Henry Seymour

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.

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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

"Sir Robert Munro of Fowlis member of parliament for the northern Burrows succeeded A D 1729 he married Mary Seymour daughter to Henry Seymour by whom he has 2 sons and a daughter."

"...His marriage to Mary dr of Henry Seymour of Woodlands in Dorset seems to have taken place in England (licence 1716 in Bishop of London's Registry; Miller's Scenes and Legends of the North of Scotland 445-7)..."

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 136-138

Sir Robert married Mary, daughter of the Hon. Henry Seymour of Woodlands, Dorsetshire, Speaker of the House of Commons, by his wife, Miss Tregonwell of Anderson. Mr Seymour was a lineal descendant of Sir Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, Protector of England from 1547 to 1549, through his first marriage, being eldest son of Edward Seymour, Clerk of Hanaper, son of Thomas Seymour, by his wife Anne, daughter of Sir Richard Anderson. Thomas was son of Sir Edward Seymour, Baronet, son and hear of Sir Edward, son and successor of Sir Edward, son of the Protector. The following interesting anecdote, handed down by tradition, relative to Sir Robert's introduction to Mary Seymour, places his character in a very amiable light:--While sojourning in England after his return from Flanders in 1712 he met with and was introduced to the young lady. The gallant young soldier was smitten by her apearance, and had the happiness of perceiving that he had succeeded in at least attracting her notice. This happy introduction soon resulted in mutual friendship; and, at length, what had only been a casual impression on either side, ripened into mutual attachment of no ordinary warmth and delicacy. On Sir Robert leaving England for the North he arranged with Miss Seymour the plan of a regular correspondence; and wrote to her as soon as he arrived at Fowlis Castle. 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, and shortly afterwards a third, which shared the fate of the other two. 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 continued the engrossing object of his affections, and after a few month's stay in the Highlands, he again 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 entreated him to procure him an interview with the lady, which was effected, and an explanation ensued. She said she had not received a single letter; and forming at length, from the seeming neglect of her lover, an opinion of him similar to that which he had formed of her, she attemped to banish him from her affections; an attempt in which she was scarcely more successful than he had been. They were, however, much gratified to find that they had not been mistaken in their first impressions of each other, and they parted more atteched and convinced than ever that the attachment was mutual. so it turned out to be the case, for in less than two months Mary Seymour became Lady Munro of Fowlis.

Sir Robert succeeded in tracing all his letters to one point--a kind of post-office on the confines of Inverness-shire. There was a proprietor in the neighbourhood--one who was deeply engaged in the interests of the Stuarts, and directly hostile to Sir Robert, the scion of a family whose members, from the first dawn of the Reformation, had distinguished themselves in the cause of civil and religious liberty. There was, therefore, very little difficulty in ascertaining who the author of the plot was; but Sir Robert was satisfied in having traced it to its origin. Regulating his principles of honour by the moral of the New Testament rather than by the dogma of the so-called "code of honour" which regards death as the only expiation of insult or injury, he was no duelist. An opportunity of having himself avenged in a manner more agreeable to his character and principles soon occurred. On the breaking out of the rising of 1715 the person who had so wantonly trifled with his affections joined the Earl of Mar, and after the failure of the enterprise was among the number of the proscribed. Sir Robert's influence with the Government, and the peculiar 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 man by whom he had been thus injured. "Tell your husband," he said to the lady, "that I have now repaid him for the intrest he took in my correspondence with Miss Seymour."

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.

Mary married Col. Sir Robert Munro, XXIV of Foulis, 6th Baronet in , , , England. Robert (son of Sir Robert Munro, XXIII of Foulis, 5th Baronet and Jean Forbes) was born on 24 Aug 1684; died on 17 Jan 1746 in Falkirk, , Stirling, Scotland; was buried in Falkirk, , Stirling, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Error alert: Some references say Anne married Rev. William Mercer, a Presbyterian minister of Aberdeenshire, the parents of Gen. Hugh Mercer.

