On 26 December 1883 the Northern Echo reported: “A Novel Birthday Celebration. Three brothers born in Woodland celebrated their birthdays on Friday, the 21st inst, whose united ages are 217 years, viz, Cuthbert Blackett, Crook, seventy nine years; Ralph Blackett, Woodland, seventy one years; and Robert Blackett, Lynesack, sixty seven years. They all enjoy good health.”
The brothers were three of the twelve children of Joseph Blackett and Elizabeth Stephenson. None of their other siblings shared a common birthday.