Ramsey family - Vinnie Mariae Ford Ramsey

Vinnie Mariae Ford Ramsey is not related to me directly but deserves to be remembered. She was born on July 20, 1908 in Putnam County, TN. She was the daughter of William Wilson and Margie Ann Dyer Ford. Her dad, William Wilson Ford, owned and operated a general store at Baxter Crossroads. Vinnie had three older brothers (Claude, William and Bailey) and three sisters (twins: Minnie C and Myrtle Gertie, and Anna). In 1910 when Vinnie Mariae was two years old, her family was living in the 18th Civil District of Putnam County, TN near Bloomington Springs Road and Baxter Road. At that time, her father was listed as a farmer. Neighbors included their relatives of the Ford and Dyer families as well as the Whitson, Haney, Ferrell, Stout and York Families. A short distance away lived the Bryants - relatives of Charlie Ramsey (my maternal grandfather) (1901-1982). She mentions seeing Charlie's family members often.

Vinnie had fair hair - bordering between blonde and light brown. As you read her letters to Charlie on the following pages you will sense how she loved life - enjoying Sunday School and listening to records on the "Victorola." You will see that she suffered a serious sickness during the summer/fall of 1925. She expresses her hopes for the future - what she wants to be like when she grows up. You can also see the relationship growing in these letters though Charlie is away in Florida working on a road crew. Notice the references to gifts he sent from Florida as tokens of his love from a young man to his teenage sweetheart. They did marry May 23, 1926 and sadly, on October 14, 1926 she and her unborn child died of pregnancy-relaed complications. They lived in a small house near the old Baxter Speedway/Race Track. She is buried in the Dyer family cemetery in the Baxter crossroads area (near her dad's store site).

We discovered the letters after Granddaddy Ramsey died. He had kept them for nearly 60 years, lastly in the attic of the family log cabin. They were in a bag suspended on a wire to protect them from pests. It worked! Charlie later married Alta Cowan (my grandmother) and had 8 children. They lived in TN and MI then back to TN where 3 of their daughters, 1 son and several grandchildren live on their old homeplace in Putnam and White Counties. They named their first daughter after Vinnie - Vinnie Louise Ramsey (Lafever). This had to be somewhat difficult for Alta, but it was very nice that she did allow this recognition of a young lady who was Charlie's first love and who passed away so young, with her only child.

Below are some excerpts from some of those letters, written by a 18 year old TN country girl to her beloved.

August 31, 1925: "Dear Charlie, I now with pleasure answer your kind letter that came to hand a few days past. Was proud to know you thought of me to answer my letter. I am very lonesome this morning. They are all gone to pick peas, but me; and have left me to keep house. You know it will be a lot I will do all by myself. ... You said Emit said he was coming up here but he didn't come and little good it would have done him if he had are (or) any one else that came for that purpose." ... Vinnie

October 19, 1925: "Dear one, I will now try and answer your letter I received Friday... I haven't wrote to anyone except wrote Bailey a little once; he just would not believe I was getting any better unless I would him a letter.

... Listen, someone said you was going to Florida. You never mentioned it in your letter. I don't reckon I will get to go anywhere. By the time I get so I can walk, I won't have no hair. I would give anything if my hair was back like it was two months ago. I would never cut it. I never had any idea of ever cutting my hair off and was dying with my head on the pillow and knew little about it when it was cut....

How are liking Sunday School? Vanderbilt said if I did not hurry up and go to Sunday School I would not have no sweet heart at all, far somebody was getting every one of mine. I told him they could treat me anyway while I am at home but somebody will have me to whip when I get so I can go.

... Your loving friend, Vinnie Mariae

p.s. When you get old and ugly, as old folks often do;

remember you have a friend that is old and ugly too."

Jan 30, 1926: "Well Dear: ... was proud to hear from you and know you had not forgot me. .. I am very lonesome today. I would indeed like to see you. It sure is a nice day here today. If you was here, we would go somewhere. I stay at home all the time. I hope you are having a fine time. Have you seen anyone down there like me?... When you can, I want you to have some pictures made and send me one.. While you are with so many pretty girls, you must not forget me for there is no one in Florida that loves you like me.... Your lover as ever, Vinnie."

Feb 19, 1926: "Mr. Charlie Ramsey: My dearest one I will write you this afternoon. We may have to quit writing, but if we do you need not get mad at me for I won't be to blame and will love you just as dear as ever and lots butter; but that don't mean that I won't love you when you get back and I will go with you then or die. .. It sure is cold up here today and snowing so you can't see nothing. I sure wish I was down there with you for I don't think anyone loves me up here. I think you love me... Remember me, Vinnie."

March 17, 1926: "Dear One, What are you engaged in today? For me I am thinking only of you... Guess I will tell you of the wedding that took place in Ensor last Sunday. .. Don't think there can surely be many more weddings down that way unless some part and marry again, do you? Dear, looks like I ought to get a chance if some or all of those folks do. Guess I am not pretty enough, don't you Dear. ... Love lover, Vinnie"

April 1, 1926: "My Dear One, ... I had gave up all hopes of hearing from you... You said you had been going to church. Dear, it has been a long time since I was at church... Papa would not let us go. I did not feel like going but Myrtle wanted me to go with her...Guess I will sometimes be old, but I hope won't be like Pa. ... I am sure I would not find anyone else I had rather be with nor any better-looking either... Now hurry up and come home and we will go (to Sunday School). Listen dear, I was proud to get the song you sent me. Sure was pretty. When are you coming home? It seems like it has been a year since I have saw you and not been three months. I hope it won't be three more... (talks about a problem and says)... did not care whether I live or didn't. ... Vinnie Ford

undated..."Dear Charlie... Wonder if you are thinking of this lonesome kid dear. There is but a few months past since I first went with you, but what you are in my mind. I know if you care as much for me as I do you there is no one that can part our love..... Your loving one as ever, Vinnie"

undated "Dearest One, ... are you going back when you come home or do you mean to stay here. If you go back, guess I will have to go back with you if you will let me. Will you? Have you found you any girl down there... Yes, I got the book you sent me... Your friend, Vinnie

undated "... I am lonesome not been any other way since you left. You said you was at work on the road. You must not work too hard, you know. .. You said you didn't guess I would look at you. Why, dear, there is no one on earth could keep me from loving you when you come back I will be the same to you as I was when you left. ..I would like to see you but I am not going to rush you for there is nothing here and you know this yourself... Your friend as ever, Vinnie Ford.

If we locate any interested descendants of Vinnie's family, I will be glad to share the letters in their entirety.