John Goddard

Happy Birthday John Goddard! The American cabinetmaker was born in 1723, and raised a Quaker in Rhode Island. He apprenticed with a cabinetmaker, Job Townsend for 8 years beginning at age 13, married his mentor’s daughter, and moved into his own home and shop. The two families are considered top craftsmen of the day. Goddard worked basically in the Queen Anne tradition, pioneering (with Townsend) the block front style, furniture which is divided vertically with convex and concave sections alternating on either side. The mahogany furniture has short curved legs in the Queen Anne style, with shell carvings on the block front. The high chest viewed below was built in 1755.