Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer

Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer - RAMSEY Family

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Pioneer - The RAMSEY Family

Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County

Information from: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario.
Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906

RAMSEY Family, The 'The Ramsey family are believed to be of Manx origin. About the close of the seventeenth century one or more of the family emigrated to the north of Ireland and set. in the county of Donegal. Robert Ramsey emigrated to the U. S. in 1816, and became a gardener for Judge Nicol, in New York State. In 1819 he was joined by his brothers, Henry and John. They then left the States to set. in Upper Canada, of which Little York, now Toronto was the "Hub." The township of Eramosa, being then in course of survey, and completed in the latter part of the year, was open for settlement. After taking the oath of allegiance, they drew 100 acres each in the new township; John the east half, and Robert the west half, of lot 1, 3rd concession, and Henry the west half of lot 2, in the same concession. After examining their lots, they returned to Nelson, where they worked until the spring of 1820, making white oak staves for potash barrels. Then providing themselves with axes and other indispensable articles, they walked over twenty miles through the unbroken forest to their locations, and during the summer they erected a log shanty. In the spring of 1821, John Ramsey was in. to Rachael Cleaver, and mounting her on the back of a horse, together with what goods it could carry, the brothers similarly freighted on their backs, the little cavalcade wended its way from Dundas Street to their new home in the bush. On their arrival at their destination, she had the satisfaction of knowing that there was not another white girl within twenty miles, and that there was not a white settler in what is now known as the county of Wellington except themselves. Later in the year several families came to settle in the township. On the 12th of February, 1822, the oldest dau. Mary (Mrs. Henry Scott) was born, the white child in Eramosa - Martha (Mrs. Walter Scott), was b. on the 31st of January 1823, and John, Ramsey, the only son, on the 9th of July, 1825. John Ramsey, Sr., d.. in 1932, while his wife d. in 1868.

John Ramsey, 2nd in. Mary Ann Daniels, who d. in 1882. Issue: Emiline, m. Colin Cameron; and Martha, m. James Watson, and d. in 1886. In 1861 Mr. Ramsey became a resident of Nassagaweya, and in 1863 was elected a member of the Council. He continued to serve the township as Deputy Reeve, Reeve, and Warden until 1882, when he retired. In that year he built a house on the east corner of the Eramosa homestead, where he still resides, passing among relatives and friends the evening of his long and useful life. The old homestead, is now owned and occupied by Mr. Ramsey's three grandchildren-John Ramsey Watson, Wm. Edgar, and Bertha Evelyn Watson.

Robert Ramsey was Collector of Eramosa in the early days, when returns were made to Hamilton. He was a very successful man, a Presbyterian, and a staunch Liberal. While working in Nelson Tp., he met and m. Jane, dau. of the late John Smith.. Issue: Mrs. Stephen Barbarrie, Nelson Tp.; Margaret N. (d.), Mrs. Isaac Wills, Nelson Tp.; Mrs. James Scott (d.), Nichol; Mrs. James Wilson, Eden Mills; John, m. Elizabeth Fife, set. Nassagaweya; Allan, Samuel, m. Rachel Richardson, set. Nassagaweya; James, Rachael (d.), and William. Of these Allan m. Rachael Oaks, and set. Nassagaweya. Issue: Dr. Robert A., Fargo, N. D.; Mrs. James Watson, and Mrs. Wm. Bone. He m. a second time, Sarah McFarlane.

James m. Mary Scott. Issue: Mrs. Pinder, Guelph; Mrs. Joseph Roberts, Eramosa; Robert S., Grand Forks, N.D., and Dr. Walter R., St. Paul, Minn.. William m. Jane Barbarrie, and set. on the homestead. Issue: Albert E., and Martha. He is now living retired at Eden Mills. Of this branch: Albert E. , graduated at the Veterinary College, Toronto, and is practising his profession in St. Thomas. He m. Louisa Fahrner, of Morriston; Martha m. Charles Blanshard.

Henry Ramsey m. Mary Campbell. Issue: John (d.), Andrew in. Mary McKersie, Huron Co.; Robert, William, in. Miss Heinstrict, set. Gloversville, N.Y.; Alexander, in. Miss Patterson, and set. in Mich. The daughters were: Mrs. Henry Roberts (d.), Mrs. Daniel Roberts (d.), set. in Peel; and Mrs. Thomas King (d.), set. in Algoma.

From: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario. Toronto:Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906