John Ramsey (abt. 1751 - 1836)

Born about 1751 in County Donegal, Ireland

Husband of Mary (Leary) Ramsey — married 19 Dec 1790 in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia

Husband of Mary Ann (Armstrong) Ramsey — married 25 Nov 1817 in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia

Husband of Elizabeth (Moore) Ramsay — married 1818 in New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 20 Jan 1836 at about age 85 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

John Ramsey was born in Ireland.

John Ramsey was a convict on the First Fleet.

John RAMSEY.

Although no birth record is available, John Ramsey/Ramsay is estimated to have been born in Ireland circa 1751 based on his recorded age in the 1820s. ^[1] However at the time of his trial his age was recorded as 22, so he may have been born in 1762.^[2][3]

His Certificate of Freedom states that he was originally from County Donegal in Ireland, and a seaman.^[4]

Conviction and Transportation John was tried at Surrey Lent Assizes at Kingston upon Thames on the morning of Friday 26 March 1784. John Ramsay and another man, William Johnson, had already been brought from Newgate on 30 December 1783, The court heard:

“...that John Ramsay late of the parish of Battersea in the county of Surrey Labourer and William Johnson late of the same…on the 16th day of November…with force and arms in the parish aforesaid…in the King’s Highway…upon William Edwards feloniously did make an assault and…him in corporal fear and danger of his life did put and…one pair of Silver Shoe Buckles of the value of 15s. one pair of Silver Knee Buckles of the value of 6s. one silk Handkerchief of the value of 3s. one linen Handkerchief of the value of 1s. two Muslin Stocks of the value of 2s. and two shillings of the proper silver coin of the realm of the goods and chattels of said William Edwards ...violently and feloniously did steal…”^[5]

They were found guilty and sentenced to be hanged. On 10 May 1784 they were reprieved to "transportation to America" for seven years ^[6]

On 24 October 1785, John Ramsey's name was on a list of prisoners to be removed from the New Gaol at Southwark to the hulks on the Thames.^[7] He was admitted to the Justitia Hulk at Woolwich. An image of the hulk return for 12 January to 12 April 1786 quarter can be seen here. His age "29" as recorded at the time of trial is copied into each hulk return without change for years.^[8][9] In February 1787 he was transported on the First Fleet, aboard the ship ‘'Scarborough'’.^[10] His name can be seen on the convict indents for the First Fleet.^[11]

On the day that they arrived in Sydney Cove, 27 January 1788, a large party of Scarborough men began clearing the ground for tents in Sydney. It appears that Ramsay was involved in the timber felling and the saw pits, as his daughter was later said to be "proud of the fact that her father helped to saw the ridge pole for the Government House built in the Colony".^[12]

His first marriage was to Mary Leary (AKA O’Leary, ship Neptune 1790) on 19 December 1790 by the chaplain [Johnson] at Parramatta (St Johns Anglican register). John signed the register "John Ramsey" and Mary made her mark. Witnesses were Thos Balmsby(?) and John Dawson.^[13] They had 3 children:

• Elizabeth b.1791
• John b.1793
• Thomas b.1795 (He was entered as "John Thomas" in his baptism record, and was known as "Thomas" in a list in 1811 of people to receive land, however he has not been found in records after 1811) .

On 18 July 1791 John received a grant of 50 acres at "The Ponds" ("Ramsay's farm" Lot 109, in the area later known as Dundas). William Hubbard and Matthew Everingham, fellow Scarborough convicts also have grants here.^[14][15]

On 6th December John and Mary were visited by Watkin Tench who wrote:

“He deserves a good spot, for he is a civil, sober, industrious man. He has a well laid out little garden (3½ acres), in which I found he and his wife, busily at work. He praised her industry to me and said he had no doubt of succeeding. It is not often seen that sailors make good farmers; but this man I think bids fair to contradict that observation.”^[16]

John on 1 April 1794 received another grant at The Ponds, (Lot 111) a 20 acre grant known as "Ramsay's wife's farm" or "Betsey Farm", near his original Ramsay's Farm. He now had 70 acres. Both farms were near a volcanic plug or pipe of columnar basalt (later Pennant Hills Quarry, now known as Sir Thomas Mitchell Reserve) and this may have contributed to the richness of Ramsay's farms.^[17][15]

