Thomas Blackall

Following the death of his father John in 1860, Thomas inherited a significant fortune, and purchased the large Spitchwick estate near Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Devon in 1867, with over 2,200 acres of land,[5] as his country retreat in addition to his Exeter home.He undertook much improvement of the house, including the installing of heated glasshouses.[8] Blackall died in 1899, at his house in Pennsylvania, Exeter,[9] with an estate proved at £162,000.[10] In his will, he made a number of bequests, including a portrait of his father to the Royal College of Physicians, and cash donations to Exeter charities including the Devon and Exeter Hospital, the Exeter Dispensary, the West of England Eye Infirmary, and the Deaf and Dumb Institution (now the Deaf Academy).[10] He left his housekeeper a lifetime interest in Spitchwick House, as well as an income for life and provision for her daughter.