Robert Cushman - Cushman Back in London

Cushman Back in London

Cushman arrived back in London, February 17, 1622. He was carrying with him a valuable document known as the Bradford-Winslow “Relation” - (or historically known as ‘Mourt’s Relation’) the detailed journal-account, that is, day-to-day written record of the exploration of areas of Cape Cod and Plymouth bay and harbor. The “Relation” is the single most important historical document of its kind in earliest American history.

When Robert Cushman arrived in London at the end of February 1622, he hurried to have printed ‘Mourt’s Relation’ as quickly and widely as possible, as it was obviously meant as propaganda for the colony.

The mission of Cushman in aid of the new Plymouth colony was much advanced by his return and arrival in London, February 17, 1622, with the signed approval to the terms of the Adventurers with him. It had been certified by the signatures of the leadership now led by Governor Bradford, successor to John Carver. This document had renewed the relationship between the colonist and the London investors and the investors were also relieved of ingratitude and culpable impropriety.

Cushman served as agent of the New Plymouth Colony and representative of the colony with the company of Merchant Adventurers of London until he died in the spring of 1625. The place and date of his death and burial, also in Kent, are unknown.

His son, Thomas Cushman (ca.1607/08-1691), at age fourteen, was left behind at New Plymouth in the charge of the governor, William Bradford, after his father, Robert, returned to England. Thomas married Mary Allerton, daughter of Pilgrim Isaac Allerton, about the year 1636. They had eight children between 1637 and 1662 and a great many persons with the Cushman surname in America are their descendants. Thomas Cushman became Ruling Elder of the Plymouth Church in 1649, and remained in that office forty-two years until his death in 1691.