On 30 October 1795 he set off on an expedition to find a way over Blue Mountains with Matthew Everingham & Reid. Their attempt was totally unknown until Everingham's letter book was found in the 1980s.^[12]

On 3 January 1800 Ramsay was the victim of an assault. He and "Thomas Hodges", (Thomas Hodgetts, Neptune, Second Fleet) appeared at the Judge Advocates Office the following day. Ramsay alleged that Hodgetts had insisted on his telling him if he was “an Irishman or an Englishman” and afterwards knocked him down. Hodgetts admitted the fact, but pleaded "being much in liquor" and promised not to offend in like manner again. Ramsay was satisfied with Hodgett’s concession and Hodgetts was reprimanded and discharged. The Judge Advocate that day was the Reverend Mr. Johnson who noted that such language was "deemed highly inflammatory amongst the different Descriptions of Prisoners in the Colony", presumably referring to arguments in the colony about the 1798 rebellion in Ireland.^[18][19]

In 1801 John bought William Reid’s 60 acre grant on the riverbank of the Parramatta River called "Industry Farm", at Field of Mars (now in Rydalmere), with nearly 18 acres sown in wheat and 17 ready for maize. From here he had a sailing boat which was used to take produce to market.^[12] The land was opposite and to the west of the Duck River and the northern boundary is now Victoria Road. Eric Primrose Reserve is on this land.^[20]

In the 1802 Muster, John was at The Ponds with 12 acres wheat, 20 acres maize to be planted, 20 pigs and 3 goats. His land at Field of Mars had 60 acres held, 25 acres cleared, 17½ in wheat, 12 maize to be planted, 1 male goat, 3 female goats, 5 male pigs, 10 female pigs, and 30 bushels of maize in hand.

In 1803 John had to appear before the Parramatta bench. He was accused of murdering his servant, Paul Cocklin, who had disappeared. According to the Sydney Gazette, the rumour was started by his neighbour, but several witnesses came forward and it appears that the servant left in an American ship to escape debts.^[21]

In April 1804 Simeon Lord auctioned Ramsay’s original 50 acres (with 40 acres cleared) at The Ponds bringing a price of 37 guineas. Ramsay’s wife’s farm of 30 acres of standing timber was sold for 23 guineas. Joseph Holt purchased both farms for William Cox, who had succeeded John Macarthur as paymaster for the NSW Corps and both these properties became part of Brush Farm.^[12]

The Muster of 1806 lists John Ramsay, land held by purchase 60 acres "ex Reid" at Field of Mars: 17 acres wheat, 16 maize, ¾ acre peas/beans, 4 acres potatoes, 4½ acres orchard, 17¾ acres pasture. Stock: 12 male hogs, 12 female hogs. On hand he had 8 bushels of wheat and 30 bushels of maize. Ramsay, his wife and three children, and two convict labourers were "off stores", and he employed a labour. Unusually, Ramsay also had a acre of flax.^[22]

On 23 February 1806, John's farm of 60 acres at Field of Mars was advertised for sale in the Sydney Gazette:

To be Sold by Private Contract, and immediate possession given, a Farm of 60 acres, 20 of which are in cultivation, and several others cleared. A twelvemonth's credit will be given for the purchase money on satisfactory security.-For terms and other particulars apply to John Ramsey, on the premises.^[23]

Apparently the farm was not sold at this time.

On 28 September 1806 the Sydney Gazette reported the theft from Ramsay: a mast, sail, and blanket were stolen from Ramsay, a settler at the Ponds. A convict, John McCannon, was sentenced to 100 lashes for the theft although Ramsay "spoke highly as to the prisoners conduct for 14 years".^[24]

On 1 January 1808 John signed the settlers' address supporting Governor Bligh, but Bligh will soon be deposed in the "Rum Rebellion" on 26 January.^[12]

15 January 1809: Assignment on a horse call "Capicis" from William Evans to John Ramsay to secure £44.19.0 in 10 days from 15 January.^[25]

On 26 February 1809 a Wine and Spirit Licence was approved for John Ramsey, Field of Mars in a list in the Sydney Gazette. James Squire was also on the list for the Field of Mars.^[26]

23 April 1809 Advertisement in the Sydney Gazette: "TO be Let and entered on immediately, between Thirty or Forty Acres of clear Land together with an extensive Orchard, an Assortment of fruit trees and necessary Buildings, situate at the Field of Mars. Apply to John Ramsey."^[27]

