APPENDIX. 



No. I. — Page 6i. 



The Rev. Robert Blackwell. D. D. 



The Rev. Robert Blackwell, D. D., as we learn from the "Annals 

 of Newtown, Long Island," a historical work by James Riker, Esq.,* 

 was descended from English ancestors of his own name. The ancient 

 importance in England of the family of Blackwell, itself, is indicated, 

 says Mr. Riker, by the fact that no less than six towns in that kingdom 

 bear the name. An engraving in Mr. Riker's book, from an ancient 

 seal, would indicate that the branch of this family from which the 

 subject of our notice came was that one long settled in the county of 

 Norfolk. 



The great-grandfather of the Rev. Dr. Blackwell was named, like Dr. 

 Blackwell himself, Robert. We find him established, a. d. 1676, more 

 than two centuries ago, at Newtown, L. I., where he became owner of 

 valuable estates upon the East river, and with them of the island in that 

 water immediately opposite to New York, now and for two hundred 

 years past known as Blackwell's island. He married, a. d. 1676, Mary 

 Manningham, and died in or about the year 171 7. 



The son of this Robert was Jacob Blackwell, born August 4, 1692. 

 He succeeded to his paternal estates, upon which he is supposed to 

 have erected the fine mansion which he long occupied, yet, or lately, 

 standing — directly opposite to Blackwell's island — and hereinafter 

 mentioned. f He married, loth of May, 1711, Mary, daughter of Cap- 

 tain William Hallet and Sarah, his wife, daughter of George Woolsey, 

 of Jamaica, L. I. Captain Hallet, by grants dated December i, 1652, 

 and August, 1654, acquired large possessions at Hell-Gate and upon 

 that portion of the island which now bears the name of Hallet's Cove. 



* Page 354. 



f Its position is indicated on Mr. Riker's map of Newtown as " The Old Blackwell 

 House, now Rev. J. L. Thomson's." 



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