Sir John Munro, XXII of Foulis, 4th Baronet

Notes:

On 23 Jan 1661, before his father's death, John entered into a bond of friendship and manrent with Kenneth, Earl of Seaforth. An old manuscript record, which gives a sketch of the character of Sir John, says:

"He lived in good correspondence with his neighpours, for there was mutual condescendence passed between Kenneth, Earl of Seaforth, John Munro, younger of Fowlis."

In a document dated 7 Dec 1668, it is mentioned that John served as one of the Deputes in the Sheriffship under the Earl of Caithness and the Earl of Argyll.

The lands of Foulis had been appraised from Sir John's father and granted to others, and so even though his father died in 1668, it was not until 1676 that Lovat's rights over the estate were extinguished and the lands adjudged to belong to Sir John as 22nd Baron of Foulis and 4th Baronet.

Sir John was a member of the Convention of the Estates of Scotland at the Revolution in 1688 and 1689. He was a very zealous promoter of that change in the government of the kingdom, and was also very strenuous in assisting Presbyterianism.

During the period between the Restoration and the Revolution -- 1660-1688 -- his eminent piety and zeal exposed him to great sufferings in the cause of religion. He was imprisoned for long periods of time for his religious beliefs. His estates were harassed by fines and confiscations, and burdened and reduced in value.

He was present along with his mother, the Dowager-Lady Munro of Foulis, in her house at Obsdale, near Alness, in Sep 1675, when the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was dispensed by Mr. John Mackillican, minister of Alness, assisted by the Rev. Hugh Anderson of Cromarty, and Alexander Fraser of Daviot. Sir Roderick Mackenzie of Findon, at the urging of Bishop John Paterson of Ross, sent a party of soldiers to apprehend Mr. Mackillican, but before their arrival, the communicants had dispersed themselves and concealed the ministers.

According to tradition, Mr. Mackillican escaped capture by a clever ruse. Sir John Munro was a man of Falstaffian proportions, which with his strong attachment to the Presbyterian religion, had earned for him the nickname of "The Presbyterian Mortar-piece." When the officer in command of the military burst into his apartment in search of Mr. Mackillican, Sir John pleaded indisposition, and on that ground begged the intruder to excuse his inability to rise from his chair. The soldier retired without taking the liberty of looking among the ample skirts of the Baronet's dressing gown, and consequently without discovering that the Mr. Mackillican was hidden there.

During the period of the Prelatic persecution, multitudes of pious and honest people found sanctuaries in Ross and Sutherland. The Earl of Sutherland, Lord Reay, and Sir John Munro of Foulis, showed them much kindness, and their wives, pious and amiable ladies, vied with their patriotic and sympathetic husbands in harboring the poor persecuted fugitives.

It is said that once when Sir John Munro and Archbisiop Sharp were together on some occasion in the Privy Council Chamber, Sharp accused the Baron of Foulis of permitting his wife to harbor so many of those "wandering families." It was generally known that Sharp was skeptical about the fidelity of his own wife, and Sir John retorted that "they could not be responsible for all the foibles and weaknesses of their wives, but those whose wives were religious had one great advantage--they believed that all the children they brought them were their own."

On 8 May 1683, the Privy Council ordered the Munro Chief to be confined to his own house in Ross-shire and a mile around it, for withdrawing from the parish church. He was now old, and this was all the privilege which his friends were able to procure for him. In 1685, he was heavily fined for his non-conformity and was imprisoned in the jail of Inverness, while his son, Robert, was confined in the tolbooth of Tain.

Sir John served as Commissioner to Scots Parliament for the County of Ross-shire from 1689 until his death in 1697. In 1689 it appears that Sir John was a candidate for the job of Sheriff-Principal of Ross to succeed Colin, Earl of Seaforth, who had been removed from that office because he was a professed papist. In the end, Ross of Balnagown was appointed to the office. Sir John was appointed Commissioner of Justiciary for Peace of the Highlands on 30 Mar 1697.

He died at Foulis Castle on 29 Sep 1697 and was buried at Kiltearn.

The Munro Tree says that Sir Kenneth Mackenzie of Coul was Sir John's son-in-law (p. ii), but X (p. 20) says Sir Kenneth was Sir John's father-in-law. It is thought that the latter is correct.

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The following is a transcription of RW Munro's genealogy notes:

«i»Alexander Munro of Katewell fl 1687/8 Son of David Munro of Katewell & Agnes Munro; described as David's eldest lawful son 15 Jan 1687, date of charter by Sir John Munro of Foulis under which Alexander was given Sasine of 2-1/2 oxgate lands of Katewell (David had been called 'portioner of Katewell' 1641); as Alexander of Katewell gave disposition of 2-1/2 oxgate lands of Katewell to George Dallas of St. Martins, W.S., 8 Sep 1688; MacKenzie says Alexander was tenant of Teachait & had at least 2 sons - George (Teachait & Kellaig) & John (d. 1724).

