John and Ethel’s marriage record implies a birthdate for John around 1905. His gravestone says 1900-1931. There is no son named John listed with his parents in any census year (1900, 1910 or 1920), although a Leander Black is listed as 10 in 1910 and 19 in 1920. I have no other records of Leander s/o Willie (e.g., cemetery or marriage), so apparently these are the same person.

His death certificate records John Black, age 32, born 1898 in Rowan Co., Ky, died 26 Aug 1936 at St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington, Fayette Co., Ky, usual residence Morehead, Rowan Co., Ky, widower, father W. M. Black, mother’s maiden name Mrs. W. M. Clark, both born in Ky, cause of death fractured 3rd cervical vertebra & destruction of spinal cord, due to accident, fell over bank and landed on neck, informant Mrs. N. L Wells.

There are some curious things about this record. For one thing, John was not widowed - his wife Ethel outlived him. Perhaps they were separated by 1936, though. For another thing, his mother, so far as I know, did not ever marry any Clark. She was still named Letha Black when she died in 1961. Possibly the person filling out the form intended to write Mrs. W. M. Black.

From Dianna Gilliam's notes: "Ethel is buried in the little Black cemetery next to her first husband John Black. There is also an Edward Black buried near them who I feel could be their son, born 17 Sep 1929, died 6 Jul 1991. Also there is a Amason Wilson buried under a military stone 12 May 1886 - 23 Jun 1960 who I feel could be Ethel's second husband, or he could be the father of Langley and Ott Wilson, husbands to Daisey and Arazona Black, respectively. There is also a marker for Bobby Joe Wilson and I have not determined if he belongs to Daisey, Arazona, or possibly Ethel."

The inscription on her stone is Ethel Black Wilson, 1903 - 1981.

The Social Security Death Index lists Ethel Wilson, born 23 May 1903, died Apr 1981, last residence Morehead, Ky. But she was listed in the 1910 census as age 5, and her sister Clarissa was listed as age 7 in 1910 and age 17 in 1920, so Ethel was probably really born in 1905 or possiby 1904.

Rowan Co. marriage book 17, p. 52, records the marriage on 24 Sep 1927 of John Black, 22, s/o Willie & Lela Black to Ethel Conn, 19, d/o Maston & Emma Conn, at Vale by W. J. Fletcher, witnesses John H. Trent and Martin Black.

1930 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Haldeman precinct, enumerated 22 April, lists on p. 9A as family #144:
Black, John, 28, farmer, age at first marriage 21; Ethel, wife, 24, age at first marriage 24; Myrtle, dau, 3; Edward, son, 6/12. All born Ky Ky Ky.