From The Settlement of Prince Edward County by Nick and Helma Mika. Transcribed here by Linda Herman

Pioneers of Prince Edward County 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

COL. JAMES BLAKELY

King's Storekeeper.

James Blakely was of Scottish birth. He took great pride in his country of origin, wearing the kilt first in his homeland, then in Ireland, and later in Canada. While living in the north of Ireland, he married Ann Keogh. When he brought his wife to Massachusetts, he fought for the British, and rose to the rank of colonel during the Revolutionary War. After the War, Blakely, his wife and their seven children went to Montreal and then to Kingston where he was the "King's storekeeper". Giving up his job, he set out over an Indian trail which brought him to the shores of East Lake where he bought a large farm.

James Blakely was a very successful farmer, acquiring a total of two thousand acres of rich fertile farmland, which he passed down to his children and grandchildren. His wife died at the age of 70, on January 13, and James died the same year on December 25th, aged 83.

Colonel James Blakely's grandson, William B. Blakely, was a councillor in Athol Township. He also became a license inspector for the county and held the position of Justice of the Peace for twenty years. He was recording steward for the Methodist Church for more than thirty years, and was a Captain in the Athol militia reserve.

The oldest son of William B. Blakely, Benjamin F., lived with his brother William S., on the old homestead. He owned and ran a cheese factory said to have been one of the largest cheese factories in Canada at the time, processing over fifty thousand dollars' worth of cheese each year.

Benjamin was Justice of the Peace for seven years, and served as councillor for three years.