What was life for a blacksmith in Williamsburg like?

Answer 1

There is a reconstructed blacksmith's forge at Williamsburg. The original Anderson's smithy dated from the 1760's. Go to link [1] below to see some photos and description. This will give you some idea of the working conditions.

Blacksmithing was essential to Colonial era communities in America. Equipped with a few basic tools, the smith made the items required by pioneer families to develop new communities. He would produce axes, shovels, and saws used to fell trees and hone them into logs that were used to build the first houses in a new village. The smith forged nails, hinges, brackets, and other hardware that was needed. He also produced cooking forks, ladles, spoons, trivets, fire pokers, and many other items. Without a blacksmith, the community could not survive.

Some blacksmiths worked alone, but others employed young boys, called apprentices, to assist with such tasks as pumping the bellows, which fueled the forge fire. In return for their assistance, the smiths would teach the apprentices the art of blacksmithing.

Yes, it was hot work, especially in summer. It also required physical strength; and a lot of skill, not just in where and how hard to hammer a piece of metal to get it to the required shape, but also in judging how hot it needed to be.

Answer 2

Hot.