Col. Sir Robert Munro, XXIV of Foulis, 6th Baronet

Notes:

Sir Robert Munro was 24th Baron and 6th Baronet of Foulis. He was a gentleman of calm wisdom, determined courage, and unassuming piety. He was sincere in his friendship and full of compassion even to the lowest of those around him.

At an early age, Sir Robert highly distinguished himself during his education at the Edinburgh University. Upon leaving college, he at once entered the army as a Captain in the Earl of Orkney's Regiment.

In 1705, when only 21 years old, he went to Flanders, where he served for seven years with distinction as a Captain in the Royal Scots under the famous Duke of Marlborough. The Colonel of his regiment was Lord Semple, but he was generally absent and so during the war, the regiment was run mostly by Sir Robert. The manner in which he handled this great responsibility is an honor to his memory.

He had an intense influence over the men in the regiment and a high sense of honor pervaded them all. A letter was written from the Elector-Palatine to his envoy in London, asking him to thank the King of Great Britain for the exellent behavior of the Highland regiment while in his territories, "which was owing to the care of Sir Robert Munro, their Lieutenant-Colonel, for whose sake he would for the future always esteem a Scotchman."

During this period of time, he formed a very close friendship with the well known Colonel James Gardiner, who was then a Cornet of Dragoons. This friendship lasted until death ended it.

After the peace of 1712, Captain Munro returned to Scotland. In 1710, he had been elected member of Parliament for the Wick Burghs, a position which he held continuously until 1741.

While sojourning in England after his return from Flanders in 1712, Sir Robert was introduced to Mary Seymour. The gallant young soldier was smitten by her, and had the happiness of perceiving that he had succeeded in at least attracting her notice. The introduction soon resulted in mutual friendship which ripened into mutal attachment of no ordinary warmth and delicacy. Before Sir Robert left England for the North, he arranged with Miss Seymour a plan of regular correspondence, and wrote to her as soon as he arrived at Foulis.

After waiting with the usual impatience of a lover for a reply which did not come, he sent off a second letter, complaining of her neglect, which had no better success than the first. Shortly afterwards, he sent a third which also failed to elicit a response.

The inference seemed too obvious to be misunderstood, and he strove to forget the lady. He hunted, fished, visited his friends, and engaged in numerous and varied concerns, but to no purpose. She still filled his mind.

After a few months, he returned to England, a very unhappy man. When waiting on a friend in London, he was unexpectedly ushered into the midst of a fashionable party, and to his surprise found himself in the immediate presence of his lady love. She seemed much startled by his appearance and blushed deeply, but suppressing her emotion, she turned to the lady who sat next to her, and began to converse on some common topic of the day.

Sir Robert retired, beckoned to his friend, and begged him to procure an interview with the lady, which he did. She said that she had not received a single letter, and believed that Sir Robert had lost interest in her. She had tried to forget him but had been as unsuccessful as Sir Robert had. They both were very relieved to find that there was still a strong emotional bond between them and they parted more attached than ever. Less than two months later, Mary Seymour became Lady Munro of Foulis.

Sir Robert succeeded in tracing all his letters to one point--a kind of post-office on the border of Inverness-shire. There was a proprietor in the neighborhood who was deeply engaged in the interests of the Stuarts, and directly hostile to Sir Robert. There was little difficulty in ascertaining what had happened to the letters. Sir Robert was satisfied at having solved the mystery and, true to his nature, exacted no revenge.

After the failure of the Rising of 1715, the guilty proprietor was among those who were proscribed for taking part in the rebellion. Sir Robert's influence with the Government, and the office to which he was appointed, gave him great power over the confiscated proprietors, and this power he exerted to its utmost in behalf of the wife and children of the proprietor. "Tell your husband," he said to the lady, "that I have now repaid him for the interest he took in my correspondence with Miss Seymour."

Since his father was blind, Robert no doubt took a leading part in putting into action his father's anti-Jacobite policies during the rising of 1715. In Nov 1715, Robert, younger of Foulis, was appointed Governor of Inverness. In 1716, he was appointed a Commissioner of Inquiry into the forfited estates of the attainted Highland Chiefs. In this office he was able to procure a number of parishes to be erected through the rebel countries and provide them with suitable stipends out of the confiscated lands, so that Protestantism began to be preached in lands where it had not been known before.

