Category Archives: Ransone

Ransone

James Ransone, Son of Immigrant Peter Ransone, VA, 1600s

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James Ransome, son of immigrant Peter Ransone, was born about 1645 in Virginia (as Peter is found as a witness on 28 December 1642 with Edward Bereman when the patent of Thomas Symons on Charles River was assigned to Thomas Kirbye. [Cavaliers and Pioneers 1623-1666 by Nell Nugent]) as James gave a deposition in Gloucester County, Virginia in 1693 stating that he was about 48 years old.

There are two records which prove that Peter was James’s father. The first is from Cavaliers and Pioneers Patent Book No. 5, page 500:

On 10 February 1663, James and George Ranson, sonns of Peter Ranson, dec’d. patented 1100 acres on the North River in Mockjack (Mobjack?) Bay at the Isle of Wight Creek. . . . .

That he was Peter’s son is again stated in  the Minutes of the Council and General Court of Virginia, which I’ve seen cited online, but the original minutes are reported as lost.

At the Genl. Court holden at James City the 8th Nov. 1672, afternoon, Ransom vs. Bledshaw. in the difference between James Ransom plaintiff and Geo. Bledshaw defdant about a parcel of land of nine hundred and fifty acres in Northumberland Co. on the North Side of Divideing Creeke. It is ordered that a jury by the Sherriffe of the County be impannelled as neare as can be to said land, who are to enquire whether that land was seated or deserted by Peter Ransom father to the said James within due time according to his Pattent and returne their report thereof under their hands to the 3rd day of the next Genll Court for Judgment.

James Ransone was a respected member of Gloucester County as Captain James Ransom and John Baylor served as the county representatives to the House of Burgesses in 1693 and James Ransone with Mordecai Cooke served in the same capacity in 1696.

The last time James Ransone is found in records is when he patented 30 acres of land on North River in1704.

I have seen several online reference to the last will and testament of James Ransone, 1706, in which he names his three sons, including in the April 1902 article The Ransone Family, published in the William and Mary Quarterly. However, none of these references include the important bit of information about where the will was found. Even back in 1902, the Gloucester County Courthouse fires had claimed all the early records.

The name of James Ransone’s wife is a matter of conjecture. I have also seen reference to her possible names, but absolutely nothing that cites any source for proof or even hints, so, for now, she remains Unknown.

Children of James Ransone:

1. Robert, born c1670, Virginia; died between 10 June – 19 September 1720, probably in King and Queen County, Virginia; married (1) ?Unknown (2) Frances Williamson, by 1713, probably Gloucester County, Virginia. Frances was the widow of Robert Bird and married (3) John Aldin (4) John Bryant
2. Peter, born c1672, Virginia; died after 18 February 1759, the date of a land record which states Peter is now living on in York County, Virginia; married Dorothy North, before 11 September 1699
3. George, born c1674; [married Dorothy Dudley?]

If you have any idea where the will of James Ransone might be found, or even a reference to it in a land record, such as “land formerly owned by James Ransone, decd. and passed by will to . . “, I would be most grateful.

 

 

 

 

Ransone

Robert Ransone & Frances Williamson, King and Queen County, VA, 1700s

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Robert Ransone is the subject of today’s post and he is the Ransone about whom I’ve found the least amount of documented information. That is likely because he lived in King and Queen County, Virginia, another severely burned county.

First, it is believed that Ambrose Ransone is a son of Robert, probably because he named a son Robert. I haven’t found any other documentation that places Ambrose as his son, but James Ransone, father of Robert had but three children, sons Robert, Peter and George. Those other two given names don’t appear in Ambrose’s family, so the supposition that he named a son for his father is certainly plausible.

Given the lack of records for King and Queen County, I will have to accept Ambrose’s parentage for now.

Next, there is no evidence to prove Robert Ransone’s birth year, but an estimate of c1670 is probably close to accurate, give or take a couple of years.

