Name/Title
CorrespondenceEntry/Object ID
CAHC 2006.90Scope and Content
Letter (1 pg) from Benjamin Cushing to Nathaniel Cushing dated July 12, 1801.
Benjamin Cushing had quite an interesting life. He was a store owner in Camden, and became very involved in shipbuilding. He was also postmaster, selectman and justice of the peace. He was a hostage of the British in Castine, Maine for 10 days during the War of 1812.
To the great annoyance and embarrassment of the British, a band of local fishermen captured a British supply ship, removed the goods and hid the ship in a river. The British were furious and threatened to barrage the town with cannonfire and burn the town to the ground unless the pirates were turned in. The town refused, and Cushing was taken hostage with another man until a settlement could be reached. The British determined that the blame was not with the citizens of Camden, but with the pirates and released the 2 men, while placing a heavy bounty on the heads of the fishermen.
The letters are primarily about his trade as a storeowner and shipbuilder. He mentions the ships Daphne and Lothair, Captains Eaton and Glover, and receipt of timber.Collection
Cushing Family PapersCataloged By
Mary BlairAcquisition
Accession
CAHC 2006.90Source or Donor
E-bayAcquisition Method
PurchaseLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
CorrespondenceNomenclature Sub-Class
Other DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsLOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
CorrespondenceSearch Terms
Camden, MaineArchive Details
Date(s) of Creation
Jul 12, 1801Archive Size/Extent
Paper, 9.75" x 8"Archive Notes
Date(s): 7/12/1801Location
Location
Container
Cushing Family Papers BoxRoom
Storage RoomBuilding
Walsh History CenterCategory
PermanentDate
October 21, 2025Location
Shelf
Shelf 2, Shelf 2Room
Storage RoomBuilding
Camden Area History CenterCategory
PermanentMoved By
Mary BlairDate
December 12, 2006Inventory
Inventoried By
Heather BilodeauInventoried Date
Nov 12, 2009Condition
Overall Condition
FairDate Examined
Dec 12, 2006Examined By
Mary BlairNotes
Worn and yellowed around the edges.Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Cushing, BenjaminPerson or Organization
Cushing, NathanielGeneral Notes
Note
Notes: Scanned copy located in Benjamin Cushing Notebook for public use.
Status: OK
Status By: Heather Bilodeau
Status Date: 2009-11-12Created By
admin@catalogit.appCreate Date
December 6, 2006Updated By
admin@catalogit.appUpdate Date
October 26, 2025
