School: Maryland
Emmitsburg Blackburn was born October 17, 1786, and was a son of Alexander Blackburn, He was apprenticed to John Armstrong to learn the gunsmith trade on April 15, 1804, for a term of three years. During the War of 1812 Blackburn was in Hagerstown and served as a private of infantry in a company known as the Hagerstown Militia. Captain George Shrycok led this company, which was part of the 24th Maryland Regiment, to Bladensburg where they found on August 24, 1814. In this same company was Samuel Hawken. Blackburn was one of 11 soldiers from Washington County who deserted in the fall of 1814. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.
