Family History

The Blackstones

The name of BLACKSTONE is believed to have been derived from the range of hills on the borders of Northumberland and Durham Counties, in northernmost England. New Castle-on-Tyne (Tyne River) in Northumberland County and the city of Durham in Durham County appear as the earliest recordings of the family with SIR HUGH BLACKSTONE as the first of the line of whom there is definite record.

Benjamin Joseph Blackstone: Called “Ben”. He was named on the 1880 Census of Intruders to the Delaware Nation. He was 5 at the time. He was missing his left arm from the elbow. This was due to an accidental explosion at work. He had blue eyes. When he was young he had black hair. Ben Blackstone worked as a Contractor, building track bed for the Rail Road, a farmer, and clearing a road right of way. He lived in Texas, and Idaho, and returned to Texas in 1942. (marriage license)

Laura Ethel Blackstone: Called “Ethel”. She grew beautiful Roses. Her flower beds were full and always full of blossoms. Her biscuits were the best to be found anywhere.

She enjoyed listening to wrestling on the radio. Laura had her ears pierced when she was a young girl. She played the piano, the organ, and the Jew’s harp, all by ear. As the mother of 13 children Laura sent children to school each morning for over 38 years.

Their Children

Jesse Dell Blackstone:

Called “Jess”. Her brothers helped her elope to marry Willard Billings. She actually married Willard twice, once in 1924 and again after WWII. Jesse enlisted in the WACS on November 24, 1942. Her date of service was from August 12, 1943 to July 17, 1947. She was discharged at Eglin Field, Florida. Jesse had achieved the rank of Sergeant. She was an Aviation Cadet and later in the Army Air Corps. She received a Good Conduct Medal; Women’s Army Corps Service Medal; World War II Victory Medal; and Lapel Button WWII. Jesse was a member of the Eastern Star. She had one daughter and one step-son. Jess lived in Texas.

Albert Douglas Blackstone: Called “Bert”. In his early years he was a cowboy in West Texas and participated in some of the last cattle drives in that area. He was an amateur historian. He was a pipe fitter and was a member of the Pipe Fitter’s Union for thirty years. Bert played the Violin by ear. He and his wife, Bea, were married for fifty-five years. Bert had one son. Bert lived in California.

Joseph Franklin Blackstone: Called “Joe”. Joe was performing at the All-Florida rodeo at the Southwest Florida Fair when he was trampled by the steer he was bulldogging. Joe died from his injuries. He had performed at Madison Square Garden and was rated the fifth best showman in the United States. Joe was a member of the Turtle Association. He lived in Texas.

Victor Carol Blackstone: Called “Vic”. Vic left home at the age of 13. He and his wife, Faye, were married on horse back. In 1939 he became the first man to ever win all five rodeo events. Vic was a member of the Turtle Association. In 1982 he was named to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. There are so many interesting facts about Vic Blackstone, I will not attempt to list them all. He lived in Florida.

Lee Roy Blackstone: Called “Doc”. He was a rodeo cowboy and did very well at bronco riding. Doc was a member of the Turtle Association. He enlisted in the army at Abilene, Texas on November 16, 1942. He was a member of the 7^th Calvary. During the war, the 7^th Calvary drove tanks. While he was stationed in the Philippines Doc decided to put on a rodeo for the troops. He rode a water buffalo as if it were a bull and bulldogged a steer from a jeep. They had rodeo clowns, too. Doc had a daughter. He lived in Texas.

Maggie May Blackstone: Called “Mag”. She was a very down to earth person. She believed in people getting an education and she was willing to help them accomplish that goal. At the age of 16 Maggie was studying to get her teaching certificate. The name of the horse she enjoyed riding the most was Red Oak. He was a frisky horse, but, she was a good horse woman. She began researching the Blackstone Family Genealogy in the early 1960s. She had a daughter. Maggie lived in Idaho and later in Washington State.

David Howard Blackstone: Called “Dude”. He was a member of the CCC’s before the war. Dude enlisted in the U. S. Army on May 14, 1942 at Boise, Idaho. He served until April 14, 1943. He was discharged at Camp Barkeley, Texas. His assignment was at Headquarters Detachment, Medical Replacement Training Center (MRTC). After the war he became a heavy equipment operator. He was well known in Texas for his perfection in his work. He had two sons and a step-daughter and a step-son. Dude lived in Idaho, Colorado, and Utah.

Ernest Edward Blackstone: Called “Ernie”. Ernest was a talented artist. As a school boy he would draw wonderful maps. He enlisted in the military during World War II. He was a paratrooper in the 82^nd Airborne Division. He was in the Rhineland invasion, was wounded and won several commendations for bravery. He was dropped behind enemy lines seven times. After the war he became an independent trucking operator. Ernest had two sons, a daughter, and a step-daughter and a step-son. He lived in Texas.

Alice Nellie Blackstone: Called “Dumpy”. During World War II she worked as a practical nurse in Douglas, Arizona. She is an excellent business woman. At one time she was a ballroom dancing enthusiast. She began researching the Blackstone Family Genealogy in the early 1960s. Alice has two sons and a daughter and a step-daughter. Alice lives in Texas.

Josephine Elizabeth Blackstone: Called “Josie”. Josie was a welder at the Dickson Gun Plant in Houston during World War II. On December 22, 1957 Josie began teaching a Sunday School Class of 12 year old girls at the Westview Baptist Church in Houston. She is an excellent seamstress. Josie has two sons and a daughter. Josie has lived in Idaho, Arkansas, Montana, and Texas.

Dorothy Louise Blackstone : Called “Dorth”. She worked at the Houston shipyard during World War II. Dorothy was the mother of twin girls. She was an amateur historian. She had four daughters and two sons. Dorothy lived in Texas and then moved to Louisiana.

Robert E. Blackstone: Called “Bob”. As a teenager he was selected by the Boy Scouts for the Order of the Arrow. He enlisted in the U. S. Marines Air Wing Division. He was stationed at the El Toro Air Base in California. Bob is an excellent mechanic and had an automobile repair shop in Houston called Blackstone’s Garage. He worked in the oil industry over seas for many years. He is a wonderful inventor. Bob is also a family historian. He and his wife, Gay Nell have been married for over fifty years. At their 50^th Wedding Anniversary Party the eight original members of their wedding party attended. They were all still in good health and good spirits. A photograph was taken at this Anniversary with Bob and Gay Nell and all members of the Wedding Party in the same position as a photo taken at the original Wedding 50 years earlier. Bob has two daughters. Bob and Gay Nell have lived in South America, Saudi Arabia, and Texas.

Jimmie Garner Blackstone: Called “Jimbo”. Was All-City tackle at Sam Houston High School. He became Co-Captain of the University of Houston Cougars Freshman Team in 1952. (He was offensive right tackle.) He was also elected Co-Captain of the 1955 Varsity team. (He was a guard.) Jim and his wife, Edna Gay, have been married for over fifty years. He was an excellent home builder and business man. He has three daughters and a son. Jim lives in Texas.

This article was collaborated on by Alice Blackstone Hafner, Josie Blackstone Bailey, Bob Blackstone and Glenda Baker.

October 1, 2006