It might seem confusing but many roads in line with the building of the Chester and Becket Railroad had to be changed, the Old Cushman Road that was once discontinued, is today’s Quarry Road and the proposed Cushman Road is now defunct yet there are still wires and a pole standing here on this washed out road in Becket just about parallel to Route 20. All of the land owners here had interest in the granite industry.  “The late Alden Cushman, who died years ago, was the son of Jonah Cushman, who died in Becket more than 40 plus years ago, and was a revolutionary soldier and a member of Washington’s life guard. The second wife of his son was Oliver Cushman of Agawam.” Cushmans daughter married a Newell, hence keeping Granite all the family. CUSHMAN was the first to ever Quarry Granite in Becket from Boulders, not a pit.

PETITION TO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
The Chester and Becket Railroad Company respectfully represents that the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Massachusetts, having declined to approve the adjudication of your Honorable Board permitting the said Chester Railroad company to cross the highway known as the Cushman Road at grade, and it being necessary to re locate the said Cushman highway in order to avoid grade erossings, it therefore becomes necessary for said Railroad Company to petition your Honor able Board to determine the line of the proposed highway, and to prescribe the manner of building the same and the time of performance, after due proceedings had in the premises.  Dated December 4, 1896.

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