Rev. David Pressly, son of Samuel Patterson Pressly, M. D. and the former Miss Elizabeth Knox Hearst, was born near Cedar Springs A.R.P. church in Abbeville County, South Carolina on January 8th 1820. His educational opportunities were such as the country afforded. He graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1839. His theological studies were prosecuted at Allegheny and Erskine Theological Seminaries. He was licensed to preach by the Second Presbytery in 1841 and ordained by the same Presbytery, at Due West, South Carolina on October 12th 1842. That year he was called to the Starkville, Mississippi A. R. P. church and was installed pastor April 7th 1843; where he continued in this pastorate for over 40 years. Subsequently he preached at Mt. Carmel, Mississippi and Beulah, Tennessee and was pastor of Bloomington, Tennessee for a number of years.

David Pressly married Miss Lettie Ann Fair, daughter of James Fair and Anne Glasgow, who was born January 13th 1825. She bore five children and died October 10th 1849. He was married the second time to Miss Sarah Brown Peden, daughter of Thomas and Isabella Peden on April 27th 1852. Seven children were born to this union. Sarah Pressly died January 17th 1883. He was married the third time on May 18th 1886, to Mrs. Eleanor Janie Moffatt Grier, widow of the late Rev. R. L. Grier. There were no children by this marriage.

Rev. Pressly received the honorary degree of D. D. from Erskine College. He was the author and publisher of a number of pamphlets. He was a good preacher and a very pious man. He regularly in addition to family worship, upon retiring, committed himself as a little child to God—in fact repeated the child's prayer "Now I lay me down to sleep." etc., and soon as the morning awakened his the incense of a grateful heart rose from his lips to the "Keeper of Israel." He was rarely if ever sick, and his life overflowed with kindness and good cheer. He was wont to say "Never better" or "Better than ever" and his beaming face reflected the happiness of a heart in touch with God. On the 29th day of July 1891, his spirit returned to God and his body the following day was laid to rest in Salem Churchyard cemetery.