Black family papers: Finding Aid
Finding aid prepared by Black (Family).
Manuscripts Department
May 2, 2017
The Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
The Huntington Library. All rights reserved.
Title: Black family papers
Dates (inclusive): 1738-1832
Collection Number: HM 49125-49227
Creator:
Black (Family)
Extent:
103 items in 2 boxes
Repository:
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
Manuscripts Department
The Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
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: English.
Note:
Finding aid last updated on May 3, 2017.
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
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The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
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[Identification of item]. Black family papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Purchased from James B. Pittillo, Aug. 1, 1979.
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
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)
Chronological arrangement
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
Huntington Library's Online Catalog.
Black, John, 1681-1767 -- Archives.
Black, Joseph, 1728-1799 -- Archives.
Black, Joseph, 1728-1799 -- Family.
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.
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
Collection Contents
Box 1
1738-1764
Physical Description: 55 items
Folder 1
Folder 2
Folder 3
Folder 4
Folder 5
Folder 6
Folder 7
Folder 8
Folder 9
Folder 10
Folder 11
Folder 12
Folder 13
Folder 14
Folder 15
Folder 16
Folder 17
Folder 18
Folder 19
Folder 20
Folder 21
Folder 22
Folder 23
Folder 24
Folder 25
Folder 26
Folder 27
Folder 28
Folder 29
Folder 30
Folder 31
Folder 32
Folder 33
Folder 34
Folder 35
Folder 36
Folder 37
Folder 38
Folder 39
Folder 40
Folder 41
Folder 42
Folder 43
Folder 44
Folder 45
Folder 46
Folder 47
Folder 48
Folder 49
Folder 50
Folder 51
Folder 52
Folder 53
Folder 54
Folder 55
Box 2
1765-1832
Physical Description: 48 items
Folder 1
Folder 2
Folder 3
Folder 4
Folder 5
Folder 6
Folder 7
Folder 8
Folder 9
Folder 10
Folder 11
Folder 12
Folder 13
Folder 14
Folder 15
Folder 16
Folder 17
Folder 18
Folder 19
Folder 20
Folder 21
Folder 22
Folder 23
Folder 24
Folder 25
Folder 26
Folder 27
Folder 28
Folder 29
Folder 30
Folder 31
1805, April 17. Black, James (c) to Matthew Black. HM 49147
Physical Description: 2 p.
Folder 32
Folder 33
Folder 34
Folder 35
Folder 36
Folder 37
Folder 38
Folder 39
Folder 40
Folder 41
Folder 42
Folder 43
Folder 44
Folder 45
Folder 46
Folder 47