It's Not All Black and White: Alexander Black and Lydia White of Yarmouth, MA (1761-1849)



I stumbled upon records for Alexander Black while researching another family of the same last name from Yarmouth.  I had to look into Alexander's family a bit in order to properly identify individuals and their places in the correct family trees.  Here is some information on Alexander Black and his family I have gathered.  Research is ongoing.

Mr. Alexander Black, aged 88, died at the Alms House (West Barnstable) in May 1849.  This date of death and reported age suggest a birth year of 1761. After looking back over Mr. Black's life, I have to wonder if his last days at the almshouse were not a result of unfortunate circumstances, but support that the Alms House may have served as a hospice and last respite for the town's most infirm and aged citizens.  His place of burial is currently unknown to me. According to the Rhode Island Historical Cemetery Association website, his wife Lydia, is buried in Rhode Island where she died 21 December 1830 at the age of 66.

Revolutionary War Service is attributed to this Alexander Black in a 1914 Illinois U.S. Sons of the American Revolution Membership Application.  The Application identifies his birth year as 1761 and his parents as Douglas and Persis (Arthur) Black of Nantucket (please see note below as to why I don't believe name of mother is accurate). Alexander Black served as a boatmen in Captain Edy's Company of artificers for an eight day expedition to Rhode Island August 8 through 16, 1778.  Given the birth date provided of 1761, he would have been about 16 or 17 years of age at that time.  He served a second time as a private in Captain Henry Jenne's company, enlisting on 14 March 1781, again for service at Rhode Island; date of discharge is 18 March 1781.  



The first record for Alexander Black at Yarmouth is a 1785 marriage record.  Alexander (of Nantucket), and Lydia White of Yarmouth were married by Rev. Nathaniel Stone on 25 October 1785.  Their marriage is also recorded in Nantucket records which further identify Alexander Black as the son of Douglas and Persis (Arthur) Black. Looking at records more closely, if born in 1761, Persis could not have been Alexander's mother as she died in 1749.  Alexander may be the son of Douglas and his second wife Desire Wheldon of Cape Cod.  Douglas Black married second Desire Wheldon of Cape Cod on 23 January 1757. Some family trees, and records, report a birth date for Alexander as 1747, but I believe this may originate from a possible error or misinterpretation of Nantucket Vital Record Transcripts (which I have to say I have seen quite a few errors in these records (the Barney Records) across research).  Douglas' name is, on occasion, misspelled, i.e., the marriage records for this couple, identify him as Dugan or Dugas. This possible error would cause difficulty when narrow search parameters are used.  Douglas Black died 1775; Elizabeth (Wheldon) Black died 1790.  Currently I have found no records that can confirm or deny Elizabeth Wheldon as Alexander's mother - again research is ongoing. I still cannot replicate a specific birth date in 1761 that some family trees give for Alexander - I welcome any source records any one can share.

Marriage Record of Alexander Black and Lydia White 25 October 1785

 
Nantucket Record (Barney Records) of Douglas Black and his childrens' names, birth dates, and some death dates (pictured above) is not clear to me.  There is no birth date for Alexander but it does correctly identify his wife as Lydia White of Yarmouth.  Also unclear, is another record from this same source (pictured below) identifying children of Alexander Black and Lydia.  The family record from Nantucket does not match what is recorded at Yarmouth.  Again, more research needs to be done and although most of the children can be traced and verified - their son Alexander, and grandson Alexander, are a little more difficult to confirm.

Two Nantucket vital record transcriptions for Alexander Black and Lydia White identify Alexander as son of Douglas and Persis Black:



Records for Lydia White paint a clearer picture.  Lydia, the oldest child of Deacon Joseph White and Rebecca Bray, was born at Yarmouth on 29 October 1768. Her birth and marriage to Alexander Black are noted in the White Family Genealogy, the Genealogical Notes of Barnstable, and in Yarmouth records.  


Apparently marrying into a Yarmouth family, and having a child there (their first child Sophia was born in 1786), helped anchor Alexander Black as a solid citizen.  On 10 May 1792 at the Yarmouth Town meeting held at the East Meeting House he was included in a list of individuals officially received into the town as an inhabitant.

                                        

On 23 February 1796, Alexander Black of Yarmouth sells a three acre parcel of land for nine pounds to Abraham Baker also of Yarmouth. The record is signed by both Alexander and his wife Lydia. Whether there is any family connection to Abraham Baker needs to investigated; Lydia White is the granddaughter of Lydia Baker of Yarmouth.

In his Last Will and Testament dated 28 August 1800, Joseph White of Yarmouth leaves property to his wife Rebecca. After his wife's improvements, he leaves the whole of his dwelling house to his son Peregrine White along with three quarters of an acre underneath and adjoining the same, exclusive of land under any other buildings.  He then gives to sons, Isaac and Peregrine, and their heirs, the remainder of land adjoining the house, equal to six acres.  Sons Joseph, Isaac, and Peregrine receive all land at a place called "point of the neck" which is near the dwelling of Joseph Crowell, plus all other land owned. A remaining quarter of his estate is left to his daughters named and described as Lydia Black (wife of Alexander Black), Polly Hall (wife of Isaac Hall), and children of a deceased daughter Azubah Hallet, to be divided between them. Deacon White also indicates that if any child shall desire to sell their portion, it must first be offered to their siblings. On 5 March 1813, Alexander, mariner of Yarmouth, and his wife Lydia, convey their part of the estate of her father Joseph White, to her brother Peregrine White for two hundred dollars.

