James Heslop

Quick Facts

Place of Birth:

Lancashire, England

Date of Birth:

February 12, 1797

Place of Death:

Johnstown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania

Date of Death:

July 12, 1865

Place of Burial:

Johnstown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania

Cemetery Name:

Sandyvale Cemetery

James Heslop painted names on canal boats for the Main Line Canal.

He emigrated to America in 1818 when he was twenty-one years old. He was trained as an artist and could make and blend colors. He was also skilled at "staining," which means applying colors to wall papers. He spent time in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Pottsville before moving to Johnstown, Pennsylvania in 1832. He worked with boat canal buildings and car builders for The Portage due to his skill at painting letters. On the stern was the name of the canal boat and on the side was the company name. 

He opened his own shop in Johnstown on the corner of Vine and Market Streets. He was known throughout the state for his talents. He was an abolitionist. James married Charlotte Bracewell in 1830 and their children were: Gale, Harriet, Alfred, Anna, Emma, Minerva, William and Robert.