Robert Cushman

Robert Cushman[1]

Male Bef 1577 - Abt 1625  (> 48 years)


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  • Name Robert Cushman  [1
    Birth Bef 9 Feb 1577  Rolvenden, Kent, England, United Kingdom Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Baptism 9 Feb 1577  Rolvenden, Kent, England, United Kingdom Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Gender Male 
    Family Search ID LRGP-C89  [1
    Residence 1609  Leiden, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    • In the great struggle for religious freedom, a group of "Separatists" or "Dissenters" residing in the north of England fled to Holland in 1609 to escape the prevailing persecutions of the Church and the Crown.
    Occupation From 1618 to 1625  [2
    principal agent for the Mayflower Pilgrims 
    • Quoting from the "Genealogy fo Ethiel Cushman"

      In the great struggle for religious freedom, a group of "Separatists" or "Dissenters" residing in the north of England fled to Holland in 1609 to escape the prevailing persecutions of the Church and the Crown. Robert Cushman of Kent was among those who removed to Holland. After a few years residence in the Dutch city of Leyden, these Pilgrims realized that in course of time they would become merged with the Dutch and as a consequence their identity would thus become lost. They determined to establish a colony In the New World and delegated Robert Cushman and John Carver to return to England to negotiate with the Merchant Adventurers in London to settle in the colony which they were planting In Virginia. As principal agent of the Pilgrims, Robert Cushman made several trips to England and after long and difficult negotiation a patent was obtained. Permission was also obtained from King James to enjoy liberty of conscience in the New World.

      After surmounting many discouragements, a company of Pilgrims numbering 102 persons set sail In the Mayflower from Plymouth, England, for the unknown wilderness. After a long and arduous voyage they landed at Plymouth in New England in November, 1620. Organization of the venture that was to play so vital a role in the founding of a Nation was accomplished largely by the business sagacity and perseverance of Robert Cushman as business agent of the Pilgrims. Destiny, however, did not place him among the immortal passengers aboard the Mayflower, the vessel that was destined to become so famous.

      Nevertheless, he did come to the Plymouth Colony the following year aboard the Fortune, accompanied by his fourteen-year old son Thomas. He soon returned to London to report to the Merchant Adventurers regarding the state of affairs in the Colony. Expecting to return to Plymouth for permanent settlement, he left his son in care of the family of Governor Bradford. Business Interests of the Colony detained him in London for some time and while making preparations to return in a ship about to sail for Plymouth he died in January or February 1625.
    _UID 05612C0F1D544688B9F06E9723108084C5C5 
    Death Abt 6 May 1625  Benenden, Kent, England, United Kingdom Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Person ID I6158  My Genealogy
    Last Modified 24 Sep 2023 

    Father Thomas Couchman   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Mother Elinor Hubbard   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Marriage 18 Jul 1568  Rolvenden, Kent, England, United Kingdom Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Family ID F1845  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Wife 1 Sarah Reder,   b. Bef 17 Sep 1585, Lenham, Kent, England, United Kingdom Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 11 Oct 1616, Leiden, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands Find all individuals with events at this location (Age > 31 years)  [1
    Marriage 31 Jul 1606  St Alphege, Canterbury, England, United Kingdom Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Children 
    +1. Thomas Cushman,   b. Bef 8 Feb 1608, Canterbury, Kent, England, United Kingdom Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 11 Dec 1691, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age > 83 years)
    Family ID F1833  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 13 May 2023 

    Wife 2 Mary Clark   d. Yes, date unknown  [2
    Marriage 5 Jun 1617  Leiden, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Family ID F1846  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 31 May 2023 

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  • Sources 
    1. [S1418] FSFT - General.

    2. [S1530] Book - Gen of Ethiel Cushman.