Born on 5 March 1809 at Shettleston, near Glasgow, Scotland, the son of Robert Ramsay, gentleman weaver, and his wife Margaret, nee Mitchell. At Tolcross, near Shettleston. Educated at the University of Glasgow and the Theological Hall of the Relief Church. Licensed by the Relief Presbytery of Glasgow in 1832. Ordained on 29 May 1833 as minister of Allars Relief Church, Hawick. He married on 12 July 1840 at Stirling, Stirlingshire, Scotland and/or on 13 July 1840 at Hawick, Roxburghshire, Scotland to Isabella Milne of Hull, Yorkshire, England, daughter of George Milne and his wife Hannah, nee Haldanby. Resigned from Hawick in 1846. Arrived at Melbourne on 4 January 1847 with his wife and family per "Anne Milne" from Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Ministered at the Scots Church, Melbourne, for three months. Founded the first United Presbyterian Church in Melbourne. This was St. Enoch's, on the opposite side of Collins Street to Scots Church. Ministered there for the following 23 years. Regarded as having been an eloquent preacher. Author of "The Voice of the Storm". Died on 31 December 1869 at St. Enoch's Manse, Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, and was buried on 4 January 1870 at the Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton, Vic.

[death certificate; Australian Dictionary of Biography (Vol. 6); Ward & Prentis Presbyterian Ministers in Australia 1822-1901; Catherine McCourt (relative)]

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