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Born in Linlithgow, James (Jimmy) Blessington was one of Celtic's earliest heroes. The son of a quarryman Jimmy signed for Celtic in 1892 from Leith Athletic and scored 9 goals in his debut season as the Bhoys claimed their first league Championship and were runners-up in the Scottish Cup.

A right sided forward who had an eventful career, he first came to prominence with the Celts after starting his playing days in Leith with Leith Hibernians, Hibernian and Leith Athletic. His signing with the Bhoys was controversial and was investigated by the SFA, who exonerated Celtic but suspended the player for a month. With strenuous efforts being made to secure a new home for Hibernians their Committee is said to have suffered a blow when James Blessington signed for Celtic as he was a star player. Hibs were poorly run back then and a number of players departed from Hibs out of concern or avoided going to the club despite their early promise and success. The game was evolving but Hibs' management weren't.

Over the next six years he won three Scottish League championships and also appeared in two Scottish Cup finals. In 1898 he went south to Preston North End, but only played a season before starting a rapid series of moves to Derby County, Bristol City, Luton Town (all inside a year) and then to Leicester Fosse in May 1903. Over the next five years he made 100 league appearances for Leicester, becoming the team manager for the last two years.

He was prevented from taking up a coaching position in Germany by the outbreak of the First World War. He joined the Merchant Navy on the Atlantic route and went to Celtic Park whenever he docked in Glasgow.

After the war he continued his trade as an electrician before running a hotel in Guernsey Latterly he became a publican in Newton Abbot, but also had a spell around 1913 as coach of the Belfast Celtic team. He died in Newton Abbott in 1939.

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Name: James Blessington
Age: 7
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1874
Relationship: Son
Father's Name: James Blessington
Mother's Name: Isabella Blessington
Gender: Male
Where born: Linlithgow
Registration Number: 693
Registration district: Liberton
Civil parish: Liberton
County: Midlothian
Address: Peffer Mill Cottage
Occupation: Scholar
ED: 4
Household schedule number: 53
Line: 13
Roll: cssct1881_300
Household Members:
Name Age
James Blessington 41
Isabella Blessington 38
Rosann Blessington 18
Mary Blessington 16
Isabella Blessington 14
Catherine Blessington 12
James Blessington 7
Alice Blessington 3
Charles Blessington 3 MO

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Name: Jas Blessington
Age: 17
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1874
Relationship: Son
Mother's Name: Isa Blessington
Gender: Male
Where born: Linlithgowshire
Registration Number: 685/3
Registration district: Canongate
Civil parish: Edinburgh Old Church
County: Midlothian
Address: 55 St Mary St
Occupation: App Blacksmith
ED: 94
Household schedule number: 35
Line: 9
Roll: CSSCT1891_349
Household Members:
Name Age
Isa Blessington 46
Cathr Blessington 20
Jas Blessington 17
Alice Blessington 13
Mary McGourty 26
Sarah McGourty 2
Chas McGourty 15 Mos
Robt Nisbet 23

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Name: George Blessington
Age: 27
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1874
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Madge Blessington
Gender: Male
Where born: Scotland

Civil parish: Luton
Ecclesiastical parish: Christchurch
Town: Luton
County/Island: Bedfordshire
Country: England

Street Address:

Occupation:

Condition as to marriage:

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Registration district: Luton
Sub-registration district: Luton
ED, institution, or vessel: 2
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 203
Household Members:
Name Age
George Blessington 27
Madge Blessington 23
Frank Blessington 8

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Thank you for your e-mail and I can confirm that the late James Blessington is buried in grave space xxxx in Newton Abbot Cemetery. He died in Torbay Hospital on the 18 April 1939 and was buried on the 21st April 1939. The owner of the grave is a Margaret Blessington of 8 Market Street, Newton Abbot.

Also buried in the grave is a Margaret Warn (I think that is the surname but the writing is very small and difficult to read).

Our records do not record if there is a memorial on the grave.

If this is the gentleman you are looking for I can send you a map of the cemetery showing where the grave can be found.

Regards

Ann Matthews

steve

Apr 13 2011, 03:33 PM

I'm sure someone will be closer than me (3 hours away). Day trip in the summer if not.