Samuel Hesselius was ordained in the cathedral in Skara, Sweden, on 27 April 1718, and was sent to America in 1719. In December 1722, Samuel and Brita moved their household from Philadelphia to Christina (Wilmington), New Castle County, Delaware, where he became pastor of Holy Trinity Church in 1723.
Following Brita's death, Rev Hesselius married Gertrude Stille and returned to Sweden in 1731. He took Brita's three children with him. Gertrude died on the voyage between America and England and was buried at sea. After his return to Sweden, Samuel Hesselius supplied the Swedish Academy of Science with books about America and other materials.
Samuel was a first cousin of the Swedish scientist, theologian and mystic, Emanuel Swedenborg. Samuel's brother Gustavus Hesselius (1682-1755) was the first notable artist of colonial America. Gustavus' son John was also a painter and gave instruction to Charles Wilson Peale, who was known for his porttaits of George Washington.

• Married: 9 Jun 1720 in Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware