Furniture Maker Left His Mark In Bristol

Tough very few of my readers will recognize the name of G.W. Blackley, even though he was one of the better-known and very highly respected citizens of early Bristol. He was born in 1813 in Albermarle County, Va. Early in his life, he was married to Margaret P. Hoge.

By the time he had reached the age of 21, he was considered to be a master carpenter. Soon thereafter, he Learned the fine art of furniture making. I have been told that there are still fine examples of both trades exist in his native Albermarle county as there are here.

The fame of early Bristol on the border spread far and near. This caused many people who sought to improve their lot in life to move here. Among them was the G.W. Blackley family. This family arrived in Bristol Virginia by stagecoach in 1855. I am told that they sold all their house furnishings and made a new start in this town.

Their first home was a rented cottage on 4th Street in Bristol Tennessee. Mr. Blackley’s carpentry and furniture making skills soon became well known, so much so that he became "covered up" with demands for his services. One of his first jobs here gave him a lasting claim to a bit of local fame. This was the building of the first bridge within the limits of the original town of Bristol. It spanned Beaver Creek at the intersection of what is now State and 7th or what is now State and Commonwealth on the Virginia side. In time, he built at least two, perhaps three Bristol bridges. It is believed that the first house he built in Bristol was that of Maston J. Ayers. This house was erected in the 500 block of Main Street in Bristol Virginia, on a lot bought from Joseph R. Anderson (I have the original deed). Mr. Ayers died in this house in 1857 and was the first death to occur in the new town of Bristol. His house was lost to business buildings late in the century. The house yet standing at 101 E. State St., is an example of his work that can be viewed today.

About 1869-70, he built his own home at 122 E. State St. This was upon land that formerly belonged to the Rev. James King. At Rev. King’s death in July 1867, it passed to the wife and children of his son James King III. The Blackley house was the first built on East Hill. Older family members said that it was an exact copy of the Blackley home in Albermarle County. This old Bristol landmark still stands and is among the very oldest houses in this city. When I came to Bristol in 1953, it was a very handsome old house. It was white with dark green shutters, was well kept, and had two tall evergreens in the front yard. It is now ripe for restoration and is very worthy of being preserved for future generations. It is a good example of a style of homes that were commonly in early Bristol.

George W. Blackley died Feb. 14, 1888, and is buried in section 3 of East Hill Cemetery.

His wife followed April 13, 1889 and is buried beside her husband. They have several descendants still living in Bristol.

BUD PHILLIPS is a local historian and author. He can be reached at (276) 466-6435.