[1] He first rose to prominence as one of the wealthiest African Americans in the Manassas area, but is also known because his homestead was located between the lines of the Confederate and Union armies during two major battles of the Civil War.
[2][4] The homestead he built in Bull Run couldn't have been more prominent at the outset of the Civil War, during which two major battles were fought in his front yard.
They continue on to say that this was not as unusual as one would think, because at this period in history numerous Africans were being freed, due to a low work load, somewhat akin to today's layoffs.
The family was forced to evacuate to another house in the area, while Jim took cover under the bridge over Young's Branch of the Bull Run River.
When he "married" Susan "Sukey" Gaskins (c. 1823'), due to her slave status they could not obtain a marriage license, which prevented them from having their relationship legally recognized.