At that time, the retiring Councilors of a Royal burgh elected their successors in office, usually themselves, and the right of electing members of Parliament was largely vested in the various Town Councils. The composition of the Council, therefore, was all important to Parliamentary candidates such as Sir Robert.

During the 1721 municipal election in Dingwall, Sir Robert took some unusual steps to ensure that the majority of the Council favored him. There are several versions of this story, but Sir Robert and his brother, Captain George Munro, appears to have kidnapped some of the opposing Councilors just before the election so they were not able to vote against him. The Munro claim was that the Councilors owed money and were being apprehended for that reason, but the timing of their arrest was such that they were not able to cast their votes in the municipal election.

Like his father, Sir Robert was an elder in Kiltearn Parish Church and discharged the duties connected with that office with characteristic conscientiousness and consistency.

During his long Parliamentary career of more than thirty years, he distinguished himself as a consistent friend of the people and his Sovereign, and a stout upholder of the religion and liberty of his country.

In 1740, when Scotland was on the eve of what he deemed a just war, even though he was then 56 years of age, he resigned from Parliament to accept a commission as Lieutenant-Colonel in the 42nd Royal Highlanders, the Black Watch. This is the same position he held when the Black Watch was first organized in 1729.

On 9 May 1745, his regiment was among the first on the field at the battle of Fontenoy and he surprised the whole army by a display of extraordinary yet admirable tactics directed with the most invincible courage against the enemy. From the main battery of the French, which he was ordered to attack, he dislodged a force far superior to his own, and found a strong body of the enemy stationed beyond it preparing to open upon him a sweeping fire. He commanded his men to prostrate themselves to avoid the shot, which accordingly swept harmlessly over them. Then, when the French were in the act of reloading, the Highlanders suddenly sprang up, poured in their own fire, slung their muskets, and, under cover of the smoke, they charged with targe and claymore with such force that they quickly cut their way through the French lines.

Then retreating for a little, according to the tactics of their country, he again brought his men to the charge, and with a similar maneuver of alternate attack and retreat, which was frequently repeated during the day, committed great havoc upon the French army. Sir Robert was everywhere with his regiment even though he was so fat that when he was in the trenches, he had to be hauled out by the arms and legs by his own men. He also was unable to prostrate himself just as the enemy raised their pieces for firing. He stood alone with the colors behind him exposed to the volley. His preservation that day was the surprise and astonishment not only of the army, but of all who heard about it.

At one point, Sir Robert was ordered to silence a French battery which was annoying the allied army. The Black Watch Regiment immediately drove away the French and spiked their cannon, but then soon found themselves surrounded by three regiments of French cavalry. Seeing their dangerous position, Sir Robert shouted to his troops, "Now, my lads, mind the honor of your country." The regiment immediately assumed a determined "lion-like" posture and cut their way through the enemy, suffering severely in the action.

When the battle had become general, the British began to give way before the numerically superior forces of the enemy and Sir Robert's regiment formed the rear guard of the retreating army, because they were the only regiment that could be kept to their duty. A strong body of French horse came galloping up behind, but when within a few yards of the Highlanders, they turned on Sir Robert's command and received them with a fire so well directed and so effectual, that nearly one-half of them were dismounted. The rest weeled about and rode off and did not again return to the attack.

At Fontenoy, the Black Watch suffered five officers and thirty men killed, and two sergeants and eighty-six men wounded.

The Duke of Cumberland was so much struck with the conduct of Sir Robert Munro's regiment that he decided to grant them any favor that was in his power to give. The men of the regiment asked for the pardon of one of the soldiers of the regiment who had been court-martialed for allowing a prisoner to escape, and was under sentence of a heavy corporal punishment which they felt would not only disgrace them all, but also their families and their country. The request was immediately granted and the Duke was even more impressed by the nature of the wish.

