In the spring of 1815, the life of Dr. David Ramsay, a respected 66-year-old male physician, historian, and public official in Charleston, South Carolina, came to a tragic and unforeseen end. His death was not the result of illness or accident, but a violent act that stemmed from a professional duty he had performed. The incident that led to his demise began when he was appointed by a court to assess the mental state of a tailor named William Linnen, who was known for his litigious and
troublesome behavior, and had recently attempted to murder his own lawyer.
After a thorough examination, Dr. Ramsay concluded that Linnen was 'deranged' and posed a danger to the community if he were allowed to remain at large. Based on this medical opinion, Linnen was institutionalized. Though he was eventually released, seemingly having regained his sanity, he harbored a deep-seated grudge against the physician whose testimony had led to his confinement. Linnen made threats against Dr. Ramsay, but the doctor, not believing them to be serious, dismissed the warnings.
On the afternoon of May 6, 1815, as Dr. Ramsay was walking along Broad Street in Charleston, he encountered William Linnen. Linnen, concealing a large horseman's pistol within a handkerchief, approached the unsuspecting doctor and fired, shooting him twice in the back and hip. Mortally wounded, Dr. Ramsay was carried back to his home. Surrounded by concerned citizens, his final words were a testament to his character; he urged those present to bear witness that he considered the man who shot him to be a lunatic and therefore not truly guilty for his actions.
Dr. David Ramsay lingered for two days before succumbing to his injuries on the morning of May 8, 1815. His compassion extended even to his killer, as he insisted that Linnen should not be held accountable due to his mental state. Following his death, Ramsay was laid to rest in the Circular Congregational Churchyard in Charleston.
