Samuel Birdsall Sr. was born in Hillsdale, Columbia County, New York, May 14, 1791. He studied law in the office of Martin Van Buren and was admitted to the bar in 1812. Birdsall moved to Waterloo, New York, in 1817. In 1823, he was selected Counselor in the Supreme Court and Solicitor in Chancery. He became Bank Commissioner in 1832. In 1837, Birdsall was elected as a Democrat to the 25th U.S. Congress where he served one term. He served as District Attorney of Seneca County in 1846 and Postmaster of Waterloo from 1853 until 1863. Birdsall's first wife was Betsey Birdsall. After her death in 1819, Samuel married Ann Eliza (Kendig) Birdsall in 1820 with whom he had three daughters. After Ann's death in 1831, Birdsall married Serene (Fosgate) Birdsall with whom he had six children. Samuel died in Waterloo, New York, February 8, 1872.