Cushing Homestead

Hingham town clerk and magistrate Daniel Cushing (1618–1699) was granted a plot of land from the town in 1665, and later built a house there for his son Peter (Cushing) sometime in 1678.^[1][3] There is "clear and visible" architectural evidence in the two front chambers and attic that the house was originally one-and-a-half stories high.^[1] This one-bay depth structure was later extended (creating a lean-to) before the 1700s toward the back of the property away from the street.^[4] At some point in time between the end of the 17th century to the early 18th century the house was raised to its current height.^[1] Evidence from this transition include a second set of rafters visible on the second floor.^[4] The second bay was possibly added (creating the saltbox-type house) in the mid to late 1700s when the lean-to was extended back again.^[4]

Both the NRHP entry and books written on the matter mention that the southwest corner of the house retains the original 17th century kitchen.^[4] When this room was restored in 1936 the original painted plastered walls and timbered ceiling were also discovered.^[1] Other elements that have been preserved intact include the exposed sills, girts, posts, ceiling beams, and shadow molding.^[4] The kitchen also includes extremely rare original "yellow on black sponge painting" (added c.1700) that adorns the ceiling rafters.^[4][5] Interior elements in the other bay of the house include pained wood-paneled ceiling beams. These are considered to be more formal decoration styles which date to the mid-1700s.^[4] Although electricity and plumbing have been added, the house still retains its "stylistic integrity".^[4]

Among the Cushing family members who have occupied the home since it was built was Capt. Peter Cushing (1741–1783), grandson and namesake of the first owner. A selectman and constable of Hingham, Capt. Cushing commanded a company of troops during the Revolutionary War under fellow townsman General Benjamin Lincoln.^[6][7]

An elm tree on the property, a local landmark for years, was famous as the place where pastor John Brown preached to a group of Minutemen from Cohasset in 1775. The soldiers afterwards took part in the Siege of Boston under Col. (later Brigadier General) John Greaton.^[8]

• List of the oldest buildings in Massachusetts
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Plymouth County, Massachusetts