Daniel Munroe

Notes:

**********
(The following is from "The Monroe Book" by Dr. J. S. Guilford.)

«i»Dorothy [Daniel's wife] was appt. admin. of his estate 25 Mar. 1733 and presented inv., but by 10 Apr 1771, the wid.'s thirds were divided among the survivors. Daniel, "eldest son," rec'd the whole of the real estate and was ordered to pay brethren and sis., all named, their £84.19.05 shares (Middlesex co. Pro. No. 15659). By 10 Apr. 1771, Sarah had d. as the distribution of her estate included the other ch. and the "lawful heirs of Sarah, dec'd." Since these daus. are always called Munroes, they may not have m.«/i»
**********

Daniel was admitted to the church on 18 Feb 1728.

Ref: Clan Munro files - Yard, F. L. Dixon

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

Daniel married Dorithy Mooer est 1716. Dorithy was born est 1685. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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

Notes:

Jedediah Munroe was a private in Captain Parker's company, and rallied with his townsmen in defence of freedom on 19 Apr 1775. He was wounded during the morning, but because his devotion to the cause was so very deep and couldn't be quenched by the first flow of blood, he marched with his company toward Concord to meet the British on their retreat. He was slain on the road to Concord that afternoon, at the age of 54.

Ref: Clan Munro files - Cones, Mona

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

(Medical):See attached sources.

Jedediah married Abigail Loring on 7 Jan 1722. Abigail (daughter of Joseph Loring and Lydia Fiske) was born about 1722; was christened on 7 Jan 1722; died on 31 Oct 1811. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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

Died:
Sarah died before 10 Apr 1771.

Notes:

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

Dorothy married Joseph Richardson on 10 May 1747 in Bradford, Essex Co., Massachusetts, USA. Joseph (son of Joseph Richardson) was born est 1726; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

John Munroe marched to the relief of Fort William-Henry in 1757. He was a member of Captain Parker's company and took part in the battle at Lexington on 19 Apr 1775, marched to Cambridge with the company on the day of the battle of Bunker Hill, and was in the campaign, in 1776, in the Jerseys. He and his wife were admitted to the church in Lexington on confession, in 1757. He probably resided in Woburn a portion of his life.

One reference gives his marriage date as 23 Dec 1757.

Ref: Clan Munro files - Yard, Prof. F. L. Dixon

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

John married Anna Kendall on 23 Dec 1747. Anna was born about 1733; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Daniel fought in the Revolution and he lived in Roxbury, Massachusetts. His wife was from Roxbury.

His wife was a daughter of one of the Parkers of Parker Hill, Roxbury. Near this he occupied a farm called the Seaver Farm for a few years. But ill health, which had caused his discharge from the Continental Army after a short service, also compelled him to abandon farming for the less laborious life of a trader. He experienced the varying fortunes which attended trade, brought up a large family in the light of a pious example, lived to a good old age, and left behind him the name of a perfectly reliable, honest, upright man and consistent Christian.

He was appointed as one of the enginemen of the first fire engine of Roxbury in 1784. The fire engine was located on the site of the Greyhound Inn.

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.

Daniel married Abigail Parker on 15 Sep 1774. Abigail was born on 30 Jan 1753 in Roxbury, Suffolk Co, Massachusetts, USA; died on 1 May 1844 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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

Notes:

Jedediah fought in the Revolution. The muster roll of Captian Moses Whiting lists him as a member of the company in Colonel John Greaton's Minute Regiment. He served 28 days from 29 Apr 1775.

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.

Jedediah married Sarah Parker on 30 May 1782. Sarah was born est 1751; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Solomon married and lived in Boston. He was on the muster roll of the company of Capt. Moses Whiting in Col. John Greaton's Minute Regiment. He served 28 days from 19 Apr 1775.

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:

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:

Joseph lived on Woburn Street to the east of Colonel Russell's in Lexington, Massachusetts. His wife was from Woburn, Massachusetts.

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.

Joseph married Rhoda Leathe on 22 Jul 1783. Rhoda was born about 1759; died on 2 Jan 1825 in Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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:

Zachariah and Elizabeth were twins.

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:

Elizabeth and Zachariah were twins.

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:
Elizabeth died young.

Notes:

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.

Elizabeth married Abel Walker on 23 Mar 1789. Abel was born about 1764; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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

Notes:

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.

Sarah married Nathan Dudley on 24 Jan 1786. Nathan was born about 1765; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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:

Lydia's husband, Jonathan, was from Lincoln, Massachusetts. He was a Colonel in the militia and during the War of 1812, he superintended certain fortifications in the Boston Harbor.

