Rev. John Payne Cleaveland
(1799 - 1873)
Page 861, # 2242
Rev. John Payne Cleaveland, D.D. (Marietta college, Marietta, Washington co.,” Ohio, 1844), the eminent Congregational clergyman, lecturer, and author. See Bibliography, Chap. IV. Spent his childhood and boyhood in his native place. He was baptized when 3 weeks old by Rev. Elijah Parish, D.D. He attended the town school in the winter months and there commenced the study of Latin. He was fitted for college at Dummer Academy, Newbury, Samuel Moody, principal. Joined Congregational church, Byfield, Mar., 1820. Entered Bowdoin college, 1817 (where his brother, Parker, was prof.), grad. 1821, and then studied 6 months in the . divinity school, Andover, Mass.
He taught the Academy at Wolfboro, Carroll co., N. H., from spring 1822 to 1824, the academy’s first two years, on the shore of Lake Winnipiseogee, and with a classmate, one of the first tourists to make the ascension of Mt. Washington. Next he taught the Rochester, N. H., academy 1 year, preached -and studied theology with Prof. Thomas Cogswell Upham, D.D., then pastor in R., afterward prof, mental philosophy in Bowdoin. Rev. John P. Cleaveland was approbated to preach by the York co. Association, Me., Sept., 1824. Was invited to become tutor at Bowdoin, but declined. Preached 3 months at Barrington, Stafford co., N. H. Succeeded Hosea Hildreth as prof, of mathematics and natural philosophy in Phillips Academy, Exeter, N. H., 1825 to 1826, also preaching regularly. Was ordained pastor of the Tabernacle church, Salem, Mass., Feb. 14, 1827.
Sermon at ordination of Rev. John P. Cleaveland, by Rev. William B. Sprague, pp. 40. He succeeded Rev. Dr. Cornelius. See pamphlets : Ecclesiastical Council at Beverly, Dec. 26, 1833, John P. Cleaveland, Scribe : Correspondence between the First Church and the Tabernacle Church, 1832 — letters of Rev. J. P. Cleaveland ; Claims of the Tabernacle Church to be considered the Third Church in Salem or the church of 1735, 1847 ; Remarks upon the pamphlet pub. by the Tabernacle church, 1847 ; A candid review of the correspondence in relation to the Third Church of 1735. By the pastor of the Tabernacle church [Samuel M. Worcester, D.D.I, 1847 ; Memorial of the old and new Tabernacle, By Rev. S. M. Worcester, 1853 — plates of old and new edifice.
He was dismissed May 14, 1834. Was installed pastor of First Presbyterian church of Detroit, Mich., June 1, 1834. After a popular ministry of 4 years he was elected president of Marshall, Mich., college, established by the Presbyterians of Mich. He was unwillingly relinquished by his people in Detroit in 1837, and was sent East to raise funds, but it was no time to get money for any purpose, however, President Cleaveland managed to build at Marshall an academy and boardinghouse.
Taking charge himself of this preparatory department he got together a large school and a class of students in theology. The institution afterward was merged with the University of Mich., Ann Arbor. In 1839 he preached in Ann Arbor 10 months, building up a large Presbyterian society ; preached in Marshall to 1843. He succeeded Rev. Lyman Beecher as pastor of Second Presbyterian church of Cincinnati, O., installed Dec. 25, 1843. An unfavorable effect of climate led him to return to N. E. April 10, 1846, installed over the Beneficent Congregational church, a large and wealthy society in Providence, R. I. ; a successful ministry to 1852.
From 1852 to 1854 was pastor of First Congregational church, Northampton, Mass., once under the care of the great Edwards. Installed Apr., 1855, pastor of the Appleton st. church, Lowell, Mass. During 1857 he was Chaplain to Mass. Senate and also to House of Representatives. Left his church Jan. 15, 1862, having been appointed Jan. 1, 1862, chaplain 30th Mass. Vols. (Col. Nathan A. M. Dudley), Gulf Squadron, went to Ship Island and New Orleans.
Mustered in Feb. 20, 1862, discharged May 2, 1862, by the surgeon ; camp life was too trying on health. He lived at Lowell to spring 1865 ; Buzzard’s Bay, Mattapoisett, Mass., to Sept., 1867 ; Billerica, Mass., to spring 1870, and always afterward at Newburyport, where he purchased a home. In person he was about 5 ft. 10 inches in height, full figure, light complexion, blue eyes, rich brown hair, which blanched early.
The Congregationalist, Boston ; Newburyport Herald, Mar. 11, 1873, and the press generally contained obituaries.
The late Rev, J. P. Cleveland, D.D., a published communication, by Rev. John G. Adams (author of Vestry Harmonies, &c); His. Bowdoin Coll., 227 ; Statement to Ecclesiastical Council, Oct. IJ, 1858, By Committee of Church, Manchester ; Child Gen., 226, 808. Mrs. Susan Heard (Dole) Cleveland, of rare personal beauty, brilliant intellect, superior culture.
Mrs. Juliana (Chamberlain) Cleveland, widow of Rev. John Payne 6 Cleveland, residence, 1883-96, Newburyport.