In October 1847, Bedent Baird Munro, grandson of Donald Munro, had a plat map drawn for his newly purchased thirty-eight acres in Southfield Township. The State of Michigan, like other states in the Northwest Territory, was surveyed and organized in township grids. These townships were then "divided into sections of approximately one square mile" of thirty-six square blocks, each square designated with a section number. According to the Bedent's map, his property was located in Section 3. A 1857 map indeed shows a "B.B. Munro" with property in the northeast area of Section 3 in Southfield Township and expanding north into Section 34 of Bloomfield Township. The plat map also shows a stream of the Rogue River running close to his property. Another document from the Munro Family papers from May 6th, 1848, makes notice that Bedent is free to draw off the water in "Section Numbers thirty-six or thirty-five...which said lands are flown by reason of a Dam" from the owner "Thos. Trolop." The 1857 map also identifies a "Ths Trollope" owning land in Section 35 and a body of water, which we now know by this notice, is dammed. The grid system informed how future roads and property boundaries were to be drawn and is still embedded into our current landscape. Digital maps show that Bedent's thirty-eight acres hugs the northeast corner of 14 Mile Road and Evergreen in Birmingham, Michigan, and his extended land into the south section of Lincoln Hills Golf Course. Although the farms of Bedent's time have been bulldozed and replaced by the suburbs, one can still walk his property on Carriage Lane at the entrance of Greenwich Green Subdivision, Beverly Hills, Michigan. NOTES/LINKS
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Not all brothers get along. Cain and Able is an extreme biblical example. A 1871 letter to James L. Munro from his half-brother William just weeks after their father's death describes family money issues between half-brothers, Chester Munro and James Munro. The specific issue is gets a bit muddled by William's spelling and grammar but we read of promissory notes-- one given to another half-brother of James's, Solomon Munro, to be paid in four years at seven percent where Chester is given a note for eight years at seven percent. Quick math shows that a four-year note pays less interest. William indicates that, "...it jest don't look right to Chester and it has made him very mad." William continues, "...you nor Sol should take the advan[ta]ge of Chet..." and goes as far as to warn James that Chester, "woodent beleave you under oath." Some thirty years later, Chester Munro appears in a Munro family reunion photo at James Munro's home in Novi, Michigan. Happily we can think that enough water flowed over the dam for these two brothers to reconcile and celebrate their family. >See the full letter
Primary sources are windows into the past. When it is coupled with emotions, those windows dissolve and we are invited to share in personal timeless moments. At the end of the 19th century before car-infested cement freeways dominated the landscape in Oakland County, Michigan, Mary S. Leavenworth penned two personal letters to her husband, James Leonard Munro. The Munro family story goes that the two first met at a grist mill in Franklin, which served grain farmers in the area. James came west from his farm in Bloomfield and Mary came east from Novi. While their initial courtship is left to our imagination (how does one court someone at a grist mill?), Mary's warm feelings about her upcoming marriage are spelled-out in a 1874 hand-written letter to her future husband, a month before taking her vows. An anxious Mary reports along with family health, weather ("it is quite windy to day"), that she is still awaiting a letter from him. Her solution is simply for her fiancée to just write a longer second letter. Being detailed oriented, Mary shares where and when the wedding should take place (at her family home the first week in April) along with a honeymoon consisting of riding the 2 o'clock train, going first rate, to enjoy a "nice land ride" to James's brothers and sisters. In her closing Mary's emotions come through. While she is thinking a "great deal" of her wedding ring, it does not compare to how well she likes her "Jimmie". Her nickname for her future husband, "Jimmie," continued six years later when Mary took up a pencil and again awaited a word from him as she traveled to Mount Pleasant with their three-year-old daughter, Viola. "My Dear Jimmy, How will I would like to see you. I have thought of you so much to day for it is Sunday and I know you will be lonesome and wish I was there and I would like to be there and see you. I have not heard a word from you. We did not get our mail last night so I think there is a letter from you at the office." Again she reports on family health and weather but this time the weather is coupled to her longing for her husband and their newborn son James Orlando (Lany) Munro: "O my Darling I wish you were here to sleep with me for it is Sunday night. Kiss Lany for me and Lany must kiss you for me...It has rained some to day and is cold to night. If you were here you could get me warm. Be carful about any one getting the letters for they might laugh but they are only wrote for my Jimmie." She closes, "This is from your loving wife till death Mary S. Munro". Mary and James's marriage would continue for 37 more years until she passed at the age of 60 in 1917 due to complications of diabetes. Both are buried in Novi Cemetery along with their children, James Orlando (Lany) Munro, and Burton Leavenworth Munro. Their daughter, Viola, inspired by the historical documents found in her father's family slant front desk would later write, A Genealogy of the Munro Family in the United States, Canada, and Nova Scotia With Historical Introduction, etc.". As for these two letters, they were just recently found in this same desk, sharing timeless moments from a wife to her husband Jimmy. LINKS/NOTES
