James Black (blacksmith) facts for kids

James Black (born May 1, 1800, died June 22, 1872) was a famous American knifemaker. He is best known for making and improving the legendary Bowie knife. This special knife was designed by Jim Bowie, a well-known frontiersman.

Early Life and Adventures

James Black was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, on May 1, 1800. His mother passed away when he was very young. James found it hard to get along with his stepmother.

When he was just 8 years old, James ran away from home. He traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There, he became an apprentice to a silversmith. A silversmith is someone who works with silver to make jewelry or other items.

At 18, James headed west. He worked on boats along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Around 1820, he spent time in Bayou Sara, Louisiana. He worked as a ferryman and on steamboats. This work took him up the Red River to Fulton, Arkansas. James left the boat and settled near Fulton. This place later became Washington, Arkansas, which was his home for many years.

Starting His Own Business

During his travels, James Black became friends with Elijah Stuart. Stuart opened a tavern in Washington, Arkansas. James was hired by a local blacksmith named William Shaw. Because of his training as a silversmith, James worked on firearms and knives. Shaw focused on things like horseshoes and wagon wheels.

Later, James became a partner in Shaw's business. Stuart's tavern became famous. It was a place where important figures like Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and William B. Travis met. They planned for Texas to become independent there. James Black went on to create some of the world's best knives.

James fell in love with William Shaw's daughter, Anne Shaw. But Shaw did not approve of their marriage. Because of this, James was forced out of the partnership. With money he received from the business, James bought land. He built a blacksmith shop, a dam, and a mill along the Cossatot River.

However, James lost his land. Local officials said the land belonged to Native American tribes. They told James he could not legally live there. James also found out that the money he received from William Shaw was worthless.

So, James opened his own blacksmith shop. It competed directly with Shaw's business. In 1828, James married Anne Shaw, even though her father still objected. He also convinced Shaw's son to join his new business. Soon, James was known as the best blacksmith in the area. This made things difficult for his father-in-law's shop.

James and Anne had five children:

• William Jefferson (born 1829)
• Grandison Deroyston (born 1830)
• Sarah Jane (born 1832)
• John Colbert (born 1834)
• Sydinham James (born 1835)

James became a respected member of his community. He even held local government jobs.

The Famous Bowie Knife

In 1830, James Black made a very famous knife for Jim Bowie. Bowie was already known for his knife-fighting skills. He had been in a famous duel in 1827. Bowie's actions in Texas, including fighting off attackers and his death at the Battle of the Alamo, made him a legend. His knife, made by Black, also became legendary.

After Bowie died in 1836, Black's knives became very popular. Many pioneers heading to Texas wanted "Jim Bowie's knife." James Black kept his knife-making process a secret. He worked behind a leather curtain. His knives were known for being very strong but also flexible. Many people believed Black had rediscovered how to make Damascus steel. This was a special type of steel known for its strength and patterns.

Later Life and Legacy

James Black's wife, Anne, passed away in 1838. In 1839, while James was sick in bed, his father-in-law, William Shaw, attacked him. James survived, but his eyes were badly hurt. He traveled north to find medical help. However, a doctor in Cincinnati, Ohio, accidentally damaged his eyes even more. James became almost completely blind.

When James returned to Arkansas, he found that his father-in-law had illegally sold his business and property. Shaw had disappeared with the money.

James lived on a local plantation for a few years. Then, Dr. Isaac Newton Jones welcomed him into his home. James lived with the Jones family for the next 30 years. He tried to teach his knife-making secrets to Daniel Webster Jones, Dr. Jones's son. But sadly, James could not remember the exact technique. Daniel Webster Jones later became the Governor of Arkansas. James Black died on June 22, 1872, in Washington, Arkansas.

The Bowie Knife After Black

Today, James Black's shop has been rebuilt. It is part of the Old Washington Historic State Park. This park is also the main office for the American Bladesmith Society. They even have a knife-making school there. Knives made by James Black are very rare. Collectors highly value them.

You can see some early Bowie knives at the Historic Arkansas Museum. They are part of the American Bladesmith Society's collection. In 1996, James Black was honored. He was one of the first people inducted into the American Bladesmith Society Hall of Fame.

James Black in Stories

• In the 1956 movie The Iron Mistress, James Black is shown making Bowie's knife. In the film, he uses iron from a meteorite.
• In 1956, James Black appeared in the first episode of the CBS television series, The Adventures of Jim Bowie. The show was mostly set in Louisiana in the 1830s. It starred Scott Forbes as Jim Bowie. The show was based on a 1946 book called Tempered Blade.