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

He married Frances Pickering (1763–?)★ before 1785 at St. Giles Church, St Giles in the Fields^a1 . They had three children.

• Esther baptised on 23 Sep, 1785 in Shadwell, Middlesex^b1. Married Gabriel Badder on 30 Nov, 1812^a2.
• William Edward★ baptised on 28 Feb, 1790 in Whitechapel, Middlesex^c1. Died on 28 May, 1845 at 42 Caroline Street, Ratcliff^d1 at the age of fifty-five.
• John Alexander born on 18 May, 1794 in All Hallows Barking, London^e1.

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. ^f1,g1

William died in 1796 aboard William & Elizabeth. 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.^g1,n1

Timeline

1785

23 Sep

Daughter, Esther Blackbrough, baptised in Shadwell, Middlesex^b1.
Recorded as living at Shakespears Walk, Shadwell^b1.
Occupation recorded as shipwright^b1.

1789

30 Aug

Banns were read to marry Frances Pickering★ at St. Giles Church, St Giles in the Fields^a3.
Recorded as living in St Giles in the Fields, Middlesex^a3.

20 Sep

Married Frances Pickering★ at St. Giles Church^a1.
Recorded as living in St Giles in the Fields^a1.

1790

28 Feb

Son, William Edward Blackbrough★, baptised in Whitechapel, Middlesex^c1.
Recorded as living at Court Street, Whitechapel^c1.

1794

18 May

Son, John Alexander, born in All Hallows Barking, London^e1.

1796

Died aboard William & Elizabeth^g1,n1.
Occupation recorded as shipwright^g1.
Occupation recorded as mate and carpenter aboard William & Elizabeth^g1.

Other Information

Other names and variations

• William Blackbrough^{c1,b1,e1,a1,a3}
• William Blackborough^g1