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 George David Black 1841-1913 |
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Son of Charles Black and Mary McRee Black Brown Half-brother and Good friend to Orson Pratt Brown
Lt. George David Black Born: February 18, 1841 at Copiah County, Mississippi Compiled by Lucy Brown Archer George David Black was born to Charles Black and Mary McRee. Mary McRee was born October 17, 1819 Copiah County, Mississippi, the daughter of William McRee [or McRae or McCree] and Mary McCorkins. Her parents were of Scotch decent and had immigrated to Mississippi from North Carolina about 1816. William was a wealthy planter and doctor of medicine of high standing. Mary at twenty-two years of age married Charles Black, Jr., son of a neighboring planter, Charles Black and Rebecca Brewer. When they set up housekeeping, including four colored servants. In 1841 Mary and her husband joined the Mormon Church, having been converted to the faith by Daniel Tyler. Around 1845 Mary and her husband moved to Nauvoo. When they joined the Church her father told her she was being led astray by the devil, so when they left for Nauvoo they gave up family, friends and their land and property which they could not dispose of. Mary had a half section of valuable timberland that her father had given her as a "gift of love" at the time of her marriage. This was later sold for taxes. After arriving in Nauvoo, Charles worked on the Nauvoo Temple for two years, and later engaged in the mercantile business. He took a partner in with him and was successful until his health failed him. He died of malaria in 1845. The partner of Mr. Black, a Mr. Guily, defrauded Mary of every cent that was invested in the business. He was afterwards excommunicated from the Church. Mary became very ill, and the doctors told her she would go as her husband had unless she went away from that climate. Mary refused to go but sent for the Prophet Joseph and he brought Brigham Young with, and blessed her, and told her to go home to her husband’s people until spring. They told her she would recover and would live to do much good. She took the advice of the Prophet and went back to Mississippi. While there, she made peace with her father who felt more favorable towards his daughter. Her stepmother who had always been so good to her, stood by her in her trials, as she was called upon to give up her last little daughter leaving her with one little son five years old. During all this time her brothers and sisters ignored her. In the spring Daniel Tyler with others of the Saints in Mississippi took Mary and her little boy, George David Black, back to Nauvoo. Mary took this child to Brigham Young and told him that this was the only child she had left and she did not want to lose him. Their family history stated that Brigham Young took the little boy down to the Mississippi River and baptized him, then sealed him up against all sickness and disease. He came on to Utah with Captain James Brown and lived in Ogden, Utah. George David Black was later asked to help colonize the area of Oxford, Idaho. He married and had thirteen children, but never had a sick day in his life. He was killed in a wagon accident in 1913. At Council Bluffs, David's stepfather Captain James Brown enlisted in the Mormon Battalion as Captain of Company "C". Before he left, on July 16, 1846, he married Mary McCree [McRee] Black. Mary became one of the laundresses for the Battalion and took David with her. George David Black married Mary Hunt on February 16, 1861 in Ogden, Weber County, Utah. Mary Hunt was born on July 12, 1845 at Bear Creek, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois to Jefferson and Celia Mounts Hunt. David and Mary lived in Ogden until 1871. David ran large herds of cattle out on Promontory and was considered a fine judge of cattle. He played the snare drum in the first Marshall band in Ogden. He was also a fine violinist and played for dances. He was the official town cannon shooter, which was fired on special occasions. As he grew older he lost his hearing as a result. He moved his family to Huntsville in 1871, and the following spring they moved to Oxford, Idaho. While living in the Oxford Branch he was made Presiding Elder for three years and then was made first counselor to Bishop Fisher. He also served as Justice of the Peace. They lived in Oxford until the Snake River Valley was colonized, at which time he was called to help build up the area in 1883. He served on the High Council, was Sunday School Superintendent and a Lieutenant in the Utah Militia. He was a real friend to the Indians. His trade was carpenter and plasterer and he helped build many buildings. In 1903 he moved his family to Oregon, but soon returned to Idaho. In 1913 he fell from a wagon and was badly injured and died five days later. Before he died he told friends to tell his children to always stay true to the church. He was a firm believer in the gospel, a devoted husband, father, and friend. George David Black and Mary Hunt Black's Children: Sources: PAF - Archer files = Charles Black Jr. + Mary McCree > George David Black ~ adopted by Captain James Brown Conquerors of the West: Stalwart Mormon Pioneers Vol. I, Edited by Florence C. Youngberg, 1999, http://www.brownhistory.org/CJB%20Wives_Children.htm#11%20-%20Lovina%20Mitchell Photos, items in [Brackets] and bold are among items added by Lucy Brown Archer Copyright 2002 www.OrsonPrattBrown.org |
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... Published December 2007: ...Published 2014: ... To be Published Soon:
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