Munro Tree Q/47; Mackenzie, 480, 481; Foulis Writs nos. 276, 277, 279; Register of Deeds 1687 - National Archives of Scotland, ref RD 67/252 ; RWM, The Munros of Katewell (1983) note 17.«/i»
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Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Birth:
Estimate: This birth date is an estimate based on the birth dates of nearest relatives or contemporaries, or based on other clues such as christening date, marriage date, birth order, etc.

Died:
Dingwall Church

John married Anne MacKenzie about 1660. Anne was born about 1641; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Sir Robert Munro, XXIII of Foulis, 5th Baronet was born about 1661; died on 11 Sep 1729; was buried in Kiltearn, , Ross-Shire, Scotland.
2. Andrew Munro, Of Westertown was born about 1663 in Of, Westertown; died in Aug 1724.
3. John Munro was born about 1665; and died.
4. Jean Munro was born about 1667; and died.
5. Christane Munro was born about 1669; died in Dec 1730 in Dingwall, Ross-Shire, Scotland, (Foulis Castle).
6. Anne Munro was born est 1677; and died.
7. Margaret Munro was born est 1679; died on 19 Mar 1729 in Edinburgh, , Midlothian, Scotland.

Notes:

Robert was the second son of Colonel John Munro of Obsdale. Because he did not expect to inherit, he entered the army early in life. In 1626 he became an officer in Sir Donald Mackay's regiment, serving with it first in the Danish service, and afterwards in that of Sweden.

Sir Robert highly distinguished himself on the Continent during the Thirty Years' War. He returned home soon after, if not shortly before, the Peace of Westphalia was proclaimed by the Treaty of Munster, on 24 Oct 1648.

On 26 Aug 1643, during the minority of the former Chief, Robert Munro, Tutor of Foulis, was appointed Commissioner of War for the Sheriffdom of Sutherland and a part of Inverness-shire. He was appointed again on 24 Jul 1644.

Sir Robert served heir to his father, Colonel John Munro of Obsdale, after the death of his elder brother, John. He became tutor-at-law to his second cousin, Hector in 1639 when he, himself, reached 25 years of age. In 1651 when Sir Hector Munro of Foulis died, Sir Robert was the nearest male heir, so he succeeded and became the 21st Baron and 3rd Baronet of Foulis.

Before he succeeded to Foulis, he married his cousin, Jean, eldest daughter and co-heir of Colonel Sir Hector Munro, 1st Baronet.

On succeeding as head of his house and clan he took up his residence in his ancestral home at Foulis. He was the means of getting the famous Rev. Thomas Hogg to Kiltearn, and suffered much from fines and imprisonment for non- conformity to Episcopacy. As long as Mr. Hogg lived, Sir Robert sent him his share of the stipend of Kiltearn annually.

In 1649, the Scottish Parliament divided the Sheriffdom of Inverness-shire and erected the Sheriffdom of Ross. Sir Robert had been elected Member of Parliament for Inverness-shire in 1649 and for his own County of Ross after it was separated from the County of Inverness that same year. He was also appointed the first Sheriff of the County of Ross. He held office for eight years under the Commonwealth.

In 1654 he was imprisoned by the royalists and his lands and tenants suffered under their hands. The lands of Foulis were taken from him and granted to others. He was fined 3600 pounds at the Restoration.

He died 14 Jan 1668 at Foulis Castle and was buried at Kiltearn. (Ref. (2) is in error when it says he died in 1666. Ref. (1) cites a document which proves him to be alive in Sep 1667.)

He was succeeded by his son, Sir John, in 1676 when the lands of Foulis were returned to his possession.

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

Robert married Jean Munro. Jean (daughter of Col. Sir Hector Munro, XIX of Foulis, 1st Baronet and Mary MacKay) was born est 1620; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - U & W
Clan Munro files - Stroud, Anna Margaret

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - U, U/1, W

Collonel Sir Hector Munro succeeded his brother Robert A D 1633 and married Mary daughter to Hugh McKy of Strathnaver by whom he had Hector Jean Margaret and Catherine he dyed at Hamburgh.

Jean married Sir Robert Munro of Fowlis second son to Collonel John Munro of Obsdale and nearest aire male to Sir Hector Munro of Fowlis the estate being Tailzied to aires male.

