John A. Munro

Notes:

John's birthdate is recorded as 10 Dec 1842 in ref. (1) and 1848 in ref. (2). In 1870, John was living at Schuyler, Colfax County, Nebraska having moved there in 1869 from Nova Scotia, Canada. He was a railroad worker.

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Mueller, Joan Lee - family group record of Alexander
Munro dated 3 Aug 1996

(2) Clan Munro files - Mueller, Joan Lee - "Alexander Munro 1814-1887"

(3) Clan Munro files - Mueller, Joan Lee - "Isabelle Munro 1851-1938"

Family/Spouse: Lillian Doby. Lillian was born about 1844; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

On the wooded and hilly land west of Rogers Hill (later renamed Scotsburn), Pictou County, Nova Scotia, Alexander was born in the small frame house that had been built by his father, Andrew. He inherited this same land and house from his father. Alexander added a portion onto the north of the home that doubled it in size. Here was where he lived, played, brought his wife, Wilhelmina Murry to reside, and where they raised their children. The land was by the old road that ran over the hills from the Manse at Bethel Church and came out on the new road by the garage at Forman McCaras. Later the original home was torn down and another one built on the same foundation.

Family lore declares that when Alexander and Welhelmina wanted to be married that there was an altercation over which family would serve the "grog" at the wedding. The Murray's kept Wilhelmina hidden from her suitor until the "grog incident" could be resolved. Supposedly they had her sleeping in their bedroom in a trundle bed so they could keep a watchful eye upon her. As the story is told, Alexander had a friend go to the Murray home and help her depart without the parents knowledge.

Alexander and Wilhelmina were married in 1836 in Scotsburn. Wilhelmina Murray was probably in some way related to Margaret Murray, Alexander's mother. They had thirteen children, all born in Scotsburn. Six of them moved to Nebraska and Colorado. Five of the children are not accounted for.

The eight day Geddes clock that had been purchased by Andrew and willed to his wife, Margaret, was in the family home when Alexander died on 9 Oct 1887. According to a family story, Lillie Smart Hancock was scrubbing the floor in the family when a member of the family came down the stairs to tell her that "Old Alexander has died". At that moment, the Geddes clock stopped.

Ref (2) says Alexander was born in 1815, but a photo of his tombstone in ref (1) says 5 May 1814.

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Mueller, Joan Lee - "Alexander Munro 1814-1887"

(2) Clan Munro files - Munroe, Roderic John - Ancestry of Roderic John Munroe
- undated

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Alexander married Wilhelmina Murry in 1839 in Scotsburn, Pictou Co., Nova Scotia, Canada. Wilhelmina was born on 9 Sep 1819 in Rogers Hill, Pictou Co., Nova Scotia, Canada; died on 5 Dec 1900 in Lexington, Dawson Co., Nebraska, USA; was buried in Bethel Cem., Scotsburn, Pictou Co., Nova Scotia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Wilhelmina "Mina" was born at Rogers Hill, later called Scotsburn. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Canada and she was well acquainted with the Gaelic language. It is said that she had a little jug of rum that she kept and used "for medicinal purposes".

At her death, her children described her as the happiest old lady who ever lived. She died at the home of her daughter, Anna Johnson, in Lexington, Nebraska. She had been visiting in Nebraska and Colorado for approximately a year. She started this long trip in 1899, at the age of 80.

Her obituary from the Clipper Citizen of Lexington, Nebraska says:

"The funeral of Wilhelmina Murray was held at the residence of Anna Johnson on Dec. 6, 1900. Five of her children were present. After the funeral the remains were placed on train #4 and accompanied by her son, James W. Munro. They started on the long journey to Scotsburn, Nova Scotia where her remains would be laid to rest by the side of her husband, Alexander. The route traveled from Lexington to Scotsburn was entirely by rail. From Chicago the railway used was the Michigan Central to Montreal from which place the Inter Colonial was used to Scotsburn. The trip took about four days.

"The funeral service at Scotsburn, on Dec. 12, was held in Bethel Church, the church in which the deceased worshipped for many years. The large congregation which assembled from far and near testified to the high esteem in which she was held by her numerous relatives and friends. "The service was conducted by the Pastor Rev. T. Cumming and assisted by the Rev. J. W. Fraser and was remarkably appropriate and impressive.

