First Generation 1. Polycarpus Loring CUSHMAN was born on 21 Sep 1778 in Bernardston, Franklin, Massachusetts. He died on 16 May 1855 in Bernardston, Franklin, Massachusetts. The Rich Men of Massachusetts, by A. Forbes and J. W. Green, Published by W. V. Spencer, 16 State Street, Boston, Mass., 1851. p. 152. Cushman, Hon. Polycrpus. $50,000 Descendant of the old Cushman family, the original settlers of the town. A farmer by profession, and a thorough one. Has done more to advance the agricultural interest in this part of the State than any individual. At a time when party feeling ran high, (as when did it not,) in this county, he and his son were rival candidates for the Senate. The Whigs carried the day, and the old gentleman beat his son; and most surely he had a right to beat his son. If he had not, who had? But during the session one of the members from Franklin died. Henry was one of the next two who had received the highest number of votes, and was chosen, so that although his father got the start of him in the political race, yet in the event he came up with him, and they both had a seat at the same Senate board. Mr. Cushman is high-mined and honorable in all his dealings and intercourse with his fellow-citizens, and like his son is liberal, public-spirited, and charitable. History of the Town of Bernardston, Franklin County, Massachusetts. 1736 - 1900. by Lucy Cutler Kellogg. Greenfield, Mass, Press of E. A. Hall & Co., 1902, p. 368. He was justice of the peace for fourteen years. For the years 1810, 16 and 17, he was overseer of the poor, selectman and assessor; in 1816 and 1840, he went as representative to legislative halls; in1844 he was one of the senators from Franklin County. He was an enthusiastic farmer, progressive in the true sense of the term, and was one of the firs and most active members of the Franklin County Agricultural Society. His home was the place now owned by E. E. Benjamin. Polycarpus Loring CUSHMAN and Sally WYLES were married on 27 Nov 1804. Sally WYLES (daughter of David WYLES) died on 13 Apr 1845 in Saratoga Springs, Saratoga, New York. Polycarpus Loring CUSHMAN and Sally WYLES had the following children: +2 i. Henry Wyles CUSHMAN (born on 9 Aug 1805). Polycarpus Loring CUSHMAN and Abigail BARNARD were married on 21 Jul 1846. Abigail BARNARD was born on 29 Nov 1786 in Sterling, , Vermont. Second Generation 2. Henry Wyles CUSHMAN (Polycarpus Loring-1) was born on 9 Aug 1805 in Bernardston, Franklin, Massachusetts. He died on 21 Nov 1863 in Bernardston, Franklin, Massachusetts. HENRY WYLES CUSHMAN, Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts 1851-52, and author of the "Cushman Genealogy," was born here Aug. 9, 1805; and died here Nov 21, 1863. (Source: Nason, Elias, 1811-1887. A gazetteer of the state of Massachusetts : with numerous illustrations on wood and steel / by Elias Nason. -- Boston : B.B. Russell, 1874. -- p. 82-83) The Rich Men of Massachusetts, by A. Forbes and J. W. Green, Published by W. V. Spencer, 16 State Street, Boston, Mass., 1851. p. 152. Cushman, Hon. Henry W. $50,000 Only child of the Hon. Polycarpus Cushman. Educated at Norwich University. After he graduated, kept school, then tavern, and was highly respected as a "Boniface." Left the toddy-stick for the plough, and became an excellent farmer. Has represented the town several years in the Legislature. Is President of the Franklin Agricultural Society, and also of the Franklin County Bank, at Greenfield. Has been a member of the Massachusetts Senate, and is now Lieutenant-Governor of the Commonwealth. All this weight of honor he has borne without totering, nor has any eminence on which he has stood made him giddy. he is decidedly a firm man, and self-possessed; but his greatest glory is the possession of the affection, esteem and confidence of his townsmen, for the interest he takes in everything that pertains to public good or private charity. He is a man of strong aspirations, and his Democratic friends confidently believe that his "end is not yet." History of the Town of Bernardston, Franklin County, Massachusetts. 1736 - 1900. by Lucy Cutler Kellogg. Greenfield, Mass, Press of E. A. Hall & Co., 1902, p. 368. Mr Cushman supplemented his common school education by courses of study at Deerfield and New Salem Academies. When eighteen years of age he entered the military school of Capt. Alden Partridge in Norwich, Vt., pursuing his studies there for two years, and from this institution he received the degree of Master of Arts in 1827. After leaving school for some time he worked upon his father's farm summers, teaching during the winter season. He later assumed control of the hotel, which under his management was most prosperous. "Then and to the close of his life,he devoted himself to political and public trusts, to the care of his own means and the means of others, to literary and antiquarian researches, to a round of recurring duties, public and private, which he discharged with unfailing precision, honestly and judgment." For nineteen years he was clerk and treasurer of his town, for fifteen years a member of the school committee. In 1837, 39, 40 and 44 he represented his town in the State Legislature; in 1844 he was chosen by the Legislature to fill a vacancy in the senate caused by the death of his Franklin County colleague, and by a singular coincidence he was seated side by side with his father, Hon. P. L. Cushman, of opposite political views. The latter had been elected to the Senate for the term by the peoples vote. In 1847 and for five years after, he was the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor; and in 1851 - 52, there having been no choice by the people, he was chosen to that office by the Legislature. He was a director of the State Life Assurance Company at Worcester, and of the Conway Fire Insurance Co., a member of the State Board of Agriculture, which he actively aided in founding in 1852. He was a resident member of the New England Historic and Genealogical Society of Boston, and a corresponding member of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. In 1849 he was chosen the first president of he Franklin County Bank, Greenfield, an office he filled through life. For many years he was trustee of the Franklin Savings Institution, and at his death, its president, as he was also of the Franklin County Agricultural Society. In educational matters he was always interested and actively so, being all that is his power lay, to promote such interests in his own and other towns. His various bequests as heretofore noted, bear testimony to how much the town of Bernardston is indebted to him in this as well as in other ways. In historical matters he was intensely interested. It is to him that the Cushman family owe thanks for their excellent genealogy, and had he been spared longer, Bernardston annals would have been in print at least twenty-five years earlier. The Unitarian society lost in him an active, useful member, one whose interest and helpfulness were always to be relied upon, and in accordance with the provisions of his will, his home opposite the park became the parsonage for that society. For years he was superintendent of the Sunday School. The work he did toward planning and superintending the erection of the Institute buildings, Cushman Hall, Cushman Park and Library, attest his love and g! oodwill toward his fellow townsmen, who have every reason to hold his memory in grateful remembrance. Henry Wyles CUSHMAN and Maria Louisa DICKMAN were married on 16 Jun 1828. Maria Louisa DICKMAN (daughter of Thomas DICKMAN) died on 11 Oct 1855. Henry Wyles CUSHMAN and Anne Williams FETTYPLACE were married on 2 Jun 1858. Anne Williams FETTYPLACE was the daughter of Thomas FETTYPLACE.