John Perkins Cushing

John Perkins Cushing (April 22, 1787 – April 12, 1862), The town of Belmont, Massachusetts is named after his estate.

Early life Cushing was born in Boston, Massachusetts to Robert Cushing and his wife, Ann Perkins Maynard. His father's Cushing ancestor had emigrated to Hingham, Massachusetts, during the early years of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Cushing's sister, Nancy, later married Henry Higginson (1781-1839).

When his mother died of smallpox, Cushing was raised by his uncle, slave and opium trader Thomas Handasyd Perkins (1764–1854).

Cushing was reportedly very fond of the Perkins family and very often brought them house-warming gifts such as large boxes of the finest available white sugar. He was said to have spent a lot of time at their house, often playing backgammon with William Appleton or Colonel Perkins. The head of the firm in China soon fell ill and died at sea. Thus, when Cushing arrived in China, he found himself Perkins & Company's sole agent, remaining there for nearly 30 years.

John Gardiner Cushing (1834–1881), who married Susan Prescott Dexter Thomas Forbes Cushing (1838–1902) His obituary in The New York Times stated that: "He was so noted for his liberality to the poor that their pertinacity drove him from Boston, where he once had his residence."

Residence Cushing built himself a handsome mansion on Summer Street, acquired a splendid estate in Watertown named "Bellmont" (now part of Belmont, Massachusetts which is named after his estate), and erected one of the finest conservatories in New England.