Dr. Samuel Henry Black, son of David William and Margaret Ferris Black, was born in New Castle County, Delaware, on December 20, 1782. At age nineteen, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. John Groome, of Elkton, Maryland, completing his medical course at the University of Pennsylvania. He settled in Glasgow, New Castle County, and practiced his profession for more than twenty years. Black was a strong advocate of vaccination.
In addition to Glasgow, his practice extended to Newark (Delaware), Elkton (Maryland), Middletown, and Port Penn (Delaware). In the latter part of the year 1817 he married Dorcas Armitage Middleton, daughter of Robert and Mary Middleton, of Glasgow. Black was a member of the Delaware General Assembly for several sessions and wrote on medical and agricultural topics. He died April 17, 1827, at age 44, leaving a widow and nine children.
Scharf, J. Thomas. History of Delaware: 1609-1888. Philadelphia: L.J. Richards, 1888.
This single bound volume was compiled by Dr. Samuel Henry Black between 1810 and 1844, containing transcribed quotations, prose, and poetry; agricultural memorandums (1815); and an open letter in which he declined to run for the Delaware General Assembly (1821).