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.

Lydia married Jonathan Page on 16 Jan 1783. Jonathan was born about 1765; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Daniel was a clock maker in Concord and Boston, Massachusetts. He was an apprentice to Simon Willard for 7 years. In 1796 he received a recommendation which stated that he was "one of the best workmen in America."

He made clocks chiefly for the Boston market with fluctuating success from 1796 to 1858 under the name Clocks At Work. He made the Massachusetts Shelf Clock (illustrated in Moore), the Banjo Clocks and others.

In 1800-1807, his brother, Nathaniel was with him. In 1807, he was with Ezekiel Jones in Boston, and in 1809, he was working alone at 50 Newbury Street.

He continued at the bench till he retired at age 83 in 1858.

His wife was from Lincoln, Massachusetts.

Ref: Lexington Munroes, 2nd ed. 15-21-1

Daniel married Sarah Dakin on 29 Nov 1804. Sarah was born est 1784; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Nathaniel served his apprenticeship with Abel Hutchins in Concord, New Hampshire and then went into the clock making and brass foundry business with his brother, Daniel, (1800-1807). Their shop stood on the site of William Whitings's house and was the old L part of that house. The L was removed to give place to a more sightly structure. They planted the large buttonwood trees (sycamores) which were still standing on the property in 1869.

In 1808, Daniel left the business and moved to Boston and Nathaniel moved the business to the mill-dam into a building then standing just east of the present (1869) site of the post office. He also took on a partner, Samuel Whiting, and changed the name of the business to "Munroe and Whiting". His business did quite well. He made mostly clocks with 8-day movements, mostly hand made. He had seven or eight apprentices in a two-story building 30 feet front, and 15 feet deep. He also had a small brass foundry on the other side of the dam where he made wheels and other brass parts and also bells. Most of his business was with the south.

Nathaniel married three times. His first wife was from Concord, Massachusetts. They were married by Rev. E. Ripley. His second wife was from Framingham, Massachusetts, and his third wife was from Baltimore, Maryland.

In 1817 he moved to Baltimore, Maryland. He followed his pursuit of clockmaking there for more than 30 years, but rather as a repairer and as a dealer in watches and jewelry. He became quite well to do.

Nathaniel was about five feet seven inches, compactly built, dark complexion, black eyes and hair, quick in his movements and speech, full of fun and life.

He was at least as fond of play as work, and never more in his element than in his frequent excursions to the seashore with his heavy ducking gun. His friends thought his removal to Baltimore was not a little influenced by the canvas-backs that so abound in the Chesapeake Bay. His avowed inducement was the favorable report of the trade and the climate of Maryland which were sent him by his neighbor, Benjamin K. Hager, mathematical-instrument maker, who left Concord about two years before him.

He continued all his life in the same easy, good-natured, and good tempered man, fond of friends and social enjoyments, liking to the last the out-of-doors sports that had been the delight of his earlier days. In 1812, he became a member of the Social Circle (Concord, Massachusetts) and resigned in 1817 when he moved to Baltimore. The last days of his life were grieved by the atrocities committed on our Northern troops as they passed through Baltimore to the defense of Washington, and he did not live long enough to see any compensation for those doings. He retained his faculties and, generally, good health till old age.

Ref: Lexington Munroes, 2nd ed. 15-21-2

Family/Spouse: Mary Ann Hagar. Mary was born about 1779; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Nathaniel married Sally Lee on 30 Oct 1803. Sally was born on 20 Sep 1782; died on 12 Nov 1806. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Nathaniel married Mary Cotton Ballard on 20 Sep 1807. Mary was born about 1779; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

William was born on the Seaver Farm in Roxbury, Massachusetts about the time his father's broken health compelled him to abandon farming. His infancy and youth shared the most severe trials of his father's humble fortunes. He was not a strong boy and he had but very irregular advantages of even the little school education within the reach of the boy of that day.

At thirteen years he was for a while at his grandfather Parker's farm in Roxbury. Though feeling at home there, he did not like farming well enough to stay, as he desired to learn a trade. At fourteen he was with a wheelwright for a short time, but there he thought he had a hard fare and hard usage. Leaving this place, he was next with a cabinetmaker, where he found but little chance of properly learning the trade and left.

It was not until he was about seventeen that he found a place where he had good treatment and an opportunity to do himself credit. He went to work for his second cousin, Deacon Nehemiah Munroe, a cabinetmaker on the Main Street, Roxbury. In the cabinetmaker's shop, William soon showed that he had capacity, and, before leaving it, stood at the head, as the best workman in it, the finest and most difficult work being entrusted to his hands.

