William Black 1818-1897

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1878-1912.
William Black was born in Green County, East Tennessee, Dec. 17, 1818, died at his home near Braddock, Phelps County, MO, March 18, 1897 at 12 noon, aged 78 ys, 3 ms, and 3 days. Bro. Black was a son of Joseph and Mary Ann Black. At 18 he taught school and taught for many years both in Tenn. and also after he came to MO. Aug. 18, 1841 he was married to Miss Sarah Ann Hurley and in 1843 he with wife and one child came to Missouri and settled on the farm where he still lived at the time of his death. Two sons and four daughters, all but one daughter still living. Grand children 31, 25 living. Great Grand children 9 with 7 living, with his widow who survives him. Bro Black was of a family of 8 children, 5 sons and 3 daughters. One brother, Lewis Black of Waynesville and Mrs. Ellen Kirk survives him. He was a member of the County Court of Phelps County, Missouri 6 years. A professed Christian for 43 years, first a member of the M.E. Church 13 years, and a member of the Baptist Church at Enon, Dent County. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity for 40 years. A funeral sermon was preached by J. J. Watts at his late residence March 22, 1897 at 2 p.m. from Rev. 21X25 after which he was followed to the grave by 200 friends and buried by the masons at 4 p.m. ($2.00) J. J. Watts