|The Ramsays have not only contributed to the glories of
many members of the family emigrated to North America where they and
heirs played prominent roles in establishing the United States and
One of the earliest known family members on record in America is Alexander Ramsay. Alexander settled on the Tugaloo River of South Carolina in about 1730. Today, many of his descendents are still living in that area.
In 1735, the name Capt. James Ramsay appeared on a record in Baltimore, Maryland. It is believed that his line of the family extends back to a Scottish Sir James de Ramsay of Dalhousie. The city of Alexandria, Virginia was founded by a Scottish merchant named William Ramsay in 1749. He belonged to the ancient house of Dalhousie and many of his descendents still live in Alexandria.
Both sons of James and Jane Montgomery Ramsay of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, proved to be exceptional men of character. Nathaniel, born in 1741, was an army officer and a Continental congressman from Maryland. He served at the Battle of Long Island in 1776 and at the Battle of Manmouth in 1778. His brother, David, born in 1749, was a Continental Congressman, physician and historian from South Carolina. David was later a member of the South Carolina Senate for three terms.
In the Clerk's office in Norfolk, Virginia there is recorded a will of Dr. George Ramsay dated June 22, 1756. The will contains a seal with the arms of Ramsay along with the family motto, "Ora et Labora." The name of William Gouverneur Ramsay appeared in Wilmington, Delaware in the later half of the 18th century. Major James Ramsey, an ancestor of President Harrison, owned the land where the town of Ligonier, Pennsylvania is now located. His son, John Ramsey, laid out the town in the late 1700's.
The 9th Earl of Dalhousie, General George Ramsay, played a prominent role in Canada in the early 19th century. He established Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and also founded the City of Ottawa.
Many members of the family were active during the War Between the States. Thomas Ramsay was a Union soldier from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Robert, another Thomas, and Charles Ramsey were all Confederate brothers from New Hanover County, North Carolina.
In July 1964, Dr. Carl C. Bailey, Jr., visited the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and inquired as to the location of the Clan Ramsay tent. There was no Clan Ramsay tent and the Council of Scottish Clans determined that there was no Ramsay organization in existence. In 1975, 1976, and 1977, the Bailey family returned to the Highland Games and rented a tent individually that was labeled Clan Ramsay. During these years, contacts were made with the Earl of Dalhousie, who authorized Dr. Bailey to become Convener of Clan Ramsay who then proceeded with the organization of Clan Ramsay in North America. In the spring of 1978, correspondence between Dr. Bailey, John Odgers, and Maryel Battin resulted in the decision to organize Clan Ramsay of North America at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in July. This was accomplished with three members of the initial organization. Clan Ramsay now has about 200 members with representatives in many states and Canada.
To reflect the increasing number of members from other countries around the world, the organization decided to adopt a new name. "Clan Ramsay International" was proposed at the annual general meeting in Colorado in September 2016. It became effective November 29, 2016.