William Black (1771–1866) Explained

William Black
Order:4th
Office:Mayor of Saint John, New Brunswick
Predecessor:John Robinson
Successor:Lauchlan Donaldson
Term Start:1828
Term End:1829
Order2:6th
Office2:Mayor of Saint John, New Brunswick
Predecessor2:Lauchlan Donaldson
Successor2:John McNeil Wilmot
Term Start2:1832
Term End2:1833
Order3:12th
Office3:Mayor of Saint John, New Brunswick
Predecessor3:Robert F. Hazen
Successor3:Lauchlan Donaldson
Term Start3:1840
Term End3:1843
Birth Place:Aberdeen, Scotland

William Black (1771 – 18 June 1866) 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 to 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.

During his time as acting governor of the colony of New Brunswick in 1829 to 1831, they had named the small village of Blackville after him.