John Boardman

Family-based resources tell us that future Albany resident John Boardman was born in November 1770. Thus, he was the son of Charles Boardman of Wethersfield, Connecticut. At age eighteen, he is said to have been apprenticed as a carpenter and then relocated to Georgia. About 1792, he is said to have settled in Albany where he remained for the rest of his life. At least one more same-named contemporary is at-risk in the region. We seek to ascertain a connection with Albany contemporary William Boardman.

In January 1794, he married Abigail Goodrich also of Wethersfield. Their second son George was christened at the First Presbyterian church of Albany in February 1797. By 1816, the marriage had produced a total of at least nine children. Beginning in 1807, he was a trustee of that church. In 1815, he switched to the recently organized Second Presbyterian church. Subsequently, he was an officer of that church as well.

In March 1798, his name appeared on a list of eligible jurors. At that time, he was identified as a carpenter.

By 1800, he was listed on the census as the head of a household in the first ward. A year earlier, his house and lot there were valued modestly. Beginning with the first edition in 1813, he was identified as a builder at 93 State Street. He was listed at that address at least until 1830. In 1815, he also was listed among the registered cartmen in the city. Subsequent census returns account for the aging of his family.

Over several decades, he was identified with the construction of a number of public and private city buildings. He was known as a "master builder" and also employed and trained apprentices.

He was a member and an officer of the Albany Mechanics Society as well as a number of other community-based organizations.

In April 1853, the newspaper reported the passing of John Boardman, "age 82, [an] original elder of the 2nd Presbyterian church." His funeral sermon was printed later that year.

Yankee newcomer John Boardman played a prominent role in the actual building of a new, urban Albany that made it a thriving entrepot during the first half of the nineteenth century.

Sources: The life of John Boardman is CAP biography number 7364. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.