Mary was visiting relatives in Columbus, Ohio when she met Milton. Her grandfather was Congressman, she was a lineal descendant of John Alden, and related to Adams, Hancock, Madison, and Phillips families. Her cousin was Rear Adm Joseph Smith; distant cousin was Pres. John Adams. She moved with family from Chicago to Fredonia, New York in 1837 where she buried Milton. Took up residence on Green Street. Zattu's fine house was occupied by one of his older sons. They did not get much help from Zattu's estate. She decided to start a school in her house. She knew they were poor relations.

Milton met Mary Barker Smith, a younglady who was then teaching at her own female seminary. She had moved to Ohio with her sister Elizabeth, who had married John Gillman Pillsbury, from their family home in Salem, Massachusetts. Mary was an extraordinary young woman. Somewhat small in stature, with a full and rather round face, she radiated kindness and compassion. She had a keen intellect, having received an award for scholarship in the Boston female schools in 1822.
Mrs Mary B. Cushing was of an excellent New England family - cousin of the late Rear Admiral Joseph Smith, and connected with the Adams, and other noted names, and the lucky John Alden, who cutout Capt. Miles Standish. She was a woman of great intellectual gifts and moral traits of character. The last few years of her life many honors came to her for her devotion to her country, and the heroic sacrifices she had made.
Mary was a lineal descendant of John Alden, and related to John Adams, the Hancock, Madison and Phillips families. She used to relate that her earliest recollection was of attending the funeral of her grandfather, Josiah Smith, member of Congress, and said that the carriage of President John Adams (a cousin) headed the funeral procession. pg 355

Sources:
1. "Cushing of Gettysburg" The story of a Union Artillery Commander, by Kent Masterson Brown 1993 by the University Press of Kentucky.
2. The Genealogy of the Cushing Family (An account of the Ancestors and Descendants of Matthew Cushing, who came to America in 1638) by James Cushing, The Perrault Printing Co - Montreal, 1905. First Edition, 1877, byLemuel Cushing, D1881 (Finished by his family). Pg 134.
3. History of Chautauqua County New York and Its People, Volume III, published by the American Historical Society, Inc., Boston New York Chicago, 1921
4. FamilySearch™ Pedigree Resource File

• Married: 12 Jun 1836 in Baptist Church, Columbus, Franklin, Ohio

1. Milton Buckingham Cushing b: 20 Apr 1837 in Columbus, Franklin, Ohio
2. Howard Bass, Lieutenant Cushing b: 22 Aug 1838 in Delafield, Waukesha, Wisconsin
3. Walter Cushing b: 28 Dec 1839 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
4. Alonzo Hereford (Lon), Lieutenant Colonel, Captain Cushing b: 19 Jan 1841 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
5. William Barker, Commander Cushing b: 4 Nov 1842 in Delafield, Waukesha, Wisconsin
6. Mary Rachel Cushing b: 1 Oct 1845 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois
7. Mary Isabel Cushing b: 1 Jan 1847 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois