This family may be traced in England to Hugh De Cressey and the time of William. The name in France is Crecy, the ancestral home of Sir Hugh. The family has been known in New England since 1649, when William Cressey, born in England about 1630, landed at Salem, Massachusetts, 1649, later settling at Stamford, Connecticut, with a brother Mighill. He had a daughter, Mary, and sons, John and Nathaniel. For several generations this was a Connecticut family, but with the opportunities then being offered by the newer sections being opened for settlement, they began to scatter, and soon we find them not only widely dispersed over Connecticut, but in Vermont, Massachusetts and New York. A numerous branch of the family settled in Chautauqua county, New York, as well as in Herkimer and Rensselaer counties. Stamford, Southington and Winchester, Connecticut, were the earliest homes of the family, but the records do not show the connection between the family in Troy, whom we can trace no further than the grandfather. It is with him the Troy line begins in Rensselaer county.
The records of Winchester, Connecticut, contain the following, that would seem to prove that human nature has not changed very much in all the years. "That Samuel Roberts of said town (Torrington) died at Winchester aforesaid on the 17th of September past (1799) in an angry manner, sinfully and wickedly curse or damn Preserved Crissey of said Winchester," wherefore he was found guilty and fined one dollar, with costs amounting to two dollars and fifty-nine cents. Preserved Crissey was a prominent citizen, and after his marriage removed to Litchfield, Herkimer county, New York, and is the founder of that branch.
(I) Nelson Crissey was a farmer of Stephentown, Rensselaer county, New York, where he married and died. His children, all born here, were: Nelson (2), John, Lebeith (?), Cyrus H., see forward, and an infant daughter.
(II) Cyrus Horton, son of Nelson Crissey, was born in Stephentown, Rensselaer county, New York, 1843, died in Troy, New York, 1903. He was educated in the town schools, and on reaching a suitable age began work in the paper mill, where the learned the business very thoroughly. He removed later to Troy, where his subsequent life was passed. He was a man very quiet and domestic in his tastes and habits. The companionship of his wife and children, improving and embellishing his home, were his greatest enjoyments. He was a highly respected citizen of Troy. He was a Republican and alive to his duties as a citizen, but never mingled in public affairs except as a voter. He married Sarah Elizabeth Cleminshaw, born in Troy, New York, August 5, 1843, died there May 30, 1906. Children:
- Martha May, married Stephen Comeskey, of Lansingburg, New York.
- Charles Edwin, married Lottie Raymond and resides at Glens Falls, New York; one child, C. Raymond.
- Lena Maud, married Frank A. Doty, a musician of note; they reside in Troy.