My Genealogy Hound

REV. JOHN BLACK, D. D., was born in County Antrim, Ireland, Oct. 2, 1768, and was a son of John and Margaret Black. His ancestors were among the heroic Covenanters of Scotland. Having received the rudiments of a solid education, he was sent at an early age to the University of Glasgow, where he graduated with the highest honors. He embarked in 1797 for America, as he was an ardent friend of republican institutions, and was involved in the movement of that year for the liberation of his native land from English rule. Arriving at Philadelphia, young Black was employed as a teacher of classics, and later in the university in that city. In June, 1799, he was licensed to preach, and in 1800 he was ordained and installed as pastor of the First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. The installation took place in the old courthouse, and was the beginning of nearly fifty years continuous service with that society, ending only with his death, Oct. 25, 1849.

About 1820 Dr. Black became professor of languages in the University of Western Pennsylvania, and continued for twelve years to labor in that capacity. He is described by one of his students as a keen but kindly critic. With him teaching seemed to be a labor of love. He has been known to spend hours in teaching the alphabet to a little child, and again to sit up until a late hour at night in elucidating an abstruse theological point to a perplexed student. As a preacher Dr. Black was very impressive, at times rising to commanding eloquence. He had ready command of language, his argumentative powers were great, and his mind was so stored with scriptural knowledge that he needed no special preparation, and often delivered powerful discourses in emergencies where others failed to fill an appointment. He contributed largely to newspapers and periodicals in a graceful and instructive style.

In social life Dr. Black was genial and cheerful. He enjoyed fraternal relations with members of all religious denominations, including the Roman Catholic clergy. There was universal recognition of his ability and worth as a Christian and patriotic citizen. Dr. Black was married, Sept. 22, 1801, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew and Margaret Watson, of Pittsburgh. He was preceded in the journey to the other shore by his amiable consort, who passed over June 22, 1824. Of their ten children eight survived them. Three sons, John, Andrew Watson and Robert John, became preachers. The third son, Samuel W., a leading Pittsburgh attorney, was killed at the battle of Gaines’ Mill while in command of a regiment. The fifth son was Dr. Alexander Black, a successful physician. All are now deceased. Of the daughters, Mrs. M. A. Rodman, widow of Gen. F. J. Rodman, United States ordnance, resides in Chicago, Ill., and Mrs. Margaret Wylie, in Washington, D. C. The third daughter, Elizabeth, wife of James H. McClelland, died about the same time as her husband—in 1870. Three of her sons are among the leading physicians of Pittsburgh.