Individual Details
Samuel Russell BLACK
(1705 - Jun 1796)
The Arkansas Family Historian
Volume 5, No. 4,
Oct/Nov/Dec 1967
BLACKS OF ARKANSAS, ANCESTORS AND DESCENDANTS
by
Annie Laurie Spencer
Copyright 1967 by Annie Laurie Spencer
From North to South in Colonial records the name Black is found as early as the 17th Century, but no attempt has been made to connect the many persons by that name who came in that period. These records begin with Thomas, Robert, James and Samuel Black, brothers, single men, who came to the colonies about 1754.1 They landed in Philadelphia and scattered from that point. James Black went to Maryland and Robert Black went to South Carolina. Samuel Black was with these two brothers, but his descendants have not been traced. Thomas Black was lost to the other brothers. Four sisters were left in Ireland; names unknown, but these sisters might have come later. 2 Their mother was Agnes Glenn and their father is thought to have been either Robert or Samuel.
Who were these men? What was their lineage? They descended from an old Scotch family which emigrated from Scotland about the time of Cromwell's invasion. 3 They stayed in Ireland until their coming to America, but they held to their Scottish customs and were as Scotch as a Scotch could be whose family had lived in Ireland for a hundred years.
The Blacks were a sept of either the Lamont, MacGregor of MacLean of Duart clans. Clan septs were of two classes, those related to the clan by blood and who formed separate branches of the clan and individuals or groups from other clans who sought and obtained protection of the clan, which resulted in a clan having septs of different surnames. 4
The Irish granted these persons permission to come there because these were a thrifty, hardworking race and the Irish wanted these good workers, Scots came in great: numbers and stayed and prospered until their children were growing up and marrying into Irish families. This was taboo among the Scots. They arranged marriages for their children, approved of intermarriages with cousins who were not of the first degree, and out. of this group came some of the strongest and healthiest immigrants who eyer came to the American Colonies. Few groups have contributed as much to America as the Scottish. 5
Where in Ireland were Robert, James, Samuel and Thomas from? Londonberry county
is the most likely place. Other possible places are Donegal and Antrim counties. All three
counties are in North Ireland just across the North Channel from Scotland. Recent descen-
dants have claimed Londonberry County because the Seawrights and Russellswere from Lon-
donberry and these two families were closely associated with the Blacks.
1. David Russell who married Elizabeth Black (born Apr. 24. 1793, the daughter of Robert
Black, born Aug. 20, 1767) had this record in his papers, which papers were carried
to Mississippi be descendants of this couple and were copied in 1907 by other relatives.
2 David Russell papers.
3. David Russell papers.
4. The Clans and Tartans of Scotland, by Robert. Bain, published by Collins, London and
Glasgow, October, 1948 reprint, page 9,
5. The Scotch-Irish in America. Proceedings and Addresses of the. Third and Fifth Con-
gress, 1891, 1893, 2 volumes, giving story of Scotch-Irish..
When the Blacks who descended from this family of Blacks came to Arkansas, the family
had been in America only 85 years.. For this reason many who were known at that: time as
relatives could have been from cousins of these brothers. Blacks were in Arkansas as early
as 1819 when Governor Robert. Crittenden appointed William Black as Justice of the Peace of
Cash Township in Arkansas County. 6 The records of Arkansas County at DeWitt have many
deeds and other instruments executed by and to the Blacks. If the Blacks in Arkansas County
were related to the Blacks who descend from these four brothers; the connection is not known.
Col. John Logan Black of South Carolina visited relatives throughout Arkansas and re-
corded his visits. He visited in Union, Pope, Logan and Bradley counties and in Pine Bluff
and Hot. Springs. Through his trips to Arkansas the connection withthe family in Blacksburg,
South Carolina, has been kept through the years. Col. Black was descended from these four
brothers, and his letters to relatives in Arkansas would reveal the family connections.
So, Col. John Logan Black, whose record of the War of the 60's has been published as
"Crumbling Defenses", is the link to tie all of this clan together in.Arkansas. If some of his
letters had not been found in an old trunk years ago., this historycould neve r have been com-
piled. 7
This record of the family is compiled through years of research which began with family
records, old letters and many articleswhich came down five and six 'generations in the family'.
