Thomas Cushman (Plymouth colonist) facts for kids
Thomas Cushman (born 1607 or 1608 – died 1691) was an important leader in Plymouth Colony, a settlement in New England.
He came to the colony with his father, Robert Cushman, on a ship called the Fortune in November 1621. Robert Cushman went back to England by himself, leaving young Thomas to be cared for by Governor William Bradford.
In 1649, Thomas took over from William Brewster as the Ruling Elder of the church. This was a very important job, and he held it for over 40 years until he died. During his long life, Thomas Cushman became a well-known person in the colony. His wife, Mary, was the daughter of a famous Pilgrim named Isaac Allerton.
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Early Life in England and Holland
Thomas Cushman was born in Canterbury, England. He was baptized there on February 8, 1607 or 1608. His parents were Robert Cushman and Sara Reder. His father was a grocer at that time. When Thomas was very young, his family moved to Holland. They went there to follow a religious group called the English Separatists.
In Leiden, Holland, Robert Cushman worked with wool. Sadly, his first wife Sara and two children died there. Robert later married Mary (Clark) Shingleton in 1617. Soon after, Robert Cushman became a main helper for the Pilgrims in England. He helped them get permission to start a new colony. It is thought that his second wife might have died before he and Thomas sailed to America. This could be why Thomas was left with Governor Bradford.
Life in New England
Robert Cushman and his son Thomas arrived at New Plymouth on the ship Fortune on November 11, 1621. Robert Cushman had been at sea for four months. He returned to England very soon after arriving, staying only about two weeks. This meant young Thomas was left in the care of the colony's leader, William Bradford.
Thomas stayed in Plymouth and took on many different jobs. He worked as a surveyor, which means he measured land and roads. He also helped assess rates, which was like figuring out taxes.
In 1623, when land was divided among the settlers, Thomas received two acres. He was also a "Purchaser," meaning he was part of a group that invested in the Plymouth colony. He received several land grants over time.
His name also appeared in the 1627 "Division of the Cattle." This was like a census that showed who lived where and how many animals they had. Thomas was listed with the Bradfords, showing he was living with them.
On January 1, 1633 or 1634, he became a "freeman" of Plymouth. This meant he had full rights as a citizen and could vote. In 1643, he was listed among the men from Plymouth who were "Able to Bear Arms," which was a list of men who could serve in the militia.
In 1645, Thomas Cushman successfully asked the court to give his father-in-law, Isaac Allerton, a year to collect money owed to him.
On April 6, 1649, Thomas was chosen as the Ruling Elder of the church. He took over this role from William Brewster. The Ruling Elder was a very respected position, helping to guide the church and its members. Thomas held this job until he died.
No personal papers from Thomas Cushman have survived. However, a document with his signature was recently found. It's a "Petition to the General Court of New Plymouth." In this paper, Thomas asked the court for more land to support his large family. He wrote, "If there are any lands yet to be purchased, or purchased not yet disposed of... that your honors would be pleased to further me in granting some proportion." He signed it "Thomas Cushman, senyor." It's believed to be from the 1650s, when he had "many children."
Family Life
Thomas Cushman married Mary Allerton around December 1636. Mary was born about 1610 and was the daughter of Pilgrim Isaac Allerton. Thomas and Mary had eight children together. Mary died in Plymouth on November 28, 1699. She was the last person who had sailed on the Mayflower to pass away. Both Thomas and Mary were buried at Burial Hill in Plymouth.
Here are their children:
- Thomas (Jr.) was born around 1637 in Plymouth. He died in Plympton, Massachusetts, on August 23, 1726.
- He married Ruth Howland in 1664 and had three children. Ruth was the daughter of Mayflower passengers John Howland and Elizabeth Tilley Howland.
- He later married Abigail (Titus) Fuller in 1679 and had four more children.
- Mary was born in Plymouth, but her birth year is not known. She died before October 22, 1690. She married Francis Hutchinson around 1676 and had three children.
- Sarah was born around 1641 in Plymouth. She died after February 10, 1706 or 1707.
- She married John Hawkes in 1661 and had eight children.
- She later married Daniel Hutchins in 1695.
- Isaac was born on February 8, 1648 or 1649. He died in Plympton on October 21, 1732. He married Rebecca Harlow around 1675 and had seven children.
- Elkanah was born on June 1, 1651, in Plymouth. He died in Plympton on September 4, 1727.
- He married Elizabeth Cole in 1677 and had three children.
- He later married Martha Cooke in 1682 and had five children. Martha was the granddaughter of Mayflower passenger Francis Cooke.
- Feare was born on June 20, 1653. She died before October 22, 1690.
- Eleazer was born on February 20, 1656 or 1657, in Plymouth. He died after November 1733. He married Elizabeth Coombs (Combs) in 1687 or 1688 and had eight children.
- Lydia was born around 1662 in Plymouth. She died there on February 11, 1718 or 1719. She married William Harlow around January 1682 or 1683 and had nine children.
Death and Legacy
Thomas Cushman became ill when he was old and was sick for about eleven weeks before he died. He passed away on December 10 or 11, 1691. He was buried on Burial Hill in Plymouth. His gravestone is one of the oldest from the second generation of settlers on Burial Hill.
In his will, which was written on October 22, 1690, Thomas named his wife Mary, his sons Thomas, Isaac, Elkanah, and Eleazer, and his daughters Sarah Hawks and Lydia Harlow. He also mentioned the three children of his daughter Mary Hutchinson.
Gravestone and Memorial
The original stone honoring Thomas Cushman is one of the six oldest surviving gravestones from the second generation on Burial Hill. The people of his church placed the stone at his grave in 1719. It was carefully fixed and strengthened in 1858.
There is also a large memorial for the Cushman family on Burial Hill in Plymouth. It is a 25-foot tall granite column. It was put up by Cushman's descendants in 1858. This memorial honors Robert Cushman, his son Thomas Cushman, and Thomas's wife Mary (Allerton) Cushman.
