William Morley Black reunion

by Terri Winder
February is the month of hearts and, consequently, an appropriate time to remember Malachi’s biblical injunction of turning the hearts of the children to their fathers. Unfortunately, Malachi didn’t include a formula for how that is to be accomplished.
Fortunately, there have been a small group of people from San Juan County—with one member of the committee as far away as New York State—under the direction of Pete Black, who have been working on their own formula.
As a result, there will be a William Morley Black reunion–commemorating the 100th anniversary of his death (June 21, 1915) –this coming June 20, which is a Saturday.
It seems ever since I was asked to be on the William Morley Black reunion committee, I have been “accidentally” running into his descendants. People ask, “Where are you from?” and I tell them, “Blanding, UT,” and they say, “Oh, do you know any Blacks down there?”
Then they tell me how they are related to the Black family. And then I have an opportunity to tell them about the reunion.
It will be held at the Blanding LDS Stake Center beginning at 1 p.m.
From 2 to 4 p.m., there will be a program centered on William Morley, with a brief history of his wives, including a report by a genealogist who has been hired to “set the record straight”.
Regrettably, when William Morley Black’s genealogy was first done, he was tied into the wrong ancestral line. The time has come to undo that mistake and trace his (and his descendants) true lineage.
After the program, there will be time for visiting before the catered barbeque beef dinner at 5:30 p.m. with fun entertainment following. Everyone is invited to attend any or all of the proceedings.
I was telling a man that I was working on a portrait of my great-great-grandfather. Knowing that he had lived most of his 70 something years in Blanding, I couldn’t help asking, “Are you a descendent of William Morley Black?”
He thought for a moment before saying, “No. No, I’m not.” And I thought just for a moment before answering, “I’ll bet some of your grandkids are.”
And I was right.
If you are a descendent (or just an interested person—or even someone who just loves good food and good company) and would like to attend the reunion, you may go to reserve.proscendo.com to find further information and reserve your spot.

San Juan Record

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Monticello, UT 84535

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