                                         

Archived within the Harvard University Library (Baker family. Papers of the Baker family, 1687-1898. HUM 133, Harvard University Archives) is a letter Lydia Black wrote her sister Polly Hall on 2 February 1796. The letter was a thoughtful and albeit flowery farewell, wishing godspeed to her sister whom it seems would soon be (or had been recently) separated from her family.  Whether the letter hints at some possible family turmoil is left for interpretation.  Polly White had married Peter Hall two years prior, in 1794, at age 16. Records show that Peter and Polly Hall left Cape Cod and settled in Vermont where they raised their children and lived out their lives.  I wonder if Lydia and Polly ever saw each other again?  If you are wondering why this letter may have been part of the Baker Papers, again Lydia and Polly Black's grandmother, mother to their father Joseph White, was Lydia Baker.


Alexander Black of Yarmouth can be accounted for across census and tax records:

In the 1790 census at Yarmouth one male two females are identified in the household of Alexander Black - this would account for Alexander, his wife and first daughter Lydia.  

Alexander Black is listed on the 1798 (1 October 1798) tax list at Yarmouth with a dwelling house and land valued at 400 dollars. On the same date (separate page) he is listed as owner of land, lots, buildings, or wharves, equalling 20 acres (for two lots) valued at $137 approximately.

In 1800 at Yarmouth, Alexander Black is enumerated with five individuals in his household - three males and two females. 

I have not positively identified the Alexander Black who is enumerated at Barnstable in 1820; the census data is not clear to me and seems to identify him as a foreigner but gives no age. Alexander Black of this report is not identified in the 1820 Yarmouth Census. There is however, a Thomas Black, trader, foreigner, enumerated at Barnstable at this time.  More research needs to be done but vital records identify Thomas' place of birth as Scotland.  He does not connect to the indigenous family of Yarmouth that instigated this research.  He is sometimes of Yarmouth and sometimes of Barnstable across records.  Several deeds exist relative to Thomas Black and his wife Deborah (Young), one dated 1798 (where he is of Yarmouth), another 1805 (where he is of Barnstable). There are several court cases at Barnstable concerning Thomas Black.  This couple had nine children - one named Elexander.  They died in 1827 and 1843 respectively. Thomas may have also served during the Revolutionary War.  To complicate things further there is an individual named Thomas Black who is part of the indigenous family of Yarmouth that I have researched more extensively and will share at a later time.
In 1830, the year Lydia is supposed to have died at Rhode Island, an Alexander Black is enumerated at Nantucket aged 70, which age fits with our Alexander. (Note in 1830 at Barnstable can be found Braddock Black, probable son of Alexander and Lydia.  


Alexander Black is recorded at Yarmouth in the 1840 U.S. Federal Census; one individual in his household, white male, aged between 80 and 90.  I currently record no other individuals named Black in Yarmouth 1840.  

Braddock Black, probable son of Alexander, was a ship captain turned farmer in New York.  Several of Alexander and Lydia's children and grandchildren ended up in Lynn, Massachusetts, shoe cutters and shoe workers.  Some lived in New York.  At least one individual died at Barnstable, but was returned to be buried at Lynn. Much more to research.



Unattributed records:
Alexander Black marries Mrs. Elizabeth Wheldon at Yarmouth on 18 September 1830.  
Alexander Black marries Anna Baker, recorded at Barnstable, MA 4 March 1832.
Another record for Alexander Black, mariner, in May 1813 -  accounting for money owed for service onboard the Ship Princess Ann of Harwich, three days and three nights, three dollars per twenty four hours and for [surveying?] on board the ship, including his receipt for payment.. 














Additionally there is an Alexander Black a Captain, connected to West Barnstable and South Carolina, who may have been involved as a slave trader. 

Sources:

Court Records, 1827-1859, Barmstable County, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Court of Common Pleas, Film No. 007792698, Image 604, Familysearch.org.

Massachusetts and Maine: Direct Tax, 1798. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2003.) Original manuscript: Direct tax list of 1798 for Massachusetts and Maine, 1798. R. Stanton Avery Special Collections, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, MA.

https://www.americanancestors.org/DB183/rd/13104/389/235248690

Massachusetts and Maine: Direct Tax, 1798. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2003.) Original manuscript: Direct tax list of 1798 for Massachusetts and Maine, 1798. R. Stanton Avery Special Collections, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, MA.

https://www.americanancestors.org/DB183/rd/13104/417/235249266

"Barnstable, MA: Town Records, 1640-1793." Records of Barnstable, Massachusetts. CD-ROM. Boston, MA.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2002. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009.)

https://www.americanancestors.org/DB290/rd/7221/153/4882485

Massachusetts: Vital Records, 1620-1850 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2016).

https://www.americanancestors.org/DB190/rd/13885/790/248817718

Yarmouth, Town Records, Ancestry.com.

Nantucket Town Records, Ancestry.com.

Familysearch.org.

U.S., Massachusetts Federal Census Records, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Ancestry.com.


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