Zattu Cushing

Zattu Cushing (June 11, 1771—January 11, 1839) was an American shipbuilder and judge. He was the first settler of Fredonia, New York and the first judge of Chautauqua County, New York (1811―1824).^[1]

Zattu Cushing
Judge of Chautauqua County, New York
In office 1811–1824
Preceded by	Position Established
Succeeded by	Elial T. Foote
Personal details
Born	June 11, 1771 Plymouth, Massachusetts
Died	January 1, 1839(1839-01-01) (aged 67)
Occupation	Judge, shipbuilder, farmer

Biography

Cushing was born on June 11, 1771, in Plymouth, Massachusetts. He was the son of Nathaniel Cushing, a shipbuilder, and his wife Lydia Cooke. He worked at a shipyard in Boston. At age 21, he moved to Saratoga County, New York and became a farmer, later moving to Paris Hill on Oneida County, New York. He married Rachel Buckingham.^[2] Cushing visited western New York before he settled, purchasing a 306-acre tract of land from the Holland Land Company in what is now the center of Fredonia, New York. He sold his property in New England and brought his family to Western New York in 1805.^[3] He purchased an additional 557 acres and built a log cabin. His wife Rachel died in 1816 and he married secondly to Eunice Elderkin.^[2]

In 1811, Chautauqua County was formed, and he was appointed first judge of the county, and held that office until 1824. In 1821, Chautauqua County Agricultural Society was estanlished and Cushing was its first President. ^[4] Cushing died on January 11, 1839, at the age of 67.^[2]

Family

Cushing is the grandfather of brothers William B. Cushing and Alonzo Cushing.

See also

• Boston Brahmins § Cushing