Cleaveland, Ebenezer

Autograph letter signed ("Eben. Cleaveland"), 1 page (7 3/4 x 7 1/8 in.; 196 x 180 mm), "Camp at Dorchester," Massachusetts, 5 January 1776, to General John Thomas "in camp before Boston" or in the docketing "Rocksberry Camp"; formerly folded, tiny tears in left margin mended, lower right corner torn, without loss. Red half-morocco clamshell box.

See W.R. Cutter, Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts (1908), 3:1484-1485

formerly folded, tiny tears in left margin mended, lower right corner torn, without loss.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Pastor Cleaveland seeks a dispensation, a moving vignette of camp life during the Revolution.

Ebenezer Cleaveland (1725-1805) who became pastor of the First Church in "Sandy Bay, Gloucester" (now Rockport, Massachusetts), served as a military chaplain during the French and Indian War, and also left his parish to serve in the army during the Revolution. This letter was written from Dorchester where the siege of Boston was laid,  to General John Thomas (1724-1776).

Cleaveland asks his general's permission to keep his underage son on the muster roll, receiving wages: "When the alarm was made in good earnest on the Memorable 19th of April, my family being exposed to the ravages of the Enimy; I sent them out of town all saving my 2 sons. The Eldest enga[ge]d as an officer in the Army, the Other but about 12 years of Age chose to tarry with me and upon my engageing in the Army, he came to the camp with me and has served as a waiter and his Service was so well accepted in the Cols. Mess that the Cols. judgd it just to enter him on wages and had him instated in his Regiment and he has passd the musters the season passt."

"I am urged to engage him [as] a fifer, but I know of no one waiter who will serve me every way equal to him and as my wages are small, and an expensive family and no other support, drove from my parrish and in truth, have at present suffered the loss of my all; and but few waiters but what would be very expensive, and I must study frugality and shall be obliged to keep him for my waiter, whether I draw provisions and wages for him or not, and tho he is but young yet, it Can be made to appear that he is not the weakest nor most incapable to act the part of a soldier, but exceeds in vigor and activity some who have five years advantage of him in age: However, I pray ... that your Honor would so far commiserate my suffering Circumstances as to solicit his Excelency General Washington in my behalf."

Cleaveland had thirteen children, and this must have been John Voss Cleaveland (1764- c. 1796), the tenth.