Alexander was born “at sea” from Ireland probably arriving with his parents to Philadelphia (as most Scots-Irish did at that time). First records of him (along with the Hicklins, Millers & McCrearys) are in Augusta County (now Bath County), Virginia in 1746 in a land grant (Bullpasture valley). Augusta County was officially formed from Orange County in 1738. It wasn’t until 1745 that the first court was held.
His parents probably died in Pennsylvania as no trace of them are found in the Augusta County records. His father was probably named William (Scots-Irish naming patterns).
His wife was probably named “Jane” (Scots-Irish naming patterns). All issue born in Augusta County, VA area where Alexander and “Jane” remained until their deaths.
Issue:
1. William Black (1735-1740 – Feb 14, 1811) m. Sarah Hicklin
2. Mary Black (ca. 1742 – aft 1827) m. Patrick Miller
3. Elizabeth “Peggy” Black (1743 – ) m. William Feemster /Feamster / Phemster / Pheamster.
ERRORS on web that Elizabeth married Thomas!
Pg. 312 – Emancipation by Elisabeth Feemster (X) at her death of Negro man Jerry, purchased at sale of late husband Thomas Feureter’s [sic, s/b Feamster] estate, June 26, 1804.
Wit: Mathew Wallace and Alexander Taylor
[Abstract of Wills and Inventories of Bath County, 1791-1842, Bruns, pg. 40]
4. Nancy Black ( – aft 1764) m. Thomas McClung (FAG 148146744)
5. Rachel Black (1750 – 1822) m. George Givings.
6. Alexander Black, Jr (1752 VA – April 18, 1827 KY) m. Agnes “Nancy” Kinkead (1766-1818). No issue
Alexander Black, Sr qualified as Lieutenant of Foot Soldiers before the County Court in Augusta County on August 20, 1752 in the local defense for the community.
Alexander is probably buried at the Blue Spring Presbyterian Church near the village of Williamsville in Bath County. Location of his wife’s grave is unknown but probably in the same area.
Much of the information above is taken from Chalkey’s Chronicles of Augusta County, Virginia.
For more information & sources see http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=brendablack&id=I1060
Submitted by 5th g-granddaughter, Brenda
Family links:
Children:
William Black (1738 – 1811)*
Mary Black Miller (1742 – ____)*
Rachel Black Givens (1750 – 1822)*
Alexander Black (1752 – 1827)*
*Calculated relationship |
(The area that became Augusta County was settled primarily by the Scots-Irish in the early 1730s. Formed from Orange County, Augusta County was created in 1738.)
He married Sarah Hicklin 1763 in Augusta, Virginia. All issue born in Augusta, Virginia
“William Black and His Descendants” Book by Raymond Finley Hughes
WILLIAM BLACK must have been born about the year 1735. His parents were pioneer settlers in the Cowpasture River valley of Augusta County, Virginia, now Bath County. It was in this valley that he grew to manhood and received his early training as a soldier on the frontier, being soon occupied in the defense of his country, first against the French and Indians and later in the War of the Revolution. He served in the Virginia Colonial Militia, being on the muster roll of Captain George Wilson’s company on August 11, 1756 and was in William Preston’s company of Rangers in 1757. Among the Draper Papers in the Wisconsin Historical Society library at Madison, Wisconsin is the original receipt book of Captain William Preston, in which is found two receipts signed by WILLIAM BLACK, and dated October 5, 1757, for thirty four shillings for thirty four days pay as soldier at Fort Lewis under command of Sergt. Hugut. The other is for two pounds thirteen shillings, in full pay from June 8 to November 29, 1757. Fort Lewis was a fort on the Cowpasture River about five miles from where the Blacks lived. WILLIAM BLACK also served in Captain Preston’s company of Rangers during the year 1758. In the Augusta County records, order book 17, page 183, dated February 15, 1780, he was allowed Land Bounty certificate No. 2566 for his military service in Captain William Preston’s company of Rangers in 1758. This military land was granted by the King’s Proclamation of 1763 for soldiers who fought against French and Indians. In the Jefferson County land entries at Louisville, Kentucky, Vol. A, page 141, on June 22, 1780, William Black enters fifty acres of land on a military warrant, on the north side of the Rolling Fork opposite John Simpson’s preemption and to run up and down the river for quantity. At the same time he also enters one hundred and fifty acres on another warrant, on the south side of the Rolling Fork adjoining Simpson’s preemption on the east. This land is situated in what is now Marion or Casey Counties.
