William Black Jr. ("Black Will Jr.")

Born to Alice (Hanscom) Metherell in Kittery in 1691, his mulatto appearance prompted his mother to confess that the baby's father was not her husband, John Metherell, but rather, a slave of Major Shapleigh's known as "Black Will". John Metherell quickly left town, and the young boy -- known initially as "Jonathan" -- ended up being a town charge. During his childhood, he became known as "Black Will Jr." and later fell in love with a white woman, Elizabeth Turbet, daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Spencer) Turbet of Berwick, ME. On 22 November 1714, they published their intentions to lawfully marry, but were prevented from doing so. Instead, they lived together -- a crime by the standards of that time period. In 1715, charges were brought against Elizabeth Turbet for fornication. Later, in 1718, charges were again brought against her and Black Will Jr., and both were sentenced to be publicly whipped. Elizabeth's mother, Elizabeth (Spencer) Turbet, and her sister, Sarah [later wife of John Conner], testified against her in 1718.

By 1739, Will and Elizabeth were in possession of New Cape, Newagen Island, in Harpswell, Maine. They became the earliest settlers of what is now Bailey Island and remained there until they were forced to move to Orr's Island by Hannah Bailey. In 1760, their son, William Black of Harpswell, sold his half of the 100 acres in Kittery formerly owned by his paternal grandfather, Black Will Sr.