That’s right… this is the man they named Cleveland, Ohio after!  After the Revolution he went with the Connecticut Land Company and in 1795 purchased land in the Western Reserve region of Ohio.  In 1796 he led a party of 50 men to the mouth of the Cuyahoga where he determined to develop the main settlement.  He had to negotiate with the Indians (and we aren’t talking about the baseball team) and to convince them to give up their land claims.  With a name like Moses he felt like he was to lead his people into the Promise Land.  The surveyors named the site Cleaveland, and it eventually became the city of Cleveland, Ohio. 

Back to our document... when Cleaveland was a junior at Yale the Lexington alarm sounded.  He rushed off to Boston to volunteer to fight for liberty, but his father, an Army Colonel, persuaded him to return to college.  On graduating from Yale in 1777 he enlisted in the 2nd Connecticut regiment and rose to the rank of Captain.  Some years later he was appointed Brigade General of Militia. 

Chances are you have never seen an autograph of Moses Cleaveland.  He is extremely rare and this is the only example of a Revolutionary War date piece we have ever seen!  Our document is a part-print and part manuscript DS and is a receipt for interest ($433.50) on 2 Continental Certificates in favor of Col. Aaron Cleevland dated 28th November 1778 to the 28th November 1779.  The document is dated December 1st, 1779.  It is in excellent condition and again we doubt if you will ever see a Moses Cleaveland!  His statue is in the center of Public Square in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.  The Government even made a commemorative half dollar in 1936 with his picture on it! 

#EL49 - Price $1,500