Ref: Clan Munro files - Patton, David Wilson
"The Highlander" - Jul/Aug 88 - p. 38

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

Notes:

George served in the Royal Navy.

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - Z/2

George Munro his 2d son.

George in Royal Navy d 1743 (Douglas 86).

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 138

3. George, an officer in the Royal Navy, who died unmarried in 1743.

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

Notes:

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - Z/3

"Mrs Elizabeth Munro his [Sir Robert Munro's] daughter."

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 138

4. Elizabeth, who died in infancy.

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

Notes:

1. Robert, who died in infancy.

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 138

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

Notes:

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(The following is from the "Clan Munro Magazine" - NO. 26, 2012 - "Sir Charles Munro - The Ninth Baronet" - by Hector Munro of Foulis)

«i»It was well known in Ross-shire and beyond that in 1776 Sir Harry Munro of Foulis, 7th Baronet, after gathering in much (an estimated 36,000 acres) of the ancient Munro lands previously conveyed or leased out under the old system of wadsets and tacks, had drawn up a Deed of Entail, not only detailing who exactly was to succeed to Foulis and in what order of precedence"...For support and continuance of my family and name..." commencing with his own sons Hugh and George and lawful, (i.e. legitimate) heirs male of their bodies, whom failing (lawful) heirs female etc. This was followed by a list of the male members of the leading Munro cadet families, starting with Culcairn and follwed by Culrain, Novar, Fyrish, Achany, Teaninich and Auchenbowie, whom failing the females of the same, but also severely restricting heirs and successors from selling or burdening the Estate with debt.
«/i»**********

Harry (or Henry) was educated in Dr. Philip Doddridge's famous academy at Northampton. In 1737, his tutor there was the Rev. Gilbert Robertson, who later became the minister of Kincardine. His classical learning was started at Westminster School and completed at the University of Leiden in Holland, which had long been used by Scottish students and scholars. Sir Harry was known as the Scholar Chief.

In 1746, Sir Harry Munro succeeded his father and became 25th Baron and 7th Baronet of Foulis.

He served as a Member of Parliament uninterruptedly from 1746 to 1761, first for Ross-shire (1746-1747) and then for the Wick Burghs (1747-1761).

He built the present Foulis Castle in the Dutch mode to replace the older castle which burned in 1750. The old castle was described in an old Gaelic poem as "castle gaunt-peaked, the eagle's nest".

On 13 Jan 1758, he married Anne Rose, the daughter of Hugh Rose of Kilravock by his second wife, Jane (Rose).

On 28 Jun 1776, he entailed all his estates by a deed signed at Ardullie on that date. This entail was in favor of certain female as well as male heirs, and therefore was responsible for much litigation and expenditure at a later period in the history of the family.

For nearly thirty years he devoted his leisure hours to a critical work upon Buchanan's "Psalms of David," which he finished and left ready for the press at his death. During his lifetime he submitted the manuscript to the examination of Thomas Ruddiman, whose reputation as a Latinist and careful editor of Buchanan's "Opera Omnia," then stood high in Scotland. Ruddiman was very well pleased with it, highly praised it, and paid the handsomest compliments to Sir Harry's classical knowledge and critical ability, as shown by a letter of several pages long that he wrote. From this it is apparent that Sir Harry was entitled to the reputation which he had for distinguished attainments in Latin literature.

He died on 12 Jun 1781, at Edinburgh, where he had gone for the benefit of his health. He was interred in Grey Friar's church-yard, about thirty yards southwest of the church, and contiguous to the burying-ground of the Monros of Achenbowie. Sixty-seven years afterwards, his grand-daughter, Mary Seymour Munro of Fowlis, erected a tombstone to his memory with the following inscription:

"SIR HARRY MUNRO, BART. 1848. This tablet is placed here by Mary Seymour Munro of Fowlis, as a tribute of respect to the memory of her grandfather, Sir Harry Munro, Baronet. who died in Edinburgh on the 12th of June, 1781, and was buried here."

