Zooey had always heard her Quaker ancestors were active abolitionists, but the extent of their involvement is truly remarkable.
In 1814 the NYC Council Minutes show he is the Assistant Alderman in the 3rd Ward. in 1816 he becomes the Alderman and is reelected in 1817.
After fleeing Ireland as a young man, during the potato famine, Samuel settles on a farm in Burlington, New Jersey, and has eight children.
The Ratner family became established in the Fifth Ward of Albany, N.Y. Abe bottled soda water and Rose nurtured a brood of children.