A history of the Black family representing the area around present-day Cherryville has never been produced and long overdue. The Black family’s involvement in early education, business, and churches in this area attempts to be recognized in this work. The scope of this history was not necessarily focused on the beginnings of Cherryville or Crouse, but the influence of pioneer Thomas Black’s descendants in the surrounding area is undeniable and maybe even unknown until this compilation of many works.