Reference
X67/834-933
Title
Miscellaneous papers of the Ransom family of Hitchin and Kempston
Date free text
1752-1933
Admin/biog history
The Quaker family of Ransom was descended from Richard Ransom (1649-1716) of Cromer, Norfolk, whose son Joseph settled at Hitchin. They became connected with the Browns of Ampthill through the marriage of John Ransom (b1749) to Ann, daughter of William Brown. Another daughter, Elizabeth, was the first wife of Joshua Wheeler of Hitchin (1755-1803), descended from the Wheelers of Cranfield.
Scope and Content
The items include farm records of John Ransom and his sons, 1817-30; diaries of Elizabeth Wheeler (nee Brown), 1778-91, and of Edwin Ransom, 1857-71; letters of the Brown and Ransom families, 1752-1861, and many miscellaneous papers including religious and historical notes by Joshua Ransom (1789-1863) and his son, Edwin. Joshua Ransom moved to Kempston in 1858 having purchased Kempston mill twenty years previously
Archival history
This collection was probably acquired by Mr Henman after the death of Edwin Ransom (1842-1927), proprietor (before G Horne) of Kempston Mill and Kemspton Gas Works, mayor of Bedford, 1885 and owner of The Bedfordshire Times for some years. Mr Henman was Edwin Ransom's literary executor.
System of arrangement
Letters, miscellaneous papers roughly date order.
Reference
Level of description
sub-fonds