William Black

Who was William Black?

William Black was a Canadian shipper, merchant, and office-holder born in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Black grew up and was educated in Scotland. He immigrated to New Brunswick in 1798 work with his brother John, an established shipping and timber export merchant. By 1808 he was managing their timber trade in Saint John while his brother opened a new office in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In a few years they had the largest business enterprises in British North America. They both married daughters of Christopher Billopp, a leading an influential businessman and member of the Legislative Council of New Brunswick.

Black was appointed to the Council in 1817 by George Stracey Smyth, the Lieutenant Governor. He eventually achieved the position of president of the council.