James Black

James Black was born in Coolaney, County Sligo in about 1790.  James Black was a tenant farmer on 15 acres, 2 roods and 2 rods - rented from Charles O'Hara.

James' wife was Elizabeth Lockhart who was born in 18790 and died in 1846.

James served as a church warden and the tithe collector for the Church of Ireland inm Coolaney.  James and Elizabeth are buried in the Rathbarran Church Cemetery, Coolaney, County Sligo.  He died on 21st May, 1860 in Coolaney, Kiloran Parish.  

 James and Elizabeth’s children were Perry, Edward, Charles and John.  Son Charles was born on 12th November, 1821 and married Elizabeth Hall Armstrong.  

Charles immigrated c.1848 to America and took up residence in Chester County, Pennsylvania just west of Philadelphia.  He worked about a year as a labourer and then sent for his wife and four children in 1849.  In 1858 Charles moved his family to land north of Rockford, Illinois and homesteaded there.  They were quite successful farmers in this area.

In 1863, as required by law, Charles registered for the draft for the Union Army during the civil war at age 43.  He was classified as Class II and did not get drafted.  At this stage he was living in Owen, Winnebago, Illinois.

Charles died on 2nd November, 1901 at Rockford and is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery, Rockford, Winnebago.  Charles and his wife Elizabeth  had 12 children, all of them surviving into adults.  Elizabeth died in 1892.

Charles’ brother Edward was born c. 1813 - this is assessed from the immigration records on the "Herald" of 1844 which state that Edward was 30 and his wife Margaret 20. They were both of the Episcopalian denomination.   Edward’s death certificate states that he was born in Sligo.  More on this couple in County Donegal.

At this stage nothing is known of brothers Perry and John.