He was succeeded by his second and elder surviving son, Hugh Munro.

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«i»Foulis Castle ... was accidently burned down in 1750 after having been garrisoned for the government and suffering at the hands of the Jacobites in two uprisings. It was completely rebuilt by Sir harry Munro, 7th Baronet. The term "castle" is used in the sense of "chateau" and the structure itself was called "a mighty fine house" by a visitor in 1762. It does boast a four-story tower and was the first house in county Ross to be assisted financially on the recommendation of the Historic Buildings Council for Scotland. «/i»

(The Monroe Book - by J. S. Guilford)
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Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Buried:
Grey Friar's church-yard

Harry married Anne Rose on 13 Jan 1758. Anne was born est 1722; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 146

4. Jane, who died at Fowlis Castle, unmattied, in 1771, aged 18 years.

Notes:

Hugh was born 25 Oct 1763. In 1781, when he was eighteen years of age, he succeeded his father and became the 26th Baron and 8th Baronet of Foulis.

Shortly after his father's death, he went to London, where he lived for many years. In Nov 1794, he "entered into an irregular union" with Jane Law, who was the daughter of Alexander Law. Alexander was a native of the parish of Keithhall in Aberdeenshire and served as chef to King George III. Hugh and Jane had an illegitimate daughter, Mary Seymour Munro, who was born in London on 14 May 1796.

Sir Hugh and Jane later married in London on 24 Sep 1801, as shown by the following affidavit:

"23rd Sept., 1801.--Appeared personally Sir Hugh Munro, Baronet, and made oath that he is of the parish of Saint Mary-le-bone, in the county of Middlesex, a bachelor aged twenty-one years and upwards; and intendeth to marry with Jane Law, of the same parish, a spinster likewise aged twenty-one years and upwards; and that he knoweth of no lawful impediment by reason of any pre-contract, consanguinity, affinity, or any other lawful means whatever, to hinder the said intended marriage, and prayed a license to solemnise the same in the parish church of Saint Mary-le-bone aforesaid; and further make oath that the usual place of abode of him, the said Sir Hugh Munro, was and hath been in the said parish of Saint Mary-le-bone for the space of four weeks last past. (Signed) "H. MUNRO.

"Sworn before me, N. Parson, Sur."

"Sir Hugh Munro Baronet of this parish, batchelor, and Jane Law of the same parish, and spinster, were married in this church by license, this 21st day of September, in the year 1801, by me "BENJN. LAWRENCE, Curate.

"This marriage was solemnised between us H. MUNRO. JANE LAW. In the presence of THOS. BIRD. JOHN WILLOCK."

Shortly after their marriage Sir Hugh Munro and his new wife took up their residence at Foulis Castle. On 1 (or 3) Aug 1803, Jane tragically drowned while swimming in the Cromarty Firth. She was 27 years old. Hugh and Jane had no other children besides Mary Seymour Munro, but Sir Hugh did have a natural son, George.

It was soon realized that because of the entail that Hugh's father, Sir Harry, had made, that Mary Seymour Munro would inherit the estate of Foulis, but that the title would go to Hugh's closest male heir. If Mary should marry and leave heirs, then the separation of the estate and title would be complete, leaving the head of the house of Foulis and Chief of the clan practically landless. This was all dependent on recognizing Mary Seymour, who was born out of wedlock, as Hugh's legitimate heir since Hugh had later married Mary's mother, Jane. If the marriage had taken place in Scotland, there would have been no grounds for dispute, but since it was performed in England interested persons began spreading stories to the effect that Mary Seymour Munro was not the legitimate heir to the estate of Foulis.

On 27 May 1831, Mary started a lawsuit against her father, and all of the possible heirs of Foulis in order to clarify her right to inherit the estate. Although Sir Hugh was named as a defendant in the action, it is not clear on which side of this issue he stood. The Mackenzie reference says on p. 150 that Sir Hugh was "nominally one of the defenders, but [was] the lady's father and the real pursuer himself." But later on p. 153 it says that because the courts ruled that Mary was entitled to inherit the estate of Foulis, Sir Hugh "gave orders for dismantling it. The furniture of the castle was sold, and all the beautiful timber around the castle and throughout the estates was cut down, and the lands as well as the duties of the proprietor were left for many years to the administration of factors."

