James Mabray was an African American born a slave around 1835 in Petersburg, VA. James Mabray was emancipated sometime prior to 1858 and became active in local abolitionist activities in Boston and Worcester, Massachusetts.
He was a boot maker and burnisher by trade. In 1886, James Mabray applied for two patents, both for cutters for the trimming of soles of boots and shoes. The patents were granted in 1894 and 1895. The date and place of his death are unknown.
He is listed in the 1880 Census for Worcester, MA as a single mulatto male and in the Worcester City Directories of the time as a boot maker, machine operator and burnisher.
Special thanks to Nippi Namos for the above information.
