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Clan Munro USA
Genealogy Pages
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 1625 - 1718 (92 years)
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| Name |
William Munroe [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16] |
| Born |
10 Oct 1625 |
Inverness, , Inverness, Scotland  [17] |
- Historical research suggested that William Munroe (b. 1625) was one of Robert Munro of Aldie's sons and the unknown "Munrow" listed as a prisoner of war on the "John and Sara" ship (1652). However Y-DNA research performed in 2018 (reported by Mark E. Monroe) does not verify this assumption, so we are removing Robert Munro of Aldie and Elizabeth Johnson as his parents in this database.
(Note by Betti J. Steele MD, 28 May 2019)
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| Gender |
Male |
| Died |
27 Jan 1718 |
Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA |
| Buried |
Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA |
- William was buried in the Old Cemetery in Lexington, Massachusetts.
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| Person ID |
I647 |
Munro |
| Last Modified |
8 Nov 2013 |
| Family 1 |
Martha George, b. Est 1634, , , , Scotland , d. 1672, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA (Age ~ 38 years) |
| Married |
1665 |
Cambridge, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA |
| Children |
| + | 1. John Munroe, b. 10 Mar 1666, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA , d. 14 Sep 1753, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA (Age 87 years) |
| + | 2. Martha Munroe, b. 2 Nov 1667, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA , d. 27 Mar 1730, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA (Age 62 years) |
| + | 3. Ens. William Munroe, b. 10 Oct 1669, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA , d. 5 Jan 1759, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA (Age 89 years) |
| + | 4. Sgt. George Munroe, b. Aug 1671, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA , d. 17 Jan 1747, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA (Age ~ 75 years) |
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| Last Modified |
12 Jan 2010 |
| Family ID |
F293 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family 2 |
Mary Ball, b. 1651, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA , d. Aug 1692, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA (Age 41 years) |
| Married |
Sep 1672 |
Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA |
| Children |
| + | 1. Daniel Munroe, b. 12 Aug 1673, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA , d. 25 Feb 1733, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA (Age 59 years) |
| + | 2. Hannah Munroe, b. 1674, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA , d. 1736 (Age 62 years) |
| + | 3. Elizabeth Munroe, b. Est 1676, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA , d. 1713, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA (Age ~ 37 years) |
| + | 4. Mary Munroe, b. 28 Jun 1678, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA , d. 16 Jun 1754, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA (Age 75 years) |
| + | 5. David Munroe, b. 6 Oct 1680, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA , d. 19 Jun 1755, Canterbury, Windham Co., Connecticut, USA (Age 74 years) |
| + | 6. Eleanor Munroe, b. 24 Feb 1683, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA , d. Yes, date unknown |
| | 7. Sarah Munroe, b. 18 Mar 1684, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA , d. 1713 (Age 28 years) |
| + | 8. Joseph Munroe, b. 16 Aug 1687, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA , d. 1787, Arlington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA (Age 99 years) |
| + | 9. Benjamin Munroe, b. 16 Aug 1690, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA , d. 6 Apr 1766, Lincoln, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA (Age 75 years) |
| | 10. Susanna Munroe, b. 1692, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA , d. 1782 (Age 90 years) |
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| Last Modified |
1 Apr 2011 |
| Family ID |
F389 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
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| Notes |
- The link between William Munroe of Lexington, Massachusetts and Robert Munro of Aldie has not been proven beyond a doubt. However, there is a body of circumstantial evidence that supports that assumption. An excellent summary of the evidence can be found in the preface to "History and Genealogy of the Lexington, Mass. Munroes" by R.S. Munroe.
Not only is there no proof that William was the son of Robert of Aldie, there happens to be two people named Robert of Aldie who could possibly have been his father. Some researchers say William was the son of Robert Munro of Aldie b. about 1566 who married Isobel McKenzie, but most Munro genealogists have settled on Robert Munro of Aldie b. 1590 and married Elizxabeth Johnson. Other researchers erroneously say William was a son of Robert Munro XIV of Foulis.
William was born in 1625 near Inverness, Scotland. He was probably the son of Robert of Aldie who "went to the wars in Germany" and had sons George, William and Benedict. Robert of Aldie married in Nuremberg and died in Germany in 1633.
William was probably conscripted to serve in the army in the constant battles going on at this time. All men between the ages of 16 and 60 were expected to fight in Scotland's wars.
It was a time of great upheaval in Scotland. There was no chief at Foulis keeping the clan together. The Black Baron had already fallen into debt and disposed of much of the property. He had married three times, once bigamously, and was in Germany in the service of Christian IV where he died in 1633 when William was eight years old. Scotland was at war with England and within Scotland there were accumulating differences, political and religious, among Catholics and Presbyterians, covenanters and royalists. Battles large and small raged from coast to coast.
A historian noted the poverty of an exhausted broken down distracted country. Another wrote, "Our miseries and danger of ruin are greater than for many ages... a potent victorious enemy masters our seas... and the best part of our land. Our standing forces against his imminent invasions are few, weak and inconsiderable. Our kirk, state and army are full of divisions and jealousies. Our people south of the Forth are spoiled and near starving; north they are extremely ill-used by our own, many inclined to treat with Cromwell without care of king or covenant; none of our neighbors are willing to give us any help though called."
