Sanford Wesley Ransdell (September 11, 1781 – July 30, 1854) was an early American pioneer and soldier in the Battle of Tippecanoe.
He was a descendant of Edward Ransdell, a signer of the historic Leedstown Resolutions written up in defiance of the Stamp Act.
That it could not have been committed to better hands, their keeping their ground (indeed gaining upon the enemy) for an hour and a half with unequal arms against superior numbers, and amid a carnage that might have made veterans tremble, is sufficient evidence."
A year later Ransdell participated in the War of 1812 and served as a first sergeant in the 5th Regiment Indiana Militia in Captain Jacob Zenor's Company from October 20 to November 18, 1812.
[14][15][16] This famous incident culminated in a prolonged manhunt and trial that dragged both Ransdell and Rhoda into the witness box.
[18] Ultimately, their testimony in favor of their daughter's father-in-law proved fruitless: Noah Beauchamp Sr., was hanged on December 30, 1842.