Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,836, William Cleaveland, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Cleveland, William
N. 23836
Converse, Sarah
(Former widow)
CONTENTS

Abt R. Pease Sept 26 1845
Sept 26 1845
 14 80  11 20  40 
7284
Massachusetts
Sarah Converse, formerly the widow of William Cleveland, who was a private, in the Connecticut line.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars —
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Sept. 1845 and sent to Neal Pease,
Lenoir, Massachusetts.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
417 June, 1844.
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 27.

This woman's claim erroneously allowed upon the Comptroller's Report which gives the service of the Rev. War pensioner Wm Cleveland, Conn. S. 12494 who was alive in 1820 & 1832.
Her husband died in 1799.
Massachusetts
July in the and forty five of Probate a resident seven years

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss.
On this twenty eighth day of July in the year one thousand Eight hundred and forty five Personally appeared before the Judge of Probate in & for said County Sarah Converse a resident of Dalton in said County aged Eighty Seven years who being duly sworn according to law, — On her Oath making the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Provision made by the act of Congress Passed July 7 th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and Pensions to certain Widows That She is the Widow of Amasa Converse late of Wind- =sor in the County aforesaid — That She was Married to the said Amasa Converse on the twentieth day of March Eighteen hundred and fifteen That her said husband the aforesaid Amasa Converse Died on the ninth day of March Eighteen hundred and twenty six, — and she further States that at the time she Married the said Amasa Converse, — That She was the Widow of William Cleave land late of said Dalton, deceased who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution and served as will appear by the accompanying proofs to which She refers for the particulars of his Service which mostly having taken place in Connecticut, & while home on furlough, She was Married to him. although She thinks he did some Service in Massachusetts, — The Marriage having taken place prior to his leaving the Service, — She further declares that She was Married to the said William Cleave land on the fifth day of January Seventeen hundred & Seventy nine, — That her said husband the aforesaid William Cleave land died on the twenty eighth day of December Seventeen hundred and ninety nine, — That She was Married to him prior to his leaving Service viz at the time or none stated, — She also declares that She has not intermarried since the death of the said Amasa Converse but still continues his Widow,
Sarah Converse

Berkshire ss. July 28. 1845.
Subscribed and sworn to, by the within named Sarah Converse, at her usual place of abode in Dalton, she being, by reason of age & infirmities unable to attend in open Court.
Before me, William P. Walker Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire County. ss.
I, Henry W. Bishop Register of the Court of Probate within & for said County of Berkshire do certify that the Hon. William P. Walker is the Judge of said Court duly commissioned & qualified that the foregoing signature purporting to be her is her genuine signature & that the foregoing con- cern the original proceedings of said Judge in the matter of the application of Sarah Con- verse for pension.
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & the seal of said Court this eighteenth day of August. The year Eighteen hundred & forty five. Henry W. Bishop. Reg. t Prob. t

This will certify that I find on the Records of the First Congregational Church of this Town, the record of a marriage in the hand-writing of the Rev. Thomas Allen, the First Pastor of said Church, in the following words; viz.
"Record of Marriages in the Year 1779." 1779. Janw. 5. Mr. Cleveland & Widow Fowler were married."
A true copy from the Records. Attest, J. Todd.
Pittsfield August 16, 1845. Pastor of the First Congl. Church. I further certify that I am Pastor of the said First Church, & that in consequence, the Records are placed in my hands for safe keeping. J. Todd.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire County ss
Then personally appeared John Todd who signed the above written certificate and made oath that the same was the truth
Before me Theodore Hinsdale Justice of the peace.

