Tarney SmithWilliam Ramsey was a soldier in the Revolutionary War in Captain Vance's Company 1 and at the battle of Yorktown where he witnessed the surrender of Lord Cornwallis.2 It is not known where he was born, but sometime after the Revolutionary War ended, he went to Kentucky. A William Ramsey, believed to be this William Ramsey, appears on the Bourbon County, Kentucky tax lists in the years 1792, 1793, 1795 and 1796.3 He came to Upper Louisiana in 1799 and was granted, as permission to settle, a concession from Lieut. Governor Carlos Dehault Delassus dated November 7, 1799.4 About a month later on December 10, 1799, his son, Robert Ramsey, also received a concession from Delassus.5 It is likely that William then went back to Kentucky for his family, as his daughter, Margaret (Peggy), is shown on the 1850 census, age 50 years, born in Kentucky.6 His other children at that time were John, William Jr., India, and Elizabeth.
In William Ramsey's claim before the Board of Land Commissioners, which had been established to determine the validity of claims of Spanish Land Grants, James Burns, Jonathan Bryant, Ira Cottle, and others gave testimony. The testimony stated that William Ramsey settled on Bryants Creek in present-day Lincoln County by 1801 with a wife and five children, that he had considerable stock, built a cabin and stables, and cleared and cultivated 15 to 20 acres.7
There was (is) a saline spring then called Ramsey's Lick on this property. Bryants Creek was at that time often confused with Ramsey Creek which is located a short distance north of Bryants Creek in present-day Pike County, and where William Ramsey had set up a camp for splitting rails.8
At that time in that area there was an ever-present danger from Indians who stole things from the settlers, including valuable cattle and horses, and who also sometimes committed other atrocities. About 1803 livestock was stolen from William McHugh Sr., a neighbor of the Ramseys on Bryants Creek, and reportedly a "cow beast" was killed; later, Indians massacred several of McHugh's children.9
Malaria was somewhat prevalent in the wet bottomland areas near the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, and that may be what caused the sickness10 in William Ramsey's family resulting in the death of his first wife. William Ramsey left that place a short time after the death of his wife and picked another location in the District of St. Charles near Tuque Creek, where the town of Marthasville is now located in present-day Warren County, and started over. He was not far from the Village of La Charrette. He may have hoped this location would put a little distance between his family and hostile Indians!
In testimony given before the Board of Land Commissioners, both Stephen Jackson and George Ayers said that William Ramsey was on the Tuque Creek land by the fall of 1803. In January 1806 Stephen Jackson testified, saying "....he knew claimant early in the fall of 1803; that he did clear the said land in the spring of 1804; that his family was then on said land; and that he has from that time to this actually inhabited and cultivated the same."11 George Ayers, in his testimony taken January 17, 1809, said "....in 1803, a short time before Christmas, claimant built a cabin on the land claimed, and inhabited it; in February following, 1804, he planted apple trees and garden roots and has inhabited and cultivated said land to this day."12 The Board voted to reject William Ramsey's claim at that time.
In the meantime, William's son, Robert Ramsey, staked his claim on land across the Missouri River near present-day Labadie in Franklin County. Mordecai Bell, in sworn testimony on November 4, 1808, said "....that he (witness) built a cabin on the place claimed in 1802, then gave up his improvement to claimant, who got a concession for the same; in 1803 Thomas Gibson inhabited said land for claimant."13Although it is not certain if Robert Ramsey ever actually lived on the Franklin County property, the grant was later confirmed under Act of Congress of 12th April 181414 as Number 1921.
