Black Family Papers: Finding Aid mssHM 49125-49227
The Huntington Library
May 2, 2017
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Note
Finding aid last updated on December 10, 2021, by Maggie Hughes.
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Black family papers
Creator:
Black (Family)
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 49125-49227
Physical Description:
2.4 Linear Feet
(2 boxes )
Date (inclusive): 1738-1832
Abstract: The Black family papers contains
primarily correspondence between John and Margaret Black and their numerous children and
grandchildren. The correspondence deals with family affairs: trade and mercantile interests
in Bordeaux, Cadiz, and London as well as familial matters in the period between 1738 and
1837. The papers contain very little of Joseph Black's scientific work.
Language of Material: English.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Black family papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino,
California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from James B. Pittillo, Aug. 1, 1979.
Biographical / Historical
John Black (1681-1767), native of Belfast of Scottish descent, was a successful wine
merchant in Bordeaux, France. In 1716 he married Margaret Gordon, daughter of Robert Gordon,
another Scottish wine merchant there. The couple had twelve children, among whom Joseph
Black (1728-1799), Edinburgh chemist and physician, was the most famous. Other sons went to
trade or related fields. Alexander joined his uncle, Robert Black, in Cadiz, where John
Black's brother Charles was British consul. Following Robert Black's death (1761), Alexander
Black moved to London and established commercial glassworks. James Black was engaged in the
sugar-refining industry. John Black retired and moved to the family home in Blamont, Co.
Antrim in Ireland, and died there eight years later
Scope and Contents
Chiefly the correspondence between John Black (1681-1767) and his wife Margaret (Gordon)
Black and their children and grandchildren concerning family affairs. Includes topics on the
family's various trade and mercantile interests in Bordeaux, Cadiz and London as well as
personal family topics. The most famous member of the family, Joseph Black (1728-1799), is
represented by his personal life only, with only cursorary material on his scientific
work.The collection also includes biographical notes on the various members of the Black
family as well as several prints and photographs.
The Huntington local manuscripts catalog distinguishes individuals with the same name by
the addition of the letters "(a)-(z)". Several individuals in the Black family papers are so
distinguished in the finding aid. The individuals are:
- Alexander Black (b) 1729-1813. Businessman in Cadiz and London.
- Alexander Black (c) Active 1813. Son of James Black (c) and nephew of Alexander Black
(b)
- George Black (a) 1725-1800. Son of John Black (b)
- George Black (b) Active 1804. Son of George Black(a)
- James Black (c) 1733- Son of John Black (b). Businessman
- John Black (b) 1681-1767. Irish businessman of Scottish descent in Bordeaux,
France
- John Black (c) 1717-1782. Son of John Black (b)
- Joseph Black (b) 1728-1799. Scottish chemist
- Robert Black (a) Active 1738-1747. British businessman in Cadiz, Spain.
- Robert Black (b) 1721-1791. Son of John Black (b) and nephew of Robert (a)
Existence and Location of Copies
Arrangement
Chronological arrangement.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Merchants -- Great Britain -- 18th century -- Archives
Scots -- France -- Bordeaux Region (Acquitaine) -- 18th century --
Archives
Wine industry -- France -- Bordeaux Region (Acquitaine) --
Archives
Europe -- Commerce -- History -- 18th century -- Sources
Europe -- History -- 18th century -- Sources
Cádiz (Spain) -- Commerce -- 18th century
Letters (correspondence) -- 18th century
Family papers -- Great Britain -- 18th century
Black, John, 1681-1767 --
Archives
Black, Joseph, 1728-1799 --
Archives
Black, Joseph, 1728-1799 --
Family.
