A Day in the Life of a Colonial Sailmaker

Growing up in Philadelphia, James Forton was the son of free black parents. His father made sails for the ships. After his father's death, James has some exciting and frightening adventures during the Revolution! In 1784, he fulfills his dream of becoming an apprentice sailmaker and then a foreman who later was able to own the shop. James Forton became on of the richest men in Philadelphia. He never neglected his own people, and used his own home as a hiding place for escaped slaves. The process of sailmaking is described with numerous illustrations and photographs. This is accurate history, entertainingly presented with a website for further study.