William Black, ironfounder, Hedworth Hall (1823-1905)

[Forfarian]

Having just learned that this gentleman is a relative, I have been looking online for information about him, and this is what I think I know so far.

He was born in Scotland around 1823, and by 1841 his parents, James Black and Jane (I think her maiden name was Landalls or similar), both aged 45, were living at Barnes, Westoe with ten children including William, aged 18. by 1851 Jane had died and James, aged 64, was in Barnes House, Westoe, with William, aged 28, and two of his siblings. In 1861 and 1871 James was in West Boldon House, Boldon, with one or two of his children, and I think he could be the 81-year-old James Black who died in South Shields in 1879.

I have yet to find William in 1861, 1881 or 1891, but in 1871 he was in Hedworth, unmarried, with a housekeeper and housemaid, and in 1901 he was at 5 Loraine Place, Jesmond, with a housekeeper (the same woman who had been his housemaid in 1871!) and a housemaid.

William is described first as a clerk, then agent chemical manufactory, and latterly ironfounder. I hoped to find an obituary for him, and for his father, but there doesn't seem to be anything in the 19th century newspaper collection.

Can anyone suggest any other places where I might find information about this family?

Edit: Have now found him in 1861, 1881 and 1891. In 1881 he was the employer of 1215 men and 262 boys, and a JP. In 1891 he was a magistrate and engineer.

[Tickettyboo]

1901 Census (RG13 Piece 4780 Folio 150  Page 40), at 1 Lovaine Place, Jesmond - which, according to the Probate Calendar is where he died on 12 July 1905


This may be of interest from the Shields Gazette 03 May 1878 :

The General Secretaryship of the Presbyterian Church

The Synod of the Presbyterian Church of England having resolved to appoint a General Secretary, the very rev. Court, at its sitting on Manchester last night, made choice of the Rev. John Black, Sunderland for the new appointment. Mr Black (who is brother to William Black Esq., J.P. South Shields) is the minister of North Bridge Street Church, Monkwearmouth - where he was settled, we believe, about this very day nineteen years ago - and he is also Clerk to the Presbytery of Newcastle. Probably a better business man is not to be found amongst the whole incumbents of the CHurch; and in removing from Sunderland Mr Black parts from a congregation which he found a mere skeleton and leaves a robust and well consolidated body.

I only currently have access to the Shields Gazette up to 1904, on the British Newspaper Archive, which is why I can't find an obit. I am sure someone with more local knowledge than I will be able to tell you the best place to find a newspaper report, I have a vague feeling that South Shields Library may have what you are looking for, but I could well be wrong.

Boo

[Forfarian]

1901 Census (RG13 Piece 4780 Folio 150  Page 40), at 1 Lovaine Place, Jesmond - which, according to the Probate Calendar is where he died on 12 July 1905

Thank you. The original of the census is quite hard to read - I couldn't decide whether it was Loraine or Lovaine.

This may be of interest from the Shields Gazette 03 May 1878

Very much so, thank you.

I have a vague feeling that South Shields Library may have what you are looking for, but I could well be wrong.

Thank you. A trip to South Shields isn't out of the question - I could even stay at Hedworth Hall, which I gather is now a hotel.

[JenB]

1901 Census (RG13 Piece 4780 Folio 150  Page 40), at 1 Lovaine Place, Jesmond - which, according to the Probate Calendar is where he died on 12 July 1905

Thank you. The original of the census is quite hard to read - I couldn't decide whether it was Loraine or Lovaine.

Here's a photo of Lovaine Place before demolition http://www.flickr.com/photos/newcastlelibraries/4075720237/in/photostream/

[Forfarian]

Thank you, Jen.

[JenB]

From 1870 onwards he was a member of the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers  (see http://www.dmm.org.uk/transime/n19-m.htm ) and of the Institute of Mining Engineers (http://www.dmm.org.uk/transime/u13-m.htm)

The NEIMM have an extensive library and archive in central Newcastle upon Tyne, so it might be worth your while contacting them http://www.mininginstitute.org.uk/

[Forfarian]

Thank you, that is a very useful pointer.

[Tickettyboo]

http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/images/5/50/Er19050714.pdf
That link takes you a .pdf of a publication called The Engineer, edition 14 July 1905 and it has a short obituary for your William Black (quite a few pages in the .pdf, but I used CtrlF to search for Black and found it from there)

"Mr William Black, late of Messrs. Black, Hawthorn, and Co., died on Wednesday morning, in Newcastle, in his eighty-third year. Mr Black founded the Black, Hawthorn and Co.'s engineering works, Gateshead, the North-eastern Foundry, South Shields, and St Bede's Chemical Company - which was absorbed by the United Alkali Company some years ago - and was connected with many industries of the Tyne. He was magistrate for South Shields and Gateshead. "


The www.gracesguide.co.uk site looks like it would be worth investigating to see if there is more info about William Black and his companies.

Boo

[Forfarian]

Thank you again, and my apologies for not replying sooner - I've been away on holiday and out of internet range for a few days.