Robert Ramsey obtained a survey of 350 arpens on his "Pointe Labbadie" land from Antonio Soulard dated March 7, 1803.15 William Ramsey obtained his first survey of 650 arpens on the Tuque Creek land from Antonio Soulard dated March 28, 1804.16 "Capt." William Ramsey obtained a survey of 748 arpens 7 penchens on the Bryants Creek land from John McKinney dated February 1806.17 William Ramsey eventually obtained confirmation of both the Warren County Tuque Creek and Lincoln County Bryants Creek claims. The Tuque Creek claim was confirmed under Act of Congress of 12th April 181418 as Number 1688. The Board of Land Commissioners recommended approval of the Bryants Creek claim June 8, 1835 and ordered a survey to be done.19 A patent for the Bryants Creek claim was issued to William Ramsey, Senior or his legal representatives, and to his or their heirs for 643 and 41/100 acres in Linn County, because after the survey (No. 3100) had been done, it was found that the land on Bryants Creek had been sold or disposed of by the United States.20 This patent was issued to William Ramsey on August 31, 1906, sixty-one years after his death! The wheels of justice do sometimes turn slowly.
William Ramsey's son, John, married Mary Meek on March 28, 1805.21 John Ramsey presented a survey dated February 1806 to the Board of Land Commissioners in 1811 for some land adjoining William Ramsey on Bryants Creek, but his claim was rejected.22 John died before December 29, 181623 when his widow, Mary Meek Ramsey, married Francis Howell Jr. After her marriage to Francis Howell, she probably did not pursue confirmation of the claim.
William Ramsey and his sons Robert, John and William Jr. signed a Memorial circulated in December 1805 supporting the continuance of James Wilkinson as the Territorial Governor.24 William and his son Robert signed an 1806 Memorial supporting the appointment of Col. Meigs, Jr. or Col. Hammond for Governor of the Territory.25 In 1810, William and Robert Ramsey signed another Memorial," for ascertaining and adjusting titles and claims to Lands in the Territory of Louisiana...."26
By this time, William Ramsey's son, Robert, was in the Bonhomme Township of the District of St. Louis. In June of 1807, Robert Ramsey bought 300 arpens of land near Creve Coeur Lake from Andrew Kinkead for $100.00; land described as follows: "Beginning at Hickory tree on the top of hill east of said crevecoeur creek and in said Kindkaid('s) old East line; Thence running west by said Kinkead, crossing said creek south some distance above the mill seat; Two hundred french poles to a stake in Ju(dith) Cordells line, thence North by said Cordells one hundred & fifty Poles to a sassafras tree, thence East by William Fullerton & the old village of crevecoeur, two hundred Poles to a stake; thence south by the vacant lands one hundred & fifty Poles to the beginning Hickory."27
Andrew Kinkead, a Justice of the Peace in Bonhomme Township, District and County of St. Louis, also came to Upper Louisiana from Bourbon County, Kentucky. Some Kinkead descendants believe his wife was Mary Ramsey28 and that Andrew Kinkead and his wife Mary were the parents of Sarah Kinkead who married Kinkead Caldwell, early settler of Franklin County. In 1804, Kinkead Caldwell and his wife, "Sarah Ramsey," signed a deed selling some land, "Situate on a branch of Maramack called Grand Glaze," District of St. Louis to Thomas Mason.29 It is assumed Ramsey was her middle name. It seems likely there was a relationship to this William Ramsey family.
