My Family Tree

Sarah married Archibald Ramsay, probably her cousin, in 1846. Archibald died in 1875, and the widowed Sarah was living in Lot 6 with two of her unmarried daughters, Sophia and Maggie, in 1881. Although Sarah said on the 1900 US census form that she had emigrated in 1885, Sarah, Sophia and Harry were in Lot 6 for the 1891 census. She also stated in a newspaper article that she had left the Island after her husband died, and that she had lived her first 60 years on the Island, or around 1884.

Sarah had had Harry Morton Ramsay baptized on the Island, in 1888, noting that she was his guardian, and in the 1891 census he was a lodger, not a son. Harry was named after her daughter Agnes' husband, Harry Morton, and it seems more likely that he was Agnes' son, raised by his grandmother.

In the 1900 US census Sarah said she was the mother of 12 children, but only three living - Agnes, Maggie and Jane. In this census, she was living with her daughters Jane and Agnes. Sophia had died in 1898, and Agnes died later in 1900. In 1910, she said 10 children, 2 living, Jane and Maggie. Maggie died in 1915.

When she was interviewed on the occasion of her 87th birthday, Sarah said "of her 12 children only Mrs. Murray survives."

Who were the missing children?

There were two large gaps between her known children - from 1849-1852, and from 1856-1870. Sarah was less likely to have had children after age 45. These Ramsay children also had to have died before 1910, some of them possibly at birth. Lorenzo Ramsay, who was born about 1850, and died 7 Mar 1890, fits as a son. Lorenzo named a daughter Sarah, and a son Archibald.

If Archibald and Sarah were living in Lot 11 in 1861, then they had one male between 5-15 (Lorenzo, age 13?) and 3 females between 5-15 (Sophia, Nancy Jane, and Agnes), so there were no surviving children born between 1856 and 1861.

Sarah and her widowed daughter Jane were living in Cambridge Mass in 1920, with two boarders.

 

 

 

 

MRS. SARAH RAMSAY HAS 97TH BIRTHDAY

She Is the Mother of Mrs. Jane Murray, of 115 Lexington Avenue, and Was Born in Prince Edward Island

One of Her Grandfathers Fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill—She Has No Health Fads —Her Mother Lived To Be 96 Mrs. Sarah Ramsay, of 115 Lexington avenue, celebrated her 97th birthday last week. In spite of her age, Mrs. Ramsay is much more active, both mentally and physically, than many women 30 years younger. Mrs. Ramsay was making covers for the plazza chairs when the reporter went to see her. She is fond of sewing and does all her own mending. She has never found it necessary to wear glasses. Her hearing is only slightly Impaired. Her daughter, Mrs. Jane Murray, with whom she lives, said that her mother goes up and down stairs easily and that when she was ill in bed for several days Mrs. Ramsay look care of her, cookod the meals and carried them upstairs.

Mrs. Ramsay was born on Prince Edward Island. Her people were Scotch. One of her grandfathers fought in the battle of Bunker Hill, afterward going to Prince Edward Island, where he settled.

Mrs. Ramsay spent 6O years of her life on the island, coming to Cambridge after the death of her husband. Of her 12 children only Mrs. Murray survives, but she has many grandchildren. Mrs. Ramsay's, memory to amazing In her childhood Indian tribes used to visit, the Island at Intervals. She was frequently taken to visit their camps and also saw them when they came to her father's farm to buy supplies. She can describe their dress and costumes with the utmost detail. She also remembers little happenings and facts concerning the neighbors as If it was 20 instead of 70 or 80 years ago. "Yes, there have been great changes, great changes," she said when asked ahout the things which have taken piace during her lifetime. "When I was a child our only lights were tallow candles which were made on the farm, and queer old earthwase lamps. No one had dreamed of electricity and experiments with gas were just beginning to be thought of. We didn't have It on the Island for years and years. "And Just think of the steamers and railroad trains and telephones and wireless! It has been a wonderful time. Personally, I think the automobiles are almost the nicest of the Inventions. I love to go out riding. No. I'm not at all afraid —except when one drives very fast" One modern invention Mrs. Ramsay has never seen. That is the motion picture. It is not from lack of energy but because her religion forbids any form of the theatre. Nor has she ever danced, although she Is fond of music and, according to her daughter, eoven appreciates "Jazz." Flowers are a passion with her. She, exhibited with pride a huge bunch ot carnations brought to her on her birthday, and Inquired anxiously as to the whereabouts of other flowers. In warns weather she spends much of her time in the little garden which her daughter cultivates. There Is no recipe for staying young, thinks Mrs. Ramsay. She has no health fads nnd no theories. Her mother lived to be 96 and Mrs. Ramsay smiled broadly when asked what her plans for her 100th anniversary were. She has always been well, but doesn't know any special reason for It unless early hours, regular habits and plenty of work are the cause.