 by Arnold A. and Betty B |
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The colonial blacksmith was one of the most important people in colonial blacksmith. The term blacksmith included the jobs of several specialists: making locks (locksmith), making gun barrels (gunsmith), shod horses (ferrier), but if one person performed all of these tasks, he was known as the village smithy or blacksmith. If the village lacked a dentist, the blacksmith could be called upon to pull teeth since he was certain to have a pair of pliers. The blacksmith was also responsible for making wheel rims, knives and tools, nails, and door hinges. He was also called upon to repair most anything made of metal. The blacksmith worked by heating the metal bars to 3000 degrees until yellow-hot in a forge with a raised brick hearth outfitted with bellows to feed its coal fire. With the help of his apprentices and journeymen, the smith then used sledge hammers weighing as much as 12 pounds to hammer the bar into shape. His other tools included smaller hammers, anvils, pliers, tongs, gloves and a heavy apron.
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Right: Pliers and small hammer
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The blacksmith worked by heating the metal bars to 3000 degrees until yellow-hot in a forge with a raised brick hearth outfitted with bellows to feed its coal fire. With the help of his apprentices and journeymen, the smith then used sledge hammers weighing as much as 12 pounds to hammer the bar into shape. His other tools included smaller hammers, anvils, pliers, tongs, gloves and a heavy apron.
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 Right: Store sign Above: Front of blacksmith shop |
It took several years for a man to become a blacksmith. First, he had to serve for 8 years as an apprentice working with a master blacksmith. During this time, he was not paid, but the master was responsible for providing him with room and board. The apprenticeship was followed by 5 years as a journeyman where he worked as a traveling craftsman. Finally, he became a blacksmith and could set up his own shop. Because of the long training process, people seldom switched jobs during their lifetimes.
Click on the "Day in the life Journal" or the portrait for our adopted blacksmiths. Arnold adopted William Garrett and Betty adopted John Chandler
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Click here to take our quiz on blacksmithing.
Related Web Sites
Blacksmiths in Colonial America: Tells about the life of a colonial blacksmith including great pictures.
The History of Blacksmith: Read about the history of the art of blacksmithing.