Brig. Gen. Joseph Cushing

Added by E. C. Nickerson about this ancestor: Joseph Cushing Hon. Brigadier General (1732 - 1791) graduated from Harvard College in 1752. He resided in Hanover, near the "Four Corners".Representative from 1773 to 1775, and in 1778 and 1779; also Town Clerk from 1774 and 1778. He was one of the most valuable citizens of the Town in his day, distinguished for his unbending integrity and affable deportment: held an honorable rank in the Conventions of the County and Congresses of the Province." In the Records of Hanover, we read that "Capt. Joseph Cushing was among the representatives from Hanover to the great meeting held 26 Sep 1774, at Plympton, of delegates from every town in Plymouth Co." At this Congress, Nathau and Joseph Cushing were of a committee to draft resolutions and remonstrances against the encroachments of the Parliament and King, which resolutions were unanimously adopted; and on the Journals of the three first Provincial Congresses, held in Salem, Concord, Cambridge and Watertown, in 1774-75, there is mentioned as a delegate, a "Col. Cushing" who took an active and prominent part in all the proceedings. A "Joseph Cushing" was on the Committee of Correspondence and Safety, of Hanover, for 1776-7 and 1779. Sept. 17, 1776, Col. Joseph Cushing with a body of Mass. Militia reinforced the Rhode Island Regiment at that place (R.I.), (Arnold's History of Rhode Island). In 1777, there was a regiment styled "Col. Cushing's Regiment" which arrived at Bennington soon after the battle at that place, and one company at least, reached Bennis Heights on the day of the battle. All these references are doubtless connected with this Joseph. At a still later period when peace had been declared and order restored he was appointed Judge of Probate for the County of Plymouth, as a token of gratitude and esteem for his services.

Concerning a protest convention in Boston over the 1768 Stamp Act the following is quoted from reference : "Hanover deputed Joseph Cushing Esq to act as it's Representative; a gentleman who had been long and favorably known to his townsmen, and who was distinguished for unbending integrity, and affable deportment; - who afterwards held an honorable rank in the conventions of the County, and the Congresses of the Province; and who, at a still later period, when peace had been declared, and order restored to our disturbed civil institutions, as a token of gratitude, and esteem for his service, was elevated to the office of Judge of Probate for the County of Plymouth and received a military commission, with the rank of Brigadier General."

Revolutionary War. He was Capt. of the 1st Mass. Regiment and Sub-Inspector to the 1st Mass. Brigade for the years 1781-2, and held the rank of Brigadier General. Joseph Cushing of Hanover Brig Gen Plymouth Cty Rgt Jan 31 1777 Aug 31, 1775 - Feb 1, 1776 /ECN/