All men were conscripted, except those who were termed "malignant", not loyal to the cause, and many arguments resulted. King Charles was displaying treachery, playing both sides against each other. Cromwell attempted to bring the King in line without further bloodshed but without success.
In this miserable state, Cromwell met the Scots at Dunbar on 3 Sep 1650. A terrible battle ensued. Three thousand men fell on the field. Ten thousand were taken prisoner. Five thousand sick and wounded were dismissed from the field and allowed to go homeward, if able. Those who survived a violent disorder in prison were sold as slaves to the plantations.
The Scots did not surrender. The wars continued for another year. The castle at Edinburgh was surrendered without bloodshed, although rape, robbery and murder were perpetrated on the citizens by the soldiers outside the castle walls.
William was with the Scottish Army under Charles II which engaged the English at Worcester on 3 Sep 1651, exactly one year after the Battle of Dunbar. The battle raged for three hours and the Scots initially had the upper hand until the arrival of fresh English troops. The slaughter went on for two more hours. The victors and the vanquished entered Worcester fighting. The noise woke up King Charles who had been sleeping while men died for him. He rushed into the street and attempted to take charge, but was ignored. Seeing the direction of events, the king fled with fugitives who were leaving the city. Two thousand men were killed and between six and seven thousand were taken prisoner in the city and more later. William was among those captured.
All who lived at Worcester were taken by Cromwell and imprisoned or sent to the plantations. Almost all of the Scottish Chieftains were ruined, dead, in prison or in exile. The clans were abolished and it was forbidden to wear tartans.
William was sold to the plantations, probably the best thing that could have happened to a Scotsman at that time. He was shipped from London on 11 Nov 1651 by Jo, Reex, Robert Rich and William Green on the "John and Sarah", arrived in New England in Mar 1652, and consigned to Thomas Kemble of Boston, who had the privilege of selling his indentured servants for periods of from six to eight years. Four Munros were on board: Robert, John, Hugh and one name, thought to be William, which was obliterated on the manifest. William might have been sold as an apprentice at the Saugus Iron Works. The Beckett reference says "William Munrow (Munroe, Munro), says tradition, was bound out to a farmer by the name of Winship, who resided in that part of Cambridge called Mehotony (now Arlington), and when his indenture had expired he set up for himself, going farther back into the woods and procuring a tract of land within the prsent limits of Lexington, on a section now known as Scotland."
If William was sold as an apprentice when he first arrived in America, he must have been his own man by 1657 because he and one Thomas Rose were fined in Cambridge for not having rings in the noses of their swine.
Around 1660, he settled in the northeasterly part of Cambridge Farms, now known as Lexington, near the Woburn line. In those days this part of the town was called "Scotland". He was made freeman in 1690 and on 1 Feb 1699 was received into Communion of the Church. In 1693, he was one of the committee "to treat for the purchase of land for the minister." In 1694 he was a selectman of Cambridge and later his name appears in connection with several other important parish offices.
The Ackerman reference speculates that William was born in 1634.
His first wife, Margaret George, was the daughter of John and Anna (Goldstone) George of Charlestown. The Mills reference says Margaret was born about 1636.
His third wife was the widow of Edward Dwyer (or Wyer) of Charlestown, daughter of William and Elizabeth Johnson. The Ellis reference says Elizabeth was William's second wife and that Mary Ball was his third.
Several references say William was the son of Robert Munro of Aldie [10900]. Robert [10900] was the uncle of Robert Munro of Aldie [2760], William's father as listed here.
The Hopkins reference says William was the son of "Farquhar Munroe of Aldie" and Catherine MacCulloch, and the Andrews reference says William was the son of Robert Munro XVIII of Foulis. There is no hard proof as to the actual identity of William's father.
His gravestone inscription reads: "Here Lyes ye Body of Mr William Munroe, Aged about 92 years, Decd Janry 27th 1717-8. "
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«i»William Munroe, who, born in Caithness, Scotland, in 1625, was taken prisoner by Cromwell's men at the battle of Worcester in 1651, and was deported in the John and Sara to Boston. He worked out the cost of his passage, settled in Cambridge Farms (now Lexington), in a section still called "Scotland," married three wives, had thirteen children and became a substantial citizen.
As his children married he added successive ells to his house until it is said to have resembled a ropewalk.«/i»
("The Monroe Tavern" - a newwspaper article from an unknown Boston area newspaper - 1911)
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William was one of the company of Scotsmen who fought on the side of Charles II against Cromwell at the battle of Worchester, England on September 3, 1651. About 8000 of the Scots were captured, and sent to America as indentured servants to pay for their passage. Four Munros were sent from London on the ship "John and Sara" on November 11, 1651. They were listed as Hugh Monrow, John Monrow, Robert Monrow, and ------- Monrow (presumably William "The Immigrant" Monroe. He arrived in New England in March 1652, and was consigned to Thomas Kemble of Boston. In 1660, he settled in Cambridge Farms (now Lexington) in the part of town called "Scotland". He was made a free man in 1690.
