Adam Black was born 14 January 1779 in Loudoun County or Fauquier County, Virginia, and died 10 April 1859 in Hamlin, Cabell County, (West) Virginia.  He married Elizabeth Cockburn, daughter of Robert Cockburn and Isabell (unknown), 9 July 1805 in Greenbrier County, (West) Virginia.  She was born 14 February 1783 in Greenbrier County, (West) Virginia, and died Aft. 1860 in Greenbrier County, (West) Virginia.

Abraham's will clearly identifies Adam as his son, the only family member named in the will (click here).  Adam first appears in the Greenbrier County Personal Property Tax (PPT) rolls of 1800.

Adam married Elizabeth Cockburn on 9 July 1805 (click here) with permission provided by her father Robert Cockburn.  Two other documents tie Elizabeth with Robert.  In 1819 Adam and Elizabeth sell a piece of property in Greenbrier to Christopher Shaver (the same Christopher Shaver who bought Abraham's Greenbrier property in 1817), Greenbrier County Deed Book 8, page 84.  The property was inherited by Elizabeth, along with sister Sarah, from her father Robert's estate (page 1 here).  Robert's will was dated 14 January 1810 and probated in the September Court, 1810 (Greenbrier Will Book No. 1, page 279).  The will gives his wife one hundred acres of land, then half of the balance of the land to daughter Sarah and the remaining half to daughter Elizabeth.

As mentioned on Abraham's page, there is yet one additional transaction between the Black family and Christopher Shaver.  Evidently Christopher over extended himself in the purchase of Abraham's property in 1817 and Adam's property in 1819.  In an 1821 deed involving Christopher Shaver of the first part, Joseph Huggard of the second part and Abraham and Adam of the third part, the indenture is entered to settle the following indebtedness "... whereas the said Christopher Shaver is justly indebted to the said Abraham Black and Adam Black in the sum of one thousand and thirty dollars by his demand notes of hand and whereas the said Christopher Shaver is willing and desirous to secure the payment of the said sum of money..." (Greenbrier County Deed Book 8, page 310).  Joseph pays off Abraham and Adam and assumes the note.  There were evidently further transactions between Abraham and Christopher since he was still indebted to Abraham according to Abraham's estate settlement.

According to "History of Ona and Surrounding Country, Past and Present" by F. L. Burdette, 1925, Adam Black was among the early settlers on the Mud River in Cabell County, just below the mouth of Little Cabell Creek.  The book goes ahead to talk about nearby land and mill property purchased by Ambrose Doolittle in 1829.  "The rebuilding and raising the dam in Mud River by Mr. Doolittle so backed the water up the river as to drown a mill early established near Yates's Crossing by Adam Black.  It is a matter of tradition that the damage to the Black mill was amicably adjusted between the parties directly interested."  About 1822 Adam opened what was called a House of Private Entertainment.  This enterprise was a place where a traveler could stop for food, lodging, horse boarding and the like.  No spirits were provided in this type of establishment.  In 1833 he was given permission to open an Ordinary, which provided the same services as the House of Private Entertainment, but also allowed the sale of wine, spirits and malt liquors.  Adam operated this Ordinary until his death.

Adam's will dated 4 June 1855 bequeaths several thousands of dollars, property in Cabell County and Gallia County, Ohio, and several slaves.  This demonstrates how well Adam had done for himself and his family.  Adam's will names his children.  That, along with assistance from Cabell County PPT rolls, gives us the names of his children.

The children of Adam Black and Elizabeth Cockburn are:

1. James Cockburn Black, b. 14 April 1806, Greenbrier County, (West) Virginia; d. 17 May 1893, Hamlin, Lincoln County, West Virginia
2. John W. Black, b. 13 February 1808, Greenbrier County, (West) Virginia; d. (unknown)
3. George A. Black, b. 15 July 1809, Greenbrier County, (West) Virginia; d. (unknown)
4. Abraham Black, b. 21 July 1810, Greenbrier County, (West) Virginia; d. 4 September 1834
5. Robert Black, b. 21 July 1810, Greenbrier County, (West) Virginia; d. 24 August 1834
6. Sarah Ann Black, b. 12 May 1813, Cabell County, (West) Virginia; d. 1893, Cabell County, West Virginia
7. Tyre Brown Black, b. 1 October 1815, Cabell County, (West) Virginia; d. (unknown)
8. Daughter Black, b. Abt. 1817, Cabell County, (West) Virginia; d. Abt. 1818, Cabell County, (West) Virginia
9. William C. Black, b. 26 March 1819, Cabell County, (West) Virginia; d. 7 September 1896
10. Eliza Ann Black, b. 27 January 1821, Cabell County, (West) Virginia; d. Aft. 1880, Lawrence County, Ohio
11. Wilson Campbell Black, b. 6 July 1824, Cabell County, (West) Virginia; d. 1924
12. Malitta Caroline Black, b. Abt. 1827, Cabell County, (West) Virginia; d. (unknown)