John Ransom & Anna Rumsey

John Walrath Ransom was born in 1815, in Onondaga County, New York near the city of Syracuse. The birthplace of his wife, Anna P. Rumsey, is more difficult to determine. It is likely she was also born near Syracuse, but the records are conflicting; as some say Anna was born in New York, while others say Vermont. Both John and Anna grew-up farming and both seem to have been educated. The couple married sometime in the late 1830s and raised a family of eight children: Webster W., John T., twins Edward A. and Ellen A., David J., James G., Winfield S., and Araminta. Several other children were born but died in early childhood. John, like his parents before him, was a farmer. He owned eleven acres, on which he farmed corn, oats, rye, and hay. For a short period of time he was also the proprietor of a cheese factory.

The family was well known and well respected in their town of Clay. The children all attended school and worked in different industries when they got older. The couple’s oldest son, Webster, served two tours during the Civil War, first as a private in the 12th Regiment, H Company, of New York for several years, and then as a private in the 3rd Regiment of Artillery, F Company. After enlisting, he wrote several letters to his family about his experience. Those letters illustrate the intelligence, education, and closeness of the family. While at camp in Washington D.C. he took time to visit, and enjoy, the Smithsonian museum, not something a typical farm boy would find interesting. John and Anna’s second son, John T., also served during the Civil War earning the rank of Corporal.

Service for country and fellow man was held high among the Ransom-Rumsey family. Many members of the family served in fraternal organizations dedicated to helping the less fortunate. Several of the children belonged to the International Order of Odd Fellows or the Order of Hezekiah which were benevolent fraternal organizations.

John and Anna enjoyed good health and longevity. John lived to be eighty-one and after his death, Anna maintained her independence, living on her own until her own death at the age of eighty-five.