With the beginning of these family records, a lifetime has been devoted to collecting source
material from Pennsylvania, Maryland, North and South Carolina, Alabama and Arkansas.
All Blacks in Arkansas and Louisiana did not descend from these..four:brothers, but many
did. Not. one iota has been found to be inaccurate in the general skeleton of familyinstory
kept: by those early members, but sorting the members in the correct position in line of des-
cent is very difficult. Many married cousins and often their parents had the same given
na.mes.
James Black married Elizabeth Rogers in Maryland 8Where in Maryland? Cecil Co is
the most logical place because it. is directly south of Lancaster Co.., Pa., and that. is the bi rth-
place given on the Revolutionary Pension papers of their oldest son; Joseph. James Black
and Elizabeth Rogers lived in Lancaster Co. , Pa. and moved into Mecklenbtirg Co. , N.
so.meti me before the American Revolution. Their son, Robert Blat, married Matilda Alex-
ander, daughter of Captain James Alexander of the Revolution. The Alexanders were a
Maryland family and Captain Alexander with his familyalso moved to :Mecklenburg Co.. N.C.
They were probably the Alexander's who were in Cabarrus Co. , lesq C. When that count v was
cut. from Mecklenburg Co. The earliest copy of the paper's of David Russell, made in 1907 and in the hands of the
compiler this day, 1967, gives the name of James Black's wile as Elizabeth Rogers.. 10
6. Record Book "C", page 319, of the records of Arkansas County, reWitt„ Arkansas.
7. Letters of Mrs. E. R. Thompson (nee Araminta Matilda Black) daughter of Robert.John
Black, 1800-1859, found in 1939 in her old trunk in Lexington, Mississippi, then owned
by her daughter, Mrs. R. T. Nabors, who had moved the trunk from Union Co. , Ark.
8. David Russell papers.
9. Bible of Robert: and Matilda Black, owned by Mrs. Lola Sweatman, copied by Mrs. 'Ra-
leigh Ingram of Camden, Arkansas, and published in Arka; Family Historian, June,
1967. David Russell papers. National DAR numbers 321. 373222, 499734.
10. David Russell papers.
Some who have worked in the family have said without giving the authority that she was
Elizabeth Russell. Russell appears frequently as a given name in this family. According to
Rowland Black of Blacksburg, South Carolina, Samuel Russell Black was the husband of Ag-
nes Glenn and the father of the four Black brothers, and that :Samuel Russell Black, the bro-
ther of Rowland Black's grandfather, was named for this Samuel Russell Black. 11
To keep the members of each line in proper order, a numberis given to each personwith
the immigrants being la-1 James Black, 1B-1 Robert Black, 1C-x Samuel Black and 1D-x
Thomas Black. The "x" denotes there is nothing else about this person.
A1-1 James Black, born about 1728 in Londonberry Co., Ireland, came to America 1754,
landed in Philadelphia, lived in that area for a number of years. He married Eliza-
beth Rogers and was living in Lancaster Co. , Pa., before moving to Mecklenburg
Co., N. C., where he died ca 1818 and is buried in Rocky River Cemetery: Children:
A1-2 Joseph Black, born Jan. 18, 1763 12 (tomb says January 17),. died Nov. 7,
1843, buried Columbia,. S. C. , married Mary Burnett.
A1-3 Thomas Black.
A1-4 John Black.
A1-5 William Black
A1-6 Robert Black, born Aug. 20, 1767, married Matilda Alexander.
A1-7 Elizabeth Black. 13
On several lists of children of James and Elizabeth Black which have appeared without
the sources for listing these children, a son Samuel, born July 11, 1769, died Feb. 28, 1842,
and married to Elizabeth McKinley was given. On these lists the name of William has been
omitted. Some have given that Elizabeth Black, the only daughter, married William Blair.
Thomas is shown as marrying Mary McKinley and John is married to Rebecca McKinley.
