Samuel Cleveland

1657 - 1735/6

Sergeant Samuel, son of Moses Cleveland, was born in Woburn, June 9, 1657, died at Canterbury, Connecticut, March 12, 1735-36. He was a soldier in King Philip 's war and held the rank of sergeant. He was admitted a freeman, March 11, 1689-90. He bought land in Chelmsford, November 17, 1681, on the north side of Tadmuck Hill.  He returned to Woburn in 1693 and the same year removed to Canterbury, Connecticut. The settlers had considerable trouble over the distribution of the land, and there were numerous disputes and trials at law regarding it. At one time Samuel Cleveland, together with nearly all the prominent men in the town, was fined for "stealing loads of hay."  On April 30, 1723, the land under dispute was finally apportioned to the satisfaction of all, and Samuel Cleveland was among those who had the shares allotted to first settlers.

He married (first) in Chelmsford, May 17, 1680, Jane Keyes, born in Newbury, October 25, 1660, died November 14, 1681, daughter of Solomon and Frances (Grant) Keyes.

He married (second) at Chelmsford, May 23, 1682, Persis Hildreth, born February 8, 1660, died February 22, 1698, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Hildreth.

He married (third) July 25, 1699, at Canterbury, Mrs. Margaret Fish, widow of John Fish.

Child of first wife, born at Chelmsford: Jane, about 1681.  By second wife: Persis, April 21, 1683; Samuel, January 12, 1685; Ephraim, April 10, 1687; Joseph, July 18, 1689; Elizabeth, June 26, 1693, at Woburn. Born at Canterbury: Mary, June 14, 1696; children of third wife: Abigail, April 23, 1700, died February 23, 1717-18; Timothy.

Source:  Cutter, William Richard. Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation. New York, NY: Lewis Publishing Company, 1911.

---Submitted by Tina Hursh