Person:Pierre Cresson (1)

Information on Pierre Cresson

From "Biographical Sketch of the Cresson Family, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvanis", by Diana Smith [1]:

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 pan 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, Suzamie 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.

From Rootsweb.com post:

Pierre CRESSON of Menil Al Cresson, Picardy, France, marries Rachel CLAUSS, also of Picardy, baptized 11 February 1618. They marry 5 June 1639 at Sedan, Picardy, France. Their children are: Jacques married to Marie Reynard in 1663; Aeltje; Christina married to Jacob Gerritsz in ca. 1672 (he the son of Gerrit Jansen alias Gerrit de Moff of Oldenburg, today's Germany); Pieter/Pierre; and Joshua married to Aeljte Gerritsz/Garrison.

In 1639, Pierre CRESSON--a French Huguenot--and his wife, Rachel CLAUSS--settle in New Haarlem on Manhattan Island, NY.

Source: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/Dutch-Colonies/2002-05/1021066901