William Munroe (American soldier)
Encyclopedia
Colonel William Munroe was a soldier in the American Revolutionary War
. He was the orderly sergeant of the Lexington militia at the Battle of Lexington and Concord and as a lieutenant at the Battle of Saratoga
. He was also a militia colonel and a prominent man politically in the town of Lexington
.
by Oliver Cromwell
's troops, and taken to Boston as an indentured servant. He worked hard and quickly bought his freedom. He settled in the settlement of Cambridge Farms Parish, (later Lexington, Massachusetts
), Massachusetts, in a part of the town called Scotland.
His obituary from the American Mercury (CT), Nov. 20, 1820, p. 1 reports: Death of another Revolutionary Hero.--
.
Later in the day, his home, Munroe Tavern, was occupied by Colonel Percy
. Percy placed a cannon on the tavern's land, and used it as a field hospital and refuge for retreating troops.
In March 1825, fifty years after the battle, Munroe gave a sworn testimony about his activities in April 19, 1775.
under the rank of lieutenant
.
during the Shays Rebellion in 1786. The Munroe family was visited by the first President of the United States
, George Washington
, in November 1789. He was a selectman for nine years and represented his town for two years.
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. He was the orderly sergeant of the Lexington militia at the Battle of Lexington and Concord and as a lieutenant at the Battle of Saratoga
Battle of Saratoga
The Battles of Saratoga conclusively decided the fate of British General John Burgoyne's army in the American War of Independence and are generally regarded as a turning point in the war. The battles were fought eighteen days apart on the same ground, south of Saratoga, New York...
. He was also a militia colonel and a prominent man politically in the town of Lexington
Lexington, Massachusetts
Lexington is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 31,399 at the 2010 census. This town is famous for being the site of the first shot of the American Revolution, in the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775.- History :...
.
Ancestry
William Munroe was the great grandson of William Munroe, who was captured at the Battle of WorcesterBattle of Worcester
The Battle of Worcester took place on 3 September 1651 at Worcester, England and was the final battle of the English Civil War. Oliver Cromwell and the Parliamentarians defeated the Royalist, predominantly Scottish, forces of King Charles II...
by Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
's troops, and taken to Boston as an indentured servant. He worked hard and quickly bought his freedom. He settled in the settlement of Cambridge Farms Parish, (later Lexington, Massachusetts
Lexington, Massachusetts
Lexington is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 31,399 at the 2010 census. This town is famous for being the site of the first shot of the American Revolution, in the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775.- History :...
), Massachusetts, in a part of the town called Scotland.
Family
William Munroe was married to Anna Smith and they had six children. After her death in 1781 he later married Polly Rodgers.His obituary from the American Mercury (CT), Nov. 20, 1820, p. 1 reports: Death of another Revolutionary Hero.--
Businesses and occupations
Munroe owned two businesses in April 1775. One was his tavern, known as Munroe Tavern, and the other was a retail shop. Several pages of his ledger survive. He was also the orderly sergeant of the Lexington militia.Roles in the Battles of Lexington and Concord
William Munroe fought in the Battle of Lexington acting as orderly sergeant in the company commanded by Captain John ParkerJohn Parker (Captain)
John Parker was an American farmer, mechanic, and soldier, who commanded the Lexington militia at the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775. Parker was born in Lexington to Josiah Parker and Anne Stone...
.
Later in the day, his home, Munroe Tavern, was occupied by Colonel Percy
Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland
Lieutenant-General Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland, FRS was an officer in the British army and later a British peer...
. Percy placed a cannon on the tavern's land, and used it as a field hospital and refuge for retreating troops.
In March 1825, fifty years after the battle, Munroe gave a sworn testimony about his activities in April 19, 1775.
Roles in the Battle of Saratoga
William Munroe served at the Battle of SaratogaBattle of Saratoga
The Battles of Saratoga conclusively decided the fate of British General John Burgoyne's army in the American War of Independence and are generally regarded as a turning point in the war. The battles were fought eighteen days apart on the same ground, south of Saratoga, New York...
under the rank of lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
.
Later life
William Munroe was a Captain in militia when he marched with a body of men towards SpringfieldSpringfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
during the Shays Rebellion in 1786. The Munroe family was visited by the first President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, in November 1789. He was a selectman for nine years and represented his town for two years.