William Ramsey : Short Biography

I have no idea weather William was born in Mountmellick or moved there for work.  The family story is he was a school teacher and an organist & choirmaster. He was "the church organist in Mountmellick" from 1842 - 1869.  The school was called " Mr. Ramsey's Classical, Mathematical, Mercantile and Musical Academy" according to my grandfather and it took place in the same building where the family lived.  

William married Mary Anne Read (b.circa 1820 d. 5 Sept. 1860 in Dublin).  I have located Mary Anne's family on a 1821 Ireland Census for  Tullnaharney, Aghalurcher, Fermanagh, Ireland, Magherastephana (copied as written on the indexing).  She was 1 year old at the time and had 4 siblings. Her parents were Robert Read and Susan or Susana (Maiden name unknown). On the 1821 Census Robert Read was a carpenter and his wife was a flax spinner.  Their surname was spelled "Reed".  Apparently Mary Anne also had some involvement in the school.  They had at least 5 children, probably more.  William Henry Ramsey, Francis Mozart Ramsey, George Ramsey, Marion Ramsey and James Gillespie Ramsey (my great-grandfather).  I have no information on William's parents.  

It is possible that William and Mary Anne married in 1841.  I have found a record of a marriage, though William's Surname is spelled with an "A" as opposed to RamsEy.  However, the record has Mary Anne's surname as Read.  Dublin, Ireland, Probate Record and Marriage License Index, 1270-1858

I have located the Read grave in Mount Jermone Cemetery in Dublin.  Robert and Susan/Susanna Read, Mary Anne Read Ramsey, William Henry Ramsey, Elizabeth Read & George Read are all buried in the same plot.  Elizabeth and George are siblings of Mary Anne.  I have found death notices for all 6 family members in the plot.  William Ramsey, Mary Anne's husband, was not buried there (confirmed with the cemetery).  

There are 2 references found https://www.failteromhat.com/slater/0386.pdf Mountmellick and William Ramsey In Slater's Directory of Ireland, 1846, Page 71 & 72 for William Ramsey.  "CHURCH EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY SCHOOL, Church Yard - William Ramsey, Master; Mary Anne Ramsey, mistress.  The second is Miscellaneous:  Ramsey, Wm. Professor of music, Church yd.  

Also found an 1850 Land Assessment for William Ramsey for Mountmellick. 

I have a possible baptism record for William but am undecided as the date was May 4,1828.  I know sometimes there can be quite a delay in baptisms, though not sure that was more common in early North America.  Parents are Alexander Ramsey & ? Anty Martin.  Sponsors Arts Carton & Hanna Quigley.  It came from FindmyPast but cannot find the URL now.  And it is too large to upload. 

William and Mary Anne Ramsey's children: 

1. William Henry Ramsey b. - circa 1845 d. 18 April 1864.  William was an Organist at St. Mary's Church, Athlone. Never married.  

2. Francis Mozart Ramsey b. - 14 Jan 1849 Queen's County  d. - 10 Dec. 1908 Dublin South  He was an Accountant.  Remained in Ireland. Married with 9 children.

3. George Ramsey b. 16 July 1850 Ireland   d. 26 April 1931  Brooklyn, NY, NY, USA.  He married with 3 children.  Was a Druggist, became a pharmacy owner and eventually ran a Trust Company. 

4. Marion Ramsey b. 3 June 1853 Mountmellick  d. 24 August 1937 Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  She married Edward Leslie and they had 6 children.  

5. James Gillespie Ramsey - b. 22 June 1855  d. 28 Dec. 1939 Toronto.  Married with 5 children. He became a successful businessman (photographic equipment) with shops in Toronto and I think Montreal.