Isaac Blight (1753-1805)

He was born in England at Topsham, Devon. He was a Ship's Captain and Merchant in the West India Trade who was resident for some years in Kingston, Jamaica. On returning to England he lived between Rotherhithe and the Hawthorndale estate in Warfield, Berkshire, when he was described as a ship-breaker, ie., someone who buys up old ships, breaks them up, and sells on the materials for a profit. In 1805, he went into partnership with Richard Patch in a scheme to hide his assets from his creditors. The relationship soured and on September 23rd Patch - who planned to take Blight's business - shot him through his abdomen at his house in Rotherhithe, Southwark, and although Blight wasn't killed instantly, he died in agony the following day. The murder caused quite a sensation and a book documenting the trial was published in 1806. He had two children by his first wife and after marrying his second wife at Topsham he had three more children. His eldest son settled in Philadelphia with his brother, Peter.