Sir Robert Munro of Fowlis succeeded as the nearest aire male 1651 and married Jean daughter to Coll: Sir Hector Munro by whom he had John Hector David Andrew William Joseph and Daniel and a daughter Rebecca.

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 85, 89, 92

2. Jean, who married her cousin, Robert Munro of Obsdale, who ultimately succeeded his brother-in-law as third Baronet and Chief of the clan.

He married, before he succeeded to Fowlis, his cousin Jean, eldest daughter and co-heir of Colonel Sir Hector Munro, first Baronet, with issue--

He [Sir John Munro of Foulis] was present along with his mother, the Dowager-Lady Munro of Fowlis, in her house at Obsdale, near Alness, in September, 1675, when the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was dispensed by Mr John Mackillican, minister of Alness, assisted by the Rev. Hugh Anderson of Cromarty, and Alexander Fraser of Daviot. Sir Roderick Mackenzie of Findon at the instigation of Bishop John Paterson of Ross, sent a party of soldiers to apprehend Mr Mackillican, but before their arrival the communicants had dispersed themselves and concealed the ministers.

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

Notes:

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - 1978 - R/3, R/4, R/25, T, V

"History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - 1898 - p. 68, 74-75, 169-171, 211, 284

Clan Munro files - Stroud, Anna Margaret

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - Edinburgh (1978) - p. ii

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

Birth:
Estimate: This birth date is an estimate based on the birth dates of nearest relatives or contemporaries, or based on other clues such as christening date, marriage date, birth order, etc.

John married Catherine Gordon. Catherine was born about 1592; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - R/4

"Collonel John Munro of Obsdale married Catherine daughter to John Gordon of Embow by whom he had John Robert George Andrew Alexander and David and daughters Janet and Christane he was killed at the [? Closter] of /illegible/ March 11 1633."

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

Birth:
Estimate: This birth date is an estimate based on the birth dates of nearest relatives or contemporaries, or based on other clues such as christening date, marriage date, birth order, etc.

Notes:

Hector was originally trained for the church, but at an early age he decided on a military career. He went with his brother to join the army in Denmark and served as an officer with distinction in Sir Donald Mackay's regiment. Sir Donald was Hector's brother-in-law.

When the services of this famous corps were transferred to the King of Sweden in 1629, Hector accompanied his brother officers and subsequently served in the German campaign under Gustavus Adolphus. There, because of his courage and bravery, he rose to the rank of Colonel and had the command of a regiment.

On the death of his brother the Black Baron, Colonel Hector temporarily returned to Scotland to take possession of the family estates and assume his position as head of his house. While in London, on his journey to the North, he waited upon King Charles I, by whom he was graciously received, and was shortly afterwards in 1634, created a Knight Baronet in the order of Nova Scotia, with a nominal estate of 16,000 acres. The Royal patent, or diploma, conferring the title is dated 7 Jun 1634.

Having arranged his family affairs--all sadly dilapidated by his brother's expensive habits--Sir Hector returned to Germany to resume his military career in the civil war still carried on there. He "took shipping from Cromarty," and safely landed at Hamburg, in April, 1635, but died the same month in that town. He was buried at "Buckstchood [or Buxtehude], in the Old Land," on the River Elbe, in his forty-third year, about the same age as his brother when he died, the lives of both being much shortened by the hardships which they had endured in the various and arduous campaigns in which they served with so much distinction.

Hector was succeeded by his only son, Hector.

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The following is a transcription of RW "Billy" Munro's genealogy notes:

[Alexander Munro] «i»Eldest son of Hugh Munro of Ardulle (d. 1659) & Ellen Clunas; went to German wars (1626) with Col. Sir Hector Munro of Foulis, & killed there; unmarried, predeceasing father [MacKenzie shows him as succeeding, but Munro Tree does not]. (No Alexander Munro mentioned in Col. Robert Mokro, «u»His Expeditions with the Worthy Scots Regiment«/u», but some are given without Christian names.)

Munro tree (M/51) MHM pp. 396, 397; Chron Acc ( p. 29).
«/i»**********

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

Hector married Mary MacKay in Jul 1619 in Tongue, , Sutherland, Scotland. Mary was born about 1594; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - U

Collonel Sir Hector Munro succeeded his brother Robert A D 1633 and married Mary daughter to Hugh McKy of strathnaver by whom he had Hector Jean Margaret and Catherine he dyed at Hamburgh.

...He [Sir Hector] m 1619 Marie dr of Hugh Mackay of Farr and sister of Donald 1st Lord Reay (Suthd EM. 360, SP vii 167), who later m Alexander Gun of Killearnan (SRO Reay Papers).

