Goddard, John

Goddard, John (gŏd`ərd), 1724–85, American furniture maker, b. Dartmouth, Mass. He worked in Newport, R.I., and is recognized as having been one of the finest cabinetmakers in early America. Examples of his work are rare. He is noted for his stately pieces, especially secretaries, on which he developed the blockfront design, often surmounted by finely executed carvings in a shell motif.