SAMUEL CRESWELL, one of the oldest, most intelligent and highly respected farmers of Jefferson township, Washington Co., Penn., is a grandson of James Creswell, who came from Fort Deposit, Md., settled in Washington county about the year 1790; removed to Brooke county, W. Va., about 1800; was married to Miss Mary Johnston, a native of Lancaster county, Penn., and was engaged in agricultural pursuits. Their union was blessed with nine children, namely: Robert, John, Samuel, Margaret, Jane, Mary, Elizabeth, Catherine and James, all of whom died, leaving numerous descendants, who are scattered from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. Robert, the eldest son of James and Mary (Johnston) Creswell, was born December 23, 1780, and came to Washington county with his father in early life. Robert was reared on the farm, but turned his attention to milling soon after becoming of age, and built for himself a mill, now known as Ryland's Mill, Brooke Co., W. Va., which he operated for many years. He was united in marriage about 1808, with Miss Mary McCarrell whose father, Thomas McCarrell, came from Ireland at an early date, and took part in the Revolutionary war, serving until the close of the conflict. To this union were born seven children, viz.: James, Eleanor, Thomas, Samuel, Robert J., Mary and Jane, of whom but two are living: James and Samuel. Samuel Creswell was born February 22, 1815, in Brooke county, Va., and attended the common schools of that section. He afterward became a millwright, in which business he was successful having built his first sawmill when but fourteen years of age. This mill is still in operation, and is known as the "Ryland's Mill." Among the many witnesses to the skill and ingenuity of Mr. Creswell are the old Wilson Mill, near West Middletown; the McBain Mill in Columbiana county, Ohio, and the old mill now known as the "Kidd Mill," which Mr. Creswell built, and operated for a number of years. He afterward came to the farm where he has since continuously resided. He was married February 2, 1837, to Mary Cunningham, a native of Washington county, born April 25, 1820, a daughter of John Cunningham, who came from Ireland at an early date. She died August 9, 1890. She was the mother of four children, viz.: Susanna, married February 7, 1861, to William Hanlin (deceased) (she first settled in Washington county, but now resides at Richmond, Ohio. She has had eight children: Samuel (deceased), Rachel J., Grace M., M. D., George A., Marie E., John D., and William F., deceased); Mary Eleanor (deceased), Rachel Jane and Emma F. Mr. Creswell has been a stanch Democrat, and one of the counselors of his party. He has 186 acres of fine land, and a comfortable home. In religion he has always been a consistent member of the Methodist Protestant Church. His daughter, Emma F., has been a photographer for several years, and has in her possession quite a number of historical photographs, the product of her own work.

Text taken from page 857 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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