Even the French could not withold their praise for Sir Robert and his regiment. A French writer says, "The British behaved well, and could not be exceeded in ardor by any but our officers, who animated the troops by their example, when the Highland furies rushed upon us with more violence than ever did a sea driven by a tempest...In short we gained the victory; but may I never see another."

King George I had never seen a Highland soldier and expressed a desire to see one. Three privates were selected from the Black Watch Regiment and sent to London. Gohn Grant, one of the three, died on the journey, but Sir Robert presented the other two, Gregor Macgregor and John Campbell, to the King. They went through their broadsword exercise and showed their skill in handling the Lochaber axe, or lance, before a number of general officers who had assembled for the purpose in the Great Gallery at St. James' Palace. The King was greatly impressed and gave them each a guinea. The soldiers gave their guineas to the porter of the palace gate as they left.

In Oct 1745, Sir Robert's Regiment was ordered home to deal with the Rising. They arrived on the Thames on 4 Nov 1745, and while other regiments were sent to Scotland under General Hawley to assist in quelling the insurrection, Sir Robert's 42nd Regiment was marched to the coast of Kent, where it joined the division of the army there assembled to repel an expected invasion. This was done because more than three hundred men had fathers and brothers engaged in the Rising, and the prudence and humanity of keeping them aloof from a contest between duty and affection is evident. Sir Robert was promoted to Colonel and given command of the 37th Regiment which was ordered to Scotland.

On 17 Jan 1746, Sir Robert's regiment took part in the Battle of Falkirk. His new regiment was deployed on the left wing of the army, but in the moment of attack, it participated in the general panic which had seized the other regiments on the left, and fled, leaving its Colonel surrounded by the enemy, alone and unprotected. In this situation, Sir Robert was attacked by six men of Lochiel's Regiment, and, for some time, gallantly defended himself with his half-pike, but was ultimately overcome and slain.

Sir Harry Munro of Foulis, Robert's heir and successor wrote to Lord President Forbes a few days after the battle saying:

"My Lord,--I think it my duty to acquaint your Lordship of the deplorable situation I am in. The engagement between the King's troops and the Highlanders on Thursday last, within a mile of Falkirk, proves to me a series of woe. There both my dear father and uncle Obsdale were slain. The last, your Lordship knows, had no particular business to go to the action, but out of a most tender love and concern for his brother, could not be dissuaded from attending him, to give assistance if need required. My father, after being deserted, was attacked by six of Lochiel's regiment, and for some time defended himself with his half pike. Two of the six, I am informed, he killed, a seventh coming up fired a pistol into my father's groin, upon which, falling, the Highlander with his sword gave him two strokes in the face, one over the eyes and another on the mouth, which instantly ended a brave man. The same Highlander fired another pistol into my uncle's breast, and with his sword terribly slashed him, whom he killed. He then despatched a servant of my father's. That thus my dearest father and uncle perished, I am informed, and this information I can depend on, as it comes from some who were eye-witnesses to it. My father's corpse was honourably interred in the Church-yard of Falkirk by direction of the Earl of Cromarty and the Macdonalds, and all the Chiefs attended his funeral. Sir Robert was the only body on the field on our side that was taken care of. Now, my Lord, you may easily conceive, all circumstances duly weighed, how dismal my situation is. I depend on your advice and assistance."

Sir Harry erected a large and elaborately ornamented sarcophagus over his father's grave. The English translation of the Latin inscription reads:

"Here lies what is mortal of Sir Robert Munro, Baronet of Fowlis, Chief of his clan. An officer in the army whose life was honourably spent in the field and in the British Parlia- ment for the Liberty and Religion of his native country. He died most gloriously on the Battlefield near Falkirk, 17th January, 1746, in the 62nd year of his age, renowned for his virtue and counsel. He commanded the Highland Regiment which will be remembered as long as the battle of Fontenoy. Let us ever desire to continue friendship and fidelity from friends, kindness and clemency to foes, goodwill and goodness to all even to enemies."

During his distinguished military career, Sir Robert fought at many battles including Dettingen, Fontenoy, Culloden, Quebec, and he was killed at Falkirk.

