Braemore and MacRob / Robson Gunns; Gunn 'Chief', or Gunn chieftain?
Part One
The more you read the Gunn histories of Mark Rugg Gunn and Thomas Sinclair the more you see quotes like the below. Was there ever a Gunn Chief or was it - at most - some Gunn Chieftains? And don't say Gunn coroner (erroneously Crowner) was a Chief; he wasn't - he is referred to by his brooch in the history texts, not as a 'Chief'. We don't even know who his parents were. Coroner Gunn is just the first Gunn to be visible in history.
Consider
The clan (has) “three different fraternal chieftains, whose principal residences were in Kildonan, Braemore and Bregaul”[1]
Sir Robert Gordon, who lived when the Gunns had more of the character of a Celtic Clan than at any other time, absolutely writes of John Gunn alias Robson, as “chieftain of the Clan Gunn in Caithness” again and again[2]
[1] Page 150 Thomas Sinclair, quoting Aeneas Gunn
[2] Page 175 Thomas Sinclair
and Mark Rugg Gunn's view is that
After the death of of the Crowner’s son Robert, his heir Donald assumed the name of Robson, a patronymic title which afterwards characterised the Gunns of Braemore. Sir Robert Gordon repeatedly refers to Robson as the Chief of the Clan Gunn in Caithness. It would therefore seem that within a century of the Coroner’s death MacHamish as we shall shortly see represented the Chief of the Sutherland Gunns, Robson of Braemore the Gunns of Caithness, whilst those of Bregaul and Cattaig, descended from John formed a separate group occupying the Strathmore area. Certainly the Williamsons and Hendersons were quite independent of the MacHamishes, and may have regarded themselves as more akin to the Gunns of Bregaul.[1]
[1] MRG pages 60-61
Now I am not sure I totally agree with all of this but it is the principle which is of interest; there is a strong argument that there was never a Chief for the complete Clan Gunn. I note, again, that there is no primary source for the order of the coroner's sons.
The more you read the Gunn histories of Mark Rugg Gunn and Thomas Sinclair the more you see quotes like the below. Was there ever a Gunn Chief or was it - at most - some Gunn Chieftains? And don't say Gunn coroner (erroneously Crowner) was a Chief; he wasn't - he is referred to by his brooch in the history texts, not as a 'Chief'. We don't even know who his parents were. Coroner Gunn is just the first Gunn to be visible in history.
Consider
The clan (has) “three different fraternal chieftains, whose principal residences were in Kildonan, Braemore and Bregaul”[1]
Sir Robert Gordon, who lived when the Gunns had more of the character of a Celtic Clan than at any other time, absolutely writes of John Gunn alias Robson, as “chieftain of the Clan Gunn in Caithness” again and again[2]
[1] Page 150 Thomas Sinclair, quoting Aeneas Gunn
[2] Page 175 Thomas Sinclair
and Mark Rugg Gunn's view is that
After the death of of the Crowner’s son Robert, his heir Donald assumed the name of Robson, a patronymic title which afterwards characterised the Gunns of Braemore. Sir Robert Gordon repeatedly refers to Robson as the Chief of the Clan Gunn in Caithness. It would therefore seem that within a century of the Coroner’s death MacHamish as we shall shortly see represented the Chief of the Sutherland Gunns, Robson of Braemore the Gunns of Caithness, whilst those of Bregaul and Cattaig, descended from John formed a separate group occupying the Strathmore area. Certainly the Williamsons and Hendersons were quite independent of the MacHamishes, and may have regarded themselves as more akin to the Gunns of Bregaul.[1]
[1] MRG pages 60-61
Now I am not sure I totally agree with all of this but it is the principle which is of interest; there is a strong argument that there was never a Chief for the complete Clan Gunn. I note, again, that there is no primary source for the order of the coroner's sons.
Part Two
Further
As well, in 1775 a letter from George Gunn Munro of this Robson line says ‘I consider myself the Chief (of the Clan Gunn)’ Mark Rugg Gunn page 175.
The Gunn Munro family
This family is of importance.
