Oct. 19, 1877.] 149 
|Fraley. 
Obituary Notice of JOHN C. CRESSON. 
By FREDERICK FRALEY. 
(Read before the American Philosophical Society, October 19, 1877.) 
John Chapman Cresson, late Senior Vice-President 
of the American Philosophical Society, was born in the 
City of Philadelphia, on the 16th day of March, A. D. 
1806. He was the eldest son of Joseph Cresson and 
Mercy Chapman. 
His paternal ancestor was Solomon Cresson, who 
came from France to America in the latter part of the 
17th century. On the mother’s side, he was descended 
from John Chapman, who came to Pennsylvania in 
1684, among the first settlers of the Province, and who 
was one of the principal Surveyors for William Penn. 
On both sides the family were distinguished members 
of the Society of Friends, his grandfather, James 
Cresson, being an esteemed Minister. His grandfather, 
Dr. John Chapman, was a man of very eminent ability, 
by profession a Physician, and filled many public sta- 
tions with honor and fidelity. He was a member of the 
State Legislature, and also of the House of Represen- 
tatives of the United States. He was a member of the 
American Philosophical Society, having been elected 
February 12, 1768. 
After receiving the usual elementary education in 
