Week 3: September 23: NewTowne Beginnings


Lieutenant Aaron Bordman (1649–1702): A Glimpse into Early Colonial Life


Lieutenant Aaron Bordman, born in 1649 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was a figure rooted in the early colonial life. He lived during a time of burgeoning settlement in New England, contributing to the growing communities [4]. As a member of one of Cambridge’s early colonial families, his life paints a picture of the challenges and responsibilities that came with being part of the early American colonies.

Aaron Bordman was born into a prominent colonial family. His father, William Bordman (1614–1685), emigrated from England and was one of the first stewards at Harvard College, a role that Aaron and his brother would both continue [1]. His mother, Frances Woodstreet Bordman (1618–1688), was likely also from a family of early settlers, contributing to the establishment of their place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony [2]. 

Aaron Bordman’s profession as a locksmith was highly regarded at the time. Locksmiths played a crucial role in safeguarding homes and institutions [4]. 

Aaron’s older brother, Andrew Bordman (1645–1687), was the first to take on the stewardship of Harvard College in 1682. After Andrew’s death, Aaron stepped into the role in 1687 and served in that capacity until his death in 1702 [1]. The position of steward was critical to the operations of the young college, involving the management of food supplies, wages, and general provisions for the institution. The position of steward was a large responsibility, handling everything from the hiring of staff to overseeing the college’s financial matters.

Aaron married Mary Hills Bordman (1652–1717) around 1673. Together, they raised two children, contributing to the continuation of the Bordman name in Massachusetts. Their children included: Captain Moses Bordman (1676–1751) and Aaron Boardman (1686–1718) [3]. 

Lieutenant Aaron Bordman passed away on January 15, 1702, at the age of 53 [2]. He was buried in the Old Burying Ground in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a cemetery that holds many of the early settlers and prominent figures from the town’s history.




Citations:
[1] Colonial Society of Massachusetts. "Harvard College Records: College Book IV." Colonial Society of Massachusetts, https://www.colonialsociety.org/publications/586/harvard-college-records-college-book-iv. Accessed September 17, 2024.

[2] Hall, Kristin. "Descendants of William Bordman of Cambridge, MA." Kristin Hall Genealogy, http://www.kristinhall.org/fambly/Boardman/BoardmanRegisterReport.pdf. Accessed September 17, 2024.

[3] "Aaron Bordman (1649-1702)." FamilySearch, https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LZK9-DRF. Accessed September 17, 2024.

[4] "Aaron Bordman." WikiTree, https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Boardman-407. Accessed September 17, 2024.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 6: Final Project Ideation & Chatgpt Solutions

Image
  Potential project Ideas to Explore:  1. The Evolution of Public Transportation in Cambridge: From Trolleys to Buses Overview: This paper will trace the history of Cambridge’s transportation system, focusing on the shift from trolleys to buses and how these changes influenced city planning. Goal: To explore how transportation developments impacted urban expansion, commercial activity, and residential distribution, and how each shift in transit reshaped daily life and mobility patterns. 2. Housing Crisis: Voices from Realtors and Residents Overview: This project focuses on the perspectives of both realtors and residents struggling with Cambridge’s housing crisis, examining rising rents and property values. Goal: To gather personal stories that reveal the human impact of the affordability crisis, and analyze policy proposals aimed at creating long-term housing solutions, focusing on both market forces and city initiatives. 3. The Transformation of Kendall Square: From Industria...
Read more

Week 7: Cambridge and the American Revolution

Image
  Elmwood In J.L. Bell’s George Washington's Headquarters in the Longfellow House, the role of Tory Row estates, like Elmwood, is crucial to understanding the shifting allegiances and tensions that characterized Cambridge in the pre-Revolutionary era. One of the themes in Bell’s study that informs the events surrounding Elmwood is the relationship between loyalist figures and the colonial resistance, especially in the context of Cambridge’s growing revolutionary sentiment. Elmwood, as the estate of Thomas Oliver, the last Royal Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, became a flashpoint in the larger conflict between the British authorities and colonial resistance. Bell’s work highlights how figures like Oliver were central to the political struggle, as they embodied royal authority in the colonies. The example of the Powder Alarm and the subsequent mob action against Oliver illustrates a key aspect of Bell’s discussion: the increasingly public and direct confrontation bet...
Read more