Black Family Papers, 1738-1832

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Black family papers

Summary

Title:
Black family papers
Dates:
1738-1832
Creators:
Black (Family)
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.
Extent:
2.4 Linear Feet (2 boxes )
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Black family papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

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:

  1. Alexander Black (b) 1729-1813. Businessman in Cadiz and London.
  2. Alexander Black (c) Active 1813. Son of James Black (c) and nephew of Alexander Black (b)
  3. George Black (a) 1725-1800. Son of John Black (b)
  4. George Black (b) Active 1804. Son of George Black(a)
  5. James Black (c) 1733- Son of John Black (b). Businessman
  6. John Black (b) 1681-1767. Irish businessman of Scottish descent in Bordeaux, France
  7. John Black (c) 1717-1782. Son of John Black (b)
  8. Joseph Black (b) 1728-1799. Scottish chemist
  9. Robert Black (a) Active 1738-1747. British businessman in Cadiz, Spain.
  10. Robert Black (b) 1721-1791. Son of John Black (b) and nephew of Robert (a)
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

Acquisition information:
Purchased from James B. Pittillo, Aug. 1, 1979.
Arrangement:

Chronological arrangement.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2021-12-10 15:44:14 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

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.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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