John Ramage

Background

John Ramage is believed to have been born in Dublin.

Education

He is believed to have entered the school of the Dublin Society of Art in 1763.

Career

He is first heard of in America as in Halifax in 1772, through the fact that in the court records there are listed two suits brought against him for trifling amounts. He apparently moved from one place to another, and as early as 1775 is mentioned as a practising goldsmith and miniature painter in Boston. At the outbreak of the Revolution, an ardent Loyalist, he received a commission as second lieutenant in "The Loyal Irish Volunteers, " a regiment formed among the "Irish merchants residing in town and their adherents" for its defense.

Ramage and his second wife settled in New York, then occupied by the British, probably sometime in 1777. Dunlap records that in 1777, established in William Street, Ramage "continued to paint all the military heroes or beaux of the Garrison, and all the belles of the place, " a statement that is borne out by his existing miniatures.

In 1780 he was commissioned a lieutenant in Company 7 of the city militia by Gen. James Pattison, and after the final evacuation of that city he remained in New York and became an influential and respected citizen. Dunlap also gives a word picture of the man himself, saying: "Ramage was a handsome man of the middle size. He dressed fashionably, and according to the time, beauishly".

On October 3, 1789, Washington wrote in his diary: "Sat for Mr. Rammage near two hours today, who was drawing a miniature Picture of me for Mrs. Washington. " This miniature depicts the President in uniform, three-quarters to left, with the Order of the Cincinnati hanging from the left lapel of his coat.

Ramage also painted memorial and allegorical miniatures, did "hair work, " and drew in pastel, "the size of life. " C. H. Hart states that he also made the beautiful cases which hold his miniatures, and this is probably so in part, as his work desk, with the tools in place, is still in the possession of his kin; but the Royal Gazette of October 18, 1780, carries his advertisement to the effect that he had received "by the last vessels from England a large assortment of Ivory Chrystals and Cases, with every other thing necessary in his branch of business. "

In 1794, having become involved in debt which, according to the family tradition, arose through indorsing the notes of a friend, he left New York and settled in Montreal, where he spent the remainder of his life. Unable to extricate himself from his difficulties, and borne down by persistent ill health, he died and was buried in the cemetery of Christ Church. The list of his sitters - including such well-known names as that of the President, Mrs. Washington, and at least one of her children, members of the Van Cortlandt, Gerry, Pintard, Ludlow, McComb, Rutgers, and Van Rensselaer families - tends to prove that he was the leading miniature painter in New York from 1777 to 1794.

Achievements

• He was best known for painting portrait miniatures, and being the first artist to paint George Washington while serving as the President of the United States. His miniatures are small in size, carefully and accurately painted in the line manner, delicate in color, and executed with scrupulous care. The gold cases are exquisitely fashioned and the ivory itself is held in place usually by a gold scalloped edge. The recent discovery and publication of eleven letters written by John Ramage to his wife during his residence in Montreal after 1794, together with his commissions and other papers relative to his career, have added much to contemporary knowledge of the painter.

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

• William R. Dunlap said that Ramage was "the best artist in his branch in America. "

Connections

On March 8, 1776, he married Maria Victoria Ball, who did not accompany him when he embarked nine days later for Halifax upon the evacuation of Boston by the British. According to a letter from the Rev. Mather Byles, Jr. , shortly after his arrival in Halifax, Ramage married a Mrs. Taylor, and Maria Ball Ramage, following him, obtained a divorce.

On January 29, 1787, Ramage married Catharine Collins, a daughter of John Collins, a New York merchant.

Spouse:

Catharine Collins

Spouse:

Maria Victoria Ball

Spouse:

Mrs. Taylor