Commodore George Marcellus RANSOM

Male 1820 - 1889  (69 years)


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  • Name George Marcellus RANSOM  [1
    Prefix Commodore 
    Birth 18 Jun 1820  Springfield, Otsego County, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Gender Male 
    Death 10 Sep 1889  Norwich, New London, Connecticut, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Notes 
    • Excerpt from "New England Families Genealogical and Memorial: Third Series, Vol. IV": He became very distinguished in the American navy. On July 25, 1839, he was appointed from Ohio and served on the "Marion," coast of Brazil, 1839-1842; on the "Erie," Pacific squadron, 1843-1844, and at the naval school, Philadelphia, 1845. On July 2, 1845, he was promoted to passed midshipman, and 1845-1846 was on duty at the Naval Observatory at Washington, D.C. During the war with Mexico he served for seven months on the coast, and in 1848 again at the Naval Observatory. In 1848-1850 he was on duty on the "Portsmouth" on the coast of Africa, and in 1851-1852 on the "Relief," coast of Brazil; in 1852-1853 on the "Michigan," on the lakes. On June 28, 1853, he was warranted as master, and commissioned as lieutenant February 21, 1854. In the years 1856-1857 he was on the brigs "Perry" and "Dolphin," coast of Africa, and in 1857-1859 was on duty as ordinance officer at Boston. He served on "Narragansett" In 1860 and was executive of the "Saranac," Pacific squadron, in 1861. In 1862-1863 he commanded the steam gunboat "Kineo, " West Gulf squadron, and served in the general engagement with Forts Jackson and St. Philip below New Orleans, April 24, 1862, during the civil war. While passing the forts the "Kineo" was set on fire by a hot shot that lodged in the knee not 10 feet away from the open magazine hatch, and it was owing to the cool courage and promptness of the commander that the ball was dislodged from the berth deck in time to save the boat from destruction. He was present at the destruction of the enemy's fleet above the forts, in the capture of New Orleans, and in all of Farragut's operations during the year, as far as Vicksburg. On July 16, 1862, he Was commissioned as Lieutenant-commander, and figured largely in Breckenridge's defeat at Baton Rouge, August 5, 1862, he was appointed by Flag Officer Farragut to the command of a division of the West Gulf squadron and detailed to operate with a flotilla of gunboats between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, cooperating with the land forces. On October 1, 1862, he captured 1500 beef cattle from the enemy, 10 miles above Donaldsonville, Louisiana, and 3 days later he had a brisk engagement with a rebel guerilla battery near Donaldsonville, During which some valuable lives were lost, while he was passing the steamers with the cattle to New Orleans. On June 2, 1863, he was commissioned commander, and from April to August 24, 1863, he was in command of the Mercedita, West Indian squadron; in 1863-1864, of the Grand Gulf North Atlantic squadron; in 1865 of the "Muscoota." In that year he was appointed by Rear-Admiral Stribling to have general supervision of the vessels employed on the blockade, numbering 23, cruising near the blockaded ports under surveillance of the East Gulf squadron. He commanded the "Algonquin," January 18, to March 21, 1866, in a trial with the "Winooski" on Long Island Sound, and in 1867-1868 was at League Island, Pennsylvania. On March 2, 1870, he was commissioned as captain, and commanded the iron-clad "Terror," North Atlantic fleet, 1870. In 1871-1872 he was at the New York Navy Yard as executive. From December 1, 1873 to June 19, 1875, he was in command of the "Colorado," North Atlantic squadron, and from December 9, 1876 to March 2, 1877 of the "Franklin," on special service. On March 28, 1877, he was commissioned as commodore and was retired because of the age limit of 62 years in 1882, when he went to Norwich, Connecticut. [1]
    Person ID I45852  Main Tree
    Last Modified 29 Oct 2018 

    Father Warren Greene RANSOM,   b. 07 Aug 1797, Warren, Herkimer County, New York Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Relationship Birth 
    Mother Sarah TILDEN 
    Relationship Birth 
    Family ID F04423  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Jane S. MANLEY 
    Marriage 25 Jun 1845  Richfield Springs, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Children 
     1. Grace V. RANSOM,   b. 20 Jun 1846, Richfield Springs, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  [Birth]
     2. William M.C. RANSOM,   b. 30 Jul 1854, Richfield Springs, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  [Birth]
     3. Manly RANSOM,   b. 16 Oct 1857, Richfield Springs, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  [Birth]
     4. Chassie RANSOM,   b. 13 Mar 1858, Richfield Springs, New York Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Infancy Find all individuals with events at this location  [Birth]
     5. Marcia RANSOM,   b. 04 Jun 1860, Richfield Springs, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  [Birth]
     6. Farragut RANSOM,   b. 26 Sep 1862, Richfield Springs, New York Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Infancy Find all individuals with events at this location  [Birth]
    Family ID F04424  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 29 Oct 2018 

  • Sources 
    1. [S02716] New England Families Genealogical and Memorial: Third Series, Vol. IV.