Laura Anne MUNROE

Notes:

In the 1860 Federal Census at Bristol, RI, Laura A. Munro is age 16, a "factory operative," living with her parents and two sisters. However, in the 1850 Federal Census, her age is given as 9.

According to Laura's death record, Laura's mother was Elizabeth Barrington (or Parrington), who apparently was the first wife of Jeremiah.

According to the death record at Bristol, RI, Laura Anne Chafee died at age 67 y 7 m 4 d. She died at 19 Constitution St.

The gravestone has her birth year as 1844. The 1905 RI Census has her dob as 15 March 1844. It says she has had 10 children of whom 6 are still living.

Laura married Samuel Russel CHAFEE 24 Apr 1867, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI. Samuel (son of George Tew Barker CHAFEE and Harriet Newell AUSTIN) was born 7 Jul 1844, Bristol, RI; died 3 Aug 1934, Fresno, CA; was buried 10 Aug 1934, North Burial Ground, Bristol, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

According to "The Monroe Book," by Joan S. Guilford, Samuel & Laura were married at State Street Methodist Episcopal Church of Bristol. This is also recorded as such in James N. Arnold's "Vital Record of RI," Bristol Church Marriage Records. It is also in the Bristol town records, book of Marriages 1850 - 1902, p. 70.

Guilford's book has Laura in the section titled "Unconnected Monroes."

1. Raymond Russell (one) Chafee was born 11 Feb 1868, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI; died 1878; was buried , North Burial Ground, Bristol, RI.
2. Samuel Austin Chafee was born 8 Feb 1870, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI; died 1927; was buried , North Burial Ground, Bristol, RI.
3. Eva Williams Chafee was born 10 May 1872, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI; died 1878; was buried , North Burial Ground, Bristol, RI.
4. Frank Paine CHAFEE was born 4 Jan 1874, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI; died 12 Jul 1955, Jacumba, San Diego Co., CA; was buried 18 Jul 1955, Mt. Hope Cemetery, 3751 Market St., San Diego, CA.
5. Harriet "Hattie" Brownell Chafee was born 1 Mar 1878, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI; died Aft 1 Jan 1920.
6. Lena Matilda Chafee was born 15 Aug 1880, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI; died 7 Jul 1957, Santa Monica, Los Angeles Co., CA; was buried , Woodlawn Cemetery, Santa Monica, CA.
7. Cora Raymond Chafee was born 6 Apr 1883, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI; died Jan 1969, ME.
8. William "Willie" Clark Chafee was born 12 Jun 1885, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI; died Apr 1919; was buried , North Burial Ground, Bristol, RI.
9. Raymond Russell (two) Chafee was born 1 Feb 1887, Bristol, RI; died 1888; was buried , North Burial Ground, Bristol, RI.
10. Stephen Chafee was born 1 Feb 1887, Bristol, RI; died 1887; was buried , North Burial Ground, Bristol, RI.

Notes:

The Monroe Book, by Joan S. Guilford, Ph. d., has some information on Jeremiah and his family. However, it is both incomplete and incorrect in some crucial points. In fact, I have learned, through viewing Jeremiah's death and marriage records at Bristol, that his parents are David & Abbie, not George & Martha, as the book says. I have made an assumption that the Bristol record are correct.

In the 1850 Federal Census, Jeremiah W. & Elizabeth Munro are living at Bristol, RI, with their daughter Laura, age 9, and Benjamin & Mary M. Wyatt. This Elizabeth is his second wife.

In the 1860 Federal Census, Jeremiah W. & Elizabeth M. Munro are living at Bristol, RI, with their three daughters: Laura A. 16, Mary E. 9, and Julia F. 6.

In the 1870 Federal Census, Jeremiah W. Munro is 52 and his wife Lydia B. is 34, living at Bristol, RI. In the household are two of Jeremiah's daughters, Mary E., 18, and Julia F., 16. Lydia is Jeremiah's third wife.

Jeremiah's wives:
Bristol records list the death of Elizabeth Munro, wife of Jeremiah, at age 29 on 5 Dec 1845. This was presumably Jeremiah's first wife and also the mother of our ancestor Laura. Laura's death record identifies her mother as Elizabeth Barrington (or Parrington?). The RI State Archives has the name on her death record as Barrington. There was a Barrington family in the Portsmouth records during the 1700s, but I have not figured out whether Elizabeth belongs to that family. This needs more research.

Elizabeth (Wyatt) Diman was a widow when she married Jeremiah. I have assumed she was a Wyatt because her (presumed) parents are living with Jeremiah & Elizabeth in the 1850 census. She may have first married James Diman, who died 2 Feb 1845.

