John Creswell

John A. J. Creswell
Born	Port Deposit, Maryland, U.S.
Died	December 23, 1891(1891-12-23) (aged 63)
Occupation(s)	Politician, lawyer, abolitionist
Years active	1850s–1891
Known for	United States Representative, Senator from Maryland, Postmaster General under Ulysses S. Grant; abolitionist; integrating African Americans into federal postal roles

John Andrew Jackson Creswell (November 18, 1828 – December 23, 1891) was a prominent Maryland politician and abolitionist who held positions as a United States Representative, Senator, and Postmaster General under President Ulysses S. Grant. Widely recognized as one of the most impactful Postmasters General in American history, Creswell transformed the Postal Service to accommodate increasing demands in Western territories and to compete internationally. He played a key role in integrating African American men and women into important federal postal roles. His administration introduced numerous reforms such as establishing equitable competition for Star Route contracts, eliminating the franking privilege, codifying postal crimes, enhancing operational efficiency, reducing costs, and launching the inaugural U.S. penny postcard.

Creswell completed his studies at Dickinson College in 1848 and was admitted to the bar in 1850. Beginning his political journey as a Whig, he later aligned with the Democratic Party supporting James Buchanan but shifted his loyalty during the Civil War to endorse the Union cause and Abraham Lincoln. Embracing Radical Republican ideals, he championed abolition and civil rights for African Americans. He served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1861 to 1862 where he contributed to efforts preventing Maryland’s secession. Subsequently, he represented Maryland as a U.S. Representative (1863–1865) and Senator (1865–1867). In 1868, Creswell backed Grant’s presidential bid; upon Grant’s victory, Creswell was appointed Postmaster General in 1869—a decision that was positively received in Maryland. After stepping down in 1874, he was appointed Commissioner for the Alabama Claims until 1876 before resuming his career in law and banking.

From the 1960s onward, scholars have revisited Creswell’s contributions, acknowledging him as an early abolitionist and a pioneer for racial integration within federal agencies—hailing him as "a man ahead of his time."

Early life

John A. J. Creswell was born on November 18, 1828, in what was then known as Creswells Ferry, now Port Deposit, Maryland. His father, John G. Creswell, descended from English roots while his mother, Rebecca E. Webb, had both German and English heritage. Creswell graduated with honors from Dickinson College in 1848 and gained admission to the Baltimore bar in 1850, subsequently establishing his legal practice in Elkton, Maryland.

Family life

At the outset of his legal profession, Creswell married Hannah J. Richardson of Maryland, who came from a family of considerable wealth. Among his relatives was his uncle Jacob Tome, a notable businessman.

Political career

During the early 1850s, Creswell was an active member of the Whig Party. Following its collapse mid-decade, he transitioned to the Democratic Party and participated in the 1856 Democratic National Convention that nominated James Buchanan.

Maryland delegate and the Civil War

With the outbreak of the Civil War, Creswell emerged as a leading Radical Republican figure and secured election to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1861 as a supporter of the Union. Serving through 1862, he played a vital role in efforts that prevented Maryland from seceding. In 1863, he was appointed adjutant general of Maryland with responsibility for recruiting Union soldiers.

U.S. Representative

Creswell was elected to the U.S. House in 1862 and served from 1863 to 1865. During his tenure, he was a staunch supporter of President Abraham Lincoln and distinguished himself as the first congressman to introduce a constitutional amendment aimed at abolishing slavery.

U.S. Senator

Following his defeat in the 1864 House election, Creswell secured a seat in the U.S. Senate, filling the vacancy left by the passing of Thomas H. Hicks. His senatorial term spanned from 1865 to 1867. During the 39th Congress, he served as chairman of the Committee on the Library. At the Republican National Convention that year, Creswell was considered a potential candidate for either the presidential or vice presidential nominations.

Postmaster General

Under President Ulysses S. Grant, Creswell was appointed Postmaster General, where he implemented significant reforms within the Post Office Department. His initiatives included introducing penny-priced postcards and postal telegraph services, as well as advocating for a postal savings system. Renowned for his organizational skills, he expanded mail delivery routes, increased personnel, and reduced operational costs. Collaborating closely with Secretary of State Hamilton Fish, he revised international postal agreements and pushed for the elimination of the expensive franking privilege. As a Radical Republican, Creswell utilized post office appointments to strengthen Grant's political coalition. He abruptly resigned in 1874; although rumors linked his departure to scandals during Grant’s administration, no formal explanation was provided—likely factors include exhaustion and personal issues.

Early in Grant’s presidency, Creswell sustained a broken left elbow from a fall but recovered swiftly, causing only a brief delay in his duties in Washington.