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie --p. 84-86

Sir Hector married in July, 1619, at Tongue, Sutherlandshire, Mary, youngest daughter of Hugh Mackay of Farr and sister of Sir Donald Mackay, afterwards Lord Reay, his future Colonel-Commandant in the German wars...Her mother was Lady Jane gordon, eldest daughter of Alexander, fifteenth Earl of Sutherland, by his second wife, Lady Jane Gordon, Countess of Bothwell,

By his wife, Mary Mackay, Sir Hector had issue--

Lady Munro survived her husband for several years, and possessed a portion of his estate in life-rent.

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

Birth:
Estimate: This birth date is an estimate based on the birth dates of nearest relatives or contemporaries, or based on other clues such as christening date, marriage date, birth order, etc.

Notes:

George was the progenitor of the Lower Iveagh branch.

George's death date is given as 3 Jun 1590 on p. 68 of the Mackenzie reference but the same reference gives it as Jun 1589 on p. 169. It is given as Jun 1589 in "The Munro Tree".

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - 1978 - L/35, R, R/3, S
"History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - 1898 - p. 52, 56, 63, 68, 169,
284
"The Highland Clans" by Moncreiffe and Hicks - 1967 - p. 21

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - Edinburgh (1978) - p. ii, iv

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

George married Catherine Monro. Catherine (daughter of Andrew Monro, of Milntown & Dochcouty and Catherine Urquhart) was born est 1567; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - 1978 - L/5, L/35, R/3
"History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - 1898 - p. 68, 284
Clan Munro files - Stroud, Anna Margaret

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

Notes:

As a younger son, Hector did not expect to inherit any land and so he prepared for the Church. He was educated at St. Andrews University and his first preferment was the Chaplainry of Newmore to which he was presented in 1560 by Queen Mary. He was later assigned to the Chaplainary of Obsdale in 1570

On 8 May 1583, King James VI presented Hector as Dean of Ross. Alexander Urquhart, the former Dean had been deposed and "put to the horn." Alexander resisted being replaced and continued to occupy the lands and collect the rents for himself. The Privy Council finaly had to step in on 21 Jul 1585 and force Alexander Urquhart out so that Hector could assume his position as Dean of Ross. Hector served in this capacity until 15 Aug 1589 when, because of his succession to Foulis, he resigned all his Church positions.

Having survived both his elder brothers, the lands that had been conveyed to Robert by his father, were conveyed to Hector on 26 Mar 1589. He was also served heir to his brother, Hugh, in Meikle and Little Clyne on 7 Oct 1589.

On 4 Jun 1589, Hector's stepmother, Catherine Ross filed a complaint against Hector accusing him of attempting to dispossess her from her lands in the Barony of Foulis. The complaint says that he first attempted to frighten her off by persuing some of her tenants and servants in order to do them bodily harm and kill them. When that didn't work, the complaint says that Hector tried to frame Catherine and several other women, wrongly accusing them of practicing witchcraft and begining legal action against them.

The Privy Council ordered Hector to stop the action against the ladies and to leave them alone until Jul 1590, when a trial would be held in Edinburgh to hear the charges.

The trial was held on 22 Jul 1590. Hector served as an associate of the King's Advocate, David Macgill of Cranston-Riddell, in the prosecution of his stepmother, Lady Catherine of Foulis on charges of witchcraft. The jury acquitted Lady Catherine and promptly after that trial, another was started in which Hector was the defendant charged with "sorcery, incantation, witchcraft, slaughter, etc."

Hector was charged with having employed a witch to cure him of a fever, which she pretended to do by having him carried out in a blanket in a frosty night in January, and laying him down in a newly-made grave at the boundary between two baronies, in order to transfer the fever to his stepbrother, George, who was to die in his place. George actually did die on 3 Jun 1590 and part of the accusation against Hector was that he had used poison to kill him. Hector Munro of Fyrish also appears to have been implicated in the matter. In any case, Hector was also acquitted that day, probably partly due to the fact that the jury was composed of Munros and Rosses and their dependents.

On 9 Mar 1593, Hector and others were commissioned to apprehend George Earl of Huntly, William Earl of Angus, Francis Earl of Erroll, Sir Patrick Gordon of Achindown, Sir James Chisholme of Dunborne, and several others for practicing the "Papist" religion, which was then considered a treasonable act against the "true religion presently professed within this realm." The commission also ordered him to help apprehend and present to the King and Council or to the Justice, the persons responsible for burning Donniebristle and murdering James, Earl of Moray.

Hector was in great favor with and highly esteemed by King James VI. In a letter from His Majesty to his "right trusty friend the Laird of Foulis," the King took notice of his loyalty and faithful service and particularly recommended him to keep his men in good order.

