Thomas Humphrey Cushing

Thomas Humphrey Cushing (December 20, 1755 – October 19, 1822) was an officer in the Continental Army, and later the United States Army. A veteran of the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, he attained the rank of brigadier general. He later served as collector of customs for the Port of New London, Connecticut. Early life Thomas H. Cushing was born in Pembroke, Massachusetts on December 20, 1755, a son of Nehemiah Cushing (1721–1762) and Sarah (Humphrey) Cushing (1722–1804). Nehemiah Cushing was serving the British as a captain in the Massachusetts Militia during the French and Indian War when he died at Crown Point, New York. Sarah Humphrey Cushing married Isaac Hatch in 1763; according to local lore, she attended the ceremony clad in a petticoat to take advantage of an English custom, "smock marriage," by which a widow indicated she brought no property into her new marriage. A smock marriage prevented creditors from attempting to collect the deceased husband's debts from the widow or her new husband; according to the Cushing family historian, Sarah Cushing maintained her modesty by wearing her petticoat over her dress. Cushing was raised and educated in Pembroke, then supported the Patriot side in the American Revolution by joining the Continental Army. American Revolution Cushing began his military career as a sergeant in the 6th Continental Regiment in January 1776. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 1st Massachusetts Regiment in January 1777 and was promoted to first lieutenant in January 1778. He was taken prisoner in May 1781 and was later exchanged. He received a brevet promotion to captain in September 1783. Cushing was admitted to the Society of the Cincinnati as an original member later that year. Following the British evacuation of New York City in November 1783, the bulk of the Continental Army was discharged. Cushing was retained in Jackson's Continental Regiment, commanded by Brevet Brigadier General Henry Jackson, and was one of the last officers to be discharged from the Continental Army when the regiment was disbanded on June 20, 1784.