John Blaylock (1) was the first of the family to become a clockmaker.

He was born in 1736 at a hamlet called Hunters Holm close to the river Lyne in the parish of Arthuret, Cumberland. His parents were Edward and Jenetta Blacklock.

In 1753 he was apprenticed to the clockmaker Archibald Lawrie of Carlisle for seven years.

He married Hannah Liddle of Burgh by Sands at the parish Church of St. Mary's, Carlisle on 14th February 1767.

The couple moved to Longtown in 1768 and began the Blaylock Clockmaking busines

Dial Progression - Longtown Clocks

It is opportune at this point to compare the chapter rings of the brass dial Longtown clocks. 

LC1 was made in the late 1760's and the minute band is composed of short radial lines encompased between two circular lines.

A considerable change takes place on dial LC2 made in the 1770's. The two circular lines are absent but each five minute interval is still indicated by a short radial line. Four large round dots now indicate the minutes in between. Dials of this type having both early and later features are sometimes known as transitional.

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The dial of LC3 made in the 1780's shows the final stage of development when the chapter ring has minute markers composed entirely of large round dots.

Forward to LC4

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01 January 2006