Upon his death, Thomas Parkman Cushing bequeathed money to establish Cushing Academy.[4] Following a provision from his will, the money accumulated for ten years before a board of trustees applied for an act of incorporation. On May 15, 1865, the Great and General Court of Massachusetts granted a charter, and the Academy opened in 1875 on land formerly known as Bancroft Farm.[5][6] Cushing opened in September 1875 with a coeducational student body: 66 boys and 56 girls.