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{{short description|American politician}}

{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|name=Matt Whitaker Ransom
|name=Matt W. Ransom
|office=[[President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate]]
|office=[[President pro tempore of the United States Senate]]
|term_start=January 7, 1895
|term_start=January 7, 1895
|term_end=January 10, 1895
|term_end=January 10, 1895
|predecessor=[[Isham G. Harris]]
|predecessor=[[Isham G. Harris]]
|successor=[[Isham G. Harris]]
|successor=[[Isham G. Harris]]
|office2=[[United States Senator]] <br>from [[North Carolina]]
|office2=[[United States Senator]] <br />from [[North Carolina]]
|term_start2=January 30, 1872
|term_start2=January 30, 1872
|term_end2=March 4, 1895
|term_end2=March 4, 1895
Line 12: Line 14:
|successor2=[[Marion Butler]]
|successor2=[[Marion Butler]]
|office3=[[United States Ambassador to Mexico|United States Minister to Mexico]]
|office3=[[United States Ambassador to Mexico|United States Minister to Mexico]]
|president3=[[Grover Cleveland]]
|term_start3=1895
|term_start3=1895
|term_end3=1897
|term_end3=1897
Line 19: Line 22:
|term_start4=1853
|term_start4=1853
|term_end4=1855
|term_end4=1855
|governor4=[[David Settle Reid]]
|predecessor4=William Eaton Jr.
|predecessor4=William Eaton Jr.
|successor4=Joseph B. Batchelor
|successor4=Joseph B. Batchelor
Line 26: Line 30:
|death_place= [[Garysburg, North Carolina]]
|death_place= [[Garysburg, North Carolina]]
|image=Matt Whitaker Ransom - Brady-Handy.jpg
|image=Matt Whitaker Ransom - Brady-Handy.jpg
|party=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|caption=
⚫
|allegiance={{Flag|Confederate States|1865}}
|nickname=
⚫
|allegiance={{Flag|Confederate States of America}}
|branch={{army|CSA}}
|branch={{army|CSA}}
|serviceyears=1861–1865
|serviceyears=1861–1865
|rank= [[File:Confederate States of America General.png|35px]] [[Brigadier general (CSA)|Brigadier General]]
|rank= [[Brigadier general (CSA)|Brigadier general]]
|commands= 35th North Carolina Infantry<br />Ransom's Brigade
|commands= 35th North Carolina Infantry<br />Ransom's Brigade
|unit= [[1st North Carolina Infantry Regiment]]
|unit= [[1st North Carolina Infantry Regiment]]
|battles=[[American Civil War]]
|battles=[[American Civil War]]
|awards=
}}
}}
'''Matt Whitaker Ransom''' (October 8, 1826{{spaced ndash}}October 8, 1904) was a general in the [[Confederate States Army]] during the [[American Civil War]] and a [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[United States Senate|U.S. senator]] from the state of [[North Carolina]] between 1872 and 1895.
'''Matthew Whitaker Ransom''' (October 8, 1826{{spaced ndash}}October 8, 1904) was a general in the [[Confederate States Army]] during the [[American Civil War]] and a [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[United States Senate|U.S. senator]] from the state of [[North Carolina]] between 1872 and 1895.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/ransom-matthew-whitaker |title=Ransom, Matt[hew] Whitaker|last=Barrett, John G. |year=1994 |website=www.ncpedia.org |access-date=2019-10-15}}</ref>


==Early life and antebellum career==
==Early life ==
Matt Ransom was born in [[Warren County, North Carolina]], to Robert and Priscilla Whitaker Ransom. He was the elder brother of General [[Robert Ransom]] and a cousin to fellow Confederate officer [[Wharton J. Green]], who served as a U. S. Congressman after the Civil War. He graduated from the [[University of North Carolina]] in 1847, where he was a member of the [[Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies|Philanthropic Society]]. After serving as [[North Carolina Attorney General]] and as a member of the [[North Carolina General Assembly]], he was chosen as one of the three commissioners from North Carolina to the Confederate government at [[Montgomery, Alabama]] in 1861.
Matt Ransom was born in [[Warren County, North Carolina]], to Robert and Priscilla Whitaker Ransom. He was the elder brother of General [[Robert Ransom]], a cousin to fellow Confederate officer [[Wharton J. Green]], who served as a U. S. Congressman after the Civil War, and a cousin to physician and aviation pioneer [[William Whitney Christmas]]. Matt Ransom graduated from the [[University of North Carolina]] in 1847, where he was a member of the [[Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies|Philanthropic Society]].


