William Munroe (Scottish soldier) facts for kids
William Munroe (born 1625, died 1717) was a Scottish soldier from the 1600s. He later moved to the United States and became a settler.
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Who Was William Munroe?
William Munroe was born in Scotland in 1625. He lived a long life, passing away in 1717 when he was 92 years old. William is known for being captured in a big battle and sent to America. He became the ancestor of a very large family in New England.
Captured in Battle: A New Start in America
William Munroe was one of four men named Munroe captured during the Battle of Worcester in 1651. This battle was part of a series of wars called the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. After being captured, William and many others were sent to America. They worked as indentured servants, which meant they had to work for someone for a set number of years to pay for their trip.
William likely traveled on a ship called the John and Sara. The ship's records are a bit damaged, so his first name isn't perfectly clear, but it's almost certainly him. Other men from his family group, the Clan Munro, also fought in this battle. Some, like Sir Alexander Munro of Bearcrofts, managed to escape.
William's Family Life
William Munroe married three times during his life. He waited about 13 years after arriving in Massachusetts before getting married around 1665.
His first wife was Martha George. Her father had worked for the governor of Massachusetts. Martha passed away a few years after they married, leaving William to care for their four young children.
William then married Mary Ball of Watertown. She was 20 years old. William and Mary had ten children together during their 20 years of marriage.
His third wife was Elizabeth Johnson Wyer. She was a widow whose first husband was a tailor from Charlestown.
Building a Life: Land and Community
William started buying small pieces of land in an area called Cambridge Farms. This place is known today as Lexington, Massachusetts. In 1695, he, his sons, and a son-in-law bought a large piece of land, about 100 acres (0.40 km2).
As William owned more land, he gained more respect in the community. He became a "freeman," which meant he had the right to vote and hold office. He was also chosen as one of the town's Selectmen, who helped manage local government. He also became a member of the local church. William Munroe died in 1717 at the age of 92.
A Family's Legacy: The American Revolution
William Munroe's family grew very large in America. Many of his descendants played important roles in history.
One of his descendants later claimed to have fired the very first shot of the American Revolutionary War. This happened at the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.
Out of the 77 local soldiers from Lexington who fought in that battle, eleven of them were Munroes! Robert Munroe was one of eight men who died that day. Another family member, Srg. (later Col.) William Munroe, was a key leader.
The Munroe Tavern still stands in Lexington today. During the battle, it was used as a hospital by British soldiers. William Munroe had many other descendants in the Lexington area who also fought in the Battle of Lexington, including his great-great-grandson, Solomon Peirce, who was wounded. Edwin Monroe Bacon, a famous writer and editor, was also a descendant.
