Sir William Blackthorn (1830-1892)

b. 14 March 1830, d. 3 November 1892

Wealthy industrialist and amateur archaeologist. Commissioned Blackthorn Manor following his return from Egypt in 1866. Married Lady Elizabeth Ashworth in 1855. Father of five children.

Cause of death officially recorded as "natural causes," though he was only 62 and reportedly in good health until his final weeks.

Lady Elizabeth Blackthorn, née Ashworth (1835-1899)

b. 2 August 1835, d. 17 February 1899

Wife of Sir William. Maintained extensive botanical laboratory in the manor. Her research focused on plants with "unusual properties"—specimens gathered from locations worldwide.

Died seven years after her husband. Final years marked by increasing isolation declining health.

Edward Blackthorn (1856-1923)

b. 12 June 1856, d. 4 October 1923

Eldest son of William and Elizabeth. Inherited the estate in 1892. Responsible for establishing the family trust and preservation requirements that continue to govern the property.

Edward's private journals reference "certain responsibilities" regarding the east wing that he felt obligated to maintain.

Frederick Blackthorn (1858-1887)

b. 23 September 1858, d. 14 November 1887

Second son. Died during "the incident" referenced in family correspondence. One of three fatalities recorded during the 1887 eastern corner room fire.

No memorial service was held, per family instructions.

Margaret Blackthorn (elder) (1863-1889)

b. 19 December 1863, d. 2 March 1889

Fourth child. Died unmarried at age 25. Cause of death: classified "nervous collapse."

Eliza Blackthorn (1865-1940)

b. 7 July 1865, d. 11 January 1940

Youngest child. As a child, reportedly exhibited unusual perceptual abilities that concerned her parents. Special accommodations were made for her bedroom in the west wing.

Married James Ashworth in 1890 (distant cousin of her mother). Resided primarily in London. Mother of Richard Blackthorn.

Richard Blackthorn (1891-1941)

b. 15 February 1891, d. 23 December 1941

Only grandchild of Sir William. Inherited estate upon Edward's death in 1923. Maintained strict adherence to family preservation requirements, particularly regarding heating systems and the east wing.

Died one year before the family's departure from the manor. Military records indicate service-related death, though details remain restricted.

Victoria Blackthorn, née Crawford (1898-1975)

b. 3 May 1898, d. 12 August 1975

Wife of Richard. Supervised the 1942 evacuation following her husband's death. Maintained ownership through the family trust until her own death.

Never returned to the property after 1942.

Margaret Blackthorn (1928-1994)

b. 11 October 1928, d. 3 April 1994

Daughter of Richard and Victoria. Named for her great-aunt. Final family member with direct knowledge of the manor's true purpose architectural significance.

Collaborated with Professor Finch during his 1962-1965 research, though she restricted access to certain areas and documents. Maintained the family trust until her death, at which point the property was sold per her instructions.

"There are certain responsibilities that come with the Blackthorn name. I've maintained them as my father and grandfather did before me. I pray those who come after will understand why some things must remain as they are."

— Margaret Blackthorn, letter to Professor Finch, 1967

Margaret never married. She was the last of the direct Blackthorn line.