THE BLACKSMITH

Like other American civilians with valuable skills, the Blacksmith made important contributions in support of troops in the field during the Revolution. America's War for Independence was fought with handmade tools and weapons. Chances are, if it was made from iron, the Blacksmith made it. In the commemorative stamp, the Blacksmith is forging the socket for the handle of a shovel. In the accompanying cachet he is working a tomahawk — a small ax used for chopping wood for fires or building barricades; it was also a weapon. He also supplied troops with iron work for cannon, carriages, horseshoes, chains, spontoons, pikes, and literally hundreds of other items. Before the Revolution, the Blacksmith forged wherever iron work was necessary to any settlement. He made everyday things such as nails and was called upon to repair iron tools of all sorts. If a Blacksmith was inclined to produce something decorative, he might try his hand at a scroll hinge, modeling it after some European design he admired. The Blacksmith was above all a versatile fellow. In a capital such as Williamsburg, Virginia, he might have to repair surgical instruments. With fire and anvil the Blacksmith forged the implements of peace and war and perhaps if he read his Bible, he looked forward to forging farm implements in abundance. As with the other civilian craftsmen, freedom was worth any sacrifice.