Robert Woodward Cushman
Robert Woodward Cushman [1]
a Baptist minister, son of Job Cushman, a lineal descendant of Robert Cushman, of the Pilgrim Fathers, was born at Woolwich, Maine, April 10, 1800. For some time he was engaged in the watchmaking and jewelry business. Having become a Christian, and fitted for college, he entered Columbian College,Washington, D.C, and graduated in 1826. By his own efforts he paid his way while procuring an education, yet took a high rank as a scholar. He was ordained, August 1826, pastor of the Baptist Church in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and a little more than a year afterwards removed to Philadelphia. In 1828 he established "a young ladies' institute" of a high order, still constantly employed as a preacher, and for a time was the editor of the Christian Gazette. In the various organizations for religious work, established by his denomination, he took an active interest. He was one of the early and warm friends of the American Baptist Publication Society. After nearly twelve years of labor in Philadelphia, he was called to the pastorate of the Bowdoin Square Church, in Boston, and was installed July 8, 1841. In the winter of 1847-48 he went to Washington, to take charge of the E Street Baptist Church in that city during the temporary absence of its pastor, Reverend G.W. Samson. He remained in Washington, and established a ladies' school, which he conducted for five years, and then returned to Boston, to become the principal of, the "Mount Vernon Ladies' School." In 1863 he retired from active life on account of impaired health, and spent his closing years in Wakefield, Massachusetts, where he died, April 7, 1868. (J.C.S.)