References:

(1) "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - Edinburgh (1978) - Z

(2) "History of the Munros of Fowlis" by A. Mackenzie - Inverness (1898) - p.
117-138

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

Buried:
Falkirk Church Yard

Robert married Mary Seymour in , , , England. Mary (daughter of Henry Seymour) was born about 1686; died on 24 May 1732. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Anne Munro was born est 1704; and died.
2. George Munro was born est 1711; died in 1743.
3. Elizabeth Munro was born est 1713; and died.
4. Robert Munro was born est 1715; and died.
5. Sir Harry Munro, XXV of Foulis, 7th Baronet was born est 1720; died on 12 Jun 1781 in Edinburgh, , Midlothian, Scotland; was buried in Edinburgh, , Midlothian, Scotland.

Notes:

Sir Robert succeeded his father becoming the 23rd Baron of Foulis and the 5th Baronet. King William III granted him a charter of confirmation of the lands and Barony of Foulis and all his other estates on 22 Jan 1698.

Like his father, Sir Robert was a strenuous upholder of the Protestant succession, and a zealous supporter of the Presbyterian system of church government and its principles. He represented the County of Ross in Parliament from 1697 to 1702. He apparently lost his sight at a fairly early age and so became known as the Blind Baron.

Sir Robert, his son, Robert Munro, yr. of Foulis, the heads and eldest sons of almost all of the major Munro families, and other important people of the shires of Ross and Sutherland, signed an address to King George I in Dec 1714, imploring his Royal mercy for Simon Lord Lovat on his return from France at the instigation of Major James Fraser of Castleleathers.

A letter written by Sir Robert to John Forbes of Culloden on 17 Feb 1715 shows exactly where his loyalties lay as the rising of 1715 approached. It says in part:

"I find the Jacobites are very uppish, both in Edinburgh and in England, so that if you go to Parliament, as I hope you will, recommend to some trusty, faithful friend to take care of your house of Culloden,...The vanity, insolence, arrogance, and madness of the Jacobites is beyond all measure insupportable. I believe they must be let blood. They still have a trick of presuming upon the levity of a moderate Government. It seems God either destines them for destruction, or infatuates others to allow them to be pricks in our sides and thorns in our eyes. I have account from very good hands from Edinburgh, that to their certain knowledge saddles were making in that city for Dragoons to serve the Pretender, and that all the popish Lords and very many popish and Jacobite gentlemen are assembled there now; so that all friends and loyal subjects to his present Magesty are advised to be upon their guard from thence against an invasion or insurrection which is certainly expected, which the Jacobites pretend will interrupt the meeting of Parliament."

On 26 May 1715, the Earl of Seaforth, in the Chevalier's name, requested Sir Robert to deliver up to him all his defensive weapons. This Sir Robert refused to do. Instead, he garrisoned his house and sent the remainder of his men with his son, Captain George Munro at their head, to the general rendezvous called at Alness, and sent a message to Lord Strathnaver that he had done so.

On 18 Jul 1715, two days before the 1715 rising was formally announced to Parliament, Sir Robert wrote to Lord Strathnaver asking for assistance in case he should be attacked by the Jacobite clans. In the letter, he reminded Lord Strathnaver that in the past, the Munros had always responded in times of danger and had sent assistance whenever asked. He briefed his Lordship of the precautions that he had already taken in defense of his own territories and clan, and asked that a number of fighting men be made ready in case he needed them. His request was honored, and at the same time, the Munros, the Grants, and the Rosses were mustered by their respective Chiefs.

On 13 Oct 1715, the Earl of Sutherland was informaed that the enemy intended to invade Sutherland with 2000 men. He dispatched his son at the head of an opposing force to reinforce the passes and gathered his fighting men to defend the territory. But the rebels did nothing but plunder and destroy the goods and estate of Sir Robert Munro of Foulis and other Munros in the area.

In the meantime, Lord Duffus, with Loard Seaforth and his main body of men in support, marched into Tain with about 400 or 500 men of the Mackenzies, Chisolms and Macdonalds, and proclaimed the Pretender there. Duffus found it impractical to penetrate further, and Seaforth was under great pressure to march to Perth to releive the Earl of Mar, so Duffus marched back to Inverness taking Foulis Castle on his way with about 200 stands of arms. He remained for two days at Inverness and then on 22 Oct, he continued his march to Perth.