Next, who did Robert marry? Well, it is quite certain that he married Frances Williamson and that Robert had died by 20 September 1720, probably in King and Queen County, given this Essex County, Virginia land deed:

19-20 Sept. 1720. Catherine Young of South farnham Parish, Essex County, widow, and Frances Ransome, widow and relict of Robert Ransome, dec., late of King and Queen County, to John Bush of South farnham Parish, planter. Lease and release; for 4000 pounds of sweet scented tobacco.
500 acres, part of 714 acres formerly granted to Mr. Edward Thomas by pattent 23 April 1688, it being part of the residue after 200 acres formerly conveyed to John Massey is allowed for … in Southfarnham Parish
Catherine (X) Young
Frances (F R) Ransom
Wit: Pr. Godfrey, Richd. Covington; Jno. (H) Hoskins.
20 Sept 1720. Acknowledged by Katherine Young and Frances, Ransone

Actually, quite a bit is known about Frances Williamson. Her birth year is estimated to be c1685 and she was the daughter of Henry Williamson, whose estate was probated in 1699 in Essex County, Virginia.

Frances married (1) Robert Bird, who died before 1713. Robert and Frances had one son, Philemon, born by 1707 and who died in 1752 in Richmond County, Virginia. (2) Robert Ransone, by 1713 and who died between June and 20 September 1720 (3) John Aldin, after 1720 (4) John Bryant, c1728

Here is the proof that Frances and Robert were married by 1713:

Frances Ransone 10/06&07/1713 Essex Co. Lease & release Robert Ransone of the Parish of St. Stevens (sic) in the county of King & Queen, planter and Frances his wife, sell to Joseph Brooks of the Parish of Kingston in the county of Gloucester, planter 436 acres in South Farnham Parish Essex Co. upon Rappahannock River and Thomas Creek for 83 pounds (note: my copy seems to say 5 shillings); signed by Robert Ransone and Frances Ransone Bk. 14 Pg. 158. Witnesses: W? Young, ? Welch and Richard Carter

Now, my estimate for the birth year of Ambrose Ransone is somewhere around 1705. Others have attributed Frances Williamson as the mother of Ambrose, but I tend to doubt that because of his estimated birth year. Virginia Rent Rolls for 1704 show a Bird holding land in Essex County. Since Frances seems to have been born c1685 and she married Robert Bird by about 1702 AND Robert Ransone’s birth year is thought to be c1670, I believe Robert may have married (1) Unknown and Frances was his second wife.

I’ve also seen online references to Robert Ransone possibly having a daughter Susanna. I agree that it is possible, given these two entries in the Essex County deed books. Frances seems to be too young to be Susanna’s mother:

1721-1724 Essex County Virginia Deed Book 17; {Antient Press}: Page 69-72
THIS INDENTURE made the sixteenth/seventeenth day of July 1722 Between JOHN BRYANT for & with the Consent of FRANCES his Wife of the Parish of St Stephens in County of king & Queen of one part and SUSANNA ROBINSON of the Parish of Southfarnham in County of Essex of the other part Witnesseth that said John Bryant for sum of fourty pounds Sterl. to him paid hath sold unto said Susanna Robinson & to her heirs forever all that peice of land containing 210 acres in Parish of South Farnham in County of Essex being the one moiety of a Pattent formerly granted to HENRY WILLIAMSON for 420 acres by pattent bareing date the 20th day of Septemr 1683
In presence of RICHD. HORSLEY, John Bryant
JOHN LEWIS, RICHD TYLER JUNR Frances Bryrant
At a Court held for Essex County on 17th July 1722
John Bryant and Frances his Wife (she sd Frances being first privily examined) acknowledged this lease and release of land which is admitted to record.
===
1721-1724 Essex County Virginia Deed Book 17; {Antient Press}: Page 72
KNOW ALL MEN that I JOHN BRYANT of Parish of St. Stephens in County of King & Queen doe acknowledge myself bound unto SUSANNA ROBINSON Widow of Parish of Southfarnham in County of Essex in sum of Eighty pounds Sterl this 7th day of July 1722
The Condition of this Obligation is such that Jno. Bryant this day hath sold unto Susanna Robinson land in County of Essex Now if said John Bryant and Frances his Wife doe well and truly keep all articles herein contained that then this Obligation to be voyd
otherwise to stand in full force
Presence of LEO. HILL 1722 John Bryant
REUBN WELCH
At a Court held for Essex County 17th July 1722, This Bond admitted to record.

