William Copp Munroe

Notes:

William was a wagon manufacturer who lived with his family at 145 College Street in Buffalo, New York. He was a member of the Independent Boston Fusilers from 1829 to 1830 and a corporal of light infantry from 1831 to 1832 under the command of Captain Louis Dennis, 1st regiment, 3rd brigade, 1st division Militia of Massachusetts.

He died at 2 a.m. on Wednesday 5 Feb 1873 in Buffalo.

References:

(1) "History and Genealogy of the Lexington, Mass. Munroes", 2nd ed. by R. S.
Munroe - Florence, Massachusetts (1986) - 14-12-36 - p. 259

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

William married Belvidera Crosby on 3 May 1807 in Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, USA. Belvidera was born on 3 May 1807 in Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, USA; died on 12 Jan 1900 in Buffalo, Erie Co., New York, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Belvidera weas born a 8:30 p.m. on Thursday 12 Jun 1834 and died at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday 17 Dec 1911.

References:

(1) "History and Genealogy of the Lexington, Mass. Munroes", 2nd ed. by R. S.
Munroe - Florence, Massachusetts (1986) - 14-12-36-1 - p. 259

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

Notes:

William was born at 10:00 AM on 24 Aug 1837 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He and his family lived at 104 West 53rd Street, New York City, New York.

He served as the US Navy Engineer aboard the USS Wyoming, East India Squadron from 23 May 1861 to 1 Mar 1871. The USS Wyoming was the first steam and sail battleship in the US Navy and William was aboard when the Wyoming engaged Japanese ships in battle in the straits of Shimonoseki, Japan on 16 Jul 1863.

A few days after the battle, William wrote a letter to his brother, James, in which he described the action.

"About a month ago a small American steamer called the Pembrook left this place for Shanghai via the Inland Sea and Nagasaki after arriving in the sea and going as far as Shimonoseki Straits she anchored one night about ten o'clock. After she let go a Japanese steamer and brig came out from Shimonoseki Straits and anchored along side of her and the other just astern. She lay til 1 ( ) when both of the vessels opened fire on her. She then left as soon as she could and went outside to our consul and he sent word here to our minister, and the second after we had got our coal in and started for the place. We arrived there on the 16th inst. As soon as we entered the straits the Japs fired three signal guns to let the Batteries and ships know of our arrival. They had been expecting us from the looks of things. We went in without our flag hoisted and when we got abrest of the first battery (a masked one) they fired three shots at us, carrying away some of our main rigging and killing one marine. As soon as the shots were fired we hoisted our colors and opened fire ( ) return with the 11' shell and broadside guns on the Stbd side. We kept going all the while for three vessels. The steamer brig and a bark, which lay off the town and pass the batteries. The vessels had Japanese colors flying all the time. In passing the bark she poured a broadside in to us (she being on the stbd hand) and we gave a her as good as she sent in larger pieces. In passing the brig exchanged broadsides with her and gave the steamer the 2 port 32 Pounders. We passed along and turned ship around, giving them the shot and shell all the time. The Japanese steamer had in the meantime slipped ( ). We got two 11' shell into her one went through her boilers and blew her up and the other into her counter, she stopped and drifted ashore, the shell that struck her boilers went right through her and into the town knocking 2 or three houses down. We then steamed by the brig and bark firing in to them with our port battery and sending a few shell into the shore batteries. We were struck several times by the ships and batteries going but when we came out we were not struck anywhere to hurt us. All their shots going over us. Two of the batteries did not fire when we came out, they were stopped while we went in. There were 6 batteries all together firing at us beside the signal one. We left the brig sinking she had settled about two feet when we came back. Since I commenced this the French ship came in He would not get into the straits but lag outside and landed men and took one battery the small French vessel lost her ( ) mast.

The French Admiral confirms on acct and saw the topmasts of the brig over water, the steamer had been got off and towed out of sight. I will send you a paper with a map and a very good acct of the fight. I am all right and enjoying good health. The English will have the next turn and they will use them up ( ) only wish we had about 5 ships the same size of us here we could show them all the way. Give my love to all and expect to be home in about a year.

Your affectly.
(signed) W. C. Munroe, ( )"

William also served aboard the USS DeSoto and the USS Seminole, North American Atlantic Squadron.

William was a member of the Episcopal Church and a Mason of Howard Lodge number 35 in New York City. In 1881, he is listed as a Justice of the Peace of Clear Creek County, Colorado.

He died at 7:00 PM on 4 Mar 1917.

References:

(1) "History and Genealogy of the Lexington, Mass. Munroes", 2nd ed. by R. S.
Munroe - Florence, Massachusetts (1986) - 14-12-36-2 - p. 260, 393-395

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

William married Sidney Jane Meehan on 9 Apr 1882 in Grace Chapel, New York City, New York, USA. Sidney was born on 16 Dec 1856 in New York, New York Co., New York, USA; died on 3 Aug 1936 in Long Island, New York, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

James was born at 6:00 a.m. on 10 Dec 1839 and died at 6:00 p.m. on 1 Sep 1912.

He was a banker and lived at 145 College Street in Buffalo, New York.

References:

(1) "History and Genealogy of the Lexington, Mass. Munroes", 2nd ed. by R. S.
Munroe - Florence, Massachusetts (1986) - 14-12-36-3 - p. 260, 395

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

James married Annie Irene Maas on 24 May 1875 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania, USA. Annie was born about 1841; died on 2 Mar 1875 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

References:

(1) "History and Genealogy of the Lexington, Mass. Munroes", 2nd ed. by R. S.
Munroe - Florence, Massachusetts (1986) - 14-12-36-21 - p. 395

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