Blackford received a basic education, learning to read and write, in local public schools. His father died on May 22, 1800, leaving a modest estate valued at $7,220.99 ($ in 2018 chained dollars) to his mother, and directing that half of the estate should be given to Blackford for education and as an inheritance, provided he remained obedient unto her until he reached adulthood. Mary remarried in 1801 to Thomas Coon and the couple had a child, Charlotte Teressa, on August 3, 1802. Blackford at first disliked his stepfather, but the two developed a close relationship as he grew older. The family continued to prosper, and when Blackford finally inherited his portion of his father's estate he received $5,550. On his stepfather's advice he invested the money by granting a mortgage to earn interest.