Appointed African Americans and patronage

During Reconstruction, Creswell held considerable patronage authority as Postmaster General and appointed more African Americans to postal positions than any before him. Departing from previous exclusionary practices, especially prevalent in Southern states, he appointed black postmasters nationwide despite opposition. Notable appointments included Charles Miller in Columbia, South Carolina (1869), and Mrs. Anna M. Dumas—the first African American female postmaster—in Covington, Louisiana (1872). He also ended racial barriers among mail carriers by appointing James Christian in Richmond (1869) and Medal of Honor recipient William Harvey Carney in Bedford, Massachusetts. Additionally, Creswell named John W. Curry as Washington D.C.’s first black postman and Isaac Myers as Baltimore’s first African American postal inspector.

His approach to patronage reflected Civil Service reform ideals by enhancing operational efficiency while reducing conflicts amid racial tensions in certain areas.

General Tate conversation (1870)

At the outset of Grant’s administration, efforts were made to annex the Dominican Republic (then called Santo Domingo) to extend U.S. mineral interests and offer sanctuary to African Americans threatened by violence from groups like the Ku Klux Klan. On January 1, 1870, during a White House reception, African Haitian minister General Alexander Tate received a warm welcome from President Grant despite being overlooked by many white officials. Postmaster Creswell notably engaged Tate in conversation, standing apart from others who ignored him.

Effort to Remove Creswell (1870)

Postmaster Creswell pushed for the elimination of the Congressional franking privilege, which permitted members of Congress to send mail at public expense. In November 1870, Congress resisted this proposal, and supporters of President Grant campaigned for Creswell’s dismissal, suggesting Pennsylvania’s John W. Forney as a successor to gain political leverage in appointing a Revenue Commissioner. Despite this opposition, Grant declined to remove Creswell.

Abolition of Congressional Franking Privilege (1873)

On January 28, 1873, President Grant enacted a law terminating the Congressional franking privilege, effective July 1, 1873. The legislation, introduced by New Jersey Representative John Hill, passed the House with a vote of 143 to 48. Opposition mainly came from Southern Republicans and Democrats. Efforts to restrict the abolition’s reach or cut funding for Public Printing were unsuccessful. On February 26, 1873, Postmaster Creswell appeared before the House Committee on Appropriations, affirming that federal postage funds were still necessary after the law’s implementation; notably, federal executive agencies remained exempt from the new restrictions.

Check Payable Legislation Proposal (1874)

Postal contract bidders were required by law to submit a 5% guarantee check at a national bank made payable to the Postmaster General. However, some bidders only inscribed "John Creswell" or "John A. Creswell" rather than the full designation "John A.J. Creswell, Postmaster General" on their checks. California Representative John K. Luttrell informed Creswell that this discrepancy could jeopardize mail routes along the Pacific Coast. On February 8, 1874, Creswell prepared legislation mandating that all postal route guarantee checks include the proper "Postmaster General" title. The following day, Luttrell formally introduced this bill in the House.

Role as Alabama Claims Commissioner

Between 1874 and 1876, Creswell acted as United States counsel before the Alabama Claims Commission.

Legal Practice and Banking Leadership

Following his government service, Creswell returned to practicing law and also served as president of two banking institutions.

Passing

Creswell passed away suddenly at his residence near Elkton, Maryland, on December 23, 1891. After contracting influenza, he developed pneumonia exacerbated by an existing heart condition. His wife and Rev. Dr. Osmond were present at his death. Several individuals in Maryland had recently succumbed to similar illnesses. He was interred at Elkton Presbyterian Cemetery. In April 1892, his extensive legal library—including volumes related to the "Alabama Claims"—was sold at auction in Washington, D.C.

Legacy and Historical Assessment

Scholars regard Creswell as a dedicated abolitionist who supported the Thirteenth Amendment and promoted African American employment within the Postal Service during Reconstruction while serving as Postmaster General under President Grant. His first and middle names were occasionally misrecorded as "Angel James" instead of "Andrew Jackson," likely due to archival inaccuracies. Dickinson College researchers John M. Osborne and Christine Bombaro note that few personal documents survive aside from a brief biographical outline from 1863.

Professor Matthew Pinsker emphasizes Creswell’s contributions to integrating and modernizing the federal postal system during Grant’s administration, describing him as “a man of the future” and “an unexpected champion for equal opportunity.” Historian Ronald C. White praises him as a “highly capable attorney” who improved the Post Office Department by expanding mail service in Western territories, enforcing fair competition on mail routes previously tainted by corruption, and advocating for ending the franking privilege—reforms all endorsed by President Grant.

Osborne and Bombaro characterize Creswell as a pragmatic Border State politician who adopted radical abolitionist and equality principles later in life with sincere commitment. While occasionally ambitious and opportunistic, he consistently upheld significant values during a pivotal period of change.

Memorials

The towns of Creswell, North Carolina and Creswell, Oregon bear the name of John Creswell in his honor.

On the family burial site at Elkton Presbyterian Church Cemetery, a substantial granite monument dedicated to Creswell features an inscription that reads:

External links

• Osborne, John M. and Christine Bombaro (2015). Forgotten Abolitionist: John A.J. Creswell of Maryland. Carlisle, PA: House Divided Project at Dickinson College.