Charles Augustus Ranlett was born on August 9, 1804, in Augusta, Maine, the son of Charles (1773-1841) and Abigail Low (1763-1831) Ranlett. At age 16, he became a mariner and served on the Eight Sons (Brig), William (Brig), Falconer (Brig), and Florida (Ship). His first command was of the brig Kanhawa in 1827. He went on to command the Samarang (Ship), Louvre (Ship), Marblehead (Bark), Commissary (Brig), Queen Victoria (Packet Ship), Surprise (Clipper Ship), and Golden State (Clipper Ship). In 1862 he retired from the sea and bought a property in Billerica, Massachusetts. He served as Justice of the Peace in 1869 and 1876.

In 1830 he married Esther Minerva Dodge (1809-1892). They had five children: Charles Augustus (1836-1874), David Dodge (1838-1901), Seth Alonzo (1840-1905), Horace Dodge (1842-1911) and Esther Minnie (1850-1919). Ranlett died of heart disease on April 17, 1878 in Billerica, where he was listed as "farmer".

Charles Augustus Ranlett, Jr. was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, on September 21, 1836, the son of Charles A. and Esther M. Ranlett. He was educated in the public schools. In 1851, his father traveled to England to take command of the clipper ship Surprise. It was arranged for Charles to sail as "boy" on the ship Samuel Russell under Captain Limeburner. In China he joined his father and was made third mate of the Surprise. In May of 1860, he took command of the Surprise, in the employ of A. A. Low & Brothers of New York. He commanded her for 13 years and the ship became world-renowned for her speed. His last voyage was in August 1873. He married Isabella Faulkner (died 1878) in Billerica, Massachusetts on Aug. 4, 1870. He was a member of the New York Marine Society and the Clinton Commandery of the Knights Templar in New York. He died in Brooklyn, New York, on February 6, 1874 at the age of 37.

Seth Alonzo Ranlett was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, on March 18, 1840, the son of Charles A. and Esther M. Ranlett. He enlisted in the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia on July 24, 1862, rose through the ranks, and mustered out on February 20, 1864 due to physical disability from disease incurred in the service. He worked as a fire insurance agent and city treasurer. He married Ellen Belle Pierce (1842-1914) in 1864. They had three children: Katherine Minerva (1865-1946); Foster Pierce (1867-between 1930 and 1940); and Charles Augustus (1874-1961). He died of pneumonia in Newton, Massachusetts, on May 21, 1905.