Sir Robert Munro, 3rd Baronet facts for kids

Sir Robert Munro, 3rd Baronet of Foulis (who died in 1668), was the 21st Baron and 24th chief of the Clan Munro. He was an important Scottish soldier and politician in the 1600s.

Robert became the leader of his family after his cousin, Sir Hector Munro, 2nd Baronet of Foulis, passed away in 1651. Sir Hector was only 17 years old. Robert was the oldest living son of Colonel John Munro. This made Robert the 4th head of the Munro of Obsdale family. He was also a great-grandson of Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis (who died in 1588).

Soldier in Europe

As a young man, Robert joined the army in 1626. He became an officer in Donald Mackay's regiment. He first served with the Danish army, then with the Swedish army. He showed great bravery during the Thirty Years' War in Europe. He was especially noted for his actions at the Battle of Lutzen in 1632.

Robert was likely a major in Colonel Robert Monro's regiment in 1639. This was just before the regiment returned to Scotland. Many soldiers named Munro fought in the Swedish army during this war.

Sheriff of Ross and Inverness

In 1643, when the previous chief was still young, the Scottish government made Robert a "Commissioner of War." This meant he helped manage military matters in certain areas. He was named for the areas of Sutherland and part of Inverness-shire. He was called "Sir Robert Munro, tutor of Foulles." He was named again for the same job in 1644.

In 1649, the Scottish Parliament created a new area called the Sheriffdom of Ross. This area was separated from Inverness-shire. Robert Munro was chosen to be the main Sheriff for Ross. He had also been elected as a Member of Parliament for Inverness-shire in 1649. After Ross became its own county, he represented Ross in Parliament from 1649 to 1650.

In 1651, Robert became the head of his family after his cousin Sir Hector Munro died. Robert then moved into Foulis Castle.

Feud with Alexander Chisholm

In 1654, some men from the Clan Chisholm attacked lands belonging to Robert Munro. Valentine Chisholm and four others stole 85 cows and 23 horses. Robert chose to handle this problem through the courts of Oliver Cromwell. Robert Munro accused Alexander Chisholm of Comar of letting his relative carry out the raid.

The court decided in favor of Robert Munro. They ordered Alexander Chisholm to bring Valentine Chisholm and his four followers to court within fifteen days. Alexander also had to pay Robert and his family for their losses. He also had to promise to behave well in the future by providing a large sum of money as a guarantee.

While Robert Munro's lands were raided, his younger brother, George Munro, 1st of Newmore, later became a commander of the king's forces in Scotland from 1674 to 1677.

Family Life

Robert Munro married his second cousin, Jean Munro, before he became the 3rd Baronet of Foulis. Jean was the daughter of Sir Hector Munro, 1st Baronet of Foulis. They had eight children together:

• Sir John Munro, 4th Baronet of Foulis.
• Hector Munro, who married Ann Fraser. They had seventeen children, but most of them died when they were very young.
• David Munro, who became a captain in the Army.
• Andrew Munro, who became a lieutenant colonel in the Army. He married Margaret Fraser, daughter of Hugh Fraser, 10th Lord Lovat.
• William Munro.
• Joseph Munro.
• Daniel Munro.
• Rebecca Munro, who married Colin Robertson. She was the great-grandmother of Anne Mackenzie Robertson. Anne was the wife of Sir John Gladstone, 1st Baronet and the mother of William Ewart Gladstone.
• Janet Munro, who married John Ross.