On January 12, 1763 William Black was united in marriage to Sarah Hickling, daughter of Thomas Hickling, another early pioneer of the Cowpasture River settlement in Augusta County and a close neighbor and friend of the Black family. Thomas Hickling bought 348 acres on a branch of the Cowpasture river from Andrew Lewis on January 6, 1756, Lewis having patented the same on June 11, 1750. Thomas Hickling died in the fall of 1771. He was the father of seven children as follows: Hugh, John, Thomas, Roseannah Johnson, Jane Laverty, Dinah Botkin and Sarah Black.
WILLIAM BLACK served in the Dunmore War being in the company of Captain John Lewis which was raised at Warm Springs, and was in the battle of Point Pleasant, fought October 10, 1772, where the Kanawha river empties into the Ohio.
WILLIAM BLACK also served in the Revolution. In the Council Journals of the State of Virginia, Vol. 1, page 310, under date of Saturday 11, 1777, appears an order “that a warrant be issued to William Black for one hundred and twenty seven pounds eighteen shillings, upon account together with instructions to recruit a first lieutenant’s quota of men for a company of regulars in the service of this State. Bond executed, acknowledged and ordered to be filed.” During the war he became Captain of this company and was occupied in the defending of his country against the inroads of the Indians and British. I have been unable to find any record pertaining to this company or anything about its length of service or activity as there seems to be no record of the Augusta County soldiers who took part in the Revolution. According to tradition it was a company of mounted men that did scout work during the war.
Sarah Black, like her husband, also served her country in the Revolution. In the Virginia State Library at Richmond is found a loose leaf file of Public Claims of Augusta County and therein appears the following: “Augusta County January 9th 1781. We being mutually chosen and then sworn, do appraise forty four yards of five hundred linen the property of Sarah Black, to fifteen pounds per yard. Also the making the same into two tents twenty fore pounds it being impressed for the use of Augusta militia ordered for the defense of eastern frontiers by Colonel Sampson Mathers. Certified by us the day and year above written. Signed William Shields Neal Deare”
In the Kentucky Historical Society publication for 1924 appears the following: “Sarah Black and William Black receive pay in services under General Clark, (about 1780).”
WILLIAM BLACK WITH HIS WIFE AND ENTIRE FAMILY moved to Clark County, Kentucky in 1792, launching above the mouth in Deckers Creek (Red Stone, old fort) and came down the Ohio, landing at Limestone, Ky. (now Maysville) and then overland to Clark County. Two years before he brought his family to Kentucky, he and his brother, Alexander, drove their cattle through to Clark County. On October 20, 1795 he bought of Samuel Henderson 106 acres on Hancock Creek, also called Stoney Fork. This was part of the 1400 acre Henderson grant. In the register of the Kentucky State Historical Society for 1923, in Vol. 21, page 204 under Certificate Book date of Feb. 11, 1780 appears the following: When the Court met, William Black by Alexander Black claimed a preemption of one thousand acres of land at the State Price in the District of Kentucky, because he had improved the same in the year 1776, on a branch of the Town Fork of Salt River, and adjoining the lands of Thomas Simpson on the north side, and to include his improvements. His claim was granted and a certificate issued.” This land is situated in the northern part of what is now Nelson County, and was sold by him in 1806.
WILLIAM BLACK died Feb. 14, 1811. His place of burial is unknown. His farm was sold by his heirs on Dec. 10, 1811, to Robert Cunningham for $2,025. At the time of his death he was the owner of six slaves. His will, which was written Nov. 17, 1806, in which he makes disposition of his property, is on file at Winchester, Kentucky.
William and Sarah Hickling Black were the parents of the following eight children.
1. Margaret Black b. 1763 m. John McCreery
2. Alexander Black b. 1765 m. Jane Crockett
3. George Black b. 1767 m . Elizabeth Miller, dau of Patrick Miller
4. Jane Ginny Black b. 1772 m. John Peebles
5. William Black, Jr b. 1780
6. Rachel Black b. 1782 m. John Barns
7. Robert Black b. 1786 m. Eleanor Wilson
8. Nancy Black b. 1789 m. Robert Patton |
Doctor Grandma 