Black, John, 1681-1767
Black, Joseph, 1728-1799
Black, Alexander, 1729-1813
Black, Alexander, active 1813
Black, George, 1725-1800
Black, George, active 1804
Black, James, 1733-
Black, John, 1717-1782
Black, Margaret Gordon
Black, Robert, active 1738-1747
Black, Robert, 1721-1791
Box 1
1738-1764
Physical Description: 55
Items
Box 1, Folder 1
Black, John (b) to Robert Black (a) HM 49164
1738, July 11.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Cork, Ireland
Box 1, Folder 2
Black, Margaret (Gordon) to Brother [Robert Black] (a) HM 49189
1738, July 12.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 3
Black, Margaret (Gordon) to Brother [Robert Black] (a) HM 49190
1738, July 26.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 4
Black, Margaret (Gordon) to Brother Robert Black (a) HM 49191
1738. October 4.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 5
Black, Margaret (Gordon) to Brother [Robert Black] (a) HM 49192
1738, November
16.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 6
Black, John (b) to Robert Black (a) HM 49165
1739, February 7.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 7
Black, Charles to John Black (b) HM 49130
1739, August 11.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
London
Box 1, Folder 8
Black, John (c) to Robert Black (a) HM 49177
1744, August 22.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 9
Black, John (b) to Robert Black (a) HM 49166
1744, October 3.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 10
Black, John (b) to Robert Black (a) HM 49167
1746, February
12.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 11
Black, John (b) to Alexander Black) (b) HM 49150
1746, March 7.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Box 1, Folder 12
Black, John (b) to Robert Black (a) HM 49168
1747, July 4.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 13
Black, John (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49151
1748, September
21.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 14
Black, John (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49152
1750, March 18.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 15
Black, John (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49153
1750, November 7.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 16
Black, John (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49154
1751, May 15.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 17
Black, John (b) to Alexander Black) (b) HM 49155
1751, June 19.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 18
Black, John (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49156
1751, July 23.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 19
Black, John (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49157
1751, September
4.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Dublin
Box 1, Folder 20
Black, John (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49158
1753, August 4.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 21
Black, John (b) to [Robert Black] (a) HM 49169
1759, September
22.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Blamont, [County Armagh, Ireland]
Box 1, Folder 22
[Turnly] Kitty [i.e.Katherine] [(Black)] to Alexander Black (b) HM 49225
1759, September
30.
Physical Description: 4
pages
Scope and Contents
Dublin
Box 1, Folder 23
Black, Esther to Alexander Black (b) HM 49131
1759, October 14.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Dublin
Box 1, Folder 24
Black, John (b) to [Robert Black] (a) HM 49170
1760, June 14.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Belfast
Box 1, Folder 25
Black, John (c) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49171
1761, January 21.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 26
Black, John (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49200
1761, February 2.
Physical Description: 6
pages
Scope and Contents
Douglas, Isle of Man
Box 1, Folder 27
Black James (c) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49140
1761, February
21.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 28
Black, John (c) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49172
1761, March 4.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 29
Black, John (c) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49173
1761, July 8.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 30
Black, John (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49201
1761, July 10.
Physical Description: 4
pages
Scope and Contents
Belfast
Box 1, Folder 31
Burnett, Isabella [(Black)] to Sandy [i.e., Alexander Black?] (b) HM 49214
1761, August 1.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Aberdeen, Scotland
Box 1, Folder 32
Black, John (c) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49174
1761, September
16.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 33
Simon, Isaac to [Alexander Black] (b) HM 49217
1761, October 5.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Dublin
Box 1, Folder 34
Black, John (c) to [Alexander] Black (b) HM 49175
1761, December
30.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Bordeaux, France
Box 1, Folder 35
Black, Robert (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49202
1762, February
25.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Douglas, Isle of Man
Box 1, Folder 36
Black, Robert (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49203
1762, March 17.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Douglas, Isle of Man
Box 1, Folder 37
Simon, Isaac to [Alexander Black] (b) HM 49218
1762, June 26.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Dublin
Box 1, Folder 38
Black, George (a) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49132
1762, September
1.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Belfast
Box 1, Folder 39
Black, Robert (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49204
1762, September
15.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Douglas, Isle of Man
Box 1, Folder 40
Simon, Isaac to [Alexander Black] (b) HM 49219
1762, October 9.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Dublin
Box 1, Folder 41
Burnett, Isabella (Black)] to Brother [i.e., Alexander Black] (b) HM 49215
[approximately early
1762?]