1809 Land transaction: Assignment from John Ramsay to Thomas Green, on a Farm at Field of Mars, to secure the sum of £40 in 6 weeks from 22 July.^[28]

On 13 January 1810 John was sworn in as constable for Field of Mars.^[29]

At the end of 1810, Governor Macquarie visited Ramsay’s Farm, McDonald’s and others, "prettily situated…….on the banks of the river".^[12]

Not long after this it appears that his wife Mary wanted to return to Europe. The Sydney Gazette on 16 March 1811 had the following: "ALL Claims on Mrs. Mary Ramsey (formerly O'Leary) of the Field of Mars, are requested to be presented, as she shortly proceeds for Europe." If she did leave, it was not a long absence, because she died two years later on 7 February 1813. She was buried 9 February, in St John’s Cemetery Parramatta, and her husband John could afford a grand monument (a sandstone altar on a plinth) for her grave, which has the inscription 'Sacred to the memory of Mary Ramsey who departed this life Febry 7 1813 41 years of aged'.

On 30 July 1811 John Ramsay and Thomas Ramsay were on a list of persons to receive 30 acres each in the new Districts of Airds or Appin. They are "presently at Field of Mars".^[30]. The grants appear to have been to John's sons John and Thomas. Did they take up this land (more research needed)? It is unknown what happened to Thomas Ramsay. John Ramsey junior, like his father was listed as a landholder in the 1814 muster.^[31]

By December 1812 Ramsay was Pound Keeper for the Field of Mars. In July 1814 he supplied 2000 pounds of fresh meat to the Government Stores, and around this time he was running stock at Long Reef, on the southern side of Narrabeen Lagoon. Ramsay sold his “Industry Farm” in the Field of Mars to Hannibal Macarthur in February 1815, and it appears he moved to Sydney to be concentrate on his land at Long Reef.^[12]

In 1816 “John Ramsey of Long Reef” stood surety for his (probable) son in law James O'Hara who had to appear at the Governor's Court for the non-payment of debt.^[32]

On 23 April 1817 his son John Ramsay "age 24 free by birth in NSWales", departed as a passenger on the ship Fame which intended sail to Batavia and eventually to England.^[33] However the Fame was wrecked in May in the Torres Strait.^[34]

By 1817 John was living in Sydney, and he may have travelled to Parramatta to find a wife. In those days, one of the roles of the "Female Factory" at Parramatta was as a marriage broker. Reverend Samuel Marsden had to get permission from the Governor to marry John Ramsey and and 28 year old Mary Armstrong, because Mary was a convict who had recently arrived on the ship Mary Ann and was living at the Female Factory.^[35]

His second marriage: John Ramsay (free) of Sydney, married Mary (AKA Mary Ann) Armstrong, (ship ‘'Mary Ann'’ 1816) of Parramatta, on 25 November 1817 at St Johns church Parramatta. Interestingly, John marked the register whereas in his first wedding back in 1790 he had signed. Witnesses were Thos Dutton and Mary Munro.^[36] Tragically she died a year later, on 12 November 1818 at Sydney.

On 21 August 1818 he officially received his land grant 410 acres "Mount Ramsay" between "Narabang" (Narabeen) Lagoon and the sea, on condition to cultivate 45 acres.

The “Old Registers “ of the Land Titles Office have entries for some land transactions at Long Reef in 1818: In July sold to Matthew Bacon a 300 acre farm at Long Reef that was previous exchange with Alfred Thrupp; in September Ramsays Farm Long Reef, 350 acres assignment from Matthew Bacon to Ramsay. September 1818 Indenture of Mortgage North Harbour District 410 acres to Bank of NSW (this was the Macquarie land grant of 21 Aug 1818).^[37]

His third marriage: to Elizabeth Moore (ship Maria 1818): about 1818 - no marriage record has been found. Elizabeth died in 1832, she was buried 18 June 1832 at Parramatta. Known children are:

• Elizabeth Harriet 1819–1914
• John Thomas Ramsay b.1823.

