Stark Ramsey is one of those stone walls that I've not been able to get around. He wasn't elusive, but he didn't make too many waves either.
DNA verifies that he is without a doubt, my Fifth Great Grandfather. Checking other family trees of people descended from Stark, even those who live way out west, I find several that have taken DNA tests. In each one, it says with a respectible amount of certainty, that we are 5th to 8th cousins, which is exactly where it should be. I have a bit of Ramsey dna floating around in my cells.
I do know that his name was actually Starky and Stark for short, as I find him as Stark in some land records and Starky as others. Starky is very likely the maiden name of his mother or a grandmother, as per old Virginia customs, and it is very likely Starks ancestors migrated to Anson County from Augusta, Virginia and Maryland before that, but I've not been able to make the family links to the Ramsey's in Anson County who did make that documented path. But they are very likely to be his family.
My search begins again. This is what I do know.
The 1850 census, his last, give his year of birth as 1773, so we'll go with that. He first appears in the 1800 census of Anson County.
| Name: | Mark Ramsey [Stark Ramsey] |
|---|---|
| Home in 1800 (City, County, State): | Fayetteville, Anson, North Carolina |
| Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: | 3 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: | 1 |
| Number of Household Members Under 16: | 4 |
| Number of Household Members Over 25: | 1 |
| Number of Household Members: | 6 |
He is listed as being between 26 and 44. This is consistent with the 1850 census, making him 27.
His wife is between 16 and 25. They have 4 children under 10, a daughter and 3 sons. I know two of the sons were Joseph J. Ramsey, born in 1798 and Samuel, my line, in 1799. The other was probably Holden, who will show up in his own household in 1830, as Joseph also does. I don't yet know the name of the daughter.
Petition to the Assembly by Inhabitants of Upper Anson
Stark's name also appears on a 1799 Petition sent to the North Carolina General Assembly by the inhabitants of "Upper Anson" concerning the location of the Courthouse and the distance they had to travel to "Muster". There is also a Samuel Ramsey on the petition, and it wasn't his son. It could have, however, been the person his son was named for.
| Name: | Stark Ramsey |
|---|---|
| Home in 1810 (City, County, State): | Anson, North Carolina |
| Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: | 5 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44 : | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: | 2 |
| Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: | 1 |
| Number of Household Members Under 16: | 8 |
| Number of Household Members Over 25: | 1 |
| Number of Household Members: | 10 |
By the 1810 Census, there appears to have been several changes in the family structure. He now has 6 sons, and Stark, at 37 is still in the 26 to 44 age range. He now has two daughters between 10 and 15, but the female between 16 and 25 is the problem. It could be that the wife in the 1800 census was almost or barely 16 and still about 25 in 1810, but she had 4 children by 1800, so it's not likely. The daughter born betwenn 1790 and 1800 might be old enough to be 16 by this census, but she is probably one of the 10 to 15's as the second could only be 10, as she did not show up in the last one. The most likely one is that the first wife died and he has married a new, younger wife.
| Name: | Mark Kamvey [Stark Ramsey] |
|---|---|
| Home in 1820 (City, County, State): | Anson, North Carolina |
| Enumeration Date: | August 7, 1820 |
| Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: | 3 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15: | 3 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: | 2 |
| Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44: | 1 |
| Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: | 2 |
| Free White Persons - Under 16: | 6 |
| Free White Persons - Over 25: | 2 |
| Total Free White Persons: | 10 |
| Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: | 10 |
In 1820, there is still a household of 10. Stark is over 45. His wife is between 26 and 45. His two daughters are now between 16 and 25. He had 3 sons between 10 and 15 and 3 that had been born between 1810 and 1820.
| Name: | Stark Ramsey |
|---|---|
| Home in 1830 (City, County, State): | Anson, North Carolina |
| Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: | 3 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Under 20: | 3 |
| Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: | 6 |
| Total Free White Persons: | 11 |
| Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): | 11 |
By 1830, the family has taken another jump. While the family size has risen from 10 to 11, two sons are already out on their own. Both Stark and his wife are listed as being between 50 and 59. His two daughters are now adults, one between 20 and 29, the other between 30 and 39. Four sons are adults, but still living at home, the oldest in his 30's, three in their 20's, and teenager between 15 and 19 and two young boys, one 5 to 9 and one 5 or less. At the age of Mrs. Ramsey, these last two may have been grandsons and one of the "daughter"s" a daughter-in-law, with one of the actual daughters now married off.
| Name: | Joseph Ramsey |
|---|---|
| Home in 1830 (City, County, State): | Anson, North Carolina |
| Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: | 2 |
| Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Under 20: | 2 |
| Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: | 2 |
| Total Free White Persons: | 4 |
| Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): | 4 |
Joseph J. Ramsey is married with two little girls. He and his wife are in their 20's.
