My Family Tree

Edward was the son of Archibald Ramsay.

Archibald and Mary would be likely to name their first children after their parents - Edward, Mary, Archibald and Charity. The History of French River and Park Corner said that Archibald and Mary's son Edward drowned at sea on the Eyo in 1860 with his Park Corner Campbell neighbours. No date of birth or gravestone, or estate or admin papers, or newspaper death notice found for this Edward Ramsay. Edward was not named in Archibald's will in 1872. The obituary for Elizabeth Campbell, whose two sons were lost at sea, said the ship was the "Ergo".

However, there was also an Edward Ramsay born on the Island around 1833 who went to Wisconsin, where he married Mary Ryan. Edward's parents on his marriage record were Archibald and Mary. This Edward was in the 1860 and 1870 US census, but not found after that date. [note- the other Archibald Ramsay with wife Mary Ramsay was not married until 10 years after this Edward's birth, and had a son named Edward] Archibald and Mary (Campbell)'s son James Ramsay also settled in Wisconsin. In the 1870 census, Edward had been joined by "Saal" Ramsay from PEI, who could have been his brother Neil.

For this reason, I am placing the Edward in Wisconsin with Archibald and Mary. But bear in mind that he also could have died in 1860. I haven't been able to find any contemporary reports of the shipwreck of, or the deaths on the Eyo - perhaps Edward survived? Or perhaps it was another Ramsay on the ship.

In 1860 Edward Ramsay age 25 and born on Prince Edward Island, was living in Oconto, Wisconsin with George and Susan Farnsworth. He married Mary Ryan in 1866.

Name Edward Ramsey
Event Type Marriage
Event Date 1866
Event Place Oconto, Oconto, Wisconsin, United States
Birthplace Prince Edward Island
Father's Name Archibald Ramsey
Mother's Name Mary Ramsey
Spouse's Name Mary Ryan
Spouse's Father's Name John Ryan
Spouse's Mother's Name Kate Ryan
Note Marr Date: cert date 1 Nov 1866;
Citing this Record "Wisconsin, County Marriages, 1836-1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRGT-WB7 : 16 March 2018), Edward Ramsey and Mary Ryan, 1866; citing Oconto, Oconto, Wisconsin, United States, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison; FHL microfilm 1,292,397.

In 1870, Edward and Mary had a son Albert. Also living with them in Oconto was "Saal" Ramsay, age 25 and born on the Island. Maybe his brother Neil?

This was the last record found for Albert, Edward or Mary. (note - if Edward died and Mary remarried, not sure if I would be able to find her and Albert...)

The Edward Ramsay who was said to have died in 1860 -

The following Sunday morning as people gathered at the Geddie Memorial Church for worship all the talk was about the terrible storm, neighbors and friends of James Campbell of Park Corner were trying to assure him that his sons Capt. George and Hugh with their two neighbors Ned Ramsay and Dan Constable would ride out the storm for their new ship "Eyo" was built by the Orr brothers the best ship builders in many miles. Charles Bernard listening to the talk said "but what about my two sons the ship is small and old". Mr. Campbell turned to him and said, "The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong "Eccl. 9 — 11. And so it proved to be the "Eyo" and her crew were never heard from while the Bernards piled up in a potato patch South of the Miramichi.

from 'Those Brave Bernards' The October Gale 1860 Prince Edward Island