On 4 Feb 1597, a disturbance took place at Logie-Riach, on the banks of the river Conon, between the Mackenzies on the one hand and the Baynes and Munros on the other, in which several of the latter were slain. Some difference arose between a desperado, John MacGilliechallum, a brother of the Laird of Raasay, and the Baynes about the lands of Torridon, and the latter obtained a decree against John, interdicting him from going on his lands or molesting his people.

Soon after this, Bayne attended the Candlemas market then held at Logie, with a large following of armed men, composed of Baynes and a considerable number of Munros. MacGilliechallum came to the fair too, as was his custom, and while buying some article at a chapman's stall, Alastair Mor Bayne came up behind him and without any warning struck him on the head with a two-edged sword, killing him instantly.

One of the Mackenzies, to whom MacGilliechallum was related, interfered, but he no sooner opened his mouth, than he was run through the body by one of the Baynes. The alarm and the news of the death of the two men immediately spread through the market. "Tulloch Ard," the war cry of the Mackenzies was instantly raised, whereupon the Baynes and the Munros took to their heels--the Munros eastward to the Ferry of Foulis and the Baynes northward to the hills, both followed by a band of the infuriated Mackenzies, who slaughtered everyone they overtook.

Ian Dubh Mac Choinnich Mhic Mhurchaidh of the Clan Mhurchaidh and Ian Gallda Mac Fhionnla Dhuibh, two gentlemen of the Mackenzies, were on their way from Chanonry when they met with a batch of the Munros flying in confusion in that direction, and the pair having learned the cause of the flight to be the murder of their two friends at Logie, they pursued the fugitives and slew no less than thirteen of them between Logie and the wood of Millechaich.

Most of the Baynes were killed and the Munros lost no less than fifty able-bodied men. One lady of the clan lost her three brothers in the fight.

The matter was soon after brought before the King and Privy Council, then at Falkland, by the intervention of Lord Lovat and Mackenzie of Kintail, when the principals consented to subscribe a contract of agreement and peaceful behaviour towards each other ever after.

On 31 Jan 1602, an act of the Privy Council ordered him, and the other principal Highland chiefs, to hold a general muster of his followers on 10 Mar, and to list the names of all the persons mustered, with the form and manner of their arms, and send a report to the King as soon as possible. He was also ordered to send 100 men and supplies to go to the assistance of Queen Elizabeth of England in repressing the rebellion of her Irish subjects.

Hector's first wife was Anne (or Agnes) Fraser. Mackenzie gives some facts about her on p. 72 which actually should be attributed to her great aunt of the same name.

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(The following is from "The Monroe Book" - by Dr. J. S. Guilford - p. 10)

«i»Teachatt [was] granted in 1591 by Hector of Foulis to John Munro, "writer," (i.e., lawyer) on condition that he render legal services to the Barons and their successors. Fraser seems to take delight in noting that this family retainer died intestate.«/i»
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Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Hector married Anne Fraser about 15 Jul 1590. Anne was born about 1564; died on 16 Mar 1597. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - S

Mr Hector Munro of Fowlis succeeded his father A D 1588 and married Anne daughter to Hugh Fraser Lord Lovat by whom he had Robert Hector and Margaret thereafter he married Culinalds relict and dyed 1603.

...Hector's first wife Anne Fraser was dr of Hugh 5th Lord Fraser of Lovat (cont 15 Jly 1590 cited FW 125), also called Agnes (FW 156, Wardlaw MS 157, 176; Mackenzie 72 confuses her with greataunt of that name see Warrand's Fraser Pedigrees 7); she d 16 Mch 1596/7 (Edin Tests 21 Dec 1597); dr Margaret m Alexander Mackenzie of Davochmaluack (Macfarlane's Gen Colls i 79). Hector was survived by wife Margaret (acc. to Edin Tests 23 Dec 1605), while relict of David of Culnald L/102 was Janet Munro (Edin Tests 6 Jan 1598/9) dr of Andrew of Milntown L/5 & 35.

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 72

Hector married, first, the Hon. Anne, or Agnes, Fraser, daughter of Hugh fifth Lord Lovat (widow successively of William Macleod, IX. of Macleod, and Alexander Bayne of Tulloch, the latter of whom she married on the 2nd of May, 1562), [Note: Some of this may not be correct. See above.] with issue--

Anne's mother was Elizabeth Stewart.

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

Birth:
Estimate: This birth date is an estimate based on the birth dates of nearest relatives or contemporaries, or based on other clues such as christening date, marriage date, birth order, etc.