Background on David F. Cushing
Born in Newfane, Vermont in 1814, David F. Cushing journeyed to West Medway, Massachusetts, at the age of sixteen to learn the tailor's trade. There he met and married Polly Adams (b. 1821), who gave birth to their son, Winfield, in 1843, the first of at least nine children.
Shortly after starting his family, Cushing returned home to Vermont, establishing a general store in the village of Cambridgeport, situated on the border of Grafton and Rockingham. He enjoyed considerable success in his work, rising from being listed as a "retail dealer" in the early years to a merchant; by 1860, Cushing owned real estate valued at $4,000 and personal property worth $7,000. The store, a white building with green piazza posts and shutters, eventually became one of the landmarks of Windham County, and in time, Cushing was joined in business by his sons David Jr. and Solon, who kept the store in the family into the twentieth century.
A deacon of the Congregational church, Cushing's frequent appointment as a postmaster hints at a degree of political connection within the community to accompany his financial and personal success. He remained active in his store for 56 years until his death in 1899.
Scope of collection
The three volumes in this collection include two daybooks from David F. Cushing's store (1860)
and a receipt book relating to freight hauling (1851-1860). Cushing's daybooks reflect a fairly standard business in a small, rural community, relying on exchange as much as on cash. His stock, according to his own reminiscences noted in Lyman Hayes's History of the Town of Rockingham (1907), "comprised almost everything from a barrel of flour to a needle." To acquire goods, Cushing regularly traveled to Boston by stagecoach, and he paid high rates for the transportation of his goods. Cushing also believed in taking care of his own business, having been "behind the counter nearly every day" since he started the store.
The receipt book is interesting primarily as an example of a book of printed forms. Each page consists of receipts for hailing freight printed "This certifies, that a load of ____ drove by Mr. ______ belonging to Mr. _____ sold to _____," with space for a careful record of the weight of goods hauled and date. The receipts were intended to be removed from the book, leaving stubs with corresponding information.
Administrative information
Search terms
Subjects
- Barter--Vermnont--Cambridgeport--History--19th century--Sources.
- Cambridgeport (Vt.)--Economic conditions--19th century--Sources.
- Cushing, David F., 1814-1899--Finance, Personal.
- Cushing, David F., 1814-1899.
- Freight and freightage--Rates--Vermont--History--19th century--Sources.
- General stores--Vermont--Cambridgeport--Finance--History--19th century--Sources.
- Households--Vermont--Cambrigeport--History--19th century--Sources.
Contributors
- Cushing, David F. [main entry]
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