Rector - Thomas Blundell (1759-1816)
Reverend Thomas’ grandfather was Bryan Blundell (L2YY-SY1), a sea captain and tobacco merchant who also traded in enslaved African people. Bryan Blundell – Liverpool – this link will take you to the Blue Coat School who carried out a year’s investigation into the life of Bryan Blundell. Bryan Blundell was a co-founder of the Blue Coat School in Liverpool.
We cannot find a portrait of Thomas Blundell but his grandfather’s and father’s association with Blue Coat School is a source for their portraits.
Thomas grew up in Liverpool and the country residence, Lark Hill Mansion which his father Jonathan had built in 1768. He joined Brasenose College, Oxford University on 22nd January 1777 at the age of 17 years.
Three years later, Thomas graduated with a BA which was followed by an MA in 1783. One of his friends was Richard Loxham who took over from Thomas Blundell as rector of Halsall when Thomas died.
At the turn of the century, circa 1800, Jonathan Blundell bought the Advowson (patronage) of the parish of Halsall from Colonel Charles Mordaunt ( of Halsall Penny fame) . The rector at that time was a local man, Reverend Glover Moore. On 11th December of the same year, Jonathan Blundell died so the advowson was inherited by his son Thomas Blundell. In 1809 Reverend Glover Moore passed away and Thomas Blundell as the patron, presented himself as the next Rector of St. Cuthbert’s church, Halsall. Under the Blundell patronage, all but one of the subsequent rectors, George Spooner 1921-1928, for nearly 150 years until 1946, were friends or members of the extended Blundell family line.
According to Taylor and Radcliffe, ‘Notes on the Parish and Church of Halsall’ 1896, Thomas Blundell, ‘patron and rector of Halsall died after a short illness on 31st July 1816, 57/56 years in the 8th year of his incumbency’. They go on to say that there is a well-carved figure of Grief, which was erected by his surviving sisters Alice and Bridget Blundell of Bath to whom he had bequeathed the advowson of Halsall and by whom their brother’s friend, Richard Loxham was presented to the parish.
Reverend Thomas Blundell was buried at Halsall on 7th August 1816 by the curate of St. Cuthbert’s church, George Holden.
