Paul Moultry - First Blacksmith in Rockdale, TX

THE STORY OF PAUL MOULTRY

First Rockdale Blacksmith

Paul Moultry was born a slave in South Carolina in 1853. He became a “free” man at the

age of 12. Shortly after the slaves were freed, he and the slave holder’s son headed

for Texas. The slave owner’s son stopped in Rosebud, Texas, and Paul traveled on to

Georgetown, Texas and set up shop there. This was around the year of 1868.

Blacksmith in the Moultry family began in South Carolina during slavery. Paul learned

the trade while a very young boy. He and the slave owner’s son grew up together in the

Blacksmith shop.

Paul is said to have had a good business in Georgetown, and according to stories left

to his children he shod the horse of legendary outlaw, Sam Bass.

In 1882, he made the 50 mile journey to the yet “unnamed settlement” of Rockdale, and

became a blacksmith for the Valentine and Hooks general store, the only store in this

area at the time. He is said to be the first black in this town.

In 1885, he purchased the shop and made enough money running it to buy two farms.

Paul had 13 children…5 boys and 8 girls…with one son dying in infancy. He taught his

four sons the blacksmithing trade, and each of them operated a blacksmith shop. This

first Black business in Rockdale was on the main street, and later moved to the old Kay

Theatre lot. One of his sons operated a business in Calvert, Texas. Sons, Johnnie and

Edgar worked in Rockdale, and son, Julius helped his father from the age of 12 up to

World War I. Afterwards the war, Julius (Bose) operated a shop in Thorndale, Texas,

later returning to Rockdale where he remained until his death .

Paul died in 1936.

The original anvil, a photo of Paul Moultry, and a brief history are housed in the

Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio.

By Susie E. Moultry-Sansom Piper, Granddaughter

This article was written and photos furnished by Susie Sansom-Piper
All credit goes to Ms. Sansom-Piper

Paul Moultry

1st Blacksmith in Rockdale, Texas