| Name: | Holan Romsey [Holan Ramsey] [Hlan Rmsey] |
|---|---|
| Home in 1830 (City, County, State): | Anson, North Carolina |
| Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: | 2 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Under 20: | 2 |
| Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: | 2 |
| Total Free White Persons: | 4 |
| Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): | 4 |
Holden Ramsey also heads a family of 4, but he and his wife, who are also in their 20's, have two little boys. All were in Anson, none in Montgomery. None very close at all either. They were the only Ramsey's in the area.
| Name: | Stark Ramsey |
|---|---|
| Home in 1840 (City, County, State): | Anson, North Carolina |
| Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 60 thru 69: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: | 1 |
| Persons Employed in Agriculture: | 2 |
| No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Under 20: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: | 2 |
| Total Free White Persons: | 4 |
| Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: | 4 |
By 1840, Starks household has greatly decreased from 11 to 4 people. Stark is in his 60's. His wife is recorded as being in her 40's. There is supposedly two people under 20, yet only two young males are recorded, one 20 to 29 and another 15 to 19, meaning the one must be 20 and no older.
| Name: | Robt Ramsey |
|---|---|
| Home in 1840 (City, County, State): | Anson, North Carolina |
| Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
| Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: | 2 |
| Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: | 1 |
| Persons Employed in Agriculture: | 1 |
| Persons Employed in Manufacture and Trade: | 1 |
| No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write: | 2 |
| Free White Persons - Under 20: | 4 |
| Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: | 2 |
| Total Free White Persons: | 6 |
| Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: | 6 |
Sons Robert and Samuel are now out on their own, both in Anson. Holden has migrated to Wilkes County, Joseph to Barbour County, Alabama, Hubbard was at this time in Troup County, Georgia and would later also migrate to Mississipi, Gilbert to Alabama and Sanders to Iron County, Mississippi. How these young men decided to migrate to other states, I'm not sure, but I've found they were usually not alone. If you study the census records of the area surrounding them, sometimes you will come across other familiar names from the area in which they lived. Like near Hubbard in 1840 Georgia is Robert S. Allen, and I recall having frequently seen Robert S Allen in Anson and Montgomery County records previously. His wife's maiden name is unknown, so perhaps she was an Allen and Hubbard migrated with her family. Some of them were obviously taking advantage of land lotteries, and free land opening up.
Both John Jackson Ramsey and James could fit the bill for the two who remained home with Stark in 1840, leading me to believe that William R and Herbert, who would show up later, were the sons of the deceased Holden Ramsey, and not Stark.
1850
1850 has finally arrived, and with it, names and ages of women, children, and all free persons who were not heads of household.
Name:Stark RamseyAge:77Birth Year:abt 1773Birthplace:North CarolinaHome in 1850:Burnsville, Anson, North Carolina, USAGender:MaleFamily Number:741Household Members:
| Name | Age |
|---|---|
| Stark Ramsey | 77 |
| Lisha Ramsey | 65 |
| John Ramsey | 40 |
| Tempy Ramsey | 20 |
Living with Spark was his wife Lisha and his son John, and John's young wife Tempy. Next door, perhaps in a tenant house, was Polly (Mary), widow of Holden, who had returned to Anson County. Holden is obviously deceased. Three of their daughters are living with her and 2 nearby with neighbors, perhaps working as housekeepers to help support their family.
Another thing that has occured is that Stanly has been cut from Montgomery and Union has been cut from parts of Anson and Mecklenburg. Robert Ramsey's land had been bought in Anson, but was now part of Union, in the New Salem area. Samuel had married a girl, Rebecca Helms, from the Montgomery side of the Rocky River and was now in Stanly County.
This is Stark's last census. Other information about him holds few clues as well. But the one thing that stood, for a mater of time, he and his children were the only Ramsey's in Anson County, with the exception of a Dr. Wilson C Ramsey who came to Wadesboro and appears to be no relation.
Stark Ramsey was the only Ramsey listed on the 1815 Tax List.
He recieved 3 land grants.
January 14, 1812 150 acres Grant No 2262 Book 128 Page 298
"Joining Wilkenson land (including Williams improvement) from warrant.
November 19, 1818 200 acres, Grant 2502 Book 128 Page 319
"Adjoining Ludwell Carpenter Land"
But it was the first one, from 1803, that holds the most interest for me.
Here is one of the documents that reveal his real name was Starkey Ramsey, and he was granted 150 acres on the East side of Little Creek, joining John Ramsey, Abercrombie's lines. Could John Ramsey be a clue to who or where Starkey Ramsey came from? Who was John Ramsey? What mark did he leave in Anson County? And, what was his possible relationship to Stark?
He made a few appearances in land records.
"August 7,1797 Elijah Hogan of Anson County to Reuben Hildreth of Montgomery County 2 tracts, 100 acres in the fork of Buffalo Creek, James Ropers line, granted in 1792 to James Roper and (2nd tract) 200 acres on Buffalo Creek where Spencer's Path crosses the creek, granted 1797 to James Roper. Signed Elijah Hogan, Witnesses John Lilly and Starky Ramsey. Oath April 1798 by John Lilly. "
* Several of the Hogan and Ropers would migrate to Tennesee about 20 years after this, with Howells, Randals, Kendalls and Meanly's.