The land conveyance involved property originally patented to Henry Williamson with John and Frances Bryant selling to Susanna Robinson in 1722. Susanna would have had to have been at least 21 years old, so born no later than 1701, to be transacting land deals in 1722. She was not Frances’s sister, but she might well have been her step-daughter.

Frances (Williamson) (Bird) (Ransone) (Aldin) Bryant apparently died sometime after 15 September 1730 as this deed does not state that she was deceased:

At a Court held for Essex County on the 15th day of September 1730 RICHARD TYLER & CATHERINE his Wife (the sd CATHERINE being first privily Examined by NICHOLAS SMITH Gent) acknowledged this their Deed indented to PETER RICIIESON which on his motion is admitted to Record

ESSEX SS. THOMAS WARING Gent. Justice of the Peace of the sd County makes Oath that in February Court 1715 in the sd County he did privily Examine FRANCES RANSOMS & KATHERINE YOUNG to certain Deeds for land from the sd FRANCES & KATHERINE & their husbands WM. YOUNG and ROBERT RANSONE to PETER RICHESON, and they confessed they did the same freely voluntarily and without Compulsion,
Sworn to in Essex Court this T WARING
15th day of Septr. 1730 & recorded

Children attributed to Robert Ransone:

1. Ambrose, born c1705; died before 23 August 1762, Cumberland County, Virginia; married Catherine Keeble, c1727, probably Gloucester County, Virginia
2. ?Susannah, born by 1701; died after 17 July 1722; married Mr. Robinson, by 1722

There you have it – the rather sparse surviving records relating to the life of Robert Ransone.

 

Keeble/Kibble, Ransone

Ambrose Ransone & Catherine Keeble, Cumberland County, VA, 1700s

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Today, we will look at the family of Ambrose Ransone, proved through his own 1762 will in Cumberland County, Virginia and the 1761 lawsuit filed in Cumberland County Chancery Court – Thomas Davenport & Wife vs. Ambrose Ransone.

Ambrose Ransone was born c1700, the son of Robert and Frances (MNU) Ransone. Given that Ambrose was the first and only Ransone up until his lifetime to name one of his sons Flemstead, it is possible that Frances might have been a Flemstead. Apparently, there was a family of that name in early Virginia.

Ambrose wrote his will on 29 May 1761 and it was proved and recorded in Cumberland County court records on 23 August 1762.

Will of Ambrose Ransone (top left), 29 May 1761
Cumberland County, Virginia Will Book 1:256
Source: FamilySearch

I Ambrose Ransone of Cumberland County being in sound Mind and Memory for preventing disputes in my Family about the Estate I have at my Death I do make this my last Will and Testament

Item, I give and bequeath unto my Son Flamstead one hundred Acres of Land parallel to John Nelsons Land and to his Heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Ambrose Seventy five Acres of Land and his Heirs forever parrellel to Flamstead’s Land.

Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Robert Seventy five Acres of Land parallel to my Son Ambrose’s and his Heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my Son William and his heirs forever Seventy five Acres of Land parallel to my Son Robert’s Land and

the rest of my Land be it more or less I give and bequeath unto my Son Henry and his Heirs forever

and the rest of my Estate be it in what it will I give equally among my five Sons Flamstead, Ambrose, Robert, William, Henry,

all to Let and her Childr and Bob they to go equally divided among my daughters Lucy, Catherine and Jane.

I make my Son Flamstead Exr of this my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Afixed My Seal this 29th day of May 1761.
Ambrose Ransone Seal

William Angley junor
Christopher Chaffin
[Stamles?] Chaffin

At a Court held for Cumberland County, 23d August 1762. This last Will and Testament of Ambrose Ransone decd was proved by the Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the Motion of Flamstead Ransone the Executor therein Named x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x who made Oath according to Son Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due Form giving Security whereupon he together with Humphrey Keeble his Security ordered into and acknowledged Bond with Condition according to Law.
TestThompson Swann Clk

Trouble had been brewing in the extended Ransone family for a while, based on Ambrose’s own words:

for preventing disputes in my Family about the Estate I have at my Death

He may well have been served court papers by 29 May,  as his son-in-law, Thomas Davenport and his daughters Lucy Davenport and Catherine Ransone joined together to file a chancery lawsuit against Ambrose which commenced during the June 1761 court term.

