The mine was started by a free African American named James Boisclair, who arrived in the area in the 1830s from Augusta, Georgia.

A local resident, Joseph J. Singleton became his custodian, consequently allowing Boisclair to purchase the land and start what would become known as the Free Jim Mine.

A little mining continued after the departure of Boisclair, but interest quickly waned as miners were unable to find any ore vein.

[1] Today, the Free Jim Mine lies underneath the present-day Pine Tree Mfg.

This Lumpkin County, Georgia state location article is a stub.