Robert Ramsey had married Sarah (Sally) Smith, daughter of Dr. Samuel and Elizabeth Gordon Smith who lived nearby on Creve Coeur Creek. Samuel Smith arrived in Upper Louisiana by 1799, having left Franklin County, Pennsylvania in 179230 and then spending some time in Virginia and Kentucky. Samuel Smith had his grant surveyed December 19, 1799.31 His claim was recommended for approval by the Board of Land Commissioners in 1805 and confirmed in 1810 as Certificate No. 329.32
Robert and Sally Smith Ramsey sold the Creve Coeur property to John Lewis for $2,000.00 February 7, 1810.33 John Lewis, together with John Long, operated a water power saw mill on Creve Coeur Lake.34 It is evident from the sale price of $2,000.00 that Robert Ramsey had made vast improvements to this property. John Lewis sold this same property five years later for $3,000.00.35
The fledgling Louisiana Territorial Government was facing a lot of problems. More and more settlers were coming into the territory and going beyond the boundary lines that had been established between the United States and The Sauk (Sac) and Fox Indian tribes by the Treaty of 1804.36 All of the present-day Missouri Counties of St. Charles, Warren, Lincoln and Pike, and parts of Montgomery, Audrain, Ralls and Marion Counties were within the United States boundary. All of this area had been traditional hunting grounds for the Indians. (This treaty did not involve lands south of the Missouri River.) The Territorial Militia was spread thin, and could not provide protection for the settlers or control where they settled. There were citizen demands and grievances to settle, and Indian demands and grievances to settle. They found themselves in the difficult position of being peacemaker between the Great and Little Osage tribes and the Sauk and Fox tribes, who had come under the protection of the United States under the terms of the Treaty. The Government was having difficulty supplying trade goods to their few factories (forts established for trading with the Indians), which they had promised to do. The Spaniards to the west and southwest posed threats. It seemed that everyone wanted a piece of the fur trade and applied for a license to trade.
The Indians continued to war against each other and to pillage, threaten and generally harass the settlers, often receiving inducement to do so from the British.
The British were already well entrenched in the lucrative fur trade market with the Indians and were loath to give it up. They were more able and willing to supply the trade goods the Indians wanted, and they weren't settling on the Indian's traditional hunting grounds. In a letter from Governor Meriwether Lewis to the Secretary of War, July 1, 1808, he said, "....the designs of the indians are soon changed by interest; the Spaniards have no merchandize to attach them firmly to them---the british have, and it is to them that I look more particularly for all our pending evils on the frontier...."37 The British agents had a great deal of influence with the Indians. The most-well known of those agents was Robert Dickson.
Robert Dickson, a British Subject, had ingratiated himself to the American government by his familiarity with and extensive knowledge of the Indians and geography of the Upper Mississippi country. Zebulon Pike met and conferred with him several times while on his 1805 Upper Mississippi River Expedition.38 November 7, 1807 Robert Dickson was granted a license to "trade in the Missouri."39 He was "probably the only "foreigner" ever granted a license. He sometimes acted as a mediator when problems arose, as shown in a letter to him dated March 8, 1808 from Acting Governor Frederick Bates, part of which follows: "....John McKinney & Wm. Ramsey have lost six horses, some of them valuable, which they suspect to have been stolen by the Indians of your neighbourhood. Should it be in your power without inconvenience, to assist those men in the recovery of their property, I know you will have the goodness to do so..."40
It wasn't long before it became well known that Robert Dickson was "a loyal British subject and before and during the War of 1812 worked incessantly to turn the Indians against the United States."41 Forts were being erected throughout the area. Dr. Samuel Smith died in 1807, and a few years later, around 1810, the Smith's in Bonhomme Township built a larger log cabin42 that they called The Fort. An early Smith Family history said, "Red Headed Dixon led the Indians. Each night they would sing 'We Lay Our Garments By' and bid each other good bye expecting a savage attack. Grandmother was a good shot and they kept seven guns ready for use."43
By the start of the War of 1812, things were heating up even more and Governor Howard sent letters to the Secretary of War telling him about the killings. On March 19, 1812, he wrote "....on the 10th of last month, nine persons of one family were murder'd in the most barbarous manner on the Mississippi, within the limits of our settlements...."44 (This was the family of James O'Neal near Clarksville, Missouri. This event has been described with gruesome detail elsewhere.)45 Governor Howard also advised in the same letter that he had "encouraged the raising a company of mounted riflemen, to act as rangers, to be commanded, by Capt Boon, Son of the celebrated Colo Daniel Boon...."46
William Ramsey, his sons, Robert, John and William, his sons-in-law, Dabney Burnett (who married Elizabeth Ramsey) and Thomas Gilmore (who married India Ramsey) all served either as Rangers and/or with Territorial Militias.47 John Ramsey and Dabney Burnett are both shown on Capt. Nathan Boone's muster rolls of mounted Rangers.48 Thomas Gilmore served under Captain James Callaway. He was a member of the company on March 7, 1815 when Indians ambushed them and Captain James Callaway was killed on Prairie Fork, a branch of Loutre Creek in present-day Callaway County.49
The Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812 (on paper), was signed December 24, 1814, while the Battle of New Orleans raged on. In the Missouri Territory, attacks and threats of attacks by the Indians continued. Many of the alarmed citizens in the outlying countryside had retreated to the more populated St. Louis and St. Charles areas where it was considered safer.