John Ramsey's residence in 1819 was on the corner of King and Kent streets in Sydney, according to the obituary of his daughter Elizabeth H Wallbank in 1914.^[12]

On 12 August 1820 John Ramsay a member of Sydney's Masonic Lodge: "John Ramsay, Tyler, late of No 1 Ireland" in minute book, Antiquity Lodge (Australian Social Lodge No 260). Also recorded as present 1 July 1822, 5 Aug 1822, 7 July 1823. This civilian lodge was formed in 1820. Francis Greenway was also a member.^[38]

In January 1823, The Sydney Gazette reported that wheat was received at the station at the Commissariat Office, Sydney : John Ramsay Long Reef 60 bushels. Others at Long Reef are James Miller 200, Robt. Simpson 400 bushels.^[39]

In February 1823 Ramsey was forced to sell his land at Narrabeen. The Sydney Gazette advertised the sale of Mount Ramsay by public auction at the Provost Marshall's Office:

President and Company of the Bank of New South Wales v Ramsay: ... A FARM, containing 400 Acres of Land, lying and situate in the District of North Harbour bounded on the south side by Cossar's Farm, and a continued south line of 32 chains; on the west and north sides, by a north line to Narrabang Lagoon; and by that Lagoon, and on the east side by the sea, to be called Mount Ramsay.^[40]

On 13 October 1824 John received a Certificate of Freedom, which provides the information: John Ramsay, Scarborough (1) 1788; where convicted Kingston 24 March 1784; sentence seven years; native place Co Donegal; Calling: seaman, age 73, and his description: height 5ft 6 1/2in, ruddy complexion, grey hair, Hazel eyes (inflamed).^[4] Why did he get it now - he was freed in 1791!

On 17 January 1825 his daughter Elizabeth Harriet was admitted into the Female Orphan school.^[41]

In the 1828 census he was recorded as age 77, and working as a gardener for Thomas Farrell at Kissing Point, Sydney.^[42]

On 29 April 1829 his son John Thomas age 6, was admitted into the Male Orphan School.^[43] There was a petition to the Male Orphan School from John Ramsay. He wrote that he had arrived in the colony in the year 1788 and now seventy eight years of age, now in the service of Mr Thomas Charles Farrell of Kissing Point and at his advance in years very infirm in health, "Your Memorialist has a son John Thomas Ramsay near seven years of age, and he having no mother to look after his Morals, (neither any home save trespassing upon a few of my acquaintances)". There was an additional notation on the petition: "John Thomas Ramsay was baptised privately when in danger of death - & an infant by the Revd Mr Therry". The petition also has the added notation : "John Ramsay is in service to Mr T C Farrell at Kissing Point - has a wife living - but an abandoned woman living with another man - has a little girl about 8 years of age in the Female Orphan Institution".^[44]

In February 1830 his daughter Elizabeth left the orphanage and was apprenticed to Thomas Farrell.^[45] Then (according to her reminiscences) she and her father moved to Seven Hills where they lived at an orchard (this would probably be early in 1831 when the O'Hara family were arrested for harbouring bushrangers - they would have needed help with their farms at Seven Hills and Little Dural).

On 14 February 1833 John Ramsey placed a notice in the Sydney Gazette newspaper: "Caution. My Daughter, Elizabeth Harriet Ramsay, aged about 13 years, having been enticed to leave my House clandestinely ; all Persons are hereby cautioned and prohibited from harbouring her, as they will be prosecuted to the utmost rigour of the law. JOHN RAMSAY. Dooral, Castle-hill, 12th February, 1833."

Elizabeth in her reminiscences recounted that they had extended visits to the Hawkesbury River. Then they moved to Mangrove Creek. Elizabeth stated that "Father brought the first orange trees to Mangrove Creek, carrying them on his back from Seven Hills. He carried orange, peach and pear trees, and presented them to Richard Woodbury for kindness received."^[12]

On 22 September 1834 John Ramsay of Mangrove Creek, was a witness to his daughter's marriage to John White, convict. (Elizabeth would leave John White, and she had a de-facto relationship with Richard Hibbs, having 2 children and after his death in 1839, Elizabeth married Roger Wallbank 1840).

On 20 October 1835 John Ramsay was admitted into the Benevolent Asylum in Sydney, "he being destitute & greatly reduced by jaundice."^[46]

Death January 20 1836 at Sydney Benevolent Asylum: "John Ramsey aged 85".^[47]

Burial: 21 January 1836 by Rev. William Cowper of St Phillips Church, Sydney. His burial would have been at Devonshire Street Cemetery, which was closed in 1901 when Central Railway was built.

