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Surnames: Ramsey, Scharf, White, Martz, Blennerhassett
Classification: obituary
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties...
Message Board Post:
New Albany Evening Tribune Friday 14 Apr 1899 p3 c3
An Old Resident Dies
Mrs. Lydia Ramsey Passes Away Last Night.
Mrs. Lydia Ramsey died at 9:20 last night at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Anna
Scharf, 424 Pearl street, at the age of eighty-six years. She was the widow of Thomas
Ramsey, who died in Cincinnati over fifty-six years ago and leaves five grandchildren,
Mrs. Anna Scharf, Mrs. Albert White and Edward Martz, of this city; Otto Martz, of
Alexandria, and George Martz, of Oakland, Cal. She has resided here for the past
forty-eight years.
The funeral took place this afternoon from the residence of Mrs. Scharf. Rev. J. W.
Clokey conducting the services. The remains were taken to Fairview for interment.
Mrs. Ramsey was born on Blennerhassett's island in the Ohio river between Ohio and
West Virginia. Her father, Benjamin Parsons, lived on Blennerhassett's island and
farmed it for many years. He also operated a ferry at Wheeling, W. Va. Mrs. Ramsey was
very familiar with the story of Aaron Burr's visit at the island having heard her
father relate it many times.
In July, 1804, Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel resulting over political
differences. Only a few years later, Burr concocted the conspiracy against the government
whereby he expected to form a great empire in the southwest. he was an outcast and lost
nearly all his former friends. He started down the Ohio river and stopped at
Blennerhassett's island where he was entertained by Blennerhassett. The latter had
located on the island some years before and had built a fine residence in which he
entertained on a sumptuous plane as he was a comparatively wealthy man.
Burr unfolded his scheme to Blennerhassett who was induced to join in the conspiracy.
only a few months elapsed and the island was visited by soldiers of the government.
Blennerhassett's residence was burned and his connection with the conspiracy almost
ruined him socially and financially.
Mrs. Ramsey's father, occupied the island shortly after the Blennerhassetts left
and lived there for years.