Peter Crawford (land surveyor)

Crawford was born near Kelso, Scotland, on 22 November 1818. He was one of six children and born the middle of three sons. He attended school in Kelso after which he moved to Edinburg to attend the University of Edinburgh where he studied mathematics and surveying. Upon finishing school, he moved in 1838 to London for three months, then to Southampton, where he completed his studies. Peter's older brother Alexander (Alec) had moved immigrated to America in 1835 where he married and convinced Peter to also immigrate. At the age of 24, on a ship called ‘’Rainbow’’, Peter made an 1842 voyage from England to Quebec, Canada. ==Americas==

After arriving in Quebec and unable to find work, he made his way to Michigan, crossing the Great Lakes. In the spring of 1848, at the request of Henry Williamson, Peter surveyed for a town site on the north bank of the Columbia River, just west of Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Vancouver. Mr. Williamson called the town Vancouver City, to differentiate between the town and the fort. This would later be shortened to the city of Vancouver. Having settled in Kelso in 1849, Peter served in a number of public capacities as the population grew. He was a justice of the peace, a notary public as well as being the first elected surveyor of Cowlitz County. He was held the position of United States Deputy Surveyor. ==Personal==

Crawford married Zillah Patterson, born 3 February 1836, in 1854 and had five children. Their oldest son, William Patterson Crawford, is considered one of the builders of Portland. Zillah died on 26 July 1888, followed by Peter on 10 June 1889.{{cite book ==Writings==

• The overland journey to Oregon in 1847 : an autobiography on the Oregon Trail • Narrative of the overland journey to Oregon • ''Peter Crawford's Cowlitz journal ; first published writings of the founder of Kelso'' ==Legacy==

• Peter Crawford Bridge, Kelso, WA • Crawford Street, Kelso, WA == References ==