Summary Information
Nathaniel Cushing Papers
1763-1884
- Cushing, Nathaniel, 1762-1827
Massachusetts Mss A
2.0 c.f. (5 archives boxes)
Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Papers of Nathaniel Cushing, a Massachusetts entrepreneur involved in shipping, the iron industry, and various other business ventures. The papers consist of accounts, receipts, and agreements; business correspondence, 1763-1799, 1820-1884, which is disconnected and frequently vague as to source; and genealogical information concerning the Bryant family connections.
English
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Biography/History
Nathaniel Cushing was one of five Massachusetts brothers who were engaged in various enterprises between 1790 and 1830, although most of their financial activities were concerned with some phase of shipping. Charles was a banker who helped finance trading and shipbuilding; Benjamin, Isaac, and Thomas became captains and traders; and Nathaniel tried a variety of ventures.
Nathaniel Cushing frequently seemed on the verge of great financial success, but though he was apparently able to make a comfortable living, he never acquired great property or wealth. Upon his death he left an insolvent estate. He owned a 118-acre farm on which the family lived at Pembroke (later Hanson?) in Plymouth County. At that place he also operated a store. For thirty years his small iron works at Hanover enjoyed steady business, making mainly anchors. For their production he imported pig iron from the Norfolk area and bought scrap in New England.
By 1820 he was turning to the manufacture of “fire frames and gridirons,” probably a simple stove. This project failed. In 1818 Cushing was working a string of small salt deposits near Dartmouth, but on his death owned only one salt works. He tried to manufacture cotton and woolen goods until cotton became so costly that he had to sell only wool yarn, and finally gave up the project completely. He had a shingle and box factory for a time, and then a tack factory. Neither survived more than a few years.
From time to time Cushing invested in the building or purchase of a schooner, and tried importing. He frequently made loans, but just as often had to borrow money.
Nathaniel Cushing seems to have been respected in his community, and was frequently responsible for affairs connected with his church (Congregational) or the district school. He saw to it that his five children received some education; and had one son, Ezekial, who became a doctor, studying at Harvard and in England.
Scope and Content Note
The correspondence in this collection is disconnected and often vague as to source. Many letters deal with arrangements for credit or money; shipping; orders for iron or anchors; or arrangements for cotton, coal, and merchandise. A few letters of 1809-1814 show the influence of British embargo laws during the War of 1812 and the years immediately preceding it. Mention should be made here of the letters of Capt. Isaac Cushing, who operated trading vessels and was a partner in a commission house in southern France. These letters give information on shipping conditions and merchandise. Family letters have a strong religious tenor. Almost all letters subsequent to 1827 have little connection or value.
The collection contains two folders of genealogical information, mostly in connection with the Bryant family. Nathaniel Cushing's grandmother was Lucy (Bryant) Turner. Connections are also shown with other Bryants and with the Bonney family into which cousins married.
In bulk, most of the Nathaniel Cushing Papers are made up of accounts, receipts, and agreements. These are on all sizes of paper, and are not always dated or explained. They deal mainly with the exchange of money and credit, payments to anchorsmiths and men working for Cushing, orders for merchandise, and inventories of anchors.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Presented by D. C. Everest, December 1953; April 23, 1956; and November 21, 1958.
Contents List
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Correspondence
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Box
1
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1763-1799
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Box
2
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1820-1884; undated
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Box
2
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Deeds, Mills, Agreements
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Box
2
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Inventory of Estate
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Genealogy
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Box
2
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Cushing-Bryant-Bonney
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Box
2
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Bryant-Bonney-Bisbee-Bourne-Bearce
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Box
3-5
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Receipts and Accounts
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