John and Rebecca Black are said to have moved to Texas. But no source for this listing has
been given and to prevent confustion the list as given by David Russell is used. 14
A1-2 Joseph Black, born Jan. 18, 1763, Lancaster Co., Pa., moved with his family when
a small boy to Mecklenburg Co., N. C. Served in the American Revolution in South
Carolina under General Frances Marion, 15 the fa.mous Swamp Fox, inwhich army
his uncle, b1-1 Robert Black also served. 16 After the Revolution he served for
30 years in the South Carolina legislature. He is buried in Columbia at the First
Presbyterian Church cemetery. He married Mary Burnett. Their children were:
A1-8 Elizabeth Black! married James Alexander Black.
A1-9 John Burnett Black, born Dec. 1727, 1789, died Mar. 27, 1844, m. Feb. 21,
1811 to Elizabeth Brownlee.
11. Personal interview with Rowland Black, Blacksburg, S.C. , Sept. 9, 1961.
12. U.S. Pension Claim of Joseph Black, No. S 21646. He certainly knew his own birthday
better than those who gave the date for his tomb inscriptions--or should have.
13. David Russell papers.
14. All descendants of James Black will be given Al while all descendants of Robert Black
will be given Bla
15. Col. John Logan Black papers.
16. Revolutionary Record as given by War Department, July 26, 1940. Tradition in family,
confirmed by this record.
17. Dates came friim records gathered by Mrs. W. T. Files Parkdale, Arkansas.
A1-10 James Augustus Black, b. 1793, m. Elizabeth Sarah Logan. 18
A1-11 Robert Felix Black, m. Susan Prince.
A1-12 Thomas Pickney 19 Black, married Lucy Prince.
A1-13 Joseph Addison Black, b. Mar. 25, 1802, in. Martha Kesiah Peay, Dec. 30,
1830.
A 1-14 Mary Black.
A1-15 William Claborne Black; b. Apr. 13, 1806, Abbeville District, S. C. , m.
1st Martha Ann Griffin and 2nd to Jane Logan, a half-sister to Elizabeth
Sarah Logan.
A1-16 Samuel Russell Black, in. Martha K. Kirkland. 20
Col. John Logan Black wrote in 1896, "Mary Black, my father's youngest sister, died
single.... I remember seeing her only once when I was five or six. As she died young, I
have heard little of her. " The first pages of Colonel Black's family history are missing and
the record begins in the middle of a sentence. Elizabeth Black is not given and neither is
John, who were the two older children.
Rowland Black, a grandson of William Claborne Black, said in 1961 that his grandfather's
brother was John Gailliard Black and that he married Mary Brownlee. Rowland Black also
said that his father, John Gailliard Black, was named for this uncle. Rowland Black lived in
Blacksburg, S. C. and had a very old manuscript of family records that he had kept through
the years. He was very alert and this branch of the family had always lived in that area, or
at least since 1840. The only reason that the name John Burnett. Black was used is that the
will of William Brownlee, Box 4, Pack 72, Abbeville, S. C. , (page 17 Abstracts of Old 96,
by Pauline Young), lists John B. Black as executor with John Brownlee, a. son of William
Brownlee. Elizabeth Black is listed in the will as having seven children. But, John Gailliard
Black, wife Mary Brownlee, may be correct.
Mrs. Horace Laurens McSwain, Jr., Macon, Ga., who has done careful research in her
husband's family, lists the son as John Gailliard Black. A 'G' and 'B' in the early handwriting
are hard to distinguish. The wife could be Mary Elizabeth Brownlee. Mrs. McSwain is re-
sponsible for these records of Col. John Logan Black being in this compilation of the Black
family.
18. Col. Black's papers.
19. Given as "Pickney" in records of Rowland Black and Col. Black.
20. Col. Black's papers.
NOTE: Any person with the name of Black who knows back to 1850 can send the records to
me at the following address, and an attempt will be made to help in sorting of the family of
these four brothers--or in the many other Black records the compiler has in her files.
