| Birth: | Feb. 9, 1577
Rolvenden
Kent, England | | Death: | 1625
London
Greater London, England | 
Immigrated to the Colonies aboard the "Fortune" on August November 9, 1621.
Son of Thomas Cushman of Hawkhurst, Kent, England and Elynour Hubbarde of Rolvenden, Kent, England.
Deacon Robert Cushman advocated the Pilgrims settlement in America and was sent along with Elder Brewster to London in 1619 to obtain a charter from the King to relocate to America. Deacon Cushman was the person responsible for chartering the "Mayflower" for the voyage from London to America.
Cushman and his family embarked on the "Speedwell" on Ausust 5, 1620. Ironically, the "Speedwell" encountered problems and had to return to London and the "Mayflower" sailed alone. In July 1621, he sailed on the "Fortune", taking with him his only son, Thomas, who was 14 years of age. The ship "Fortune" arrived at Plymouth on November 21, 1621, just a few weeks after the first Thanksgiving.
He gave the first sermon preached in America on December 6, 1621, on "Sin and Danger of Self-Love".
He returned to England to act as a financial agent of the settlers and died of the plague in London in 1625 before having the chance to return to Plymouth.
Son of Thomas Cushman and Elynour Hubbarde.
Husband of Sara Reder.
Father of Elder Thomas Cushman and Sarah Cushman Hoskins.
The CUSHMAN MEMORIAL
This is a granite column, twenty-five feet high, and it is by far the most conspicuous monument on the hill - it reads:
ROBERT CUSHMAN,
Fellow exile with the Pilgrims in Holland,
Afterwards their chief agent in England,
Arrived here IX November, MDCXXI,
With Thomas Cushman his son:
Preached IX-. December,
His memorable sermon on "the Danger of self-love
And the sweetness of true friendship:"
Returned to England XIII December,
To vindicate tho enterprise of Christian emigration;
And there remained in the service of the Colony Till MDCXXV,
When, having prepared to make Plymouth His permanent home.
West side: --
He died, lamented by the forefathers
as "their ancient friend, - who was
as their right hand with their friends
the adventurers, and for divers years
had done and agitated all their business
with them to their great advantage."
"And you, my loving friends, the adventurers
to this plantation, as your care has been first
to settle religion here before either profit
or popularity, so, I play you, go on. --
I rejoice -- that you thus honor God
with your riches, and I trust you shall be repaid
again double and treble in this world, yea,
and the memory of this action shall never die."
DEDICATION OF THE SERMON.
South side: --
THOMAS CUSHMAN.
Son of Robert, died X December, MDCXCI,
Aged neatly LXXXIV years.
For more than XLII years he was
Ruling Elder of the First Church in Plymouth,
By whom a tablet was placed to mark his grave on this spot,
Now consecrated anew by a more enduring memorial.
MARY,
widow of Elder Cushman, and daughter of Isaac Allerton,
Died XXVIII November, MDCXCIX, aged about XC years,
The last survivor of the first comers in the Mayflower.
East side:
Erected by
The descendants of
Robert Cushman
In memory of their Pilgrim Ancestors,
XVI September, MDCCCLVIII.
Family links:
Spouses:
Sara Reder Cushman (1580 - 1616)
Mary Shingelton Cushman
Children:
Elder Thomas Cushman (1608 - 1691)*
Sarah Cushman Hoskins (1615 - 1638)*
*Calculated relationship
| | | Burial:
Burial Hill
Plymouth
Plymouth County
Massachusetts, USA
Plot: Cushman Memorial - his remains are not interred here |
Created by: ReLyRoTh
Record added: Nov 25, 2005
Find A Grave Memorial# 12498539 |
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