George Ramsay

by

Spelled variously, the name of George Ramsay was listed on the Albany census in 1800 as the head of a first ward household. His home consisted of a couple (both born prior to 1756) and two younger people. A decade earlier, a young couple under his name were identified on the census of surrounding Watervliet. With more than one same-named contemporary at risk in the region, at this point we seek defining information on the origins of the future city resident and his path to Albany. He appears to have been of Scottish ancestry.

In 1776, one George Ramsay ran afoul of the Schenectady Committee of Correspondence for allegedly espousing pro-royalist sentiments. A month later, he was ordered to be sent to Albany for confinement. Reaching Albany, he was fined. No further notice of him appeared in the available Committee minutes. [We remain cautious here as more than one individual may be at-risk.]

In September 1783, George Ramsey and one "Nency Stonert" witnessed a baptism at the Albany Dutch church. In November 1784, "George Remsay" married one "Grisswell Coultrek" at the Dutch church. In July 1788, George Ramsay married one "Christian Smith" by "certificate." No children appear to have been christened to him in that church. Perhaps these Ramsays were Presbyterians.

In August 1797, his name first appeared in a book of freeholders living in the second ward. At that time and afterwards on that roll, he was identified as a merchant.

In 1800 and '01, he was identified as a grocer and scheduled to pay ten dollars for a license.

In 1803, he was identified as vice-president at the first meeting of the Albany St. Andrew's Society. He served as president from 1805 to 1807 and perhaps again in 1811. A namesake son later occupied a leadership position in this Scottish friendship organization.

Perhaps this George Ramsey leased a farm in Bethlehem from the Van Rensselaers in 1805.

In January 1808, George Ramsay was among the State Street notables who were invited to the funeral of Henry J. Bleecker. After that, no definitive references for his life have yet been encountered in the community-based record nor in our most resent sweep of Internet-based resources. At this point, we do not believe that he was connected to one-time Albany resident Adam Ramser.

Missing defining demographic information and knowing that more than one same-named contemporary/individual was at-risk in the region, we move on for now from the life of Albany grocer George Ramsay.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of George Ramsay has no CAP biography number. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. For "Deacon" George Ramsay, see this entry.

In 1800, a second George Ramsay was identified on the census for Bethlehem.





first posted 2/20/16; updated 5/25/16