James A. Blakeney House
(ca. 1905)
The century-old James A. Blakeney House has long served as a reminder of Mecklenburg County’s early agrarian history.
9214 Blakeney Heath Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
The James A. Blakeney House is a rare extant early twentieth-century farmhouse in Charlotte’s Providence community. It was the home of James Albert Blakeney (1856-1928) and his wife Margaret Tomlin Martin (1864-1917). James’ father Reese Blakeney, a South Carolina native, went into the Confederate service during the Civil War and never returned, his fate unknown. James’ mother, born Caroline Kirkley, later married J. P. Doster. They settled near the present Blakeney House to farm in southern Mecklenburg County in about 1883. James and his stepfather farmed together on the latter's land for several years. In 1887, James bought 39 acres of his own and built a log cabin in which to live. He and Margaret were married in about 1890 by her father, the Reverend Roger Martin of Providence Presbyterian Church. Theirs was the first wedding ceremony performed in the church; previously, couples were married at home.
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About 1897, James’ mother and stepfather moved to Hickory, North Carolina. James purchased about half of their Mecklenburg County holdings, a 60-acre tract near his existing property. He later purchased their remaining 76 acres in 1911. On this larger property, he built a one-story residence for his growing family on the site of the present house, situated next to the road that bisected his farm. The Blakeney farm prospered, and the family continued to grow. A few years later, however, an unfortunate fire made a new house necessary.
By 1910, the Blakeney family was farming about 232 acres. James and Margaret had brought eight children into the world (seven daughters and one son), six of whom survived to adulthood. James suffered a stroke in about 1913, so Margaret’s brother Dr. Alexander Martin assumed management responsibilities for the Blakeney farm. Dr. Martin would come up once a week from Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he was pastor of the Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church for many years.
When he came of age, James A. Blakeney, Jr. (1901-1973) took over management of the family farm. In about 1930, he married Wilma Alma Blount (1906-1988) of Roper, North Carolina, a descendant of Captain James Blount who participated in the 1677 Culpeper’s Rebellion – one of the earliest revolts in the English colonies – that took place in what is now Elizabeth City, North Carolina. During James and Wilma’s long tenure on the farm, local schoolchildren would tour the Blakeney farm to see and learn about Mecklenburg County’s agrarian history. The James A. Blakeney House remains a unique reminder of Charlotte’s humble rural beginning.