John Dunbarrow Blair (1759 - 1823)

Born 15 Oct 1759 in Chester, Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died 10 Jan 1823 at age 63 in Richmond, Richmond City, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: M Nason [send private message]

Biography

• First presbyterian minister of Richmond, Virginia.

• He taught at schools in New Jersey and New York for five years before moving to the Washington-Henry Academy in Hanover County, Virginia, where he taught from 1780 to 1790. Blair was licensed to preach in the Presbyterian Church 28 October 1784, and served at the historic Pole Green Church in Hanover County. He moved to Richmond in 1790, but continued to conduct services at Pole Green, and continued teaching.

• The House of Delegates appointed him chaplain and he served from 1799 to 1802. Blair was one of the movers for building Monumental Church on the site of the Richmond Theater fire of 26 December 1811. After sharing the church with the Episcopals of Richmond for ten years, the Presbyterians established the First Presbyterian Church in Richmond in 1821.

• John was a close friend and confidant of Chief Justice John Marshall, who is buried close by.

• He married Mary Winston of Richmond on 4 March 1785, and they had eight children.

Sources

• [1] The Cabells and Their Kin: A Memorial Volume of History, Biography, and Genealogy Alexander Brown January 1, 1895 Houghton, Mifflin & Company: Child page 601

• findagrave.com
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5446672/john-durbarrow-blair