12146 12146
Sarah Conner's furnace No Aug 21 1845 Memo of Mr Cleveland Mass
Act 7 July 1838
M 79, line and 28 dec 1799
William Cleveland On furlough from
Dec 28 1778 see Major Miles Clifton Col Myles Regiment January 5 1779
See bt Pills Wythe's note (from age 77 to age 80)

I Samuel Cleaveland of Dalton in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Viz, aged fifty four years do testify and say that I am the son of William Cleaveland late of said Datto deceased and Sarah Cleaveland his Widow, (now Sarah Converse,) That the said William who was my Father died at said Dalton on the twenty eighth day of December Seventeen hundred and ninety nine and the said Sarah Converse is now or Widow, and I was present at the death and funeral of the said William Cleaveland
Samuel Cleaveland
Sworn & Subscribed to this Second day of July A D 1845
Before me G D Weston Jurk, Pract
I hereby certify that the above named Sam l Cleaveland is a credible witness G D Weston

I Mary Pratt of Dalton in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth the Massa- = chusetts Viz, aged fifty four years, do testify & say, I am the Widow of Bennett Pratt late of Dalton deceased, & a Daughter of Amasa Converse late of Windsor in Berkshire being deceased, I was present at my Father's Mar- riage to Sarah Cleaveland the Widow of Will- = iam Cleaveland late of said Dalton and I further say that the said Amasa Converse and Sarah Cleaveland were Married on the twentieth day of March Eighteen hundred and fifteen in said Dalton by the Reverend Ebenezer Jennings who was pastor of the Congregational Church at that at that time I was present and see them Married Mary Pratt
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Berkshire ss. July 28. 1845.
Personally appeared Mary Pratt. Known to me to be a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the facts stated in the foregoing affidavit by her subscribed Before me, W. P. Walker Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. I Henry W. Bishop Register of Probate within & for the said County of Berkshire do certify that the Hon. William P. Walker whose signature is subscribed to the foregoing certificate of oath is & was in the twenty eighth day of July last the Judge of the Court of Probate within & for said County of Berkshire duly commissioned & qualified & authorized to administer oaths to legal witnesses & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this Eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & fifty six. Henry W. Bishop Reg. Prob.
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]

I Mary Pratt of Dutton in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts very aged fifty four years do testify & say that I am the Widow of Bennett Pratt late of Dutton deceased, & a Daughter of Amasa Con- =verse late of Windsor in Berkshire County deceased, & Sarah Converse who was my step Mother now of said Dutton Widow of said Amasa - That the said Amasa who was my Father died at said Windsor on the ninth day of March Eighteen hundred and twenty six, - I was not present when he died but attended his funeral which took place within a day or two after his death Mary Pratt
S. July 28.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Berkshire ss. July 28. 1845.
Personally appeared Mary Pratt, known to me, to be a credible witness, and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts stated in the fore- -going affidavit by her subscribed.
Before me, W. P. Walker Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Berkshire ss. I. Henry W. Bishop. Register of the Court of Probate within & for the County of Berkshire aforesaid do certify that the

Hon. William S. Walker is the Judge of said Court, duly commissioned & qualified. And was on the twenty eighth day of July last Judge as a friend that the signature subscribed to the foregoing certificate of birth purporting to be his is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this eighteenth day of August in the year Eighteen hundred and forty five. Henry M. Bishop Recd. Prob.

Comptrollers Office Connecticut, Hartford 26 May 1845.
On application for evidence of the service of William Cleveland in the war of the Revolution, I have examined the documents remaining in this Office relating to that War, and in the record of settlements made with the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army, under head of "Settlement with the 3 d Connecticut Regiment, Samuel Wyllys Esquire Colonel before January 1 st 1780", I find the name of William Cleveland; who is there stated to have commenced service February 20 th 1777, and to the time of the settlement, January 1. 1780, to have served as a private, 2 Years 10 Months & 9 days.
And in a subsequent settlement with the same Regiment & Colonel, "for the year 1780", he is stated to have served in the same capacity, from January 1 st to April 28 th 1780, 3 Months & 28 days.
D Carrington Comptroller

I A A Parks Town clerk of the Town of Dalton Massachusetts hereby certify that in a book purporting to be a book of Record of Marriages in said Town and I have made an examination of said book and cannot find the name of Amasa Conner and Sarah Cleveland contained therein
A A Parks Town clerk of Dalton
Berkshire Js.
July 24. 1845. Then the above named A A Parks to the truth of the fore- going by him subscribed - made oath Before me G D Norton Just Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Pulaski Co.
I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Pulaski do hereby certify that Theodore Tinsdale and Francis D. Weston Esquires whose signatures are affixed to the Certificates on the papers hereto annexed were at the date thereof Justices of the Peace within and duly and fairly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth. And that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Tinsdale & Weston. and believe their signatures to said Certificates are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas at Leicester this eighteenth day of August A.D. 1845. Charles Sedgwick Clerk

