Call Number:

16

Repository:

Historical Society of Montgomery County

Extent:

3.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1800-1920 (inclusive)

Creator:

Cresson, Anne H.

Abstract:

Anne Hannum Cresson was born around 1847 to Walter Cresson and Alice Hannum. The Cresson family of Philadelphia is descended from Pierre Cresson, a French Huguenot, born in 1609 or 1610. The Anne H. Cresson family papers, 1820-1900, contain the genealogical research of Anne H. Cresson, along with original papers from various family members.

"Walter Cresson was born in Philadelphia, March 11, 1815, and died at his home in Germantown, Philadelphia, March 29, 1893. His parents, John Head and Rachel (Walter) Cresson, were members of the Society of Friends, and in the doctrines of that faith he was carefully educated and trained. About the year 1842, however, he joined the Protestant Episcopal church, in which he was for many years an earnest and faithful worker.

"On May 29, 1844, Mr. Cresson married Alice Hannum, daughter of Joseph and Ann (Fairlamb) Hannum, of near Concordville, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. The Hannum family were among the early settlers of Delaware (formerly Chester) county, and the old homestead where this marriage took place had been occupied by them for several generations.

"The children of Walter and Alice H. Cresson were: John Head Cresson, who died in infancy; Anne Hannum Cresson; Alice Hannum Cresson, who married Edward Fox Pugh and had one son, Rev. Walter Cresson Pugh; Sarah Cresson; and Walter Cresson, who died in infancy.

"The Cresson family of Philadelphia is descended from Pierre Cresson, a French Huguenot, born in 1609 or 1610. The ancient family seat, it is believed, was Menil la Cresson (Cresson Manor), near Abbeville, Picardy. Pierre Cresson, fleeing from his native country at the time of the Reformation, took refuge in Holland, where he remained in exile about eighteen years -- in Sluis, Delft, Leyden and Ryswick. During the early part of this period he acted as gardener to the Prince of Orange, thereby earning the soubriquet of Pierre Ie Gardinier, by which title he was in after life sometimes designated. He married Rachel Cloos or Claes, and they, in 1657, with their children, emigrated to America, settling first at New Amstel, on the Delaware river. But afterward going to Harlem, he was there one of the first magistrates, 1660, and took an active part in affairs. He removed to Staten Island in 1678, where be probably died, our last record of him being on August 3, 1681. His widow survived him some years. They were members of the Dutch Reformed church. Of the children of Pierre and Rachel Cresson, Suzanne married, in 1658, at New York, Nicolas de la Plaine, from whom are descended the family of that name in this country. To the oldest son, Jacques Cresson, belongs the distinction of being ancestor of the Philadelphia branch of the family."

Bibliography:

Oberholtzer, Ellis Paxson. Philadelphia: A History of the City and its People, A Record of 225 Years. Philadelphia: S. H. Clark, 1912. Vol. 4, page 414.

This collection contains the genealogical research of Anne H. Cresson, along with original papers from various family members. The family papers include ledgers (account books, receipt books, and cash books), estate papers, correspondence, and an autograph album. The genealogical research includes transcriptions of wills, marriage certificates, and deeds, as well as research notes, correspondence with other family members regarding family history, and a family tree. Prominent surnames are Cresson, Hannum, Walter, Evans, Fairlamb, Pernell, and Neal.

Item inventories are available inside each box.