Judge William Cushing’s Office Chair

Philadelphia bow back Windsor arm chair, traces of white paint. Identified on old paper label with line of ownership through known Scituate families as Judge William Cushing’s office chair. Brass plaque on the back of the seat reads “Office Chair of Judge William Cushing, 1732 – Scituate – 1810”. Swore president George Washington into office March 4, 1793. William Cushing sat on the first Supreme Court. On the organization of the United States Supreme Court Cushing was the first justice appointed, then serving 21 years on the court. During John Jays absence, Cushing administered the oath of office to Washington for his second term. At the end of his supreme court tenure he was commissioned as chief justice by Washington, relinquishing the position soon after due to ill health. Cushing was the last American judge to wear the full-bottomed English judicial wig.

Cushing once headed the list of freshman at Harvard who were censured by President Holyoke for “great profanity in swearing and cursing and taking the name of the great holy name of god in vain”.

Judge William Cushing’s office chair, Philadelphia C. 1790 with traces of original white paint. Judge William Cushing of Hingham, MA was the second highest ranking Justice in America second only to John Jay. Cushing put down Shay’s Rebellion in MA. Cushing administered the oath of office to George Washington at his second inauguration at Congress Hall Philadelphia March 4, 1793. The Windsor chairs at Congress Hall were painted white a rare color for Windsor chairs. This chair was presented to Cushing by George Washington.

As with all of our furniture, in ‘as found’ condition.
Very nice overall condition.