THOMAS CUSHMAN.
Son of Robert, died -X- December, MDCXCI,
Aged nearly -LXXXIV- years.
For more than -XLII- years he was
Ruling Elder of the First Church in Plymouth,
By whom a tablet was placed to mark his grave on this spot,
Now consecrated anew by a more enduring memorial.
MARY,
widow of Elder Cushman, and daughter of Isaac Allerton,
Died -XXVIII- November, MDCXCIX, aged about -XC- years,
The last survivor of the first comers in the Mayflower.
East side:—
Erected by
The descendants of
Robert Cushman
In memory of their Pilgrim Ancestors,
XVI- September, MDCCCLVIII.
The stone originally erected over the grave of Elder Thomas Cushman was removed in 1858 to make room for this memorial, and now stands a little distance from its first position. It is of purple Welsh slate, and is in a remarkable state of preservation. The inscription is as follows:—
Here lyeth buried ye body of that precious servant of God, Mr. THOMAS CUSHMAN, who after he had served his generation according to the will of God, and particularly the church of Plymouth for many years in the office of a ruleing elder fell asleep in Jesus Decmr. ye 10, 1691 & ye 84. year of his age.
There is always eager inquiry from the visitors to Burial Hill for the grave of the “Nameless Nobleman,” the hero of Mrs. Jane G. Austin’s famous historical novel of that title. We find it near the Cushman monument. The stone has the small figure of an hourglass at its top, under which appears the winged cherub, the sculpture being better defined than is usual in such old work. The inscription reads:—
Here lyes ye body
of Mr. FRANCIS LE BARRAN
phytician who
departed this life
Augst ye 18th 1704,
in ye 36 year
of his age.
Dr. Le Baron was the surgeon of a French ship which was wrecked in Buzzard’s Bay in 1694. With the officers and crew he was taken prisoner and sent to Boston. On their way a stop was made at Plymouth, where the doctor had occasion to perform a surgical operation. This led to a request, made by the citizens to the lieutenant-governor, and granted, that he be allowed to remain in the town. From him the numerous Le Barons in America are descended.