John Ramsden

Sir John Ramsden, 4th Baronet, was born in 1755 and died on 15 July 1839. He was a landowner and served as a Member of Parliament in England.

Early Life:

Ramsden was the only son of Margaret Norton and Sir John Ramsden, 3rd Baronet of Byram, located near Pontefract in Yorkshire. His mother, Margaret Norton, was the daughter of William Norton of Sawley and was previously married to Thomas Liddell Bright before marrying Sir John Ramsden. In 1769, upon the death of his father, Ramsden inherited the Manor of Huddersfield and the Ramsden estate. He received his education at University College, Oxford, beginning in 1774.

Career:

In 1774, an Act of Parliament (14 Geo. 3. c. 13), granted on 9 March, authorized Ramsden to construct and maintain a navigable canal connecting the River Calder, between Cooper's Bridge and the Mouth of the River Colne, to the King's Mill near Huddersfield in the West Riding of Yorkshire. This project, completed in 1776, was originally called Sir John Ramsden's Canal and is now known as the Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Ramsden was elected as the Member of Parliament for Grampound in 1780 under the patronage of Lord Rockingham. He served in this capacity until 1784, after which he retired from parliamentary politics. He also held the position of High Sheriff of Yorkshire for the year 1797–1798.

Personal Life:

On 7 July 1787, Ramsden married the Honorable Louisa Susan Ingram-Shepherd, the daughter and co-heiress of Charles Ingram, the 9th Viscount of Irvine. Louisa’s sister, Isabella Ingram-Shepherd, was notable for marrying the 2nd Marquess of Hertford and was a mistress of the Prince of Wales, who later became King George IV.

Together, Ramsden and Louisa had nine children—four sons and five daughters. His children included:

- John Charles Ramsden (1788–1836): Served as MP for Malton and Yorkshire. He married Isabella Dundas, daughter of Thomas Dundas, 1st Baron Dundas.

- Rear-Admiral William Ramsden (1789–1852): Married Lady Annabella Paulet.

- Louisa Mary Isabella Ramsden (died 1872): Married Lord George Quin, son of the 1st Marquess of Headfort.

- Elizabeth Frances Ramsden (died 1824): Married Edward Hawke-Harvey, 4th Baron Hawke.

- Captain Henry James Ramsden (1799–1871): Married Frederica Selina Law.

- Charles Ramsden (1801–1891): Married Lady Harriet Frances Byng.

- Caroline Margaret Ramsden (died 1847): Married Reverend Lord Charles Paulet.

- Anne Ramsden and Frances Catherine Ramsden: The latter married Lowther Pennington, 3rd Baron Muncaster.

Sir John Ramsden died at his residence, Hamilton Place in Piccadilly, in 1839. Since his eldest son predeceased him, the baronetcy was inherited by his grandson, Sir John William Ramsden, 5th Baronet. The 5th Baronet married Lady Helen Guendolen Seymour, daughter of the 12th Duke of Somerset.

Through his daughter Frances, Sir John Ramsden was the grandfather of Gamel Pennington, 4th Baron Muncaster, and Josslyn Pennington, 5th Baron Muncaster.

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