Commodore George Marcellus RANSOM

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.

George married Jane S. MANLEY on 25 Jun 1845 in Richfield Springs, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Grace V. RANSOM was born on 20 Jun 1846 in Richfield Springs, New York.
2. William M.C. RANSOM was born on 30 Jul 1854 in Richfield Springs, New York.
3. Manly RANSOM was born on 16 Oct 1857 in Richfield Springs, New York.
4. Chassie RANSOM was born on 13 Mar 1858 in Richfield Springs, New York; died in Infancy.
5. Marcia RANSOM was born on 04 Jun 1860 in Richfield Springs, New York.
6. Farragut RANSOM was born on 26 Sep 1862 in Richfield Springs, New York; died in Infancy.

Warren married Sarah TILDEN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]