SAMUEL BLACK, the first of this family in Washington county, of whom there is any record, was born in 1775 in County Down, Ireland, where the family were all farmers. In 1791 he came to America, landing in New York, whence in 1793 he proceeded to Washington county, Penn. and here embarked in trading, opening a general store in Williamsport (now .Monongahela), the first in the place, which he conducted a few years. This store was known as the "Old Red House" and stock was brought from the East pack horses, and traded for farm products which Mr. Back would take to New Orleans, down the river on flat boats, there sell for cash, proceed to New York, purchase a new stock of merchandise, and bring same back to Williamsport. He purchased of Joseph Parkison a lot near First street, on which he erected a house and store combined; also bought large tract of land in Washington county, and at the time of his death was one of the largest landholders in the county. In 1824 Mr. Black built the first mill at Dry Run (a "tramp mill"), the power for which was supplied by oxen, and he operated a sawmill on Pigeon Creek. He also erected the glass factory at Dry Run, besides the dwelling houses surrounding same. In short, he was a thoroughly representative self-made man, a progressive and useful citizen. His death occurred in 1846. In 1793 Mr. Black married Mary_______, who bore him the following named children: Elizabeth (Mrs. William Bentley), Maria (wife of Dr. Samuel. King) Mary, Samuel, Marcus, Cyrus, Caroline (Mrs. Robert Smith), Jane (Mrs. Wm. S. Mallingar), Ross Wilson S., Mary (Mrs. George A. Clark), and Hester A. (Mrs. John McNeal). In his political preferences Mr. Black was a Federalist, and in his church connection was a leading Presbyterian, and one of the first trustees of his church.

Text taken from page 1145 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Judy & Lee Schaeffer of Pittsburgh, PA as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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