Annie Laurie Spencer
Box 429
El Dorado, Arkansas
Volume 5, No. 4,
Oct/Nov/Dec 1967
BLACKS OF ARKANSAS, ANCESTORS AND DESCENDANTS
by
Annie Laurie Spencer
Copyright 1967 by Annie Laurie Spencer
From North to South in Colonial records the name Black is found as early as the 17th Century, but no attempt has been made to connect the many persons by that name who came in that period. These records begin with Thomas, Robert, James and Samuel Black, brothers, single men, who came to the colonies about 1754.1 They landed in Philadelphia and scattered from that point. James Black went to Maryland and Robert Black went to South Carolina. Samuel Black was with these two brothers, but his descendants have not been traced. Thomas Black was lost to the other brothers. Four sisters were left in Ireland; names unknown, but these sisters might have come later. 2 Their mother was Agnes Glenn and their father is thought to have been either Robert or Samuel.
Who were these men? What was their lineage? They descended from an old Scotch family which emigrated from Scotland about the time of Cromwell's invasion. 3 They stayed in Ireland until their coming to America, but they held to their Scottish customs and were as Scotch as a Scotch could be whose family had lived in Ireland for a hundred years.
The Blacks were a sept of either the Lamont, MacGregor of MacLean of Duart clans. Clan septs were of two classes, those related to the clan by blood and who formed separate branches of the clan and individuals or groups from other clans who sought and obtained protection of the clan, which resulted in a clan having septs of different surnames. 4
The Irish granted these persons permission to come there because these were a thrifty, hardworking race and the Irish wanted these good workers, Scots came in great: numbers and stayed and prospered until their children were growing up and marrying into Irish families. This was taboo among the Scots. They arranged marriages for their children, approved of intermarriages with cousins who were not of the first degree, and out. of this group came some of the strongest and healthiest immigrants who eyer came to the American Colonies. Few groups have contributed as much to America as the Scottish. 5
Where in Ireland were Robert, James, Samuel and Thomas from? Londonberry county
is the most likely place. Other possible places are Donegal and Antrim counties. All three
counties are in North Ireland just across the North Channel from Scotland. Recent descen-
dants have claimed Londonberry County because the Seawrights and Russellswere from Lon-
donberry and these two families were closely associated with the Blacks.
1. David Russell who married Elizabeth Black (born Apr. 24. 1793, the daughter of Robert
Black, born Aug. 20, 1767) had this record in his papers, which papers were carried
to Mississippi be descendants of this couple and were copied in 1907 by other relatives.
2 David Russell papers.
3. David Russell papers.
4. The Clans and Tartans of Scotland, by Robert. Bain, published by Collins, London and
Glasgow, October, 1948 reprint, page 9,
5. The Scotch-Irish in America. Proceedings and Addresses of the. Third and Fifth Con-
gress, 1891, 1893, 2 volumes, giving story of Scotch-Irish..
When the Blacks who descended from this family of Blacks came to Arkansas, the family
had been in America only 85 years.. For this reason many who were known at that: time as
relatives could have been from cousins of these brothers. Blacks were in Arkansas as early
as 1819 when Governor Robert. Crittenden appointed William Black as Justice of the Peace of
Cash Township in Arkansas County. 6 The records of Arkansas County at DeWitt have many
deeds and other instruments executed by and to the Blacks. If the Blacks in Arkansas County
were related to the Blacks who descend from these four brothers; the connection is not known.
Col. John Logan Black of South Carolina visited relatives throughout Arkansas and re-
corded his visits. He visited in Union, Pope, Logan and Bradley counties and in Pine Bluff
and Hot. Springs. Through his trips to Arkansas the connection withthe family in Blacksburg,
South Carolina, has been kept through the years. Col. Black was descended from these four
brothers, and his letters to relatives in Arkansas would reveal the family connections.
So, Col. John Logan Black, whose record of the War of the 60's has been published as
"Crumbling Defenses", is the link to tie all of this clan together in.Arkansas. If some of his
letters had not been found in an old trunk years ago., this historycould neve r have been com-
piled. 7
This record of the family is compiled through years of research which began with family
records, old letters and many articleswhich came down five and six 'generations in the family'.