Thus has closed the earthly career of this useful and cheerful life. Her memory will be a perpetual benediction to her friends and posterity."

Ref 3 says Wilhelmina was born 24 May 1818, and died 6 Dec 1900.

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Mueller, Joan Lee - family group record of Alexander
Munro dated 3 Aug 1996

(2) Clan Munro files - Mueller, Joan Lee - "Wilhelmina Murray 1819-1900"

(3) Clan Munro files - Munroe, Roderic John - Ancestry of Roderic John Munroe
- undated

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Notes:

Andrew was born in Sutherlandshire, Scotland about 1776, and emigrated to Nova Scotia in the early 1800's with wife, Margaret, her father, Alexander Murray, and other family members. It is thought that Margaret's mother was Margaret McIntosh, who died in Scotland. He and Margaret settled a mile or more to the

Andrew and Margaret settled a mile or more to the west of what was later Bethel Church. This would be west of Rogers Hill, of what was later known as Scotsburn. They settled in the wilderness, where they cut trees and made a lean-to cabin in the woods. The couple then cut boughs for a bed. They used these living arrangements until they could build more suitable living quarters, such as a log cabin.

Gaelic was the language spoken by these emigrants and they continued speaking it until eventually the children attended school and learned the English language. Over the generations, the English language took precedence over the Gaelic.

Andrew wrote his will and it was dated 8 Nov 1848. In it he describes himself as a yeoman of Rogers Hill, County of Pictou. The term, yeoman, in this particular sense means a small land holder. As a citizen of Scotland where only the gentry were allowed to own land, this was a remarkable and satisfying experience for him.

Fifty four acres of woodland was bequeathed to his wife, Margaret Murray. The remainder of his real extate that was situated at Rogers Hill was willed to his son, Alexander Munro. There was a house on this property. Andrew built part of the house and later, his son, Alexander, added another section.

In Andrew's will, Margaret also received his personal property, which consisted of one eight day clock, one horse, four cows, two heifers, two calves, twelve sheep, one saddle, one collar and hames, back board, one pair traces, one ox chain, two bed steads, one feather bed, one chaffe bed, two bed ticks, six double blankets, three single blankets, three double sheets, three single sheets, four coverlades, one weaving loom, two chests, two tables, one half dozen chairs, two churns, two buckets, six milk pans, four pots, one bake kettle, one frying pan, one teakettle, two cranes, two fire irons, shovel and tongs, one and a half dozen soup plates, one and a half dozen small plates, one dozen cups and saucers, one dozen knives and forks.

It may seem unusual that a man would bequeathe these possessions to his wife, but at that time, women owned absolutely nothing. Everything belonged to the man, and in order for the wife to have these possessions at his death, he must will them to her.

The eight day clock that is mentioned, was made in Pictou, Nova Scotia by Rev. Geddes--so named as a "Geddes Clock." Family lore states that Andrew purchased the clock from Rev. Geddes, and then carried it on his back from Pictou to his home, about twelve to fifteen miles.

Andrew was buried at St. Johns cemetery in Scotsburn. His stone is beside his father-in-law, Alexander Murray. No doubt, Margaret, Andrew's wife, is buried beside him, but many of the tombstones are not inscribed with the wife's name. The stone is horizontal and rests on twenty four inch legs like a table. The inscription reads: "He was an honest man, a faithful friend, and a good husband. He was much respected when he lived, and much regretted when he died."

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Mueller, Joan Lee - pedigree chart of Isabella Munro
dated 3 Aug 1996

(2) Clan Munro files - Mueller, Joan Lee - family group record of Andrew Munro
dated 3 Aug 1996

(3) Clan Munro files - Mueller, Joan Lee - "Andrew Munro 1776-1851"

(4) Clan Munro files - Mueller, Joan Lee - "Alexander Murray Born 1739"

Andrew married Margaret Murray about 1812 in Sutherlandshire, Scotland. Margaret was born in 1781 in Rogart, , Sutherland, Scotland; died in Dec 1884; was buried in St. Johns Cem., Scotsburn, Nova Scotia, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]