Rev. Robert Blackwood was born on October 14, 1787, in Coldrain, Fossoway and Tullibole Parish, Kinross-shire, Scotland, the son of William Blackwood (1750-1812) and Janet Keltie (1761-?). He studied theology and graduated from Divinity Hall at the University of Edinburgh. That same year he left Scotland with the intention of settling in the state of Ohio. On his way to the United States, he stopped in Halifax, where he was persuaded to remain since there was a demand for Presbyterian ministers. In October 1816, he became pastor for the congregation of Nine Mile River, Gay's River, and Shubenacadie, residing at Shubenacadie. In 1840, he left Shubenacadie to preach at Tatamagouche. Prior to his arrival in Nova Scotia, Blackwood had acquired some medical training and was known to occasionally treat members of his congregation. In 1852, he resigned his charge at Tatamagouche but continued to minister in New Annan, Nova Scotia at Willow Church.

In 1816, he married Ann Macara of Perth, Scotland, with whom he had nine children. He died on 12 December 1857.