Seaforth levied heavy fines on the Munro territories before he left the area and the Munros retaliated with interest within the Mackenzie borders at every opportunity. At one point, Sir Robert and the Earl of Sutherland were encamped near Seaforth's house. That night they vented their vengance by destroying everything they could. The force of 1500 men ate well from Seaforth's stock for dwo days, and took as much booty and supplies with them as they could carry when they left.

On 9 Jun 1725, King George I rewarded Sir Robert for his family's loyalty to the House of Hanover by appointing him Sheriff-Principal of Ross-shire, a high and important office. He held that post until his death four years later. He also served for a time as a Captain in the army.

Sir Robert was a pious and benevolent man. He was an earnest and active elder in the Kiltearn Parish Church and his name appears regularly in the Session records of the parish. He regularly addended the Session meetings and when not present, as on 6 Dec 1709, his absence is noted as an unusual incident in the minutes of the meeting.

Sir Robert's name also appears frequently in the Dingwall Presbytery records. He was repeatedly appointed by that Presbytery as one of their Commisioners to the General Assembly, the last occasion on which he represented them being at the Assembly of 1724.

On 14 Apr 1726, the Synod of Ross wrote to him as Sheriff-Principal of the county, asking him to interpose his authority in order to give Mr. James Fraser access to the church and manse of Alness. He had been assigned as Minister of Alness, but most of the heritors opposed his assignment. Sir Robert summoned all parties to appear before him on 22 Apr, and after hearing their arguments, he ordered the heritors to give Mr. Fraser the keys to the church and manse, which they did.

Sir Robert, the Blind Baron, died in 1729, and was buried at Kiltearn Churchyard.

At the time of his death, his character and funeral were described as follows:

"The Baron of Fowlis was a very ancient gentleman, and chief of a considerable clan, who died in the enjoyment of general esteem. Four counties turned out to show their respect at his funeral. There were six hundred horsemen, tolerably mounted and apparelled. The corpse was carried on a bier betwixt two horses, fully harnessed in deepest mourning. A gentleman rode in deep mourning before the corpese uncovered, attended by two grooms and four running footmen all in deep mourning. The friends followed immediately behind the corpse, and the gentlemen (strangers) in the rear. The scutcheon were the handsomest I ever saw; the entertainment magnificent and full."

References:

(1) "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - Edinburgh (1978) - Y

(2) "History of the Munros of Fowlis" by A. Mackenzie - Inverness (1898) - p.
96-103, 113, 117

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.

Robert married Jean Forbes about 1684. Jean was born about 1661; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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

Sir Robert Munro of Fowlis Sheriff principle of Ross succeeded A D 1696 he married Jean daughter to John Forbes of Culloden by whom he had 3 sons and a daughter and dyed 1729.

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 113, 159

Sir Robert Munro married Jean, eldest daughter of John Forbes, II. of Culloden (by his wife, a daughter of Dunber of Grange), aunt of Duncan, the famous President of the Court of Session, with issue--

1. Robert, his heir and successor.

Sir Robert Munro, fifth Baronet and twenty-third Baron of Fowlis, by his wife Jean, eldest daughter of John Forbes, II. of Culloden, had issue--

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:

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.

**********
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»
**********

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]

Notes:

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

Sir John Munro of Fowlis married Anne daughter to Sir Kenneth McKenzie of Coul by whom he had Robert Andrew Jean Christane Anne and Margaret he dyed at Fowlis 15 October 1696.

...m prob 1660 Anna or Agnes Mackenzie (Invss Sasines, Mackenzie 94n)...

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 94

Sir John married Agnes, second daughter of Sir Kenneth Mackenzie, first Baronet of Coul, by his first wife, Jean eldest daughter of Alexander Chisholm, X. of Chisholm, with issue--

There is a Sasine, dated the 26th of June, 1660, to "Agnes Mackenzie, lawful daughter of Kenneth Mackenzie of Coul, and affianced spouse of John Munro, apparent of Fowlis, on a charter to her by Robert Munro of the lands of Drummond."

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:

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