"Resolved, That the direct tendency of American Slavery is, to deprive the colored population, both free and enslaved, of a knowledge of themselves, and of a knowledge of God, and to shut them out of heaven." — The Morning Star Just a small handful of years before the self-emancipated enslaved Fredrick Douglass published his autobiography and abolitionist newspaper, The North Star, a Freewill Baptist weekly paper in Dover, New Hampshire, The Morning Star, made its own argument against enslavement in the United States and found its way into the home of Bedent Baird Munro, resident of Bloomfield, Michigan (today Birmingham, Michigan). Munro was a grandson of a Scottish loyalist, Donald Munro, who in the mid 1800s, was compelled to the far west of Michigan to stake his own home during the state's agricultural colonization. That The Morning Star survives in Munro's personal papers leads to the question of, "Why"? Even in this day of digitization, physical newspapers are meant to be thrown away (hopefully recycled) shortly after their initial use. They are not meant to last. This makes any surviving paper of this ritualistic pruning a candidate of probable importance to the owner. Whether this is the case, it is just plain fortunate that Munro, who may have had many editions of this publication, saved this specific historic issue. The November 8th, 1843 edition of the Morning Star is remarkable not just for its moralist report of the eighteen-year-old Erie Canal (front page, "Incidents and thoughts on the Western Canal") but more so for the resolutions passed during the first anniversary of the Freewill Baptist Anti-Slavery Society. Their anti-slavery resolutions, (pg. 114) argue that enslavement denies the enslaved self-knowledge, shutting "them out of heaven", that non-slave-holding states, "...are equally guilty with residents of slaveholding states," and that ultimately "every church member" who does not manifest "a perfect hatred to this system of iniquity, participates in the guilt." In other words, one who does not actively profess to be against the slave system, is then actively supporting the system, drawing a definitive line for the congregant. It is well to note that Bedent Baird Munro in 1859 would be a founding member of the Freewill Baptist Society in Southfield, Michigan and perhaps these important tenants served as a guide for its formation. The building that once housed the Freewill Baptist Printing Establishment still stands on the corner of Central and Hale Streets, just across from Dover's City Hall. The paper continued its unique stand against slavery through-out the Civil War. Bedent Baird Munro, however, would face opposition in his own congregation but that is a story for another time. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION/LINKS In 1853, the Free-will Baptist Printing Establishment in Dover, New Hampshire sent out their semi-monthly newspaper, The Myrtle. 169 years later, this periodical has surfaced in the Family Munro Papers. The Myrtle was one of many newspapers published in the United States during what has been called the newspaper boom. As the American Antiquarian Society indicates, "By the 1830s the United States had some 900 newspapers, about twice as many as Great Britain" By 1850, "the number was 2,526." Filled with sayings, religious reflections, and news from abroad, this worn but readable intact copy most likely belonged to Bedent Baird Munro, who was a founding member of the First Free Will Baptist Society of Southfield, Michigan in 1859. The University of Michigan Library, who has the newspaper online, indicates the newspaper ran from 1845-1904. While the university restricts access to this historic periodical, you can view at least this one surviving issue here. "Politeness is like an air cushion; there may be nothing in it, but it eases our jolts wonderfully."- The Myrtle ___________________ VIEW ONLINE: The Myrtle, Vol. VIII, No. 22, Saturday, May 21, 1853 Recent organization of the Munro Family papers have unearthed Reverend Brent Harding's handwritten biography (in the process of being transcribed with notes), Solomon Munro's original Canadian land deed (not digitized nor transcribed yet and in great condition), along with many other Michigan land deeds before Michigan was even recognized as a state. And of course the family letters. So many family letters that open a world of place and belonging. Here is one in particular sent to Bedent Baird Munro of Birmingham, Michigan in March of 1871 from his maternal Aunt Margaret Baird Bice in Richmondville, New York, months before his death in July, making it one of the last letters that he read. It is filled with reflection, humor, and warmth. Links have been added for places. _____________________________ Richmondville, [New York] March 22, [18] 71 Write again when its convenient. Dear Nephew, I received your letter today and received yours in due time last Fall, which was very welcome and interesting letter. I intended to answer it soon at the time but we all have our own troubles, our cares and hindrances...My brother Samuel came here [and] stayed two months...he was about tired out when he came to my house [and] had a bad cold and was quite unwell. I nursed him up and he got quite smart...We had a good visit but he is so very deaf it is hard to talk with him. His mind is good yet. I felt very bad to part with him. He is so lame. He is not fit to travel alone...but Mr. Bice is as hard of hearing as Samuel and I could hardly stand it while they was here to talk so loud to them both. Your arm troubles you yet. I was in hopes you would come and try our mineral springs and make us all a good visit and see this country [and] how it has improved since you left and your old native home. You would not see much of the timber on that was an when you left. The old pine stump is there but is all cleared and under the plow [and] good buildings near the creek. You want to know where Richmondville lies. It lies between Summit and Cobleskill. The village of Richmondville is four miles from Summit, six from Cobleskill. There is a railroad [that] runs from Albany to Susquehanna. There is a depot at Cobleskill and, Richmondville, our railroad intersects [with] the New York and Erie at Binghamton, 100 miles west of here. Our nearest depot is four miles at Richmondville. Now I want you to try and make a visit if it is possible. If you are not able to work it may do you good to travel. I wish you much happiness with your young son. I must close for this time. Wishing you all the peace and prosperity. Love to your wife and children. Margaret Bice In this second installment of Mary H. Huckins Munro's July 7th, 1864 letter to her husband Bendent Baird Munro, she describes her departure from Lansing by stage and arriving at her family home in Eaton Rapids. There, she is reunited with her sisters Martha and Eliza along with her brother David who is on furlough from the war. The original spelling and grammar have been retained. To Lansing from their to the Rappids. Supper & logeing and stage 2+ quaters. I sarted very early with out any breakfast. Arived at Eaton Rapids all safe except an afful head ache. I left my things at the hotel & went to Mary Hamblins and went to bed & was not able to set up any more til three. I went back to the hotel. Mother went to Powerses grocery and told them. They sent to Lusetts Marky & Eliza were their & Marky came down post hast for me. Martha was their & you can not gess how else? Wel it was David. He is home on a furlo of sixty days very and is very low. You would hardly know him. He has been sick ever since he has ben their. He has sent for the Docter last night. He said he thought he could help him but I am rather fearful. The lord knows best. E had 3 letters from Den yesterday. He is well but sais he is so poor we hardly know him. He is in Mississippi. Martha went home this morning. She was about sick or was real sick but was better. I feel some better. E is pretty poorly. If you want a shirt to ware their is wone in the midle drawer if you do not have a clean wone. NOTES *"I left my things at the hotel & went to Mary Hamblins and went to bed & was not able to set up any more til three. Mother went to Powerses grocery and told them." An 1860 map of Eaton Rapids lists a "A. Hamlin" under "Groceries and Provisions" along with "M.J. and D.H. Powers" as "Carriage Makers". *"Martha was their...". According to 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Martha Huckins (1837-1912) was Mary's sister. (North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000, Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1867-1952) *"Wel it was David. He is home on a furlo..." David Huckins, Mary's brother, served as a private in the 6th Regiment, Michigan Heavy Artillery, Company H. He enlisted in July of 1863. He died on August 3, 1865, three months after his sister Mary's death, and was buried at the Jefferson Barracks in Lemay, Missouri (U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865, U.S., National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, 1928-1962). *"E had three letters from Den yesterday." "E" refers to Mary's sister, Eliza (1834-1867), who married Dennis (Den) Ford of Eaton Rapids. Ford served as a private in the 6th Regiment, Michigan Heavy Artillery, Company G. He died on December 3, 1864, and is interred at the national cemetery in Mobile, Alabama (North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000, National Cemetery Control Forms, 1928-1962). *"He is in Mississippi." The 6th Regiment was on duty at Vicksburg, Mississippi from late June 1864 until July 23rd. *If you want a shirt to ware..." In the original letter, this sentence is boxed-off in the left margin. Mary H. Huckins Munro had little less than a year to live when she wrote to her husband Bendent Baird Munro in the last years of the Civil War. In this first installment, her letter, originating from Eaton Rapids, Michigan, gives us glimpse into the world of the 19th century train traveler but also the timelessness care between spouses. Mary's original spelling and grammar have been retained.