Before finishing his apprenticeship, he had felt conscious of having powers that were cramped. He often had innovative ideas about new ways of making or onamenting his work, but the rules of the shop did not permit innovations. On one occasion, however, he defied them by proceeding quietly to hang a table leaf by its hinges on a plan not known to the rules. After getting a good start, someone informed the Deacon who became angered at this disobedience. William was allowed to finish what he had started, however, and the result was so superior that William's invention became the new way of hanging table leaves.

After arriving of age, he remained with the Deacon about six months as a journeyman, earning the means of buying a humble outfit and some tools. He left Roxbury for Concord on 1 Jun 1800 on the invitation of his older brothers, Daniel and Nathaniel. They had already established themselves as clockmakers, and wished him to make clock cases for them. He was thus employed part of the time as partner with them until 1804.

After their marriage, William and Patty moved into part of the brick county house near the Middlesex Hotel. About two years later, they moved to the neighborhood of Barrett's Mills, near where Patty's mother lived. William had his shop in a part of the house standing east of the Mill Brook. He was employed making clockcases and timepiece cases and a few showcases for his brothers. He also made some articles of furniture which he took to Boston for sale.

In 1810 he made a voyage to Norfolk, Virginia with clocks taken in payment for the cases which he had made. He sold his clocks, invested the proceeds in corn and flour, and came back with them in mid-winter, barely escaping shipwreck on the voyage. He sold most of the flour to Abel Prescott, a baker of Concord. Instead of cash, which he could not collect from Prescott, a round about trade was made, by which he obtained the shop on the Mill Dam, which he owned and occupied for several years.

In 1811 he moved from Barrett's Mills to the village into the small house south of the meeting house. Living there and working in the shop on the Mill Dam, he made the attempt to get a support as a regular cabinetmaker. He says "In this I continued about a year, when finding that I could make with my own hands more furniture than I could sell, business of every kind being dull, and my family expenses increasing, I found that, unless I could make money faster, I should in a few years at most, even if I should have my health, be poor. I was worth a few hundred dollars, and that not in cash." This was at the beginning of the war with England. Non-intercourse, non-importation, and embargo laws were in force, and business of nearly every kind much depressed.

The demand for articles that hitherto had only been made abroad was, however, an exception. For these, non-importation created a scarcity, so invention in that direction was encouraged and well rewarded. William first attempted to produce cabinetmakers' squares. He succeeded without difficulty and readily sold all that he made at a good profit. Then decided to try to make and sell lead pencils.

He procured a few lumps of black lead. This he pulverized with a hammer and separated the fine portions by their suspension in water in a tumbler. From this he made his first experimental mixture in a spoon. The result was not very encouraging, but with more experimentation and invention, he finally came up with an acceptable product. Before the war of 1812, no pencils were made in America and because the supply was cut off by the war they became scarce and expensive. William's first pencils, his own invention, were sold to Benjamin Andrews in Boston. These were the first to be made in America.

William overcame the problems of mass production and began to prosper. When the war was over and English pencils were again on the market, he overcame the problems of increasing the quality of his pencils to stay competitive. In 1819 he finally sold his cabinet shop, taking pencil woods as pay, and began concentrating only on making pencils.

William soon found himself established as not only the first, but the best of American pencil makers. Improvements continued until 1830 when the trade sought him, rather than he the trade. He made as high as four thousand gross a year, of such quality that they readily outsold the imported ones and were evntually conterfeited by foreign makers. His wife remained his only confidante, and was a most efficient helpmate.

William is given credit for his achievements by Josephine Swayne in "The Story of Concord," (1923), in Kane's book "Famous Firsts," in an article in the Scientific American for 4 Jan 1879 (refuting another claim in Scribner's Magazine for Apr 1878), and in several books of reference.

In Apr 1821 the family moved to the farm near Barrett's Mills, which William had long owned. The old house was thoroughly renovated and additions made to accomodate his business. He paid little attention to farming, except for showing some originality in the cultivation of teasel.

In Nov 1844 he moved to a new residence in the village nearer the railroad. There he spent the rest of his life.

He took little part in public affairs, but once allowed his name to be entered to run for state senator. When he lost the election, as he predicted he would, he felt releived that he wouldn't have to serve. Politically he called himself a Federalist of the old school, and a Whig. He greatly admired the political character and views of Daniel Webster.

William was quiet and retiring, more fond of his home and family than of society. He was fond of music and was an excellant singer. It was as leader of the choir in church that he found among the singers there was a young woman who became his wife, Patty Stone, the daughter of Capt. John Stone of Concord, Massachusetts.