Robert Ramsey, who had by this time suffered the misfortune of losing a leg, was living on, or at least near, the Tuque Creek grant of his father, William Ramsey, not far from the Village of La Charrette. His father and brothers, Daniel Boone and his sons and in-laws, and others, all with similar skills but not as well known, were nearby neighbors. It has been said that Robert's injury resulted from a fall from a horse.50 It may have happened not long before his death, as his probate file contained the following receipt: "Received of William Ramsay Administrator of the estate of Robert Ramsay decd the sum of forty-dollars on account of medical care and attendance by Farrar & Walker upon the said Robert Ramsay."51 In spite of his disability, Robert Ramsey probably felt as secure as any other man in the vicinity.
On the morning of May 20, 1815, Indians attacked Robert Ramsey and his family. He, his pregnant wife Sally, daughter Lizzie and two other children all died from the brutal and fatal wounds they received. Two young children, Rachel, about five years old, and John, not yet two years old, survived the attack.
Nathan Boone carried the news to St. Louis. The following account was printed in the MISSOURI GAZETTE AND ILLINOIS ADVERTISER, May 27, 1815, page 2, column 4:52
Major Nathan Boon, arrived in town on sunday evening last, brings the melancholy news, that on Saturday morning last, about fifteen Indians approached the dwelling house of Mr. Robert Ramsay, of Saint Charles county---killed three of his children, and dangerously wounded him and his wife. Of the recovery of Mrs. Ramsay there is no hope. The children were scalped and horridly butchered. Mr. Ramsay lived about two miles from the old Charette village, in the heart of an important settlement; and not more than sixty miles hence. One of the little children of the family, made his escape and sounded the alarm. The neighbors, as soon as they could, gave pursuit, but as yet nothing has been heard from them.
The indians who have committed the above atrocious murder, are no doubt a part of those hellish bands who rendezvous at Rock river; to whom a pipe has been sent, and to whom a messenger is now bound, to invite them to a consummation of the Ghent treaty.
It cannot for a moment be believed that a treaty will bind these inhuman butchers; nothing but exemplary chastisement will teach them to respect our borders.
Followed in the same newspaper by:
Copy of a letter from a gentleman in St. Charles County, to the editor.
You have no doubt heard of the butchery of Robert Ramsey and his family, by the savages. It was attended with these traits of horrible acts of cruelty which mark the progress of the allies of England. Mrs. Ramsey was tending the milking of her cows, and her pretty little children were amusing themselves, feeding the poultry, and assisting their mother. Mr. Ramsey, who you know has but one leg, was near his wife at the moment the first shot was fired. He saw his wife fall and succeeded to lead her into the house, but as he reached the door he received a wound which prevented him to go to the relief of his children who were caught by the indians and cut to pieces in the yard. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey are dead, both were shot through the abdomen. Mrs. R. was far advanced in pregnancy.
