James Bogardus, born 14 Mar 1800, died 13 Apr 1874
American Silversmiths

James Bogardus
(1774-)
Martha Spencer
(-)
James Bogardus
(1800-1874)

 

Family Links

James Bogardus

  • Born: 14 Mar 1800, Catskill NY
  • Died: 13 Apr 1874, New York City NY

  General notes:

Watchmaker

  Events in his life were:

  • He was apprenticed at the age of 14 to a watchmaker and soon became not only an expert in that art, but a good die-sinker and engraver He invented an eight-day, three-wheeled chronometer clock, for which he received the highest premium at the first fair of the American Institute and another with three wheels and a segment of a wheel, which struck the hours, and, without dial wheels, marked the hours, minutes, and seconds. In 1831 he invented an engraving machine with which he made gold watch dials, turning imitation filigree work, rays from the centre, and the figures in relief, all in one operation. With this same machine he made the steel die for the first gold medal of the American institute, and also many beautiful medallions. He also invented the transfer machine for producing bank-note plates from separate dies.
  • Apprenticed in 1814 to Horace Willard in Catskill NY
    After a few years, he bought out the remainder of his time and set up business on his own.
  • He worked from circa 1816 to 1820 as a watchmaker in Catskill NY
  • He worked from circa 1820 to 1823 as a watchmaker in Savannah GA
  • He worked from circa 1823 to 1828 as a watchmaker in Catskill NY
  • He worked from circa 1829 to 1835 as a watchmaker in New York City NY on his own and as a journeyman for the firm of WILMARTH, MOFFATT & CURTIS. While traveling abroad, he learned to make and use cast iron as a building material. When he returned to America, he abandoned his other interests and began designing and erecting fire-proof buildings.
  • He appeared on the 1850 census taken at New York City NY, listed as a builder.
  • He appeared on the 1870 census taken at New York City NY, listed as an architect.



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