Mr. Joseph Mitchell, C.E., Inverness laments the loss of the forests around Foulis by writing that "The trees around this ancient seat were of great age and magnificent size. Nature seemed to have planted them in most picturesque grouping. One chestnut of vast dimensions in front of Ardullie house would, it was said, when in full foliage, shelter 1000 men under its branches... Succeeding generations, however, will lose the charm which groups of antique and venerable trees afforded to the lover of the picturesque in this locality."

Mary Seymour's victory was a hollow one because she found her estate dismantled of its beauties and even in that condition she did not long enjoy it. She intended to make Foulis her permanent residence when her father died in 1848, but she died on 12 Jan 1849 before she could move there. She was unmarried and so, after all, the Foulis estates reverted to Sir Hugh's nearest male heir along with the titles.

Sir Hugh lived for many years at his town residence, 22 Manchester Square, London, where he died on 2 May 1848, at the age of 85. His remains were brought to Ross-shire, and interred at Kiltearn in the family burying-ground of his ancestors.

On his death without legitimate male issue, all the descendants in the male line of Robert, 24th Baron and 3rd Baronet of Foulis, became extinct. The titles, and after his daughter's death in the following year, the estates, reverted to his nearest male heir, Charles Munro, eldest son of George Munro of Culcairn and Culrain.

References: (1) "History of the Munros of Fowlis" by A. Mackenzie - Inverness (1898) - p.
146-155

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

[Alexander Munro] «i»son of William Munro, tacksman of Delnies (d. 1778) & Margaret Spens (d. 1750); 'preacher of the Gospel', d. 22 June 1777; tutor to Sir Hugh Munro of Foulis (1763-1848) when a boy at Foulis for two or three years; went with Sir Harry & son Hugh to Edinburgh & remained with them till he was taken ill, when he was sent back to Ross-shire by Sir Harry & died 'early in harvest' 1777; prob. the 'Mr. Alexander Munro student of Divinity at Arduilzie' named in Dingwall Presby 28 Feb & 10 July 1776, witnessed the Foulis entail 28 June 1776, & perhaps the 'preacher of the Gospel' who d. 22 June 1777.

Alness Monument Inscription; Foulis Case v 55; Reg. of Tailzies vol 21 fol 218; Presbytery of Dingwall Minutes, vol 8, pp. 28,34 (NAS ref CH 2/92/8).
«/i»**********
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The following is a transcription of RW Munro's genealogy notes:

[Alexander Munro] «i»tacksman of Culnaskeath; with son Robert had tack of town & lands of Culnaskeath for 19 years from Whitsunday 1794 from Sir Hugh Munro of Foulis.

Foulis Case vi 48
«/i»**********

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

Died:
22 Manchester Square, London, England

Buried:
Kiltearn church-yard

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Hugh married Jane Law on 21 Sep 1801 in St. Mary-Le-Bone, London, Middlesex, England. Jane was born about 1776; died on 1 Aug 1803 in , , , Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: Clan Munro files - Stroud, Anna Margaret

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 144-146

"To me the said Sir Harry Munro myself, whom failing, to Hugh Munro my eldest lawful son and the heirs male of his body, whom failing, to George Munro my second lawful son, and the heirs male of his body..."

3. George, who went to the West Indies, where he died unmarried. The following notice of his death appears in the Sunday Reporter of the 11th July, 1802--"April 22, at Kingston, Jamaica, of fifty-eight hours' sickness of the putrid fever, George Munro, Esq., of the Custom-house there, and second son of the late Sir Harry Munro of Fowlis, Baronet."

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

Notes:

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 145

1. Robert, who died in infancy.

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

Notes:

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 146

5. Seymour, who died in infancy.

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