Sir Hugh Munro, 8th Baronet facts for kids
Sir Hugh Munro, 8th Baronet of Foulis, was an important Scottish noble. He was born on October 25, 1763. He was also the chief of Clan Munro, a famous Scottish clan from the Scottish Highlands. People traditionally called him the twenty-sixth Baron of Foulis. Before he passed away, there was a big legal case about whether his daughter was officially his heir.
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Early Life of Sir Hugh Munro
Sir Hugh Munro was the son of Sir Harry Munro, 7th Baronet and Ann Rose. Ann Rose was the daughter of Hugh Rose, the chief of Clan Rose. After his father died in 1781, Sir Hugh moved to London. He lived there for many years. In 1794, while in London, Sir Hugh started a family with Jane Law. She was from Aberdeenshire. They officially married on September 24, 1801, following Scottish law. Soon after their wedding, they moved to Foulis Castle in Ross-shire.
Tragedy: The Death of His Wife
On August 3, 1803, Sir Hugh’s wife, Jane, sadly drowned. This happened in the Bay of Cromarty, which is close to Foulis Castle. She had gone there to swim. Three other people also drowned in the same accident. It seems they went into water that was too deep. Even though people heard their cries and a boat came, it arrived too late.
The Lawsuit About His Daughter
Sir Hugh and his wife Jane had one daughter named Mary Seymour Munro. She was born in London on November 14, 1796. Later, a legal case began to decide if Mary was officially his legitimate daughter. This was important for her right to inherit the Foulis estates. In the end, Mary won the case and kept the estates for several years.
Some people doubted Mary's legitimacy. If Hugh had no official heirs, George Munro of Culrain would become the next chief. This was because the male line of Munro of Culcairn was thought to be gone. Even though Mary's parents married in England after she was born, which made her legitimate, the Foulis estate and the Baronet title would still be separate. The Baronet title would still go to Munro of Culrain.
It was very important for Mary, with her father Hugh's help, to prove she was legitimate. So, on May 27, 1831, a legal document was sent to the Court of Session. This document was against the Munros of Culrain. It followed the rules set by Sir Harry Munro, Sir Hugh's father. These rules said that Hugh's children should inherit first. If that line failed, then the Munros of Culcairn, and then the Munros of Culrain.
Duncan Munro of Culcairn had died in 1821. His only son, George, had died before him. This meant the Culcairn male line had ended. On May 12, 1835, the court sent the Munro of Culrain case to a higher court. On January 12, 1836, the higher court decided that Mary was legitimate. The court confirmed this again on November 15, 1837. This decision was then appealed to the House of Lords. But in 1840, they changed the decision. They said that Sir Hugh, the father, was always considered a Scottish resident. So, his marriage in England after Mary's birth was treated as if it happened in Scotland. In Scotland, marriage makes all children born before the wedding legitimate.
Sir Hugh's Death
Sir Hugh Munro, 8th Baronet, passed away in 1848. His daughter Mary planned to move into Foulis Castle. However, she died unmarried on January 12, 1849. She was living in Sydenham, London, at the time. She was buried in Norwood. She only lived for 8 months after her father.
Sir Hugh also had at least one other child. His will mentioned George, his son, born in 1791. Mary, his half-sister, had left George her property. In his will, George asked for some lands to be sold. The money from this sale was used to start a school in Perth. It was called the Seymour Munro Free School.
Upon Mary Seymour Munro's death, the estate and the Baronet title of Foulis went to Sir Charles Munro, 7th of Culrain and 9th Baronet of Foulis.
See also
| Baronetage of Nova Scotia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Harry Munro |
Baronet (of Foulis) 1781–1848 |
Succeeded by Charles Munro |