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
[Aberdeen?, Scotland]
Box 1, Folder 42
Black, Geo[rge] (a) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49133
1763, January 10.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Belfast
Box 1, Folder 43
Black, Thomas (a) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49210
1763, February 9.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Belfast
Box 1, Folder 44
Black, Geo[rge] (a) to "Brother" [Alexander Black?] (b) HM 49134
1763, February
19.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Belfast
Box 1, Folder 45
Black, Thomas (a) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49211
1763, April 3.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Belfast
Box 1, Folder 46
Black, John (c) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49176
1763, October 5.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Box 1, Folder 47
Black, John (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49159
1763, November
10.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Dublin
Box 1, Folder 48
[Black, Alexander] (b) to [John Black] (b) HM 49125
1763, November.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
London
Box 1, Folder 49
Black, Robert (b) to Alexander, Black (b) HM 49205
1763, December 1.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Douglas, Isle of Man
Box 1, Folder 50
Black, John (b) to Alexander Black] (b) HM 49160
1763, December
14.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Dublin
Box 1, Folder 51
Simon, Isaac to Alexander Black (b) HM 49220
1764, March 8.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Dublin
Box 1, Folder 52
Simon, Isaac to Alexander Black (b) HM 49221
1764, April 5.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Dublin
Box 1, Folder 53
Black, Thomas (a) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49212
1764, April 11.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Belfast
Box 1, Folder 54
Black, Robert, (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49206
1764, September
6.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Douglas, Isle of Man
Box 1, Folder 55
Black, John (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49161
1764, December 8.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Belfast
Box 2
1765-1832
Physical Description: 48
Items
Box 2, Folder 1
Black, Robert (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49207
1765, February
13.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Douglas, Isle of Man
Box 2, Folder 2
Black, John (b) to Alexander Black (b) and James Black (c) HM 49162
1767, July 30.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Belfast
Box 2, Folder 3
Black, John (b) to Alexander Black (b) and James Black (c) HM 49163
1767, September
28.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Belfast
Box 2, Folder 4
Articles of Agreement . . . Relative to a marriage now intended between John
Decluzeau and Esther Black.
HM 49227
1768, June 9.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Dublin
Box 2, Folder 5
Black, Robert (b) and others to Alexander Black (b) and James Black
(c)
HM 49209
1768, September
29.
Physical Description: 4
pages
Scope and Contents
Belfast
Box 2, Folder 6
Black, Robert (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49208
1768, October 25.
Physical Description: 4
pages
Scope and Contents
Castlehill, North Ireland
Box 2, Folder 7
Turnly, Francis (a) to Alexander Black (b) and James Black (c) HM 49222
1769, January 23.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Newton Ards, County Down, North Ireland
Box 2, Folder 8
Black, George (a) to Alexander Black (b) and James Black (c) HM 49135
1771, April 9.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Belfast
Box 2, Folder 9
Black, Alexander (b) to "Brother". HM 49126
1782, September
10.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Albion Place (London)
Box 2, Folder 10
Black, James (c) to Matthew Black. HM 49142
1785, January 3.
Physical Description: 2.p
Scope and Contents
London?
Box 2, Folder 11
Black, James (c) to Matthew Black. HM 49143
1785, January 18.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
London
Box 2, Folder 12
Black, James (c) to Matthew Black. HM 49144
1785, January 20.
Physical Description: 4
pages
Scope and Contents
London
Box 2, Folder 13
Black, James (c) to Matthew Black. HM 49145
1785, February
22.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
London
Box 2, Folder 14
Black, James (c) to Matthew Black. HM 49146
1785, July 20.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
London
Box 2, Folder 15
Turnly, Francis (a) to Matthew Black. HM 49223
1785, October 26.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Newton Ards (County Down, North Ireland)
Box 2, Folder 16
Black, Joseph (b) to Alexander Black (b) [facsimile] HM 49178
1786, March 11.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Edinburgh
Box 2, Folder 17
Turnly, Francis (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49224
1786, November
22.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Canton, China
Box 2, Folder 18
Black, Joseph (b) to "Brother" Alexander Black (b) HM 49179
1787, August 17.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Edinburgh
Box 2, Folder 19
Black, Joseph (b) to "Brother" Alexander Black (b) or James Black
(c)
HM 49185
1788, January 14.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Edinburgh
Box 2, Folder 20
Black, Joseph (b) to "Brother" Alexander Black (b) or James Black
(c)
HM 49186
1788, February
23.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Edinburgh
Box 2, Folder 21
Black, Joseph (b) to "Brother" Alexander Black (b) HM 49180
1788, July 9.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Birmingham
Box 2, Folder 22
Black, Joseph (b) to "Brother" Alexander Black (b) or James Black
(c)
HM 49187
1789, July 11.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Edinburgh
Box 2, Folder 23
Black, Joseph (b) to "Brother" Alexander Black (b) or James Black
(c)
HM 49188
1789, July 18.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Edinburgh
Box 2, Folder 24
Black, Joseph (b) to "Brother" Alexander Black (b) HM 49181
1791, February
20.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Edinburgh
Box 2, Folder 25
Black, Joseph (b) to James Black (c) HM 49184
1791, March 11.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Edinburgh
Box 2, Folder 26
Black, Joseph (b) to "Brother" Alexander Black (b) HM 49182
1791, July 31.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Edinburgh
Box 2, Folder 27
Black, Alexander (b) to Bernardo del Campo y Perez de la Serna, marques del
Campo.