==Civil War==
==Career==
After serving as [[North Carolina Attorney General]] and as a member of the [[North Carolina General Assembly]], Matt W. Ransom was chosen as one of the three commissioners from North Carolina to the Confederate government at [[Montgomery, Alabama]], in 1861.
⚫
Ransom was commissioned [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]] of the [[1st North Carolina Infantry Regiment]] and later [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] of the 35th North Carolina Infantry. This regiment was part of his brother Robert's brigade, which Matt later commanded. Ransom was promoted to [[Brigadier general (United States)|Brigadier General]] June 13, 1863. Ransom saw action in the battles of [[battle of Seven Pines|Seven Pines]], the [[Seven Days Battles]], [[battle of Antietam|Antietam]], [[battle of Fredricksburg|Fredericksburg]], [[Battle of Plymouth (1864)|Plymouth]], Weldon, [[Siege of Suffolk|Suffolk]] and the [[siege of Petersburg]]. He was wounded three times during the Civil War and finally surrendered at [[Battle of Appomattox|Appomattox]].


==Political career==
===American Civil War===
⚫
Ransom was commissioned [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]] of the [[1st North Carolina Infantry Regiment]] and later [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] of the 35th North Carolina Infantry. This regiment was part of his brother Robert's brigade, which Matt later commanded. Ransom was promoted to [[Brigadier general (United States)|brigadier general]] on June 13, 1863. Ransom saw action in the battles of [[battle of Seven Pines|Seven Pines]], the [[Seven Days Battles]], [[Battle of Antietam|Antietam]], [[Battle of Fredericksburg|Fredericksburg]], [[Battle of Plymouth (1864)|Plymouth]], Weldon, [[Siege of Suffolk|Suffolk]] and the [[siege of Petersburg]]. He was wounded three times during the Civil War and finally surrendered at [[Battle of Appomattox|Appomattox]].
[[File:Matt Whitaker Ransom Bust.JPG|thumb|Matt Whitaker Ransom Marble Bust]]
⚫
After the war, Ransom moved to [[Weldon, North Carolina]], in 1866 where he was a planter and lawyer. In 1872, he was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy in the term commencing March 4, 1871. Ransom was re-elected in 1876, 1883, and 1889 and served from January 30, 1872, to March 4, 1895. Ransom served briefly as President Pro tempore of the Senate during the 53rd Congress. He was later appointed [[United States Minister to Mexico]] and served from 1895 to 1897.<ref>{{cite news |author= |title=Ransom For Minister To Mexico. The North Carolina Senator Is Named by the President and His Nomination Is Promptly Confirmed |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B00E2D8163CE433A25757C2A9649C94649ED7CF&legacy=true |quote= |newspaper=[[New York Times]] |date=February 24, 1895 }}</ref>


==Retirement and death==
===Later life===
⚫
After the war, Ransom moved to [[Weldon, North Carolina]], in 1866 where he was a planter and lawyer. In 1872, he was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy in the term commencing March 4, 1871. Ransom was re-elected in 1876, 1883, and 1889 and served from January 30, 1872, to March 4, 1895. Ransom served briefly as President Pro tempore of the Senate during the 53rd Congress. He was later appointed [[United States Minister to Mexico]] and served from 1895 to 1897.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ransom For Minister To Mexico. The North Carolina Senator Is Named by the President and His Nomination Is Promptly Confirmed |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B00E2D8163CE433A25757C2A9649C94649ED7CF&legacy=true |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 24, 1895 }}</ref>
⚫
Following his term as ambassador, Ransom retired to his estate, "[[Verona (Jackson, North Carolina)|Verona]]" and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He died near [[Garysburg, North Carolina]], on his 78th birthday, October 8, 1904.<ref>{{cite news |author= |title=Ransom, Poor In Senate, Dies, Leaving Fortune. North Carolinian Made $250,000 by Farming in Old Age. Defeated By The Populists. Controlled the "Old North State" Politically Until Marion Butler Succeeded Him in Senate |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A01E6D61F3AE733A2575AC0A9669D946597D6CF&legacy=true |quote= |newspaper=[[New York Times]] |date=October 9, 1904 }}</ref> Ransom was buried on his estate, near Jackson, North Carolina. Verona was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1975.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

Following his term as ambassador, Ransom retired to [[Verona (Jackson, North Carolina)|Verona]], his estate, and engaged in agricultural pursuits.<ref name="RansomObit"/>

