McCauley, Lanier, Hankins, Hopkins & Taylor Families

Thomas RAMSEY Sr. ⁸³⁶

  General Notes:

Thomas was listed in the 1800 Kentucky census (which was created from county tax lists) in Lincoln County with the date 23 Aug 1800. He was listed on the Garrard County tax lists starting in 1803.

  More Information:

• Alt. Birth: ca. 1755. ⁸³⁹

• Revolutionary War Military Service: Thomas enlisted in Essex County, Virginia on 15 Feb 1776 and served for two years. He served in the 2nd Virginia Regiment under Col. Alexander Spotswood. The Regiment was under the company commanded by Capt. Samuel Hawes. Thomas fought in the Battles of Brandywine & Germantown and was honorably discharged at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania about 15 Feb 1778. The Battle of Brandywine was fought on 11 Sep 1777 in Deleware County, Pennsylvania. The British won the battle and took Philadelphia a few days later. The Battle of Germantown was fought on 4 Oct 1777 five miles north of Philadelphia. The British also won this battle but it still served as a boost to the American's morale. American troops were led by Gen. George Washington in both battles.

Thomas filed his claim for pension in June, 1818 while living in Garrard County, Kentucky. His brother, Francis A. Ramsey and relative, Larkin Ramsey, made affidavits as to Thomas' service in the Revolution. He was approved for a pension at the rate of $8 per month starting 30 Jun 1818. Included in his application was is an account of how his discharge papers were lost. He told that soon after his discharge, a man from the army, who was supposed to have been a deserter, came into the neighborhood and exhibited a paper he claimed was his discharge. Some of the neighbors borrowed Thomas' papers to compare the two papers and his were never returned to him.

[Several of Thomas' descendants have been admitted to the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) based on his service.] ⁸³⁷

• 1810 United States Federal Census, Thomas Ramsey household, Garrard County, Kentucky: Thomas' household consisted of 3 m 16-26, 1 m 45 + [Thomas], 2 f <10 [probably Betsy & Patsy], 2 f 10-16, 1 f 45+ [Martha]. It is unclear who the 3 males 16-26 were. Obediah was listed in Pulaski County but the other 4 sons have not been located in the 1810 census so 3 of them appear to be living with Thomas. It is also unclear who the 2 females 10-16 were. Other records only identify 2 daughters for Thomas & Martha. ⁸¹⁵

• 1820 United States Federal Census, Thomas Ramsey Sr. household, Garrard County, Kentucky: Thomas' household consisted of 1 m 45+ [Thomas],1 f 10-16, 2 f 16-26, 2 f 26-45, 1 f 45+ [Martha]. It is unclear who 4 of the 5 younger females were. Betsey was married in 1818 & living in Lincoln County in 1820. Patsy did not marry until 1825 so she would have still been with her parents. ⁸⁴⁰

• 1830 United States Federal Census, Thomas Ramsey household, Garrard County, Kentucky: Thomas' household consisted of 1 m 70-80 [Thomas], 1 f 20-30 [unknown] & 1 f 70-80 [Martha]. The unknown female could be a granddaughter. Thomas' Revolutionary War Pension papers made reference in 1826 to an orphan grandaughter age 19. ⁸⁴¹

• 1840 United States Federal Census, Thomas Ramsey household, Garrard County, Kentucky: Thomas' household consisted of 1 m 80-90 [Thomas] & 1 f 80-90 [Martha]. ⁸⁴²

• Possible Ancestry: Thomas' parents were probably Francis Ramsey, Jr. & Elizabeth Ferguson. Most researchers list 8 children for Francis & Elizabeth - Henry, Wenifred, James, Andrew, Vincent, Spencer, Francis Alexander & Thomas Sr. Elizabeth's parents may have been Daniel Ferguson & Mildred Donahoe. Francis Ramsey, Jr.'s parents were probably Francis Ramsey, Sr. & Winifred Landrum. Winifred's parents may have been James Landrum and Mary Browne. Francis Alexander Ramsey was definitely Thomas' brother but the rest needs further research.

Thomas married Martha ca. 1772 in Colony of Virginia, Colonial America. (Martha was born ca 1756 in Essex County, Virginia ⁸⁴³ and died on 25 August 1842 in Garrard County, Kentucky ⁸⁴⁴.)