L. T. Pearce Esq. Washington City D. C.

Lenox Do th 1846
Dear Sir
I understand by Mr Tainter that he has informed you of the circumstances of a pension being obtained from the Pension office by Noel Pease for the widow Converse of Dalton Berkshire County Mass which was obtained by Friend (under her first husband William Cleveland of Conn) and it is very doubtful if William Cleveland of Mass was even in or acquainted in Connecticut
Mr Tainter and myself wish you to make the necessary enquiry and give the information proper in such case to the Department and leave us silent if it can be so and it is to be so long before you go to Washington that we wish you to write forthwith and Mr Tainter thinks he may have forgotten some particulars therefore wishes me to write you as I view the matter W th Cleveland of Dalton was Brother to Henry Cleveland and was entitled to the same pension Henry drew a small pension for a few years and there was an effort made by some men in Dalton to obtain one for Williams widow but the trouble and Expense was so much and the pension so small that it was abandoned and after some years Pease took hold of it and obtained it
And we learn that he took Levi Horlon Jr of Lenox Berkshire County before Philip Ames Esq of Washington in said County and took his affidavit to the Character of Peter Johnson as to truth and morality Respectability &c he then takes Peter Johnson before Matthew Smith Esq of Middlefield in Hampshire County Mass and takes

his affidavit to the identity of William Cleveland Smith on being enquired of was some frightened but knows the case was William Cleveland and the witness was Johnson and the thinks Peter from Washington in Berkshire county or from Chester or Bloomfield in Hampshire County — we cannot find Peter Johnson on Earth nor do I believe he can be found we asked Smith to come to Lenox and I would show him the man that we thought was the said Peter Johnson and he did come and I showed him the man Smith did not speak to him but said to me he looked like the man his height age and stooped forward about the same never saw him before nor since the time of taking the affidavit did not say he was or was not the man did not recollect whether he wrote the affidavit or whether it was already written if he wrote it he copied from one already written was but a few minutes in doing the business Pease did not present the affidavit of Horton jr as taken by Ames but spoke very well of Johnson Smith says he cannot be mistaken for this is all the business he ever done for Pease and never done but very little as a magistrate
Now we think that Peter Johnson is Levi Horton since of Lenox in Berkshire County Horton tells me he went to Middlefield to help Pease get a pension for W m Cleveland and Pease has not paid him for going he went on foot part of the way and a part of the way he rode but declines saying who he rode with says he knew W m Cleveland in Conn — but don't know where in that state never was any further south than New Hartford but once and don't know where he went then never was in

Middlefield but this once known nobody there did not know the Magistrate nor any one present but Pease staid some where over night don't know where knows it was the Cleveland's case he went on Never knew Cleveland's wife nor William Cleveland of Mass
Sir after working this case into this shape I asked some advice and was advised by friends to communicate it to Pease which I did kindly as I knew how he admitted to me that Horton went to Middlefield for him but not in the Cleveland case but in another and to close with the abused me shamefully and I regret even speaking to him on the subject which I should not have done had I not been so advised but should have given notice to the pension office but as it stands now to ease the feelings of our friends we wish you to communicate with the Department soon as possible and let us know the result for there is some anxiety in this community to know more of some things which they do not understand about these movements
If you wish any thing further that is in my power to inform you if you will write me I will attend to it
Now Sir if you will make the department acquainted with this case soon and leave myself and Tainter silent I shall be much obliged to you
N.B. I think it not well to let this business at ease but a short time — Respectfully Yours Calvin C. Eames

