The interior of this chest of drawers is extensively inscribed in graphite by George Belden (1770-1838), who was born in East Hartford, Conn. The chest is cherry, white pine and brass, and was a gift to the museum in 2016 by Stephen and Wendy Gaal. It is believed that Belden apprenticed in the Aaron Chapin shop in Hartford, then served as a journeyman there before setting up his own shop in East Windsor.
Belden had a long career in East Windsor, and he was most likely the town’s preeminent cabinetmaker between 1793 and the mid 1830s, according to Christina Vida, former curator at Windsor Historical Society.
Belden also served in the Connecticut militia, rising to the rank of captain.
See this item at The Flynt Center of Early New England Life, 84B Old Main St., Deerfield. Call 413-774-5581 or visit: www.historic-deerfield.org for more information.