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Clan Munro USA
Genealogy Pages
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 Abt 1566 -
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| Name |
Robert Munro [1, 2] |
| Suffix |
of Aldie |
| Born |
Abt 1566 |
- 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.
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| Gender |
Male |
| Died |
- Land records dated 6 Nov 1633 say Robert was deceased.
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| Person ID |
I10900 |
Munro |
| Last Modified |
14 Feb 2023 |
| Father |
Farquar Munro, of Aldie, b. Abt 1527, d. Abt 1618, , , Ross and Cromarty, Scotland  (Age ~ 91 years) |
| Mother |
Catherine McCulloch, b. Abt 1529, , , , Scotland , d. , , Ross and Cromarty, Scotland |
| Family ID |
F1333 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
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| Notes |
- Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - M/22
"Ferquhar of Aldy married Catherine daughter to Walter McCulloch of Cadboll by her he had John and Robert Commissar of Caithness."
"Farquhar of Aldie, son of John mor of Balcony, and wife Catherine McCulloch (who had a decree of separation 1605) had sons Robert and Hugh; disponed estate to son Robert 1608 reserving liferent and still living at Aldie 1617. Robert commissary of Caithness had spouse Isobel McKenzie."
Robert served as Commissary of Caithness.
In about 1620, George, Earl of Caithness, caused all the standing corn in Sanset to be burned. As a punishment for this malicious mischief, he was requested to resign a portion of the feu-lands of the Bishopric of Sutherland and Caithness to the Bishop of the diocese.
At first he agreed, but later changed his mind tried to get out the punishment. Robert Munro of Aldie, who was the Bishop's factor, was determined to enforce the punishment, but to appease the Earl, he allowed him to retain a part of the lands then occupied by Sir James Sinclair of Durran as the Earl's tenant. But later, Robert obtained a lease of the same lands for Thomas Lindsay, Robert's half-brother.
Sir James Sinclair of Durran was very annoyed at having been deprived of his lands in this way, and upon meeting Thomas Lindsay one day, they quarrelled and fought. Lindsay was mortally wounded in the fight and died a few days later.
After consulting with Sir Robert Gordon, Robert Munro decided to prosecute Sinclair as actor and the Earl of Caithness as instigator of the murder of his half-brother, Thomas Lindsay.
When Sinclair heard of Munro's determination to bring him to justice, he fled to Edinburgh. Robert Munro pursued him, and when he arrived in the capital, he caused Sinclair and the Earl of Caithness to be summoned to appear before the court for the murder of his step-brother. Neither defendant appeared on the appointed day and both were outlawed and denounced as rebels.
Sinclair escaped to London to his kinsman, Sir Andrew Sinclair of Mey. He persuaded Sir Andrew to intercede with King James and ask for a pardon. The King refused the pardon, whereupon Sinclair fled to Denmark to avoid any punishment.
When Robert Munro heard that Sinclair had gone to London, Robert followed. There, in the name of the Bishop of Caithness, he complained to the King relating the oppression and evil deed of Lord Caithness. Robert pointed out that his half-brother had been slain by the Earl's direction, and that he, himself, had narrowly escaped the fury of the Earl, who was outlawed for the murder.
The King wrote to the Scottish Privy Council instructing them to take immediate and vigorous steps to suppress the Earl's oppression and ordered them to give a Commission to Sir Robert Gordon to go into Caithness and apprehend Earl George, or make him leave the country, and to take possession of his houses for his Majesty's use.
Sir Robert very reluctantly accepted the commission, but delayed executing his orders. The Earl of Caithness took advantage of this delay and wrote to the Privy Council maintaining that he was innocent of the murder of Thomas Lindsay, and that the reason he did not obey the summons was because of his great debts. He was afraid to show up in Edinburgh because he creditors would apprehend him and throw him into prison.
On the receipt of the Earl's letter, the council instructed Sir Robert to delay carrying out their order to apprehend the Earl until further investigations could be made. It was eventually found that the Earl was indeed guilty of murder and Sir Robert was told to go ahead and execute his commission.
Sir Robert proceeded to Caithness and in his Majesty's name, took possession of his Lordship's principal castles and strongholds. The Earl quickly fled to Orkney, intending to cross into Norway on his way to Denmark, but he returned to Caithness, where he died in Feb 1643, at the age of 78 years, in comparative obscurity.
Robert Munro died before 6 Nov 1633.
The Andrews reference has confused this Robert Munro with Robert Munro XVIII of Foulis.
Error alert: Some researchers say Robert was the father of William Munroe of Lexington (b. 1625). Others say Robert Munro of Aldie who married Elizabeth Johnson was William's father.
References:
(1) "History of the Munros of Fowlis" by A. Mackenzie - Inverness (1898) - p.
344-347
Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA [3]
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| Sources |
- [S54] Clan Munro files - Caddick, George L., George L. Caddick, Letter from George L. Caddick dated 6 Oct 2000 (Reliability: 3).
- [S727] The Monroe Book, Dr. Joan S. Guilford, (Franklin, North Carolina: Genealogy Publishing Service, 1993.), p. 7-8. (Reliability: 3).
- [S488] Clan Munro files - Andrews, Arlene MacGregor, Arlene MacGregor Andrews, Membership application for Arlene MacGregor Andrews dated 2 3 Dec 1982 (Reliability: 3).
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