"The ninth annual reunion of the Munro family was held at the home of Clark Munro, seven miles south of Owosso...Letters found in an old desk were read. One letter dated back 101 years, two others 51 years and were written from Nova Scotia to Long Hill, N.J."- August 1908 newspaper clipping "Virginia [King]. The original [1765 land] grant is in Chelsea. Some Munro owns a business (a mill, I think) has it. Uncle [...] asked to at least see it, but the man refused. I'd sure like to run over there and talk to him. Brenda. 2/3/1993" - handwritten note on typed transcripts of several Munro letters "We have that poster." -June 2021 Facebook response to my post regarding a May 1869 advertisement poster for Bendent Baird Munro I never thought I was the first to know about the Munro family papers but I did believe that I was a nerdy hero that uncovered a trove of neglected historical documents. I am glad to be dispelled of this notion. Apparently, I am one of many history nerds. The first known reference to the Munro papers dates back to a 1908 newspaper clipping of a Munro family reunion in Owosso, Michigan where, "Letters found in an old desk were read. One letter dated back 101 years, two others 51 years and were written from Nova Scotia to Long Hill, N.J." This local article suggests that the reading of Munro historical papers were a reunion ritual which may have inspired Via Munro to craft the family genealogy, sending her, like me, digging in the old desk of Solomon Munro. Nearly a century later, Virginia King, granddaughter of Chester Ellsworth Munro, began her own genealogy work. Typed manuscripts of the Munro papers were created and a 1993 handwritten note to her on a transcript whispered the rumor of the original Munro land grant from King George was still around and owned by a Munro in (incorrectly) Chelsea, Michigan. Aside from this note, these transcripts are very accurate, indicating that someone had access to the family papers about two decades before me and did the good, methodical work of typing out word-for-word these letters, returning most of them to Solomon's desk, where they sat until I uncovered them in 2019. The most recent realization that I haven't been the first to see these documents is when I was gifted a May 1869 advertisement poster for Bendent Baird Munro. After proudly posting this on the "Descendants of Daniel Munro, 77th Regiment of Foot" Facebook page, another family relation flatly responded, "We have that poster." I am encouraged that others before me had taken note of these documents and doubly encouraged that I have learned of them as well. It connects me (and other family members) to a wonderful legacy, where past family recognized what is invaluable and worth the wile for us today and saving it for those of tomorrow, even if it be a nerdy family member who believes they have uncovered a lost historical treasure. If you had the opportunity to name a city, a town, a village after your name, what would it be called? In the mid 1800s Samuel Munro removed his immediate family from London, Canada, obtaining a section of land off the western shores of Lake Huron in the budding state of Michigan. He would dub this new settlement the ill-fated name of Monrovia. History continued its passage and the name would become a historical footnote and by 1850, both Sam and his wife Ellison would find their earthly rest in the neighboring town of Croswell. In the 1970s and 80s I spent my boyhood summers in the port village of Lexington, Michigan. These were sacred times for me; the line of blue water on the horizon, evening freighter horns echoing off Lake Huron, calling out to a netful of stars, the tonic of the air, and warm memories with my late adoptive father, shopping the downtown with its the turn-of-the-century buildings on Huron Street complete with a wooden-floored general store. There were also short rides to neighboring city of Croswell with its swinging foot bridge. My father and I unknowingly would take one of our last snapshots together there. One mile south, the graves of Samuel Munro and Ellison Munro quietly continued its memorial for family members. One of the many surprises in the large collection of Munro family letters I've come across is one dating from 1844 to my 3rd great-grandfather Bendant Baird Munro listing the town of "Lexington Monrovia." Via Munro mentions in her family genealogy of Samuel Munro (Bendant's brother) settling in Lexington and how it was formally known as "Munrovia." Since the village today is known as Lexington I believed the name "Monrovia" may have been a family joke for those early settlers or wishful thinking. A Lexington plat map from 1894 told me otherwise. A rectangular section running north and south along Huron Street bares the name "Monrovia". The same Huron Street and buildings that took in the footsteps of my boyhood also reverberated with the history of my 3rd great-granduncle. My visits to Croswell with my adoptive father also brought me in walking distance to Samuel Munro's memory in stone. Who we choose and how we are chosen in family has become a bit of mystery to me. It is a restorative feeling to believe that there is a meaningful pattern in the actions that moved my adoptive family to bring me unknowingly to the deep historical places of my biological family. Even if the pattern is happenstance, it cannot erase those early halcyon days with my father Henry walking the downtown streets of Lexington nor now knowing that he walked those places that also belong to me through the family Munro. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION |
John A. StempienJohn A. Stempien maintains the blog and website, Family Munro and is the co-editor of The Liberty Hyde Bailey Gardener's Companion. He lives in west Michigan with his family. Archives
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