Cushing, Thomas, 1725-1788

CUSHING, Thomas, a Delegate from Massachusetts; born in Boston, Mass., March 24, 1725; attended Boston Latin School; was graduated from Harvard College in 1744; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Boston; member of the provincial assembly 1761-1774 and served as speaker; delegate to the Provincial Congress in 1774; Member of the Continental Congress 1774-1776; commissary general of Massachusetts in 1775; declined to be a candidate for election to the Continental Congress in 1779; Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts 1780-1788 and Acting Governor in 1785; delegate to the State constitutional convention which ratified the Federal Constitution in 1788; one of the founders of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; died in Boston, Mass., February 28, 1788; interment in Granary Burial Ground.

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Thomas was born in Boston, the capital of the British Province of Massachusetts Bay, on March 24, 1725, the second of at least seven children. The Cushing family, with deep roots in the province, descends from Deacon Matthew Cushing who emigrated from Norfolk, England, to Hingham in 1638. Thomas' father, also named Thomas (1694–1746), was one of the city's wealthiest merchants, a leading member of the Old South Church, and a city selectman. Thomas Sr. was a frequent moderator of town meetings and accepted on behalf of the city of Boston the gift of Faneuil Hall (a large market building and public meeting space) from Peter Faneuil in 1742. He served in the General Court (colonial assembly) of Massachusetts from 1731 to 1747, and as its speaker after 1742. His mother, Mary (Bromfield) Cushing (1689–1746), was also from a prominent Boston family.</p>

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>04/02/1787 MA Lt. Governor Won 46.30% (+15.34%)</li>
<li>04/04/1785 MA Governor Lost 37.73% (-6.34%)</li>
<li>01/29/1785 MA Governor - Acting Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>04/01/1782 MA Governor Lost 14.63% (-61.23%)</li>
<li>04/02/1781 MA Lt. Governor Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>09/01/1780 MA Lt. Governor Lost 0.00% (-100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1775 MA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1774 MA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>09/01/1774 MA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
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