("Descendants of John Munro" - by W. M. Roeser)
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Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - M/24
Clan Munro files - Ackerman, Elizabeth - membership application
- Bonney, Frances
- Brown, Thelma
- Charles, Marie Pierce
- Coombs, Judith
- Coutant, Martha
- Cox, J.
- Coye, Ruby
- Crandall, Katherine
- Delehanty, James
- Dietrich, Earl
- Elder, Charlotte
- Ebb, Jane Michelle (application)
- Farlow, Donna
- Griffin, Richard
- Guilford, Joan
- Henderson, Martha Monroe
- Jewell, Dana Munroe
- Langtry, Jeannette
- Mady, Ashley Nicole
- Mills, Larry
- Monroe, Ruby Lucille
- Sage, Wes
- Stephens, Frances
- Yard, F. L. Dixon
References:
(1) "Charles Monroe (1823-1873) of Posey, Vanderburgh & Gibson County, Indiana
- His Ancestors and Descendants" by Kendyl K. Monroe - (1997) - p. 1
(2) "History of Ashburnham Massachusetts" published in 1887
Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA [18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23]
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| Sources |
- [S727] The Monroe Book, Dr. Joan S. Guilford, (Franklin, North Carolina: Genealogy Publishing Service, 1993.), p. 7-8. (Reliability: 3).
- [S796] Clan Munro e-files - Powell, Sheryl, Sheryl Powell, Email from Sheryl Powell - 14 Apr 2011 (Reliability: 3).
- [S559] Clan Munro files - Antunes, Rebecca E., Rebecca E. Antunes, Membership application for Rebecca E. Antunes - 16 Dec 2006 (Reliability: 3).
- [S649] Clan Munro files - Brown, Julia A., Julia A. Brown, Membership application for Julia A. Brown - 10 May 2008 (Reliability: 3).
- [S797] Clan Munro files - Daniel, Barbara Jean Monroe, Barbara Jean Monroe Daniel, Ancestor Chart for Wayne Leroy Monroe compiled by Beatrice Berlin Monroe - 23 May 1988 (Reliability: 3).
- [S156] Clan Munro files - Goodner, Melody Lee, Melody Lee Goodner, Membership application for Melody Lee Goodner dated 4 Feb 2 002 (Reliability: 3).
- [S742] Clan Munro files - Haskins, Delmar Charles, Delmar Charles Haskins, Membership application for Delmar Charles haskins - 28 Sep 2009 (Reliability: 3).
- [S30] Clan Munro files - Henrich, Martha Susan, Martha Susan Henrich, Membership application - Martha Susan Henrich dated 4 Nov 1 999 (Reliability: 3).
- [S67] Clan Munro files - MacCready, Robin Merrow, Robin Merrow MacCready, Membership application for Robin Merrow MacCready - date d 5 Sep 2000 (Reliability: 3).
- [S148] Clan Munro files - Peacock, Nancy Newcomb, Nancy Newcomb Peacock, Membership application for Nancy Newcomb Peacock dated 12 J an 2002 (Reliability: 3).
- [S254] Clan Munro files - Roeser, Waldomar Monroe, Waldomar Monroe Roeser, Descendants of Robert Monroe - p. 1 (Reliability: 3).
- [S737] Clan Munro files - van Leer, Carolyn Babcock, Carolyn Babcock van Leer, Membership application for Carolyn Babcock van Leer - 3 Nov 2009 (Reliability: 3).
- [S100] Lexington Munroes, Richard S. Munroe, (privately published in Florence, Massachusetts (1986)), preface, p. 1-2 (Reliability: 3).
- [S254] Clan Munro files - Roeser, Waldomar Monroe, Waldomar Monroe Roeser, Descendants of John Munro - p. 1 (Reliability: 3).
- [S727] The Monroe Book, Dr. Joan S. Guilford, (Franklin, North Carolina: Genealogy Publishing Service, 1993.).
- [S882] Clan Munro e-files - Murguia, Barbara J., Barbara J. Murguia, E-mail from Barbara J. Murguia - 9 Jan 2013 (Reliability: 3).
- [S346] Clan Munro files - Hunt, Judith Evelyn, Judith Evelyn Hunt, Membership application for Judith Evelyn Hunt dated 15 Ju l 2004 (Reliability: 3).
- [S309] Clan Munro files - Munroe, Paul Donald, Paul Donald Munroe, Membership application for Paul D. Munroe dated 7 Dec 1998 (Reliability: 3).
- [S318] Clan Munro files - Proctor, Joseph Rich, Jr., Joseph Rich Proctor, Jr., Descendants of William Munro - p. 1-2 (Reliability: 3).
- [S354] Clan Munro files - Moore, Paul Arlon, Paul Arlon Moore, Membership application for Paul A. Moore dated 23 Aug 2004 (Reliability: 3).
- [S389] Clan Munro files - Schuster, Richard, Richard Schuster, Email from Richard Schuster dated 3 May 2005 (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).
- [S537] Clan Munro files - Beckett, Gilbert Percy, Gilbert Percy Beckett, Representative Men and Old Families of Southeastern Massach usetts - p. 1776 (Reliability: 3).
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