CHAUNCEY

FITCH

CLEVELAND

G

OVERNOR Cleveland, according to

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one writer, was

the most popular man in the county (Windham), if not in the state; a popularity owing in large measure to a genuine good nature, which found pleasure in kindly greetings and the interest he took in the welfare of those whom he knew."

Chauncey Fitch Cleveland was born in Canterbury, February 16, 1799, and was the son of Silas Cleveland, for many years a prominent citizen of that town. He was sent to the district schools of the town, where he obtained all the education he ever received. Choosing the law as his profession, he commenced its study, and was admitted to the Windham county bar in 1819, at the age of twenty years. As a young lawyer, he was unusually successful. He had gained sufficient prominence in 1833 to be appointed state's attorney for his county, and this office he held for five years.

During the years 1826, 1827, 1829, 1832, 1835, 1836, 1838, 1847 and 1848, he was a representative in the General Assembly from the town of Hampton. Three of those years—1832, 1835