With the beginning of these family records, a lifetime has been devoted to collecting source
material from Pennsylvania, Maryland, North and South Carolina, Alabama and Arkansas.
All Blacks in Arkansas and Louisiana did not descend from these..four:brothers, but many
did. Not. one iota has been found to be inaccurate in the general skeleton of familyinstory
kept: by those early members, but sorting the members in the correct position in line of des-
cent is very difficult. Many married cousins and often their parents had the same given
na.mes.
James Black married Elizabeth Rogers in Maryland 8Where in Maryland? Cecil Co is
the most logical place because it. is directly south of Lancaster Co.., Pa., and that. is the bi rth-
place given on the Revolutionary Pension papers of their oldest son; Joseph. James Black
and Elizabeth Rogers lived in Lancaster Co. , Pa. and moved into Mecklenbtirg Co. , N.
so.meti me before the American Revolution. Their son, Robert Blat, married Matilda Alex-
ander, daughter of Captain James Alexander of the Revolution. The Alexanders were a
Maryland family and Captain Alexander with his familyalso moved to :Mecklenburg Co.. N.C.
They were probably the Alexander's who were in Cabarrus Co. , lesq C. When that count v was
cut. from Mecklenburg Co. The earliest copy of the paper's of David Russell, made in 1907 and in the hands of the
compiler this day, 1967, gives the name of James Black's wile as Elizabeth Rogers.. 10
6. Record Book "C", page 319, of the records of Arkansas County, reWitt„ Arkansas.
7. Letters of Mrs. E. R. Thompson (nee Araminta Matilda Black) daughter of Robert.John
Black, 1800-1859, found in 1939 in her old trunk in Lexington, Mississippi, then owned
by her daughter, Mrs. R. T. Nabors, who had moved the trunk from Union Co. , Ark.
8. David Russell papers.
9. Bible of Robert: and Matilda Black, owned by Mrs. Lola Sweatman, copied by Mrs. 'Ra-
leigh Ingram of Camden, Arkansas, and published in Arka; Family Historian, June,
1967. David Russell papers. National DAR numbers 321. 373222, 499734.
10. David Russell papers.
Some who have worked in the family have said without giving the authority that she was
Elizabeth Russell. Russell appears frequently as a given name in this family. According to
Rowland Black of Blacksburg, South Carolina, Samuel Russell Black was the husband of Ag-
nes Glenn and the father of the four Black brothers, and that :Samuel Russell Black, the bro-
ther of Rowland Black's grandfather, was named for this Samuel Russell Black. 11
To keep the members of each line in proper order, a numberis given to each personwith
the immigrants being la-1 James Black, 1B-1 Robert Black, 1C-x Samuel Black and 1D-x
Thomas Black. The "x" denotes there is nothing else about this person.
A1-1 James Black, born about 1728 in Londonberry Co., Ireland, came to America 1754,
landed in Philadelphia, lived in that area for a number of years. He married Eliza-
beth Rogers and was living in Lancaster Co. , Pa., before moving to Mecklenburg
Co., N. C., where he died ca 1818 and is buried in Rocky River Cemetery: Children:
A1-2 Joseph Black, born Jan. 18, 1763 12 (tomb says January 17),. died Nov. 7,
1843, buried Columbia,. S. C. , married Mary Burnett.
A1-3 Thomas Black.
A1-4 John Black.
A1-5 William Black
A1-6 Robert Black, born Aug. 20, 1767, married Matilda Alexander.
A1-7 Elizabeth Black. 13
On several lists of children of James and Elizabeth Black which have appeared without
the sources for listing these children, a son Samuel, born July 11, 1769, died Feb. 28, 1842,
and married to Elizabeth McKinley was given. On these lists the name of William has been
omitted. Some have given that Elizabeth Black, the only daughter, married William Blair.
Thomas is shown as marrying Mary McKinley and John is married to Rebecca McKinley.