Research Notes

Year of birth:

• His year of birth 1751 comes from his age recorded in the 1828 census, certificate of freedom and death record. However he could be younger (born 1762) from his age in the trial and hulk records: 22 in 1784.
• Note that many of the Church of Ireland registers were destroyed in the Four Courts fire of 1922, but the registers for churches in Northern Ireland had not been deposited in Dublin, so they were spared. That is why "John Ramsay, Birth 21 Aug 1762 Seaforde, Down, Ireland, Father William Ramsay" (sourced from LDS film No. 823750, Church of Seaforde, Loughinisland) pops up as an Ancestry "hint" in response to the birth year 1762, and has been recorded (sadly) as John's birth in several Ancestry trees.
• John's birth may have been recorded in a Church of Ireland register, but there is a high probability that it was destroyed in the Four Courts fire.

Is Elizabeth O'Hara John Ramsay's daughter?

The evidence is circumstantial: apparent coincidences such as birth year of daughter Elizabeth; John paid surety when James O'Hara appeared at the Governors Court; John moved to Seven Hills about the time the O'Haras were convicted. DNA matches: Hibbs and Wallbank descendants with O'Hara descendants.

Sources

1. ↑ Sainty, Malcolm & Johnson, Keith (eds) (2008 1828 Census of New South Wales Library of Australian History, Sydney Book entry number: R0095 John Ramsay, Aged: 77 years Religion: Protestant; Arrived per Scarborough 1788; Current Status: Free by Servitude, Gardener, Householder: Thomas Charles Farnell, Kissing Point [NSW AUS]; Census District: Kissing Point NSW [Biog Item No. 110637043]
2. ↑ Year of birth - which one? Mollie Gillen in "Founders" has 1851; Everingham and Ross in "Everingham letterbook" have 1862. Was the age given in the trial record incorrect? If it was correct, why would John say he was older than he actually was?
3. ↑ Age "22" is in National Archives, Criminal trials in the assize courts, PRO Assizes ASSI 31/13 p.348, no. 17 according to John Cobley, Crimes of the First Fleet Convicts, 1970
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} State Records Authority of New South Wales (n.d.) Butts of Certificates of Freedom; in Register of Certificates of Freedom (Certificates of Emancipation), 5 Feb 1810 - 26 Aug 1814, Series Number: 12208 Reel: 601; cited in Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Certificates of Freedom, 1810-1814, 1827-1867 [database on-line] Name: John Ramsey Year Arrived: 1788 Where Convicted: Kingston When Convicted: 24 Mar 1784 Term: 7 years Vessel: Scarborough Native Place: County Donegal Age: 73 Height: 5 feet 6 1/2 inches Complexion: Ruddy Hair: Grey Eyes: Hazel Certificate Date: 13 Oct 1824
5. ↑ PRO Assizes 35/224 quoted in Cobley, John, The Crimes of the First Fleet Convicts, 1970, p.150.
6. ↑ HO 13/2 p75 Home Office: correspondence and warrants, The National Archives, digitised images on Findmypast https://search.findmypast.com.au/record/browse?id=tna%2fccc%2fho13%2f002%2f00075
7. ↑ HO13: Home Office: correspondence and warrants, The National Archives, digitised images on Findmypast https://search.findmypast.com.au/record?id=tna%2fccc%2fho13%2f003%2f00239&parentid=tna%2fccc%2f2a%2fho13%2f00002618
8. ↑ Records of Treasury (as filmed by the AJCP)/Fonds T./Series T1/Subseries (Pieces 587-3031)/File 630. AJCP Reel No: 3549/Item. Report of convicts ordered for hard labour or transportation/
9. ↑ Hulk return records TI/641 can be seen on Reel PRO 3550 at Mitchell Library, Sydney.
10. ↑ Gillen, Mollie, The Founders of Australia : A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet, 1989.
11. ↑ RAMSEY John, Convict Indents (Digitised) Index 1788-1801 Ship: Alexander, Charlotte, Friendship I, Lady Penrhyn, Scarborough (1), Prince of Wales, State Archives of New South Wales https://records-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/1e5kcq1/INDEX1973848
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8} Everingham, M. & Ross, V., 1985. The Everingham letterbook / letters of a First Fleet convict / edited by Valerie Ross., Wamberal [N.S.W.]: Anvil Press.
13. ↑ New South Wales, Australia, St. John's Parramatta, Marriages, 1790-1966 for John Ramsey Vol 01, Baptisms, 1790-1825; Marriages, 1789-1823; Burials, 1790-1825 https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/60735/images/44132_1831101454_0699-00014?pId=27146
14. ↑ NSW Land Titles Grant Register 1 p11
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} "The Ponds Walk", brochure published by Parramatta City Council, n.d. https://www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/sites/council/files/inline-files/PondsWalkBrochure.pdf
16. ↑ Watkin Tench, 1788 : comprising A narrative of the expedition to Botany Bay and A complete account of the settlement at Port Jackson, edited and introduced by Tim Flannery Melbourne : Text Publishing, 1996.
17. ↑ Old System Grant Register 1-89]
18. ↑ Flynn, Michael, The Second Fleet : Britain's Grim Convict Armada of 1790, Library of Australian History, 1993, p.335.
19. ↑ State Records of New South Wales Reel 655 Bench of Magistrates: County of Cumberland: Minutes of Proceedings, 23 Jun 1798 – 5 Mar 1800 1/297-8 ( SZ767) 4 January 1800
20. ↑ Parish of Field of Mars, County of Cumberland : Metropolitan & Parramatta Land Districts, Hornsby & Baulkham Hills Shires & Municipalities, Eastern Division N.S.W. / compiled, drawn and printed at the Department of Lands, Sydney, N.S.W. 1923 https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-299193018/view