The Rock River in Illinois empties into the Mississippi River below present-day Davenport, Iowa. It was well known as a troublesome place, as shown by: a June 14, 1812 letter from Governor Howard to the Secretary of War, "....In April last two men detach'd as spies, from the Rangers....These spies were sent up the Mississippi in consequence of my having heard of a large party of Winebagoes forming on rock river to attack the frontier of St. Charles District...."53 and a letter dated April 24, 1813, Capt. Horatio Stark wrote to Governor Howard, "The Indians assert that Dickson is on the Rock River collecting forces."54 In another letter from Col. William Russell to the Secretary of War on October 20, 1814, "....I am also finding the Militia so badly cloathed, and without blanketts as stated to me by Govr Clark, or I would endeavor to rout that hostile party at the Mouth of the rock river---"55
The old French village of La Charrette predates the town of Marthasville in present-day Warren County by many years. Noted historian, Mr. Ralph Gregory, wrote, "At the south side of Marthasville, in the bottom between Charrette and Tuque creeks, is the site of the early French village called La Charrette....the village was well-known to trappers, traders with Indians, explorers and leaders of government in North America as the most western settlement of 'white people'....," and Lewis and Clark on their journey up the Missouri River "arrived there May 25, 1804."56
The two children who survived the massacre, Rachel G(ordon) Ramsey and John Ramsey, were raised by their Smith relatives in Bonhomme Township, St. Louis County, and shared in the estate of their grandfather, Dr. Samuel Smith.57 The Rev. Salmon Giddings of Bonhomme Presbyterian Church baptized these orphans of Robert and Sally Smith Ramsey on November 19, 1816.58 Henry Smith, brother of Sarah Smith Ramsey was appointed guardian of his nephew, John Ramsey in 1829.59
William Ramsey had lost one wife and two sons by 1817. Sometime after the death of his first wife he married again and had several more children--Nancy, Josiah, Euphamia and George Washington Ramsey.60 He appeared on the 1817 census of St. Charles County, Femme Osage Township with two males under 18 years, 3 females age 14 or over, and 2 females under age 14.61 (His son William Ramsey, Jr., appeared separately.) He had the Tuque Creek grant surveyed again by Hugh White in 181762 then sold all or part of it to Dr. John Young who then had part of the land platted as the town of Marthasville in June of 1817.63
William's daughter Margaret married Benjamin Bryant on July 13, 1818; Benjamin Bryant was a grandson of Sarah Cassandra Boone, Daniel Boone's sister.64 About the same year, his son, William Ramsey Jr., married Susannah Bryant who may have been a sister of Benjamin.65
By now, just a few years before statehood, torrents of settlers were pouring into the Territory of Missouri. Perhaps looking for more elbowroom, William Ramsey took the remains of his family and moved further west.
In 1825 William Ramsey bought 144.65 acres of Public Land in Cedar Township, Boone County, Missouri.66 The 1817,67 183068 and 184069 censuses show him as owning from 4 to 12 slaves, so he was evidently a man of means. Still involved with settling the Bryants Creek claim, he hired an attorney. The following document was recorded in Boone County: "Know Ye that the said William Ramsey, Sr. and Sarah Ramsey, his wife, have this day constituted and appointed, etc., Burton Doyle, Boone Co., Mo. our true and lawful attorney, to let, sell, or devise said land or Grant to---for such price or sum--- or in our names to locate and lay same on any land to be located by said SPANISH GRANT, agreeable to----ACT OF CONGRESS, 4th July, 1836, (signed) 19th January, 1839 (by) William Ramsey, Sarah X Ramsey."70
In 1834 he lost another son, William Ramsey, Jr., who was murdered near Stoneport, Boone County, Missouri.71 His grandson, John, who had survived the 1815 massacre, joined him in Boone County by 1836 where he married his first cousin,72 Rachel Ramsey, the daughter of William Ramsey, Jr. and Susannah Bryant. By that time, William also had many other descendants living nearby.
The date of birth of William Ramsey is not known. His age as shown on the 183073 and 184074 censuses indicate he was born in the year 1760 or later, but it has been said that he was born about 1741 and died at age 104 years.75 He died May 22, 1845 in Boone County, Missouri.