Stephen Badlam

Stephen Badlam was born in Milton, Massachusetts, on May 7, 1751, to Hannah ( – ) and Stephen Badlam Sr. (1721–1758), a tavern-keeper and part-time cabinetmaker originally from Weymouth. Stephen Badlam Sr. was appointed as a deacon in Canton (at the time part of Stoughton) at age 29, and served in this capacity until his death eight years later. Badlam's siblings included Hannah, William, and Ezra Badlam. Orphaned at a young age, Stephen Badlam grew up at the Lower Mills in Dorchester (now part of Boston), receiving limited formal education at a local district school. He trained in cabinetmaking and pursued surveying as a profession. == Career ==

Revolutionary War As the American Revolutionary War began in 1775, Badlam enlisted in the Continental Army. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the New York City artillery under General Henry Lee, and was over the following year promoted to first lieutenant and captain. While stationed in New York, he became acquainted with Alexander Hamilton, and was appreciated for his engineering abilities. During his service, he met the Marquis de Lafayette, who granted Badlam a sword. He built many cabinets for wealthy Boston merchant Elias Hasket Derby. In 1791, he built for Derby a chest-on-chest in mahogany and pine, featuring neoclassical personifications of Peace, Plenty, and America sculpted by brothers John and Simeon Skillin. This chest would be used as a wedding present for Derby's daughter. He built various pieces of furniture in Heppelwhite style, including a side chair held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. == Civil and religious service ==

In 1791 Badlam was appointed as a local justice of the peace, reappointed to this position five times until his death in 1815. Despite having no formal education, he served on various school committees. Along with multiple other local figures, he raised $1200 to build four schoolhouses in Dorchester, as well as giving up the southwest corner of his house to be used as an annual school. He was the first vice-president of the Dorchester Washington Benevolent Society, part of a network of Federalist political clubs. He also helped organize the Second Church of Dorchester, where he served as a senior deacon from 1808 until his death. Here he was an active supporter of Reverend John Codman during a prolonged theological controversy with other church authorities. He was heavily opposed to Unitarianism and Universalism, believing them to discredit the holiness of Jesus and lessen moral obligations. == Personal life ==

Badlam had seven children, all with his first wife, Mary: Polly, Stephen, Abigail, Nancy, Lucretia, John, and Clarissa. Abigail died at age 11, but all others lived to adulthood. His first wife, Mary, died in 1794. In 1798, Badlam remarried to Elizabeth Turner. Badlam died in Dorchester on August 25, 1815, recorded as due to a stroke of palsy. Rev. Codman conducted and published a sermon in his honor. ==Notes==