==Personal life==
On January 19, 1853, Ransom married Martha Anne "Pattie" Exum of Northampton County, North Carolina. The couple resided at [[Verona (Jackson, North Carolina)|Verona]], the Exum family's plantation on the banks of the Roanoke River. Matt and Martha produced at least eight children together: Matt W., Jr., Joseph E., George E., Esther, Patrick Exum, and Robert. A slaveholder, Matt W. Ransom also sired two children with Emma Outland, one of the women of African descent Ransom enslaved; Matt W. Ransom's children with the enslaved Emma Outland were Douglas Ransom (born 1859) and Alice Ransom (wife of Edward "Ned" Rawles, one of North Carolina's first African-American state legislators).<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Political Graveyard: African ancestry Politicians in North Carolina|url=https://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/NC/african.html|access-date=2021-06-12|website=politicalgraveyard.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Individual Page: gerrha -- Southern Ransoms|url=https://wc.rootsweb.com/trees/142110/I14428/-/individual|access-date=2021-06-12|website=wc.rootsweb.com}}</ref>

⚫
He died near [[Garysburg, North Carolina]], on his 78th birthday, October 8, 1904.<ref name="RansomObit">{{cite news |title=Ransom, Poor In Senate, Dies, Leaving Fortune. North Carolinian Made $250,000 by Farming in Old Age. Defeated By The Populists. Controlled the "Old North State" Politically Until Marion Butler Succeeded Him in Senate |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A01E6D61F3AE733A2575AC0A9669D946597D6CF&legacy=true |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 9, 1904 }}</ref> Ransom was buried on his estate, near Jackson, North Carolina. Verona was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1975.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
{{portal|American Civil War|Biography}}
* [[List of American Civil War generals (Confederate)]]
*[[List of American Civil War generals (Confederate)]]


==Notes==
==Notes==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{CongBio|R000062}} Retrieved on 2008-04-22
* {{CongBio|R000062}} Retrieved on 2008-04-22
*{{Find a Grave|11057|accessdate=2008-02-13}}
* {{Find a Grave|11057|access-date=2008-02-13}}


{{s-start}}
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{{USSenPresProTemp}}
{{USSenPresProTemp}}
{{US Ambassadors to Mexico}}
{{US Ambassadors to Mexico}}
{{Portal bar|American Civil War|Biography|Law|Politics|United States}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Ransom, Matt Whitaker}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ransom, Matt W.}}
[[Category:1826 births]]
[[Category:1826 births]]
[[Category:1904 deaths]]
[[Category:1904 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Warren County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:1852 United States presidential electors]]
[[Category:North Carolina Democrats]]
[[Category:19th-century American diplomats]]
[[Category:Confederate States Army brigadier generals]]
⚫
[[Category:United States Senators from North Carolina]]
[[Category:United States presidential electors, 1852]]
⚫
[[Category:People of North Carolina in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Mexico]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Mexico]]
[[Category:North Carolina Attorneys General]]
[[Category:Confederate States Army brigadier generals]]
⚫
[[Category:Democratic Party United States senators from North Carolina]]
[[Category:North Carolina attorneys general]]
[[Category:North Carolina Democrats]]
[[Category:North Carolina lawyers]]
[[Category:North Carolina lawyers]]
[[Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni]]
[[Category:People from Warren County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Democratic Party United States Senators]]
[[Category:People from Weldon, North Carolina]]
[[Category:19th-century American diplomats]]
[[Category:People from Northampton County, North Carolina]]
⚫
[[Category:People of North Carolina in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:Presidents pro tempore of the United States Senate]]
[[Category:Presidents pro tempore of the United States Senate]]
[[Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni]]

Latest revision as of 21:51, 29 July 2024

Matt W. Ransom
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
In office
January 7, 1895 – January 10, 1895
Preceded byIsham G. Harris
Succeeded byIsham G. Harris
United States Senator
from North Carolina
In office
January 30, 1872 – March 4, 1895
Preceded byJoseph Carter Abbott
Succeeded byMarion Butler
United States Minister to Mexico
In office
1895–1897
PresidentGrover Cleveland
Preceded byIsaac P. Gray
Succeeded byPowell Clayton
Attorney General of North Carolina
In office
1853–1855
GovernorDavid Settle Reid
Preceded byWilliam Eaton Jr.
Succeeded byJoseph B. Batchelor
Personal details
Born(1826-10-08)October 8, 1826
Warren County, North Carolina
DiedOctober 8, 1904(1904-10-08) (aged 78)
Garysburg, North Carolina
Political partyDemocratic
Military service
Allegiance Confederate States
Branch/service Confederate States Army
Years of service1861–1865
RankBrigadier general
Unit1st North Carolina Infantry Regiment
Commands35th North Carolina Infantry
Ransom's Brigade
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Matthew Whitaker Ransom (October 8, 1826 – October 8, 1904) was a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War and a Democratic U.S. senator from the state of North Carolina between 1872 and 1895.[1]

