[1] The preaching of George Whitefield produced a great impression on his mind, and led to subsequent changes in his religion.

In 1747 he moved to Massachusetts, where he was pastor of South Church in Malden until 1750,[1] when he took an active part in the emigration from New England for the settlement of Nova Scotia.

The Scottish Calvinists became its directors, overriding the New Englanders, and in 1755 Cleveland went to London, where he received holy orders.

During the return voyage the vessel ran aground at Nantucket Shoals, and he lent his muscular aid to the sailors with good results, but a wave inflicted an injury upon his strong frame,[1] from the effects of which he never recovered.

He was rector of the church in Newcastle, Delaware, but visiting Philadelphia for medical treatment, when he died under the hospitable roof of his friend, Benjamin Franklin.