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John Metcalf blue plaque

Blue plaque

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This blue commemorative plaque records: Blind Jack of Knaresborough (John Metcalf) was born in 1717 in a cottage whose garden adjoined the churchyard. Though blinded by smallpox at the age of six, he became famous as a musician, guide, horseman, trader and pioneer builder of roads. He died in 1810 and is buried in Spofforth churchyard. Recorded plaque organisation: Knaresborough Civic Society.

From the Open Plaques record 1361

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Photo credits
  • Stephen Craven, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • N Chadwick, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • habiloid, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Paul Buckingham, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • michael ely, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Chris Gorringe, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Anne Burgess, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
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