James Boisclair was an African American gold miner who achieved notable fame and success during the Georgia Gold Rush. Boisclair was known as "Free Jim" and was highly regarded at the time for his entrepreneurial work and part-time efforts as a preacher.[1]
While panning for gold, Boisclair found an impressive vein of ore and used his successful finding to build a large general store in Dahlonega, Georgia.[1] Other Boisclair achievements of the time included his building of an ice house and popular saloon, despite the fact that all of his establishments faced problems because the laws of the time prevented black men from buying real estate or holding a liquor license. Boisclair was able to get around the laws with the aid of white men sympathetic to his cause.[1]
James Boisclair traveled to California in a search for fortune in the new gold rush, and in 1850 Boisclair took his entrepreneurial efforts to a new level by hiring fifty men to come help him mine for gold.[1]
At age 46 Boisclair died after being shot during an argument over a disputed gold claim, but his legacy lives on Dahlonega, and the old mine he worked in for 10 years is known as "Free Jim" in his honor.[1]