Stephen Badlam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stephen Badlam
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Silhouette of Badlam
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| Born | May 7, 1751 |
| Died | August 25, 1815 (aged 64) Dorchester, Massachusetts, United States
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Mary
(died 1794)Elizabeth Turner
(m. 1798) |
| Children | 7 |
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Stephen Badlam (May 7, 1751 – August 25, 1815) was an American who was both a skilled craftsman and a military officer. He grew up in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Stephen became an orphan when he was young, after his father, who was a tavern owner and cabinetmaker, passed away.
Before the American Revolutionary War, Stephen worked as a surveyor. During the war, he became an artillery commander. He fought in important battles in New York, Canada, and Vermont. He was a major in General Richard Montgomery's invasion of Quebec in 1775. After serving at Fort Stanwix, he became very sick. He had to go home to Dorchester with his wife.
Even though he continued surveying for a while, Stephen became a very successful furniture maker. He was especially good at making fancy cabinets and looking-glasses. He also made frames, chairs, and windows. For over twenty years, he served as a justice of the peace in Dorchester. He was also a brigadier-general in the Massachusetts militia. He helped start the Second Church of Dorchester. There, he was a deacon and supported the Reverend John Codman.
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Early Life of Stephen Badlam
Stephen Badlam was born in Milton, Massachusetts, on May 7, 1751. His parents were Hannah and Stephen Badlam Sr. His father was a tavern owner and part-time cabinetmaker from Weymouth. Stephen Badlam Sr. became a deacon in Canton when he was 29. He served in that role for eight years until he passed away.
Stephen had siblings named Hannah, William, and Ezra Badlam. He became an orphan at a young age. Stephen Badlam grew up in the Lower Mills area of Dorchester. This area is now part of Boston. He did not get much formal schooling. He learned the skill of cabinetmaking. He also worked as a surveyor.
Stephen Badlam's Career
Fighting for Freedom
When the American Revolutionary War started in 1775, Stephen Badlam joined the Continental Army. He became a second lieutenant in the New York City artillery. His commander was General Henry Lee. Over the next year, he was promoted to first lieutenant and then captain. While in New York, he met Alexander Hamilton. People liked his engineering skills. It is said that George Washington also liked him. Washington later became an inspiration for Badlam's political life.
Stephen was promoted to major. He was then moved to serve as an artillery commander. He joined General Richard Montgomery for his invasion of Quebec. They traveled north along the Hudson River.
Naming Mount Independence
After the invasion of Quebec failed, Stephen returned to Fort Crown Point. On July 4, 1776, he captured a fortified hill in Vermont. This hill was near Ticonderoga. On July 18, he named it Mount Independence. General Horatio Gates later confirmed this name. Stephen helped build forts in that area. During his time in the army, he met the Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette gave Stephen a sword.
After fighting at Fort Stanwix in August 1777, Stephen became very sick with a fever. He was so ill that doctors thought he might not recover. He had to leave the army and go back to Dorchester. While sick, he said he had a strong religious experience. He prayed for his recovery.
Skilled Furniture Maker
Stephen Badlam got better soon after returning to Dorchester with his wife, Mary. Not long after, their first daughter, Polly, was born. Stephen continued his work as a surveyor. He mapped out Dorchester and nearby towns. By 1780, he had become a very respected cabinet maker. His workshop was on Old Plymouth Road (now River Street) in the Lower Mills area.
He often worked with other artisans and cabinetmakers. He frequently did woodturning for them. Besides cabinets, he made and sold picture frames, chairs, and windows. He also made looking-glasses. He was skilled in molding and gilding. Some of Stephen's apprentices were Abiel White and Abner Hersey.
He made many cabinets for a rich Boston merchant named Elias Hasket Derby. In 1791, he built a chest-on-chest for Derby. It was made of mahogany and pine. This piece featured sculptures of Peace, Plenty, and America. These were made by brothers John and Simeon Skillin. This chest was a wedding gift for Derby's daughter. Stephen also made furniture in the Hepplewhite style. One of his side chairs is now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Community Service
In 1791, Stephen Badlam was appointed as a local justice of the peace. He was reappointed to this job five more times. He held this position until his death in 1815. In 1800, he returned to military service. He became a brigadier-general in the First Brigade of the Massachusetts Militia. He served in this role until 1808.
Even though he did not have much formal education, he served on various school committees. He and other local people raised $1200 to build four schoolhouses in Dorchester. He also gave up part of his own house. The southwest corner of his house was used as a school each year.
Stephen was the first vice-president of the Dorchester Washington Benevolent Society. This was a group of Federalist political clubs. He also helped organize the Second Church of Dorchester. He was a senior deacon there from 1808 until he died. He strongly supported Reverend John Codman. This was during a long disagreement with other church leaders. Stephen was against certain religious beliefs. He thought they lessened the importance of Jesus and moral duties.
Stephen Badlam's Family Life
Stephen Badlam had seven children with his first wife, Mary. Their names were Polly, Stephen, Abigail, Nancy, Lucretia, John, and Clarissa. Abigail died at age 11, but all the other children lived to be adults. Stephen Badlam Jr. (born December 2, 1779) followed in his father's footsteps. He became a surveyor and made cabinets and looking-glasses. One of his labels is known from a surviving mahogany shaving mirror.
His first wife, Mary, passed away in 1794. In 1798, Stephen married Elizabeth Turner.
Stephen Badlam died in Dorchester on August 25, 1815. His death was recorded as being due to a stroke. Reverend Codman gave a sermon in his honor, which was later published.
