Cushing, Thomas, 1725-1788

Thomas Cushing III (March 24, 1725 – February 28, 1788) was an American Founding Father, lawyer, merchant, and statesman from Boston, Massachusetts. Active in Boston politics, he represented the city in the provincial assembly from 1761 to its dissolution in 1774, serving as the lower house's speaker for most of those years. Because of his role as speaker, his signature was affixed to many documents protesting British policies, leading officials in London to consider him a dangerous radical. He engaged in extended communications with Benjamin Franklin who at times lobbied on behalf of the legislature's interests in London, seeking ways to reduce the rising tensions of the American Revolution.

Born in Boston, the capital of the British Province of Massachusetts Bay, Cushing got his early education at the Boston Latin School and then attended Harvard where he graduated in 1744. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, after which he entered the family merchant business. In 1753, Cushing entered politics, winning election as a Boston selectman. He continued in that office until 1763 and was also elected to the general court in 1761. In May 1766 Cushing was chosen to be speaker of the assembly, holding the post until the assembly was dissolved in October 1774.

Despite his opposition to British policies, Cushing did not strongly support the revolution at first. In spite of this, Cushing represented Massachusetts in the First (during which he signed the Continental Association) and Second Continental Congresses but was voted out when he opposed independence. Despite this, he remained politically active after independence, continuing to serve in the state government. During the Revolutionary War, he was a commissary responsible for provisioning the military, a position he used to enrich the family merchant business. He was elected the state's first lieutenant governor in 1780. Politically associated with fellow merchant Governor John Hancock, he remained lieutenant governor until his death in 1788, briefly serving as acting governor in 1785 between the resignation of Hancock and the election of James Bowdoin.

Cushing died in Boston on February 28, 1788, while serving as lieutenant governor. He was buried in Boston's Granary Burying Ground.