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Biography For the family of Abel Cleveland and Elizabeth Cooper
Abel Cleveland was born on 25 January 1770 in Windham, Windham County, Connecticut. He was the son of Moses Cleveland and Tabith Spencer. (as recorded in the Windham town records). He apparently lived his early life in Windham. About 1796, he married Elizabeth Cooper. We only know her maiden name through the Cleveland Families book (see sources). Much remains to be researched about her early life.
Their first two children, sons, were born before 1800. They moved from Windham to Sparta, Ontario County, New York. The general migration trend at that time was to go further west, for more land. People often moved in family groups and on the 1800 federal census, Abel and Elizabeth are living in Sparta, next to the households of James and Clark Cleveland, probably relatives.
Other children were born between 1800 and 1810 - John born 1801, Eliza born 1803, Charles born 1804, Sophia born 1807, and Esther born 1809. Again, the family is listed on the federal census in Sparta for 1810. He is still living close to the Clark Cleveland household.
Around 1811, it seems Abel decided to move to the town of Groveland, New York. The next 2 children were born there: Emeline in 1811 and George in 1813. On the 1820 census, they were enumerated in Groveland, Ontario County, New York. In 1821, Groveland became part of the newly created Livingston County. So that by the 1830 census, the family was still living in Groveland, but now Livingston County, New York.
In 1831, Abel & Elizabeth's oldest son John, decided to go even farther west - to Michigan. He went to Lenawee County and by 1833, had purchased land there. In 1836, Abel's entire family moved to this new land.
In 1839, Elizabeth died, although there are no county records to verify this date. On the 1840 federal census, I believe that Abel was living in the household of his daughter Emeline and her husband Joseph Jennings. Up until the 1840 census, only the head of household was named and other members were listed was only male or female and their age range. So in 1840, there was no separate entry for Abel, but there was a male, age 60-69 living with Joseph Jennings. In October 1848, Abel died. By coincidence, or perhaps not, his daughter Emeline died in November 1848.
I have not determined yet where Abel or Elizabeth were buried. Perhaps by now, the markers are illegible. I just started researching this family and many records remain to be searched - land and probate records especially.
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