, England.^d1
Recorded as living at Shakespears Walk, Shadwell, Middlesex, England.^d1
Occupation recorded as shipwright.^d1

1789

30 Aug

Marriage banns read to marry Frances Pickering★ at St. Giles Church, St. Giles in the Fields, Middlesex, England.^c4
Recorded as living in St. Giles in the Fields, Middlesex, England.^c4

6 Sep

Marriage banns read to marry Frances Pickering★ at St. Giles Church, St. Giles in the Fields.^c4

13 Sep

Marriage banns read to marry Frances Pickering★ at St. Giles Church, St. Giles in the Fields.^c4

20 Sep

Married Frances Pickering★ at St. Giles Church, St. Giles in the Fields.^c1
Recorded as living in St. Giles in the Fields.^c1

1790

28 Feb

Son, William Edward Blackbrough (1790–1845)★, baptised at St. Mary's Church, Whitechapel, Middlesex, England.^e1
Recorded as living at Court Street, Whitechapel, Middlesex, England.^e1

1794

18 May

Son, John Alexander Blackbrough (1794–?), born in All Hallows Barking, London, England.^h1

1796

Occupation recorded as mate and carpenter aboard the William & Elizabeth.^b1
Occupation recorded as shipwright.^b1
Died aboard the William & Elizabeth.^b1,n1

Facts