Robert Cushman Character Analysis in Of Plymouth Plantation

An important agent for the Pilgrims in Leyden, who later serves as their chief agent after they travel to the Plymouth settlement. Cushman plays an ambiguous role in the early days of the Pilgrims’ colony. He seems to be more selfless and more committed to the prosperity of the Plymouth colony than Thomas Weston, but he’s also responsible for supporting a sudden rewriting of the Pilgrims’ contract with the Virginia Company, such that they have to repay their debts at a much faster rate. Cushman dies in the mid-1620s.

Robert Cushman Character Timeline in Of Plymouth Plantation

The timeline below shows where the character Robert Cushman appears in Of Plymouth Plantation. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Debt and Religious Capitalism Theme Icon

In response to Weston’s new demands, John Robinson writes a letter to Robert Cushman, the congregants’ agent in England, on June 10th, 1620. In the letter he voices his... (full context)

...problem arises midway: the congregants’ two primary contacts stationed in England, John Carver and Robert Cushman, begin to disagree with their other contact, Mr. Martin. Martin argues that it would be... (full context)

...will protect them. Within a few days they’ve sailed to Southampton, England, where Carver and Cushman have found ships to take them to America. (full context)

In Southampton, the English reformers, now calling themselves Pilgrims, have to close their business with Cushman. Weston arrives to gives the Pilgrims provisions and help with clearing their financial obligations. But... (full context)

...whom have purchased stock in the Virginia Company. In the letter, the Pilgrims stress that Cushman rewrote the contract with the Pilgrims to require them to pay more money. They also... (full context)

One of the people who stay behind is Mr. Cushman. On August 17, 1620, he writes a long letter to Edward Southworth, a friend living... (full context)

...time, the Pilgrims have developed their own agriculture. In November a ship arrives carrying Robert Cushman, along with thirty-five others. Many of these people aren’t reformers at all, and when they... (full context)

Bradford receives one more letter, this one from Robert Cushman. Cushman greets Bradford warmly, and mentions that Weston intends to sail to America on the... (full context)

...whom are related to Pilgrims in America. The ship also carries a letter from Robert Cushman, apologizing for the lack of supplies onboard the ship. However, the ship has brought salt,... (full context)

Bradford receives a letter, dated January 24, 1623, from Robert Cushman explaining that the Pilgrims would do well to pursue “fishing, salt-making, and boat-making,” and advising... (full context)

...fishing boat. He comes bringing sad tidings, including the deaths of John Robinson and Robert Cushman. Sad though the Pilgrims are to hear of the deaths of their old friends, they... (full context)