Essex

CUSHMAN, Isaac & Seth

Vermont Historical Magazine, No XI, October 1867, p 1007-1008 (extracted from 
a section on the history of Guildhall)

Hon. Isaac CUSHMAN, a descendant of Robert CUSHMAN, who came over in the 
"Mayflower" in 1620, resided in Connecticut, and married Sarah PAINE, sister 
to the Hon. Elijah PAINE. They had two sons, Seth and John, who were both 
bred to the law. Seth studied with a lawyer acquaintance who then resided in 
Vermont; and, at the close of his studies, was recommended to Guildhall 
[Essex County, Vermont], and came here about 1805. Not long subsequently his 
father removed here with his family and resided on the farm now owned and 
occupied by Mesrs. JOSE & SMALL. He was frequently entrusted with the duties 
and responsibilities of various town offices, and was judge of probate from 
1815 to 1822. In his old age he went to live with his son, the Hon. John 
CUSHMAN, who had after remaining a short time in Guildhall, removed to Troy 
[Rensselaer County], New York.

Gen. Seth CUSHMAN continued his residence in this town [Guildhall, Essex 
County, Vermont], with the exception of one year, until March 1845, when he 
died of paralysis at the age of sixty-three. Probably few men in this state 
possessed a greater amount and variety of talent than Gen. CUSHMAN; and had 
his moral and religious principles equaled his natural abilities, he would 
have been the pride of his friends, a bright ornament of the Church and of 
his state and country. He was graceful and entertaining at home, in the 
social circle, at the bar, and as an officer in the field. At the bars of 
the several counties in this part of the state, he was the associate and peer 
of such men as John MATTOCKS, James BELL, and Isaac FLETCHER, all 
acknowledged "giants of their time."

Submitted by Cathy Kubly