The Fugitive Blacksmith is the powerful autobiographical account of James W. C. Pennington, an enslaved man who escaped bondage in Maryland to seek freedom in the North. The narrative details his harrowing journey, his determination to evade capture, and the challenges he faced as a fugitive. Pennington's story is a poignant testament to the resilience and courage of those who sought to escape slavery and highlights the brutal realities of the institution in 19th-century America.