Early life

[edit]

Matt Ransom was born in Warren County, North Carolina, to Robert and Priscilla Whitaker Ransom. He was the elder brother of General Robert Ransom, a cousin to fellow Confederate officer Wharton J. Green, who served as a U. S. Congressman after the Civil War, and a cousin to physician and aviation pioneer William Whitney Christmas. Matt Ransom graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1847, where he was a member of the Philanthropic Society.

Career

[edit]

After serving as North Carolina Attorney General and as a member of the North Carolina General Assembly, Matt W. Ransom was chosen as one of the three commissioners from North Carolina to the Confederate government at Montgomery, Alabama, in 1861.

American Civil War

[edit]

Ransom was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the 1st North Carolina Infantry Regiment and later colonel of the 35th North Carolina Infantry. This regiment was part of his brother Robert's brigade, which Matt later commanded. Ransom was promoted to brigadier general on June 13, 1863. Ransom saw action in the battles of Seven Pines, the Seven Days Battles, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Plymouth, Weldon, Suffolk and the siege of Petersburg. He was wounded three times during the Civil War and finally surrendered at Appomattox.

Later life

[edit]

After the war, Ransom moved to Weldon, North Carolina, in 1866 where he was a planter and lawyer. In 1872, he was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy in the term commencing March 4, 1871. Ransom was re-elected in 1876, 1883, and 1889 and served from January 30, 1872, to March 4, 1895. Ransom served briefly as President Pro tempore of the Senate during the 53rd Congress. He was later appointed United States Minister to Mexico and served from 1895 to 1897.[2]

Following his term as ambassador, Ransom retired to Verona, his estate, and engaged in agricultural pursuits.[3]

Personal life

[edit]

On January 19, 1853, Ransom married Martha Anne "Pattie" Exum of Northampton County, North Carolina. The couple resided at Verona, the Exum family's plantation on the banks of the Roanoke River. Matt and Martha produced at least eight children together: Matt W., Jr., Joseph E., George E., Esther, Patrick Exum, and Robert. A slaveholder, Matt W. Ransom also sired two children with Emma Outland, one of the women of African descent Ransom enslaved; Matt W. Ransom's children with the enslaved Emma Outland were Douglas Ransom (born 1859) and Alice Ransom (wife of Edward "Ned" Rawles, one of North Carolina's first African-American state legislators).[4][5]

He died near Garysburg, North Carolina, on his 78th birthday, October 8, 1904.[3] Ransom was buried on his estate, near Jackson, North Carolina. Verona was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.[6]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Barrett, John G. (1994). "Ransom, Matt[hew] Whitaker". www.ncpedia.org. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
  2. ^ "Ransom For Minister To Mexico. The North Carolina Senator Is Named by the President and His Nomination Is Promptly Confirmed". The New York Times. February 24, 1895.
  3. ^ a b "Ransom, Poor In Senate, Dies, Leaving Fortune. North Carolinian Made $250,000 by Farming in Old Age. Defeated By The Populists. Controlled the "Old North State" Politically Until Marion Butler Succeeded Him in Senate". The New York Times. October 9, 1904.
  4. ^ "The Political Graveyard: African ancestry Politicians in North Carolina". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
  5. ^ "Individual Page: gerrha -- Southern Ransoms". wc.rootsweb.com. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
  6. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Legal offices
Preceded by Attorney General of North Carolina
1853–1855 		Succeeded by
U.S. Senate
Preceded by U.S. senator (Class 2) from North Carolina
1872–1895
Served alongside: John Pool, Augustus S. Merrimon, Zebulon B. Vance, Thomas J. Jarvis, Jeter C. Pritchard 		Succeeded by
Honorary titles
Preceded by President pro tempore of the United States Senate
January 7, 1895 – January 10, 1895 		Succeeded by
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Mexico
1895–1897 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Matt_W._Ransom&oldid=1237455002"