James Jakob Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Jakob Williams
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|---|---|
| Born | 1785-1800 Baltimore, Maryland |
| Died | 1829 Argos, Greece |
| Buried |
Agios Ioannis in Argos
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| Allegiance |  United States Revolutionary Greece |
| Service/ |
United States Navy Hellenic Navy |
| Rank | Private sharpshooter |
| Battles/wars | Second Barbary War
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James Jakob Williams (Greek: Τζέιμς Τζέικομπ Γουίλλιαμς; born between 1785 and 1800, died 1829) was an African-American soldier and a true war hero. He was born into slavery but bravely escaped to find his freedom. Williams fought in two major wars: the Second Barbary War and the Greek War of Independence. His courage and skill as a sharpshooter made him a respected fighter. He eventually found a new home and lived as a free man in Greece.
Contents
James Jakob Williams's Amazing Journey
Early Life and Escape
James Jakob Williams was born on a plantation in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a slave during his early life. But he dreamed of freedom. During the War of 1812, he found a chance to escape. He bravely hid on an American warship called the USS Guerriere. This ship was fighting battles near Baltimore at the time.
Fighting for Freedom
Around 1815, Williams was discovered on the USS Guerriere. The ship was under the command of Captain Stephen Decatur. Williams soon joined the crew as a sharpshooting marine. He fought in the Second Barbary War. This war was fought against pirates in North Africa. Williams took part in battles like the Battle off Cape Gata and the Battle of Cape Palos. The war was short, lasting only two days in June 1815. During this time, Williams was injured and lost one of his fingers.
After the war, Captain Decatur allowed Williams to leave his ship. Williams then found work on different European ships. By the late 1820s, he was working as a cook on a ship belonging to Lord Thomas Cochrane.
A Hero in Greece
Lord Cochrane was actively involved in the Greek War of Independence. This was a fight for Greece to become free from the Ottoman Empire. Because there weren't many experienced soldiers, Williams volunteered to help the Greek cause. He joined a small group of ships led by Frank Abney Hastings. Their flagship was the Karteria, which was the first steamship ever used in combat.
Williams fought bravely in the Battle of Itea in September 1827. This battle took place in the Gulf of Corinth. During the fight, Williams was severely injured by cannon fire. Both his arms and legs were broken.
A New Life in Freedom
An American named Jonathan Peckham Miller found Williams in a hospital. Miller was an abolitionist (someone who wanted to end slavery) and a philhellene (someone who loved Greece and its people). Miller brought Williams to his home in Poros, Greece, to help him recover. Miller even wrote about Williams's bravery in his journal.
James Jakob Williams fully recovered and lived the rest of his life as a free man in Greece. He was honored by many Greek groups for his courage and sacrifice. His tombstone is in the cemetery of Agios Ioannis in Argos, Greece.