The Gunn Munro family can be easily traced -
Henry Munroe (ca 1727 – ca 1782) was a Scottish-born soldier and political figure in Nova Scotia. He represented the township of Granville in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1765 to 1768. His surname also appears as Munro.
Henry was the son of Janet Gunn of Braemore and Rev. John Munro. Rev. Munro was minister of Halkirk from 1704 until his death in 1743. Henry Munroe was born in Cromarty and joined a regiment, the 77th Foot, (Montgomery's Highlanders) raised in Argyleshire for service against the French in North America. Lt. Henry Munro was wounded 14 Sept. 1758 and fought in all the major battles before returning to Granville Nova Scotia. Munroe was granted 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) of land in Granville, near Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. He married Sarah Hooper, daughter of New England Planter, T. Hooper. The Hoopers came to Annapolis on the Charming Molly in 1760. They were originally from Massachusetts. Henry Munroe was appointed from Granville to the provincial legislature in Halifax in 1765. He resigned his seat in the provincial assembly in 1768. Munroe served as a justice of the peace and a lieutenant-colonel in the local militia. He died of apoplexy 6 Jan. 1781.
Henry's eldest brother William died without issue.
Henry's brother, Captain John Gunn Munro of Braemore married Elizabeth Sutherland. They had ten children.
Henry's nephew Col. Innis Munro was appointed to a lieutenancy in the 73rd Highlanders. This Regiment later became the 71st Highlanders. Col. Innis Munro resigned from the army in 1808. He died in 1827. Col. Innis married Ann, daughter of Rev. George Gordon of Clyne. She died Feb. 19, 1836, age 95 years. Col. Innis was succeeded by his son Major George Gunn Munro born 1788. He died in 1852. Major Sir George Gunn Munro was the fourth laird of Poyntzfield.
References
The above is from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Munroe and is used under its licence Wikipedia:Text of Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
And the direct line continues for the baronets of Poyntzfield –
Sir George Mackenzie Gun Munro 4th Baronet (1841-1908)
Sir James Poyntz Gun-Munro 5th Baronet (1899-1908)
Sir Hugh Gun-Munro 6th Baronet (1929-2010)
Sir James Dunbar Gun-Munro Roberts 7th Baronet (born 1934, grandson of the 5th Baronet)
Subsidiary lines certainly exist... See, as well, the Robert Gunn detail in the Aeneas Gunn tree section.
Further
As well, in 1775 a letter from George Gunn Munro of this Robson line says ‘I consider myself the Chief (of the Clan Gunn)’ Mark Rugg Gunn page 175.
The Gunn Munro family
This family is of importance.
- They descend from Robert, son of the coroner / Crowner. There is no primary source to give seniority of the coroner's sons (or number, or names). Robert could be the eldest son.
- There is strong evidence (see above) that they were viewed as Chieftain of the Clan Gunn in Caithness, if not Chief. (See also pages 93 and 107 of Mark Rugg Gunn. And As Sir Robert Gordon says 'Alexander Gunn, the son of John Robson, chieftain of the Clan Gunn' MRG page 80 and elsewhere.)
- Robert seems to have had four sons; the two main lines are from Donald (Braemore) and John MacRob (Strathy). MRG (Page 93) gives the Braemore Gunns the rights of seniority with the MacRob Gunns being the more visible / violent and perhaps 'Chieftain' / 'Chief'. The MacRob line is also further explored on this site see Aeneas Gunn trees, for example.
- Janet Gunn who marries into the Monro family is the (I suspect) most direct descendant from the Donald Gunn of Braemore line.
The Gunn Munro family can be easily traced -
Henry Munroe (ca 1727 – ca 1782) was a Scottish-born soldier and political figure in Nova Scotia. He represented the township of Granville in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1765 to 1768. His surname also appears as Munro.
