Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Blackadder, John (1664-1729)
BLACKADDER, JOHN the younger (1664–1729), lieutenant-colonel of the Cameronian regiment, was the fifth son of John Blackadder the elder [q. v.], and was born in the parish of Glencairn, Dumfriesshire, 14 Sept. 1664. Notwithstanding the persecutions to which the father was subject, the son, after receiving from him the rudiments of classical learning, attended the courses of humanity and philosophy in the university of Edinburgh. Accustomed from infancy to frequent conventicles and communions, he acquired at an early period strong Calvinistic convictions and strict and stern views of conduct and duty. When the regiment raised by the covenanting Cameronians (now the 26th of the line) was embodied by the Earl of Angus in 1689, he volunteered into it as a cadet at the pay of sixpence a day. Probably through his intimacy with the commander, Colonel Cleland, who was an old college acquaintance, he was in a few months promoted lieutenant. The regiment, by the remarkable stand it made against the Highlanders at Dunkeld, did service of the highest importance in quelling the rebellion. After the reduction of the Highlands he embarked with the regiment for Flanders, and took part in the principal sieges and battles in the campaigns of the Prince of Orange until the peace of Ryswick in 1697. On the resumption of the war in 1702, Blackadder, who had previously obtained his captain's commission, served with his old regiment in the campaigns of Marlborough. In December 1705 he was promoted major, and in October 1709 raised to the command of the regiment. Shortly before the peace of Utrecht he sold his commission, and taking up his residence at Edinburgh, and afterwards at Stirling, he occupied much of his attention with ecclesiastical affairs, becoming a member of the Society for Propagating Christianity, and also of the general assembly of the church of Scotland. Upon the news of a rising in the north in 1715 in behalf of the Pretender, he was appointed colonel of the regiment raised by the city of Glasgow, which he posted at the bridge of Stirling to guard against an attack of the highlanders, who, however, were defeated at the battle of Sheriffmuir. In consideration of his services during the rebellion he was, in March 1717, appointed deputy governor of Stirling Castle. He died 31 Aug. 1729, and was buried in the West church of Stirling, where a marble tablet was erected to his memory.
[Life and Diary of Lieut.-col. J. Blackader. ed. Crichton, 1824.]