21. ↑ Circumstantial Detail, Relative to an ACCUSATION lately exhibited against JOHN RAMSAY, Settler. (1803, May 22). The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), p. 3. Retrieved August 23, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article625583
22. ↑ Australian Biographical & Genealogical Record, and Society of Australian Genealogists. Musters of New South Wales and Norfolk Island, 1805-1806 / Edited by Carol J. Baxter. Sydney: ABGR, in Association with the Society of Australian Genealogists, 1989.
23. ↑ Classified Advertising (1806, February 23). The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), p. 2. Retrieved August 24, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article627028
24. ↑ COURT OF CRIMINAL JURISDICTION. (1806, September 28). The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), p. 2. Retrieved August 23, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article627299
25. ↑ NSW Land Titles Old register 2, 33 163
26. ↑ SYDNEY. (1809, February 26). The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), p. 1. Retrieved August 23, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article627686
27. ↑ Classified Advertising (1809, April 23). The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), p. 1. Retrieved August 23, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article627728
28. ↑ NSW land Titles Old Register 2, 33 166
29. ↑ New South Wales, Australia, Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1856, Main Series of Letters Received, 1788-1826 https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1905/images/32086_228444-00194?pId=16208
30. ↑ New South Wales, Australia, Land Grants, 1788-1963 for John Ramsay Colonial Secretary Returns of Free Settlers to Receive Land Grants 1811-1855 https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/5117/images/41492_330446-00360?treeid=27500734&personid=12464930102&hintid=&queryId=6fe7a3a5dc3f55fd9aeb3b3afeb62ccf&usePUB=true&_phsrc=Dlw2103&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&pId=307826
31. ↑ New South Wales, Census and Population Books, 1811-1825 for Jno Ramsay Population Muster, 1814 https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/8813/images/41720_329547-00266?pId=79326
32. ↑ Supreme Court: Governors Court 1816, Howe vs O'Hara (SRNSW ref: 4/7861 No.751), Rushton vs O'Hara (SRNSW ref:4/7860 No.131)
33. ↑ New South Wales, Australia, Departing Crew and Passenger Lists, 1816-1825, 1898-1911, 1817 April Fame https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1602/images/30513_081749-00022?pId=348
34. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Fame (1812 ship)," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fame_(1812_ship)&oldid=961895065 (accessed August 22, 2021).
35. ↑ New South Wales, Australia, Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1856, Copies of Letters Sent Within The Colony, 1814-1827 https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1905/images/32086_228407-00573?pId=157627
36. ↑ New South Wales, Australia, St. John's Parramatta, Marriages, 1790-1966 for John Ramsey Vol 01, Baptisms, 1790-1825; Marriages, 1789-1823; Burials, 1790-1825 https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/60735/images/44132_1831101454_0699-00261?pId=28195
37. ↑ Old registers one to nine : the registers of assignments and other legal instruments / compiled by the NSW Department of Lands & State Records NSW. (CD ROM)
38. ↑ Minute book, Antiquity Lodge (Australian Social Lodge No 260), Masonic Centre archives, Sydney
39. ↑ GOVERNMENT AND GENERAL ORDERS. (1823, January 9). The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), p. 1. Retrieved August 25, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2181571
40. ↑ Classified Advertising (1823, February 13). The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), p. 1. Retrieved August 25, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2181639
41. ↑ New South Wales, Australia, Applications and Admissions to Orphan Schools, 1817-1833, Female Admission Books 1830, State Archives NSW; Series: NRS 793; Item: [4/350]; Roll: 2777; Page: 2 https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1676/images/30517_081769-00359?pId=203
42. ↑ 1828 New South Wales, Australia Census (TNA Copy) for John Ramsay New South Wales, Census R-S 1828 https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1186/images/IMAUS1787_114228-00252?pId=203515
43. ↑ New South Wales, Australia, Applications and Admissions to Orphan Schools, 1817-1833, Male Admission Books 1830, State Archives NSW; Series: NRS 796; Item: [4/352]; Roll: 2777; Page: 19 https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1676/images/30517_081769-00429?pId=1017
44. ↑ New South Wales, Australia, Applications and Admissions to Orphan Schools, 1817-1833, Applications For Admission 1829. State Archives NSW; Series: NRS 782; Item: [4/331]; Roll: 2776; Page: 19 https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1676/images/30517_081768-00198?pId=1479
45. ↑ New South Wales, Australia, Applications and Admissions to Orphan Schools, 1817-1833, Female Admission Books 1830, State Archives NSW; Series: NRS 793; Item: [4/350]; Roll: 2777; Page: 2 https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1676/images/30517_081769-00359?pId=203
46. ↑ Benevolent Society, Minutes of Acting Committee 1833-36, ZA7169 ML Reel CY 2046 frame 279, CY 2008 A7184, Mitchell Library, Sydney
47. ↑ Benevolent Society, ML A7184 Minutes of House Committee 1833-1836 frame 98: 22 Jan 1836.

