John Blackford (1771-1839) was a planter and leading citizen of Boonsboro, Washington County, Md. In addition to his plantation, he owned property in Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, Va. (now W. Va.), was a merchant, and ran a ferry from his Ferry Hill plantation to a site near Shepherdstown. He owned stock in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company and the Boonsboro Turnpike Company. He was an avid Whig and a long-time member of the Episcopal Church. He married three times, the last time to a member of the Knode family. His third wife died in 1838. At the time of his death Blackford had three sons and two daughters: Franklin, who lived at the plantation and ran the ferry operations; Henry V.S., who attended Mercersburgh Academy, Mercersburgh, Pa.; William Moore; Jeanette, who married Dr. Otho J. Smith of Boonsboro; and Helena, who later married Robert Douglass. Other persons living at the plantation included sister- in-law Catherine Knode, brother-in-law Charles Knode, nephew Joseph Knode, and at least twenty-five slaves.
From the description of Papers, 1836-1858. (Virginia Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 28725808