Jeremiah married again in 1867, to Lydia Crump. According to the marriage record, it was Jeremiah's third marriage. This was the same year his daughter Laura was married, and at the same church. However, this marriage ended in divorce, as one was granted 10 April 1876. Jeremiah W. was the plaintiff, and Lydia B. was the defendant.

It would seem that Jeremiah married yet another time, because the wife he names as heir in his will, dated 10 Jan 1878, is Mary M. Munroe. To her he gives all household furniture and stores, as well as real estate, remaining after the payment of debts. In the will he also mentions three additional heirs, should his wife die: two daughters, Julia F. Munroe and Mary Elizabeth Gravlin; and one grandson, Frank P. Chafee (he is my great-grandfather); in case all of these should die, he names Frank's brother Samuel as heir. A copy of this will is recorded in the Bristol Probate Will Book No. 6, p. 275f. Also, related documents are in Book 5, p. 149.

Jeremiah died of scarletina at his home on Bourne St. in Bristol.

Jeremiah married Elizabeth BARRINGTON Abt 1840. Elizabeth was born Abt 1816, RI; died 5 Dec 1845, Bristol, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

I am making an informed assumption that this death record of "Elizabeth Munro, wife of Jeremiah," belongs to this particular Jeremiah's family group. Neither of them is otherwise identified. However, it does fit with the evidence. For instance, in the 1850 Federal Census, Jeremiah has a daughter Laura from a previous marriage. This is the only death record in the official vital records which could fit the time frame. Also, Laura's death record identifies her as daughter of Jeremiah W. Munroe & Elizabeth Barrington (or Parrington). The RI State Archives has the maiden name on her death record as Barrington.

Portsmouth land records show that a Robert & Sarah Burrington were living there on 16 Sep 1757; perhaps Elizabeth is connected with this family. There are also references in the town records to a John and a Roger Burrington. Could Burrington be an alternate spelling of Barrington? Probably.

In the various censuses, the data shows that Laura's mother was born in RI.

Notes:

The birth record identifies David as son of Joseph & Mary.

His death record says he died at age 78.

In the 1850 Federal Census, David & Abigail Munro are ages 67 & 59, both b RI. They are living at Bristol, RI. With them is George H. Munro, 21. They are near Jonathan & Elizabeth.

In the 1860 Federal Census, David & Abbey Munro are still at Bristol. He is 77 and she is 70.

David's occupation is given as gardener.

David married Abigail "Abbie" W. CRANSTON 23 Mar 1806, Bristol, RI. Abigail (daughter of Stephen CRANSTON and Sarah SALISBURY) was born 29 Jul 1791; died 1862; was buried , North Burial Ground, Bristol, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

David Munro & Abigail Cranston were married by Daniel Bradford, Justice of the Peace.

Notes:

At the time of his marriage, Joseph was of Bristol.

He was a private and seaman from RI in the Revolutionary War. (source: RI Gen. Regis. Vol. 19 p. 280)

I have roughly estimated the birth years of some of Joseph & Mary's children.

According to the death record at Bristol, Joseph, a Revolutionary Pensioner, died at age 89. (Deaths Vol. 4 p. 112)

Joseph's will mentions the following family members: sons Nathan, Caleb, David, Bosworth H., & Joseph Jr.; daughters Abby Bunn w/o Lemuel Bunn, Christiana Handy, & Sally Munroe; and daughter-in-law Nancy Munroe.

Joseph married Mary EDDY 29 Aug 1784, Bristol, RI. Mary (daughter of Joseph EDDY, Jr. and Lydia JOLLS) was born Between 1764 and 1768, Warren, RI; died 27 Dec 1831, Bristol, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

At the time of her marriage, Mary Eddy was of Warren, so I have made an assumption that she was born there.

I also have made an assumption that she was d/o Joseph & Lydia (Jolls) Eddy. This needs more research to confirm.

1832 MUNRO, Mary, wife of Joseph, at Bristol, aged 63 years; American of Jan. 3, 1832, reported at Providence

This is probably her gravestone in the RI Cemetery Database: MUNRO MARY 1764c - 27 DEC 1831 BR500 (Munro Family Cemetery, not located or checked)

Notes:

Joseph, of Bristol, and Mary, of Warren, were married by Rev. Solomon Townsend.

EDDY Mrs. Mary, and Joseph Munro, Aug. 29, 1784.

MUNRO Joseph, of Bristol, and Mrs. Mary Eddy, of Warren; m. by Rev. Solomon Townsend, Aug. 29, 1784.

Stephen married Sarah SALISBURY 9 Feb 1789, Bristol, RI. Sarah (daughter of Barnard SALISBURY and Elizabeth Unknown) was born 25 Nov 1754, Bristol, RI; died 16 Sep 1840, Bristol, RI. [Group Sheet]