The fact that Humphrey Keeble served as security for Ambrose’s estate to be settled is an important clue to Ambrose’s wife, who had predeceased him, had a researcher not already found the chancery court papers.

Only the opening page is needed to tell the rest of the story about this family argument and to identify Ambrose’s wife, her date of death, her father and her siblings.

Davenport & Ransone Petition to Chancery Court, June 1761
Cumberland County, Virginia File 1761-002
Source: Virginia Memory

To the Worshipful Court of Cumberland County sitting in Chancery

Humbly complaining sheweth unto your Worshipes your Orators Thomas Davenport and Lucy his Wife and Catherine Ransone Spinster That Walter Keeble late of the County of Gloucester decd Grandfather of your Oratrixes being in his Life Time and at the Time of his Death seized & posessed of a very considerable real & personal Estate and particularly of two Negro Slaves – the one a Boy named Bob and the other a Girl named Letty – departed this Life some time in or about the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and (                 ) having first made & duly published his Last Will & Testament in Writing bearing date the twenty sixth day of March in the year one thousand seven hundred and forty three duly proved & recorded in the Court of the said County of Gloucester wherein & whereby the said Testator among other things did lend to his Daughter Catherine Ransone your Oratrixes Mother lately decd. the said two Negro Slaves Bob & Letty [unreadable and struck out] and then gave them to be equally divided amongst her the said Catherines Daughters as by the said Will may appear whereby your Oratrixes said mother became entitled to the use of the said Slaves & the Increase of the said Letty during her your oratrixes said Mother’s Life. Your [struck out and unreadable] Orators also shew that their Father Ambrose Ransone in Right of his wife your oratrixes said Mother Catherine Ransone departed his Life some time in or about the Month of January in the year one thousand seven hundred & sixty one Leaving three Daughters mainly your Oratrixes Lucy & Catherine and Jane Ransone a younger Sister of yr Oratrixes now an Infant under twenty one years of age who together with the said ambrose Ransone your oratrixes Said Father they pray may be made parties respondent to this their Bill . . . . . .

This chancery case file is 18 pages long, but a quick summary is that Ambrose Ransone refused to allow his daughters to take ownership of the enslaved persons after his wife died in January 1761. Five months later, they were in the midst of the lawsuit, which was ruled on very quickly. Two men were appointed to do a valuation and equitable division so that the girls would receive their legacies as state in their grandfather Walter Keeble’s will.

Ambrose Ransone, born c1705, likely married Catherine Keeble sometime around 1727  i n Gloucester County, Virginia , as that is where her father, Walter Keeble, resided. She was probably a few years younger than Ambrose, so born c1707. They became the parents of eight children who survived to adulthood.

The boys may have been named in birth order in Ambrose’s will, as were the girls, but there is no way to tell how the sons’ and daughters’ births were interspersed, except Lucy was under 21 when she married in 1750. Assuming no children predeceased their parents, the children were probably born c1728-c1741.

Children:

1. Flemstead, born c1728; died 1796, Buckingham County, Virginia; married Elizabeth (MNU)
2. Ambrose, born c1730; died after 29 May 1761
3. Robert, born c1732; died after 29 May 1761
4. Lucy, born c1733; married Thomas Davenport, 28 April 1750, Cumberland County, Virginia. Father Ambrose Ransone gave consent on the marriage bond, so Lucy was not yet 21.
5. William, born c1735; died after 29 May 1761
5. Henry, born c1737; died after 29 May 1761
7. Catherine, born c1739
8. Jane, born c1741, but not yet 21 in June 1761

So, for all those Ransone researchers who blindly merged family connections in online trees, this time the information has been proven correct and there are now documents to back it up. 🙂