Sarah Lawrence.
Mass.
Act 4 July 36
2 yrs pri
$80.
Register before making out Certificate.
Notify Agent to drop her name from act 7 July 38 etc.
Kindly Please Exp.
Senox Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss.
On this _____ day of in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty five personally appeared before a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Berkshire for said Sarah Converse of Dalton in said County aged Eighty Seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4. 1836, and by the the act of Congress passed March 3. 1837. That she is the Widow of William Cleanland Deceased, who was her first husband, a Soldier in the Revolutionary War. She cannot now state the particulars of his services, but refers to a declaration heretofore made by her under the act of Congress passed July 4. 1836, with the accompanying proofs, now in the Pension office at Washington. — She further declares that she was married to the said William Cleanland on the fifth day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine which was before the expiration of his services that her said husband, the aforesaid William Cleanland died on the twenty eighth day of December in

the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty nine; and she also further declares that on the twentieth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, she was again married to Amasa Converse, and that her second husband the aforesaid Amasa Converse died on the ninth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty six, and that she has remained a Widow ever since the said last mentioned date, viz the time of the death of said Amasa Converse. — The word Widow and subscribed on the and last day was first noted day of year, alone with her, before me. And I certify that I know the declarant to be a person of truth & a credible Witness
Sarah Converse
Berkshire ss.
October 4 th 1845
Then personally appeared the above named Sarah Converse and subscribed & made solemn oath to the truth of foregoing declaration
Before me G. D. Weston Just-Peace

Berkshires. I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do certify that Grunelle D. Weston before whom the foregoing declaration of Sara Lawrence was made is true, on the fourth of October instat a justice of the Peace within said County duly commissioned & qualified that I verily believe the foregoing handwritten property to be true & genuine - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this Tenth day of October 1845 Charles Sedgwick Clerk

Payment to be made at
Boston
by
H. Haven
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of
Massachusetts
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A Vol. 2. Page 27.
W. Stewart
Clerk.

war Department.
Widow's Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of March 3, 1843, 17th: June, 1844 Sarah Converse, formerly the widow of William Cleveland, who was a private, and died on the 28th day of December, 1799— is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of eighty dollars and _____ cents per annum, commencing on the 4th March, 1843, and terminating on the 4th of March, 1848, unless the Pensioner shall marry or die before the last mentioned date; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death. Given at the War Office of the United States, this 16th day of September, one thousand eight hundred and forty five.
W. L. Marcy.
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.
J. S. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Payment to be made at Boston, by H. Hauen, Agent for paying Pension- ers in the Agency of Massachusetts, Payable on the 14th March, and 14th September in each year. Demand
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A. Vol. 1. Page 55 by W. H. Stewart
Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Widow's Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Sarah Converse, formerly the widow of William Cleveland, who was a private, and died on the 28 th day of December, 1799, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty dollars and _____ cents per annum, commencing on the 4 th of March, 1836, and terminating on the 4 th of March, 1841, unless the Pensioner married or died before the above mentioned date; in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 16 th day of September, one thousand eight hundred and forty five.
W. L. Marcy
Secretary of War.
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Ex. in a } Countersigned. }

Pittsfield (Mass) May 17. 1847.
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Dear Sir
I am informed by Hon William Porter, District Attorney for the four western counties in this State, by his letter of the 15 th instant which I have just received, that from representations made to him, he is led to believe that public justice may require an investigation in relation to an Affidavit which is believed to have been used, in obtaining a Pension for Mrs Conners (or Converse) the widow of William Cleveland. The Affidavit was taken before Matthew Smith Esq, of Middlefield in the County of Hampshire. It is believed that the said Affidavit is on file in the Pension office in said case. I have made the statement as fully as Mr Porter's letter enables me to do. Should it be necessary to have further details please write me as soon as convenient. Mr Porter requests me to apply at the Pension office for a certified copy of the above affidavit. I do not know where Mrs Conners lives, but probably either in this Berkshire County or in the adjoining County of Hampshire, in this State. If you see no objection to furnishing this certified copy, please send it as soon as convenient. If more details are necessary required, please write me.