• Stevens, H 2000, ‘The O’Hara story: John and Mary O’Hara and their descendants’, Diploma thesis, Society of Australian Genealogists
• Heather Stevens, "JOHN Ramsey / Ramsay (c.1751 - 1836)", Ancestry.com https://www.ancestry.com.au/family-tree/person/tree/105148091/person/410042565419/facts
• A good biography about Ramsay is in Appendix 4 of the book Everingham, M. & Ross, V., 1985. The Everingham letterbook / letters of a First Fleet convict / edited by Valerie Ross., Wamberal [N.S.W.]: Anvil Press.
• Obituary of Elizabeth Harriet Wallbank quoted in Ross p165: "Newspaper cutting, Granny Wallbank, Mangrove's Grand Old Woman' by Pete, obituary Gosford Times c. August 28 1914 (n.d)"
• Obituary of Granny Wallbank in 1914 'RIVER NEWS.', Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1954), 11 September, p. 4. , viewed 08 Oct 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article85861111
• The founders of Australia : a biographical dictionary of the First Fleet by​ Mollie Gillen
• John Boyd, "JOHN RAMSAY Convict ‘Scarborough’ (c1762-1836)", Fellowship of First Fleeters website 2020 http://www.fellowshipfirstfleeters.org.au/johnramsay.htm
• convictrecords website: https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/ramsay/john/133095
• Blue Mountains History Journal 4: 2013 THE IMAGINARY PASSAGE: GEORGE CALEY’S UNREQUITED BLUE MOUNTAINS OBSESSION Andy Macqueen (has a map with the crossing attempts) http://bluemountainsheritage.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/BMHJ41Elec.pdf
• https://docplayer.net/27287103-Profiles-of-the-pioneers-in-manly-warringah-and-pittwater.html

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Kerrie Christian for starting this profile Ramsey-1539 and Heather Stevens for starting Ramsey-5932, since merged. See Changes for the details of contributions by Kerrie, Heather and others.