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Subject: [BLACK-L] Re: Black - Do you recognize This Historical Sketch-cont.
Date: 14 Jul 2001 16:25:01 -0600

Page#4-7
In this day of good roads every where, means of rapid transit, the comforts and luxury of travel, the youbg can only vaguely imagine the conditions and difficulties of emigration in those early times. It meant weeks, often months, of weary travel in wagons over umimproved mud roads, often mere trails - enduring much exposure and discomfort. But these young people possessed of strong wills and courageous sprits, dared to face such difficulties with the hope that they and their children might have greater advantages and fuller life than the other states offer.
They came by the national road, which had been built but a few years, to Indianapolis, then only a small town.
There being no bridge there and his wife not wishing to cross the river by ferry -boat, they came south to Martinsville. Here they stayed that winter and he worked at blacksmithing. While at Martinsville he became acquainted with a Mr. Conover who then lived in Montogomery Township, Owen County, on the farm later known as the W. Snodgrass farm, know known as the Dave Snodgrass farm through his acquaintance with Mr. Conover he was induced to come to Owen County Living first for a few months, probably a year on what later became known as the John Finly Payne Farm near Weasley Chapel. This was largely a neighborhood of Cumberland Presbyterians and here they formed some of their most intimate and cherished friendships.
In a short time probably the latter part of 1841 or the early part of 1842, he bought 160 acres of land in the southeastern part of Jennings Township, Owen County, of a man by the name of Shields.
This was the beginning of what is now well known as the John R. Black farm, in later years the house of his son Calvin Black.
There were already a few acres, probably 30 or more, of cleared land two Log Houses on this farm, and into one of these - The one down at the spring just at the foot of the hill upon which this old homestead was later built-
he brought his family there consisting of his wife and two small boys. Here they began the arduous task of clearing the land and building a home. But these courageous spririts did not hesitate nor falter. God prospered them in there work and year by year through their industry and thrift the forests were cleared and new fields were brought into cultivation, orchard were started, and a large log barn was built (about 1846).
In this home three more children were born, a third son Henry, in Jan 1843 and Susan and Elizabeth, TWIN daughters, Aug 23 1848.
While he was toiling in the clearing or at work in the fields or shop, his faithful wife, though not so strong as he, was always busy with the household cares - the spinning or the weaving, always provident regarding the many needs of the home and family - a safe couniselor, and a true helpmate.
He continued to work as his traid as blacksmith as time and the work of the farm would permit, doing work for the comminity as well as his own. There was little money in the country and he often took his pay in grain, meat or other produce of the country. Coal had not then come into general use by blacksmiths and they burned charcoal from sugar timber for heating the iron.


This is the first 7 pages. It is a total of 14 pages long with the date of July 12, 1925 on the last page.
It also gives John R Black's Death as Sept 21, 1892
at the age of 82 years and 14 days
and his wife Hanna's Death as Aug. 8, 1894
at the age of 83 years and 9 days.
It also has an accompanying letter signed by
Dated July 24, 1925 Mr. John S. Black
Quincy, Indiana
and signed by Chas. E, Hartsock
Gosport, Indiana

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