James Beckwourth: Slave Turned Mountain Man and Explorer

During the first half of the 19th century, many African-Americans lived lives of slavery and oppression. There were a few free blacks. Many made contributions in their local communities and lived simple lives. One man that rose above those difficulties was James Beckwourth. Born as a slave to a slave owner and a mulatto slave around 1798, he later became a mountain man and contemporary of Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, was kidnapped by the Crow nation and became a prominent Indian chief, and discovered a pass over the Rocky Mountains. Although Beckwourth is not as recognized as his contemporaries, he lived an extraordinary life, and deserves to be recognized for his important contributions to black history.

James Beckwourth's Childhood

Beckwourth's father was Sir Jennings Beckwith, whose ancestors were part of the English and Irish nobility. His father raised him as a son, although Beckwourth remained a slave until he was freed in the 1820s. Prior to emancipation, he was sent to school to learn to be a blacksmith, but that was not to be his life's passion. In his early 20s, he joined the Rocky Mountain Fur Company.

A Mountain Man In the Wild West

James Beckwourth trapped furs with the Rocky Mountain Fur Company and had his share of adventures. He became known for his exaggerated stories. After a few years of trapping, he was kidnapped by the Crow Indian nation. In his autobiography, he claimed that the Crow people believed that he was the long lost son of a tribal chief, but other accounts seem to suggest that his kidnapping was arranged by the Rocky Mountain Fur Company in order to establish trade with the Indian nation.

During that time, James Beckwourth gained prominence in the tribe. For much of his life, he sought after recognition and excitement, and even among the Indian tribe, he was ambitious. His battle skills helped him rise in the ranks. He claims that he became Chief of the Crow Nation; it is certain that he rose to at least the rank of War Chief.

Beckwourth Discovers a Pass in California

James Beckwourth left the Crow tribe after spending several years with them. He spent some time in Florida fighting in the Seminole War, and some time as a courier during the Mexican War, but spent most of the 1840s as a trader. After gold was discovered in California, he headed there and became a mail carrier, carrying mail from Monterey to Nipomo, which is located near current Santa Maria.

For a while he became a professional card player, but he did do a little prospecting. His prospecting led him to the discovery in 1850 of a pass through the mountains. This mountain pass was lower than any other mountain pass that was in use through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The previous pass that was commonly used, now known as the Donner Pass, could be dangerous, and had led to the deaths of many, including many in the Donner Party just four years before. The trail also saved settlers and prospectors about 150 miles of travel.

Beckwourth's Legacy

James Beckwourth later spent time as a storekeeper, an agent for Indian Affairs, a military scout, and a trapper. He died on October 29, 1866 in a Crow village; it is unknown whether he died of old age, was poisoned, or committed suicide. Nevertheless, this African-American certainly had made an impact on America.

The pass that he discovered was named Beckwourth Pass. A small town in California, with a population of 342 in the 2000 census, was named after Beckwourth as well. Marysville, California named its largest park Beckwourth Riverfront Park in 1996, and annually celebrates "Beckwourth Frontier Days" in October. His autobiography, The Life and Adventures of James P. Beckwourth, Mountaineer, Scout, Pioneer, and Chief of the Crow Nation of Indians, is in the public domain and can be read in digitized edition today.

Although James Beckwourth is not as well known as many of his contemporaries, such as Daniel Boone, and Davy Crockett, he did make a contribution not only to black history, but to American history as well.

Sources:

Heritage Studies 3. Bob Jones University Press, 1999. p. 66.

"James Beckwourth." Wikipedia.org.

"James Pierson Beckwourth Biography," http://www.beckwourth.org/Biography/index.html.