NOTE: Thomas Blakewell probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Thomas, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were printed in one of two forms. They were printed on tin, called a "Dageurrotype" or a "Tin Type", or more often in 1862, in a new fangled process called a "CDV", which was a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.
Thomas then survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. During his life, Thomas probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of his CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see some pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)

Private THOMAS BLAKEWELL, Co. H, 86th Illinois Volunteer Infantry

Thomas Blakewell was born c. November __, 1840 in Scopwick, North Kesteven District, Lincolnshire, England. There is a record on familysearch that shows a Thomas Blackwell being christened on 27 Nov 1840 in Scopwick, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom. His parents were William Blackwell and Elizabeth ____________.
Thomas Blakewell Immigrated to America c. 1859/60 and came immediately west to Illinois, where at the time of the 1860 census, the Blakewell family is found residing in Brimfield Township in Peoria County;
287 Blackwell William 50 farmer 707 England
287 Blackwell Elizabeth 40 England
287 Blackwell Thomas 19 farm hand England
287 Blackwell John 17 farm hand England
287 Blackwell Ann 15 England
287 Blackwell Joseph 11 England
287 Blackwell Jane 8 England
287 Blackwell Alice 6 IL
287 Blackwell Eliza 3 IL
287 Blackwell Willie 1 IL

ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report

Name BLAKEWELL, THOMAS Rank PVT
Company H Unit 86 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics
Residence JUBILEE, PEORIA CO, IL
Age 21 Height 5' 6
Hair BROWN Eyes BLUE
Complexion LIGHT
Marital Status SINGLE
Occupation FARMER
Nativity LINCOLNSHIRE, ENGLAND

Service Record
Joined When JUL 31, 1862
Joined Where JUBILEE, IL
Joined By Whom D H MAGEE
Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom
Muster Out JUN 11, 1865
Muster Out Where DAVID ISLAND, NY
Muster Out By Whom LT QUICK
Remarks WOUNDED IN ACTION NEAR BENTONVILLE NC MAR 19, 1865

Private Thomas Blakewell was married to Selina Martin on January 29, 1868. Selina Martin is believed to have been married 1st to Thomas M. Bloomer on November 15, 1860 in Peoria County. Thomas and Selina are believed to have had one son, John, who can be seen in the 1870 census. Selina was born on December __, 1835 at __________, England, the daughter of Stephen Martin and Frances (__________) Martin. Familysearch has the following record. Salina Martin was christened on 7 Feb 1836 in Brenchley, Kent, England.
The Martin family came to America sometime between 1838 and 1841. At the time of the 1850 census, the Martin family is found in a part of Peoria County, Illinois, that will soon become Akron Township, near Flora Keller and his family;
Stephen Martin M 45 England
Frances Martin F 37 England
Jemima Martin F 15 England
Selina Martin F 14 England
Frances Martin F 13 England
Stephen Martin M 9 Illinois
Thomas Martin M 8 Illinois

The Martin family is found residing in Akron Township in Peoria County at the time of the 1860 census;
202 Martin Stephen 55 farmer 4,000 422 England
202 Martin Frances 46 England
202 Martin Selina 24 England
202 Martin Frances 22 England
202 Martin Thomas 17 farmhand IL
202 Martin John W. 10 IL
202 Martin William H. 6 IL

At the time of the 1870 census, Thomas and his family are found residing in Akron Township in Peoria County;
132 Blakewill Thomas 29 M Farmer 400 England
132 Blakewill Salora 32 F England
132 Blakewill John 9 M Illinois
133 Karnes John 60 M Farmer Baden, Germany
133 Karnes Margaret 65 F Wurtemburg, Germany
134 Blakewill William 60 M Farmer 8,000 1,200 England
134 Blakewill Elizabeth 50 F England
134 Blakewill Joseph 19 M Illinois
134 Blakewill Jane 18 F Illinois
134 Blakewill Emma 10 F Illinois
134 Blakewill William 8 M Illinois
134 Blakewill Albert 6 M Illinois
134 Blakewill Beatrice 4 F Illinois

At the time of the 1880 and 1900 census, Thomas and Salina are found in the village of Princeville, Princeville township, Peoria County, Illinois. This is the way they appear in the 1900 census. Salina is recorded as having had only 1 child, who is still living. They have been married 31 years and he immigrated in 1860;
Thomas Blakewell Head M Nov 1840 60 England
Salina Blakewell Wife F Dec 1835 65 England

Private Thomas Blakewell died on February 4, 1906 in his home in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. His mortal remains were returned to Princeville, Illinois, where they were laid to rest in the Princeville Township Cemetery.
The Thursday, February 15, 1906 edition of THE BRIMFIELD NEWS newspaper, of Brimfield. IIllinois carried to following notice;
"Thomas Blakewell, who once lived in the vicinity of Brimfield, and for over 20 years or more was a citizen of Princeville, died at his late home in Peoria, February 4, aged 65 years. The deceased was a native of England, and came to America with his father's family. He was a soldier in the civil war, being a member of Co. H, 86th Illinois Volunteers. He was a member of the M. W. A. and G. A. R. His wife survives him. The body was interred in the Princeville cemetery."