James Thomas Black was born as the 9th of the 11 children born to Mary J. (Claunch) and Daniel Black in Mercer County, Kentucky.

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: James Black
Age: 11
Birth Year: abt 1839
Birthplace: Kentucky
Home in 1850: District 2, Mercer, Kentucky
Gender: Male
Family Number: 576
Household Members:
Name Age
Daniel Black 55
Mary Black 47
John Black 20
Mary Black 15
Maria Black 13
James Black 11
Amanda Black 8
Eliza Black 3

Daniel Black died of Consumption on August 22, 1856 at the age of 60 years and the children still living at home all helped to keep the farm and businesses operational.

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: James T Black
Age in 1860: 21
Birth Year: abt 1839
Birthplace: Kentucky
Home in 1860: District 2, Mercer, Kentucky
Gender: Male
Post Office: Nevada
Household Members:
Name Age
Mary Black 57
James T Black 21
Ann Eliza Black 12
Franklin Noel 23
Amanda Noel 18

James Thomas married Miss Mary Catherine McMullin on November 15, 1860 in Washington County, Kentucky. Mary was a daughter of Nancy (Devine) and John McMullin of Washington County, Kentucky.

To this union were born 17 children and they all lived in a log cabin on the border of the Mercer/Washington County Line. 14 of these children grew up and then went on to have families of their own.

James T. Black was the County Clerk of Mercer County for about thirty years, and was also a writer of deeds and other contracts.

James also bought turkeys which he sold in Harrodsburg and shipped to Louisville. After an exceptionally large shipment and delivery, he became known as 'Turkey Jim' to many people. James was also an excellent shot and made sure that there was ample meat on the table to feed his large brood.

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: James T. Black
Age: 41
Birth Year: abt 1839
Birthplace: Kentucky
Home in 1880: Baton Rouge, Mercer, Kentucky
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Mary C. Black
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Farmer
Household Members:
Name Age
James T. Black 41
Mary C. Black 36
Margaret E. Black 19
John S. Black 17
Eliza J. Black 15
Talitha M. Black 13
Mary B. Black 12
Robert L. Black 11
Benjamin P. Black 9
Clifton Black 7
Wm. K. Black 6
Addie K. Black 4
Lucinda Black 3
Tresia A. Black 1
Black 3m

On June 10, 1889 James' beloved wife Mary Catherine passed away after giving birth to their last child. Mary and their last child were buried in the McMullin Family Cemetery in Washington County, Kentucky.

Even though James was widowed and still had some younger children in the home - He never remarried.

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: James T Black
Age: 61
Birth Date: May 1839
Birthplace: Kentucky
Home in 1900: Magisterial District 2, Mercer, Kentucky
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Widowed
Father's Birthplace: Kentucky
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Name Age
James T Black 61
John L Black 37
Clifton I Black 27
Add K Black 24
James D Black 18
Ruah F Black 12

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: J T Black [J F Black]
Age in 1910: 70 [43]
Birth Year: abt 1840 [abt 1867]
Birthplace: Kentucky
Home in 1910: Cornishville, Mercer, Kentucky
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Widowed
Father's Birthplace: Kentucky
Mother's Birthplace: Kentucky
Household Members:
Name Age
J T Black 70
Clifton Black 38 (43)

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: James F Black [James T Black]
Age: 86
Birth Year: abt 1834
Birthplace: Kentucky
Home in 1920: Cornishville, Mercer, Kentucky
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Father
Marital Status: Widowed [Widow]
Father's Birthplace: Kentucky
Mother's Birthplace: Kentucky
Household Members:
Name Age
Add Black 43
Lillie Black 38
Ora Black 12
Martha J Black 16
James E Black 9
William R Black 7
Herbert Black 5
A K Morris Black 1 (1 9/12]
James F Black 86

This complete biography was written after stewardship of this memorial was obtained by Skeety (FAG #47532462).
Info. below from:46818183
Death came to Mr. J. D. Black last Saturday, the aged father of County Attorney R. L. Black, of this city. He was 82 years of age and on Thursday was stricken with double pneumonia which brought his life to a close. He was a splendid gentleman, a devout Baptist and had passed a useful life as well as a long one. The funeral was held Sunday at Bruner's Chapel conducted by Rev. W. D. Moore, and the interment was with Masonic honors in the cemetery nearby. Mr. Black was the father of seventeen children, eleven of whom survive him, and all attended the funeral except one, who lived at a distance. The children are Mrs. Maggie Watts, of Arthur, Ill.; Mr. John Black, of Washington county; Mrs. William Wickersham, Beech Grove; Mrs. Belle Hale, Cedar Grove; Messrs. R. L. Black and J. D. Black, of Harrodsburg; Mr. Perry Black, of Dayton, Ohio; C. T. Black, of Washington county; Mr. Kelly Black, of Scioto, Ill.; Mrs. Coley Lay, Mercer and Mr. A. K. Black, who lived at the home place on the Mercer and Washington county line, near Jenkinsville.
(Courtesy of The Harrodsburg Herald, Harrodsburg, Mercer Co, Ky, Fri Mar 4, 1921)