John and Rebecca Black are said to have moved to Texas. But no source for this listing has
been given and to prevent confustion the list as given by David Russell is used. 14
A1-2 Joseph Black, born Jan. 18, 1763, Lancaster Co., Pa., moved with his family when
a small boy to Mecklenburg Co., N. C. Served in the American Revolution in South
Carolina under General Frances Marion, 15 the fa.mous Swamp Fox, inwhich army
his uncle, b1-1 Robert Black also served. 16 After the Revolution he served for
30 years in the South Carolina legislature. He is buried in Columbia at the First
Presbyterian Church cemetery. He married Mary Burnett. Their children were:
A1-8 Elizabeth Black! married James Alexander Black.
A1-9 John Burnett Black, born Dec. 1727, 1789, died Mar. 27, 1844, m. Feb. 21,
1811 to Elizabeth Brownlee.
11. Personal interview with Rowland Black, Blacksburg, S.C. , Sept. 9, 1961.
12. U.S. Pension Claim of Joseph Black, No. S 21646. He certainly knew his own birthday
better than those who gave the date for his tomb inscriptions--or should have.
13. David Russell papers.
14. All descendants of James Black will be given Al while all descendants of Robert Black
will be given Bla
15. Col. John Logan Black papers.
16. Revolutionary Record as given by War Department, July 26, 1940. Tradition in family,
confirmed by this record.
17. Dates came friim records gathered by Mrs. W. T. Files Parkdale, Arkansas.
A1-10 James Augustus Black, b. 1793, m. Elizabeth Sarah Logan. 18
A1-11 Robert Felix Black, m. Susan Prince.
A1-12 Thomas Pickney 19 Black, married Lucy Prince.
A1-13 Joseph Addison Black, b. Mar. 25, 1802, in. Martha Kesiah Peay, Dec. 30,
1830.
A 1-14 Mary Black.
A1-15 William Claborne Black; b. Apr. 13, 1806, Abbeville District, S. C. , m.
1st Martha Ann Griffin and 2nd to Jane Logan, a half-sister to Elizabeth
Sarah Logan.
A1-16 Samuel Russell Black, in. Martha K. Kirkland. 20
Col. John Logan Black wrote in 1896, "Mary Black, my father's youngest sister, died
single.... I remember seeing her only once when I was five or six. As she died young, I
have heard little of her. " The first pages of Colonel Black's family history are missing and
the record begins in the middle of a sentence. Elizabeth Black is not given and neither is
John, who were the two older children.
Rowland Black, a grandson of William Claborne Black, said in 1961 that his grandfather's
brother was John Gailliard Black and that he married Mary Brownlee. Rowland Black also
said that his father, John Gailliard Black, was named for this uncle. Rowland Black lived in
Blacksburg, S. C. and had a very old manuscript of family records that he had kept through
the years. He was very alert and this branch of the family had always lived in that area, or
at least since 1840. The only reason that the name John Burnett. Black was used is that the
will of William Brownlee, Box 4, Pack 72, Abbeville, S. C. , (page 17 Abstracts of Old 96,
by Pauline Young), lists John B. Black as executor with John Brownlee, a. son of William
Brownlee. Elizabeth Black is listed in the will as having seven children. But, John Gailliard
Black, wife Mary Brownlee, may be correct.
Mrs. Horace Laurens McSwain, Jr., Macon, Ga., who has done careful research in her
husband's family, lists the son as John Gailliard Black. A 'G' and 'B' in the early handwriting
are hard to distinguish. The wife could be Mary Elizabeth Brownlee. Mrs. McSwain is re-
sponsible for these records of Col. John Logan Black being in this compilation of the Black
family.
18. Col. Black's papers.
19. Given as "Pickney" in records of Rowland Black and Col. Black.
20. Col. Black's papers.
NOTE: Any person with the name of Black who knows back to 1850 can send the records to
me at the following address, and an attempt will be made to help in sorting of the family of
these four brothers--or in the many other Black records the compiler has in her files.
Annie Laurie Spencer
Box 429
El Dorado, Arkansas
Events
| Birth | 1705 | Antrim, Ireland | |||
| Death | Jun 1796 | Swedesboro, Gloucester County, NJ | |||
| Marriage | Agnes GLENN |
Families
| Spouse | Agnes GLENN (1706 - ) |
| Child | James BLACK (1728 - 1818) |