In religious matters, William was all his mature life a consistant Christian, but little demonstrative, though devout and reverent. He joined the church with his wife soon after his marriage and was chosen deacon in 1837. However, for reasons personal to himself, he declined to serve, though strongly urged by Dr. Ripley and friends. He could not accept the dogmas then current through the teachings of the Assembly's Catechism. He preferred the plain rules of duty for his creed and the teachings of the Bible, for which his reverence was unbounded, and with which he was very familier.

William was never a robust man. His helath was at times feeble, yet, till past sixty, he appeared young for his years. At about seventy, a chronic trouble, which had hitherto given him but slight suffering developed itself more seriously. From that time his health gradually failed. After a few years he was confined to his house, and was finally oblidged to keep his room. After years of slow physical decline, surrounded by loving caretakers, he died at age 83 years, 3 months.

Ref: Lexington Munroes, 2nd ed. 15-21-3

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

William married Patty Stone on 19 Sep 1805 in , , Massachusetts, USA. Patty (daughter of Capt. John Stone) was born est 1780; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Abigail's first husband, Salma, was from Boston, Massachusetts.

Ref: "Lexington Mass. Munroes", 2nd ed. by R. S. Munroe - 15-21-4

Family/Spouse: Salma Clapp. Salma was born about 1778; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Houston. was born about 1778; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

John was a watch-maker (clock and watch repair) and was the first on Cape Cod. His patrons were from Falmouth to Provincetown. He first introduced the tall mahogany eight day clocks made by his brothers, Nathaniel, Daniel, and William. Many were still in existence around Barnstable in 1900.

He was responsible for the organization of the Barnstable Savings Bank and was elected its treasurer, a position he held for forty years. When he resigned from the bank its deposits amounted to one and a half million dollars.

His wife was from Barnstable, Massachusetts.

Ref: "Lexington, Mass. Munroes", 2nd ed. by R. S. Munroe - 15-21-5

John married Nancy Phinney in 1810. Nancy was born about 1793; died in 1881. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Charles' wife was from Portland, Maine.

Ref: "Lexington Mass. Munroes", 2nd ed. by R. S. Munroe - 15-21-6

Family/Spouse: Adaline A. Smith. Adaline was born est 1797; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Rhoda's husband was from Boston, Massachusetts. They moved to Cincinnati, Ohio.

Ref: Lexington Munroes, 2nd ed. 15-23-2

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

Rhoda married John Winship on 21 Apr 1805. John was born est 1781; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sarah's second husband was from Charlestown, Massachusetts.

Ref: Lexington Munroes, 2nd ed. 15-23-3

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

Family/Spouse: Smith. was born est 1783; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Zephania Osgood. Zephania was born est 1783; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Catharine's husband was from Charlestown, Massachusetts. They had five children.

Ref: Lexington Munroes, 2nd ed. 15-23-4

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

Family/Spouse: James Kimball. James was born est 1785; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: Lexington Munroes, 2nd ed. 15-23-1

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

Henry married Nancy Webster on 24 Oct 1813. Nancy was born est 1791; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: Lexington Munroes, 2nd ed. 15-23-5

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

Notes:

Maria's second husband was from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Ref: "Lexington Mass. Munroes", 2nd ed. by R. S. Munroe - 15-23-6

Family/Spouse: Tucker. was born est 1794; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Brock. was born about 1794; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: Lexington Munroes, 2nd ed. 15-26-1

Family/Spouse: Cobbett. was born about 1782; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: Lexington Munroes, 2nd ed. 15-26-2

Notes:

Lydia's husband was from Bedford, Massachusetts.

Ref: Lexington Munroes, 2nd ed. 15-26-3

Lydia married Joel Gleason on 11 Apr 1811. Joel was born about 1789; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: Lexington Munroes, 2nd ed. 15-26-4

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth Fox. Elizabeth was born about 1799; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Jeptha's wife was from Woburn, Massachusetts.

Ref: "Lexington, Mass. Munroes", 2nd ed. by R. S. Munroe - 15-26-5

Jeptha married Fanny Nichols on 10 Sep 1815. Fanny was born on 10 May 1799; died on 17 Oct 1836. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: "Lexington Mass. Munroes", 2nd ed. by R. S. Munroe - 15-26-6

Notes:

Susan and Larkin had two daughters born at Woburn, Massachusetts.

Ref: Lexington Munroes, 2nd ed. 15-26-7

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

Susan married Larkin Livingston on 7 Dec 1821. Larkin was born about 1801 in Chelmsford, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA; died on 26 Sep 1865 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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

Notes:

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

Notes:

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

Notes:

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