1803: James Blackburn was born in England.
1826: He married Rachel Hems. They had 10 children. In England and Van Diemens Land.
1833: James Blackburn worked as an architect. Private building speculation failed and he forged a cheque. James was charged with forgery. He was transported for life.
1835: His wife and children arrive in Hobart Town.
1833-1839: James worked making roads and engineering. He started working for the Department of Roads and Bridges. He became an important figure in the Department, taking charge of much of the road-making and engineering work in Van Diemens Land.
1839: James works architecturally.
1841: Granted free pardon in 1841.
He became partners with James Thomson (another ex-convict) and successfully contracted for buildings such as:
The Tudor lodges at St John's, New Town (1841-42)
Bridgewater Bridge (1846-49)
1841: Foundation stone for Holy Trinity Church laid by Sir John Franklin.
1847: Holy Trinity Church completed.
1848: Anglican church services begin.
1849: He and his family move to Melbourne. He is appointed city surveyor.
1850-1: He produces the basic design of the Melbourne water supply. The design showed how to get water from the Yan Yean reservoir by way of the Plenty River.
1852: Fell from a horse then fell ill with typhoid.
1854: James dies.
Hobart's Holy Trinity Church is often quoted as one of Blackburn's architectural masterpieces.
Other buildings he was responsible for are:
St Mark's, Pontville
St Matthew's, Glenorchy
Sorell Presbyterian Church
1826: He married Rachel Hems. They had 10 children. In England and Van Diemens Land.
1833: James Blackburn worked as an architect. Private building speculation failed and he forged a cheque. James was charged with forgery. He was transported for life.
1835: His wife and children arrive in Hobart Town.
1833-1839: James worked making roads and engineering. He started working for the Department of Roads and Bridges. He became an important figure in the Department, taking charge of much of the road-making and engineering work in Van Diemens Land.
1839: James works architecturally.
1841: Granted free pardon in 1841.
He became partners with James Thomson (another ex-convict) and successfully contracted for buildings such as:
The Tudor lodges at St John's, New Town (1841-42)
Bridgewater Bridge (1846-49)
1841: Foundation stone for Holy Trinity Church laid by Sir John Franklin.
1847: Holy Trinity Church completed.
1848: Anglican church services begin.
1849: He and his family move to Melbourne. He is appointed city surveyor.
1850-1: He produces the basic design of the Melbourne water supply. The design showed how to get water from the Yan Yean reservoir by way of the Plenty River.
1852: Fell from a horse then fell ill with typhoid.
1854: James dies.
Hobart's Holy Trinity Church is often quoted as one of Blackburn's architectural masterpieces.
Other buildings he was responsible for are:
St Mark's, Pontville
St Matthew's, Glenorchy
Sorell Presbyterian Church