HM 49127
1792, October 22.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Albion Place (London)
Includes fragment of the printed "Memorial, [etc.] regarding a debt due by the Crown
of Spain to Alexander Black…" 1783.
Box 2, Folder 28
Black, Joseph (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49183
1793, October 21.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Edinburgh
Box 2, Folder 29
Turnly, John to Alexander Black? (b) HM 49226
1800, March 6.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Belfast
Box 2, Folder 30
Black, George (b) to James Black (c) HM 49139
1804, March 28.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Dublin
Box 2, Folder 31
Black, James (c) to Matthew Black. HM 49147
1805, April 17.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Box 2, Folder 32
Black, James (c) to Matthew Black. HM 49148
1807, October 12.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
London
Box 2, Folder 33
Black, Thomas (b) to "My Dear Uncle". HM 49213
1808, May 30.
Physical Description: 4
pages
Scope and Contents
Prince of Wales Island (Pinang, Malaysia)
Box 2, Folder 34
Black, James (c) to Matthew Black. HM 49149
1808, October 27.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
St. George's (London)
Box 2, Folder 35
Black, James (c) to George Black (b) HM 49141
1808, October 17.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
London, St. George's, Surry Road
Box 2, Folder 36
Black, Matthew to George Black? (b) HM 49195
1809, August 30.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Dublin
Box 2, Folder 37
Black, George (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49136
1809, September
10.
Physical Description: 4
pages
Scope and Contents
Stranmillis (Belfast)
Box 2, Folder 38
Black, George (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49137
1811, July.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Stranmillis (Belfast)
Box 2, Folder 39
Black, Matthew to Alexander Black (b) HM 49194
1812, March 24.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Dublin
Box 2, Folder 40
Black, George (b) to Alexander Black (b) HM 49138
1812, October 18.
Physical Description: 4
pages
Scope and Contents
Stranmillis (Belfast)
Box 2, Folder 41
Black, Alexander (c) to Matthew Black. HM 49129
1813, August 6.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
London
Box 2, Folder 42
Black, Noah Robert to Alexander Black (c) HM 49197
1814, February
11.
Physical Description: 2
pages
Scope and Contents
Newton (Wakefield, Yorkshire)
Box 2, Folder 43
Black Marie Des Coste to Alexander Black (c) HM 49193
1814, April 30.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Newton near Wakefield (Yorkshire, England)
Box 2, Folder 44
Black, Matthew to Marie del Coste Black. HM 49196
1815, March 9.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Dublin
Box 2, Folder 45
Black, Noah Robert to Alexander Black (c) HM 49198
1815, August 23.
Physical Description: 3
pages
Scope and Contents
Newton near Wakefield (Yorkshire, England)
Box 2, Folder 46
Black, Alexander (c) to "Brother". HM 49128
1816, April 15.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
London
Box 2, Folder 47
Black, Noah Robert to Matthew Black. HM 49199
1823, February
20.
Physical Description: 1
pages
Scope and Contents
Wakefield (Yorkshire)
Box 2, Folder 48
Cawood, I to Noah Robert Black. HM 49216
1832, April 16.
Physical Description: 4
pages
Scope and Contents
Dublin