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- Notes of Henry Wyles Cushman: His father, also Elisha, died when his son was a young boy. He was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, at which business he labored until about his twentieth year, at which time he professed to be converted to God, and united with the Baptist Church in Kingston, Plymouth Co, MA, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. Samuel Glover. He soon began to take a deep interest in religious labors, and felt a strong impulse to engage in the work of the Christian ministry.
After a somewhat protracted struggle, under a sense of incompetence and other hindrances, he finally yielded to the convictions of his mind and was licensed by the church in Kingston, Plymouth, MA, to preach the gospel of Christ. His education was mostly self-acquired, though he studied for a short time with his pastor, but never enjoyed the advantages of collegiate instruction. He preached in the neighboring villages, and supplied the Baptist church in Grafton with much acceptance for about a year.
From that place he went to Providence, RI, about the year 1811, and assisted "Father Cornell" in preaching for a few months. Thence he went to Hartford, Conn., and after preaching in that city for a short time he was invited to the pastoral care of the First Baptist Church, which invitation he accepted, and was ordained as pastor of that body, June 16,1813. The ordination sermon on that occasion was preached by Rev. Stephen Gano, D. D., of Providence, RI, who became acquainted with him while in that city, and was his fast friend while he lived.
He remained as pastor of the church at Hartford, until 1825, having gained the esteem and affection of all classes of citizens. His ministry was highly successful, two hundred and thirty-five having been added to the church at Hartford, which was more than double its former number. Many of those whom he baptized in that city still survive, occupying prominent positions in the community, and bear testimony to the fidelity and affection of their former pastor. His pastorate in Hartford also gave him a somewhat intimate and conspicuous relation to the progress of the Baptist denomination throughout the State of Connecticut.
He was almost continually called to attend councils, ordinations, the constituting of churches, and similar services, in all parts of the State. He bore a prominent part in organizing the Connecticut Baptist Missionary Society in 1814, and was its Corresponding Secretary until 1822, when that society was reorganized under the name of the Connecticut Baptist Convention, of which he was a prominent trustee until he removed to Philadelphia, in 1825. He was subsequently President of that Convention from 1830 to 1834, inclusive, during his pastorate at Stratford. He was thus so intimately connected with the Baptist denomination in Connecticut, that the memory of his person and labors still remains fresh and pleasant among most of the older members of the Baptist churches in every section of the State.
From the year 1800 to 1815 the larger body of the clergy of New England, especially the Congregational clergy, being conservative in their views and principles of government, sympathized with the Federal party, as it then existed. They were, therefore, opposed to the administrations of Jefferson and Madison, and consequently to the war with Great Britain in 1812,which grew out of the policy of the Democratic party of that day. The Baptist denomination was usually an exception, and being more radical and progressive in their views of government, generally, favored the administrations of those Presidents. Although not a politician, as we usually understand the term, and abstaining entirely, as every good and judicious minister of the gospel should, from political action and controversy, yet we infer that his sympathies and principles of government coincided with the Democratic party, as did his denomination generally.
In the year 1813 a company of United States soldiers had been enlisted at Hartford, Conn., and had received orders to march to the scene of war on the northern frontier. It was a proper time for religious services and devout meditations. As they were about to depart they assembled in the Baptist church in Hartford, and a sermon was preached to them by Rev. Mr. Cushman, which, for ability, Christian principles and sound advise is rarely exceeded by any one.
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Old Dead Relatives
1788 - 1838 (50 years)
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