This application having been made to me by letter from Mr Porter for the purposes stated I deem it my duty to write you immediately. If there is but one affidavit in the case taken before Matthew Smith Esq., the foregoing description may be sufficient. Yours very respectfully Julius Rockwell

Sept 26 45
to the Hon. B. D. D. General Manager of the Western Union Telegraph Co.
Mr. Clearland msf, m 38-43

Lenox Sept. 22, 1845,
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
I received the Certificate for the Widow of William Cleaveland which is under the act of 1838, I think there must have been a mistake about it, she was Married to Mr Cleaveland the 5 th of January 1779. & Mr Cleaveland Services did not end till April 28 th 1780. therefore it would bring her under the act of 1836, — I think in looking to the proof of the Service & her Declaration you will perceive that she is entitled to a life Pension under the act of thirty Six, & if you find it so, I hold the Certificates & will return them at your order
Respectfully yours
Nial Pease

PAID
10
L. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.
Enclosed find my bill of fare

Massachusetts
Sarah Converse, formerly the widow of William Cleaveland, who was a pensioner under the Act of _____ and who died on the 28 Dec: 1799, Berkshire in the State of Mass: — who was a private in the company — commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt: — commanded by Col: Wyllis — in Connecticut line for 2 years —
scribed on the Roll of Boston the rate of 80 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 4th day March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th: — day of Sept: 1845 and sent to Nial Pease, Londonderry, Mass: —
Total amount, $1400.00
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by W. H. Stuart Clerk, Book D Vol. 1 — Page 55.

4281.
Massachusetts
Sarah Converse, formerly the - widow of William Cleveland, Conn. who died on the 28th: December, 1799 - of Roxbury (in the State of Mass): - who was a private - in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt: - commanded by Col: Wyllys - in the Connecticut - line for 2 years -
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston at the rate of 80 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th: day of October, 1845 - and sent to Miss Pease Lowell, Massachusetts. - Arrears to the 14th of Sept: 1845 - $ - 1160.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 March 40.00
$1200.00 { Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3d. }
Recorded by W. H. Stewart Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 1 Page 51
Oct 20, 1845, Rept to apt by letter. - Susp'd. Lett Payt. Boston Jan: 7 '47 lettt. Hm. Rockwell May 21 '47

Jan 5 '47
Hon. Mr. Fowler ct. roll map 36 1000 from No 4281 Sarah
of the W. S. Street Washington City D.C.

Pensylvania Ave May 21. 1847
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17 th inst. relative to the case of Sarah Converse, who was the widow of William Cleveland Esq and to state that no such affidavit as that to which you allude can be found among the papers upon which her claim was admitted.
As I will be much obliged to you for any information which may be in your possession to enable us to  prosecute those who may have going to shew that a fraud has been committed in this case.
Hon. Julius Rockwell, Pittsfield Massachusetts.

N Pease
Sept 26 45

465- Pension Office, Sept 26. 1845,,
Sir,
In the case of Sarah Converse, a pensioner under the act of July 7. 1838, I have to inform you that her declaration was made under that act. She should make a declaration under the act of July 4. 1836, which may be shown to be before a Justice of the Peace, and return her pension certificate to this office, when her claim to the benefits of that law will be duly investigated.
Nial Pease, Esq., Lenox Mass.

Oct 9 1848
Re Sarah Stanton
Oct 1836
Early
PAID
L. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.
Mr. [unclear]

Lenoir October 6 th 1845,
J. L. Edwards Esq,
Sir,
I send you the Declaration of the Widow Sarah Cleaveland (or the Widow Conner) I, Also return the two Certificates you sent her, in the enclosed,
Respectfully yours
Nixl Pease

No 12146 Sarah Converse formerly Widow of M rs Cleveland Map
Adm. Act 7 July 1838 2 years purchase $80 00 per share
Adm. Acts 3 March 1843 and 17 June 1844 $80 00 per share
Abel Pease Senior Map

Chas. P.
Rev
WIDOW, &c.
Oct. 8-1902 Chas. H. Converse
File No. 23836
Sarah Converse Formerly Widow of William Cleveland Brinkerhoff
Act July 4th 1836
Index: Vol _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

L. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.
Recd Genl. Blanton July 21/46
2 July 21/46
South Turner

Lenox August 18, 1845
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
I send you the Declaration of Sarah Cleaveland the Widow of William Cleaveland (late of Dalton deceased, — (now the Widow of Amasa Converse) def.) the said Cleaveland was a soldier of the Revolution & served in the Connecticut Line
Respectfully yours
Abial Pease