Henry was the son of Janet Gunn of Braemore and Rev. John Munro. Rev. Munro was minister of Halkirk from 1704 until his death in 1743. Henry Munroe was born in Cromarty and joined a regiment, the 77th Foot, (Montgomery's Highlanders) raised in Argyleshire for service against the French in North America. Lt. Henry Munro was wounded 14 Sept. 1758 and fought in all the major battles before returning to Granville Nova Scotia. Munroe was granted 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) of land in Granville, near Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. He married Sarah Hooper, daughter of New England Planter, T. Hooper. The Hoopers came to Annapolis on the Charming Molly in 1760. They were originally from Massachusetts. Henry Munroe was appointed from Granville to the provincial legislature in Halifax in 1765. He resigned his seat in the provincial assembly in 1768. Munroe served as a justice of the peace and a lieutenant-colonel in the local militia. He died of apoplexy 6 Jan. 1781.
Henry's eldest brother William died without issue.
Henry's brother, Captain John Gunn Munro of Braemore married Elizabeth Sutherland. They had ten children.
- George Gunn Munro (b. 1743) married Justina Dunbar. .
- John, Major, killed in American war unmarried.
- Henry.
- Alexander.
- Innes, he married Ann GORDON of Clyne. Their children include: Major Sir George Gun MUNRO who married Jemima Charlotte, daughter of Col. GRAHAM.
- Christina married Col. George MACKENZIE of Lochend.
- Ann was the first of four wives of Rev. Robert ARTHUR of Buchan. He was born in 1744 and died May 11, 1821.
- Jenny married William SUTHERLAND, Sheriff of Sutherland.
- Alexandrina died unmarried
- Margaret married Captain John MACKENZIE 5th of Gruinard.
Henry's nephew Col. Innis Munro was appointed to a lieutenancy in the 73rd Highlanders. This Regiment later became the 71st Highlanders. Col. Innis Munro resigned from the army in 1808. He died in 1827. Col. Innis married Ann, daughter of Rev. George Gordon of Clyne. She died Feb. 19, 1836, age 95 years. Col. Innis was succeeded by his son Major George Gunn Munro born 1788. He died in 1852. Major Sir George Gunn Munro was the fourth laird of Poyntzfield.
- The first laird was, Sir George Gunn Munro son of Janet Gunn of Braemore and Rev. John Munro of Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland.
- He was followed by his nephew George Gunn Munro, son of his older brother Captain John Gunn Munro of Braemore. Nephew George Gunn Munro died July 1, 1806, age 63. George Gunn Munro married Justina Dunbar, daughter of William Dunbar, Forres. They did not have children.
- Sir George Gunn Munro's nephew Col. Innis Munro succeeded his nephew, George Gunn Munro.
- Upon Col. Innis Gunn Munro's death in 1827 his son, Major George Gunn Munro succeeded to Poyntzfield and became the fourth Laird. He married Jemima Charlotte Graham in 1822. Major George Gunn Munro was knighted in 1842. Major, Sir George Gunn Munro died at Strathpeffer Spa in 1852
References
- For information on George Hinde see Henry Lauren's Letters and Papers Vol.II.
- Sir George Gunn Munro I of Poyntzfield - will in National Archives of Scotland RT1/24 f33v, written July 7, 1783, proved Feb. 21, 1787
- Deane Poyntz - will dated 1746 proved 1749/50. Prob 11/777 55 Feb 1750
- George Hinde Esq will dated July 16, 1755, proved 1756. Prob 11/825 Oct. 6,1756
- Calnek, W. A. History of the County of Annapolis, Nova Scotia: Including Old Port Royal & Acadia (1999)
The above is from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Munroe and is used under its licence Wikipedia:Text of Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
And the direct line continues for the baronets of Poyntzfield –
Sir George Mackenzie Gun Munro 4th Baronet (1841-1908)
Sir James Poyntz Gun-Munro 5th Baronet (1899-1908)
Sir Hugh Gun-Munro 6th Baronet (1929-2010)
Sir James Dunbar Gun-Munro Roberts 7th Baronet (born 1934, grandson of the 5th Baronet)
Subsidiary lines certainly exist... See, as well, the Robert Gunn detail in the Aeneas Gunn tree section.