"Dec 20 1800 Nathan Morris of Anson County to John McDaniel of same, 50 acres beginning at a white oak "supposed to be" third corner of John Colson's 250 a survey & joins the upper line of Hough's survey. Signed Nathan Morris. Witness: Starky Ramsey Book H2 p 96
 |
| James Norfleet Boggan |
Norfleet D Boggan was a very impactful and prominent businessman in the town of Wadesboro, NC. He was the kind of ancestor one would be fortunate to have because he left deep footprints. He also had a unique name, it's much easier to find info on Norfleet D. Boggan than it is John Smith. You know you have the right person.
Under the General Assembly of North Carolina, Norfleet, in 1850, is listed in a group of men in an act to incorporate the Bank of Wadesboro. It is of interest to note this bank had branches. In addition to the one in Wadesboro, Anson County, in which Mr. Bogan was involved, there was a branch in Rockingham, Richmond County and another in Center, Stanly County, which in time would be known as Norwood. The one at "Centre" was under the supervision of William Wall, Sr. , Dr John H. Treadwell, William S. Pemberton, Steven Crump, who was a big Cottonville Cotton merchant and whose family intermarried with my Davis family, William D. Watkins, James L. Gaines, and another ancestor of mine, James S. Turner.
He also served as County Clerk. Norfleet D. Boggan, in the 1830's was in business with Patrick W. Hammond, his wife's brother. The Boggan's and Hammonds are ancestors of my youngest daughter through her Great Great Grandmother West's line.
On December 18, 1837 "Norfleet D. Boggan & Patrick W Hammond, merchants and partners (Anson County) -sold- to Absalom Myers and William B. McCorkle of Anson," their Assets, totalling 6 pages. They owed money to, among others, Edward Kellogg Company of New York City, Bank of Cape Fear at Fayetteville and Merchants Bank at Cheraw. Their assets included a 40 acre lot "known as part of Burnsville". The town of Burnsville, where Patrick Hammonds 'dwelling house and store house is."
My main interest with this sale was the list of names of debtors to Boggan and Hammond.
Many of them were from the Burnsville area, like Benjamin Hutson, Stark Ramsey's neighbor and even several of them from Stanly County, including Henry Davis, who lived on the Rocky River at the time and Bryant Austin, who also lived on the Stanly County side of the Rocky, just south of the present town of Oakboro, both ancestors of mine.
Others of interest listed was:
Starke Ramsey $9.22 next to neighbors of his
Ludwell Carpenter $60.94 (another direct ancestor of mine) and
John Ledbetter 5.92
John Valentine $5.09
Henry Marshall $2.13
Robertson Pistole $5.29
Joshua Hutson ( who lived on Ugly Creek in Stanly County)
Edward Winfield $5.23 (brother of my 4th Great Grandmother Sarah Winfield Davis)
Hardy Hatley (Another Great x several Grandfather of mine)
Freeman High, Thomas Carpenter (who along with Robertson Pistole and John Valentine will play important parts in following posts, Thomas being another 4th Great Grandfather of mine)
Caleb Aldridge (Another 4th Great Grandfather whose Granddaughter will marry Henry Davis's son and Sarah Winfield Davis's Grandson to become the parents of my maternal Great Grandfather)
Milton Winfiled (son of Edward and Henry's first cousin)
James Broadway and Jeremiah Broadway (neighbors of Stark Ramsey and relatives of Obedience Broadway who was my 5th Great Grandmother and who married Ludwell Carpenter and was the mother of Thomas Carpenter.
But, along with Starke, his neighbors, and all these other ancestors of mine, were several of Starke's sons, now young men, in the year 1837
Samuel Ramsey 32.31
Sanders Ramsey 13.40
John Ramsey 15.37
Robert Ramsey 45.51
Also listed is Christopher Light. He is Sanders Ramsey's father-in-law and will migrate soon with Sanders. These lists, and these census records will help prove theories I've developed in my research, that I will be sharing in further posts.
Before Starkes sons come of age, there were other Ramsey's in Anson County. There was John, whose land bordered Starke's along John Spencer's path, whom I've come across in my research of my Davis and Winfield ancestors.
There was a Samuel, not his son, who also signed the "Upper Anson" petition in 1799, while my Samuel was learning how to walk. There was George William Ramsey "of Chatham" and Mathew J Ramsey, also of "Chatham". There was Richard Ramsey, who witnesses the will of William Davenport in 1798, along with John Broadway, (which places him in the same area of Anson with Starke and John).
The last trace I found of Stark Ramsey was his membership at Rocky River Baptist Church. In May of 1844, he served on a committee with James Benton and 'Mason W. Winfield' (maybe Milton) to investigate the conduct of certain members and report back.
One of his younger sons, Clement, joined the church in October of 1843.
So this is all I know of Starky Ramsey, thus far. Where do I go from here?
Let's look at John.
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