| 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 business. |
Longcase Clock by John Blaylock (1) of Longtown, 30 hour, 12" Brass Dial LC1
This is the earliest Blaylock clock I have so far encounted and it probably dates from 1767. The name of the first owner, John Crawford, is engraved in the arch of the dial. A search of the LDS Church records reveals that a John Crawford, the son of John Crawford, was baptised in St. Mary's, Carlisle on the 18th October 1767. Interestingly John Blaylock (1), the clockmaker, married Hannah Liddell in this same church on 14th February 1767. The clock has a number of features associated with Blaylock clocks of the period, namely, it is somewhat tall with a long trunk door, heavy swan neck pediment, canted corners to the base and is devoid of brass embellishments. The handle to the trunk door is of a type known as an axe drop and most brass dialled Blaylock clocks made in Longtown have this as a standard fitting. 30 hour movement, Oak case 7ft. 8in. 12in. brass arch dial. or return to 31 December, 2005 |
