THE MUNRO FAMILY IN SOUTH INDIA IN THE 1800'S.

[GD40]

I am trying to obtain information, particularly the mother's name, of Urban Verres Vigors Munro, born on 11 April 1802, probably in Madras, South India.

He was one of four illegitimate children, born to native women called Bibis, and fathered by Major General John Munro, 9th of Teaninich H.E.I.C.S., before he married Charlotte Blacker in 1808.

Urban Vigors went on to marry Caroline Matilda Kohlhoff on 24 October 1832 at Cotyam, Travancore, South India.

Their first child was John Daniel Munro, born in 1832, my great-grandfather.

I'm hoping somebody can help, and look forward to any replies.

With many thank,

Geoff Deakin.

[giblet]

Hi, not sure if this is of any help or you may already have seen it.

John Munro had four children while serving in Madras, probably by native mother(s).[2]

1. Urban Vigors Munro (baptised 1801 Madras d. Travancore 1844) was in 1827 appointed first Conservator of Forests of Travancore, to manage the state monopoly of teak, and later also cardamom, ebony and sandalwood. His son John Daniel Munro was first a coffee planter, but headed the newly separate Cardamom Department from 1869. He built paths to open up the area round Peermade and Munnar, enabling the founding of tea industry in the Kan(n)an Devan Hills.[17] His short book The High Ranges of Travancore describes these hills.[18]

2. James Munro (baptised 1805 died 1805).

3. Margaret Munro (died 1807).

4. Theodosia (born 1805, baptised 1807, probably also died young). Her mother's name is given as Chauby.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Munro,_9th_of_Teaninich

The below baptisms can apparently found in FindMyPast, i dont have access so cant find out more. I found the below on this link https://search.fibis.org/frontis/bin/

Index to baptisms 1698-1820   
Baptism Year     1807   
Place of Baptism     MADRAS   
Baptised First Name     Theodosia   
Baptised Surname     MUNRO   
Volume     3     Folio     253   
LDS Film Reference     0498574   
~~~~~~~~-
Baptism Year     1805   
Place of Baptism     MADRAS   
Baptised First Name     James   
Baptised Surname     MUNRO   
Volume     11   
Folio     181   
LDS Film Reference     0498574   

[KGarrad]

Have you tried searching Families In British India Society (FIBIS)?

[giblet]

born to native women called Bibis

Bibis is a respectful title for Mistress etc. They appear to have been well looked after and at times left legacies from wills etc for themselves and any children that may have been born from the relationship. If John Munro [Urban's father] had left a will there might be something written up in that about his Bibis.

edited just to add that i had never heard of Bibis before. When i started searching i thought it was her actual name 

[giblet]

Name   Theodosia Munro
Christening Date   13 Nov 1807
Christening Place   Vepery, Madras, India
Birth Date   14 Sep 1805
Father Name   John Munro
Mother  Name     Chauby

Im wondering if Chauby is the mother to all 4 kids.

[bbart]

Not that it helps, but his grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/193997673

Whoever wrote up the bio states where he was baptised.

I assume these children stayed with their mothers?  If so, chances are that Chauby was also his mother, as Urban Vigor had a daughter named Theodosia, which he could have been naming after his sister?

[giblet]

I can only find baptisms for 3 of the kids. Margaret and James baptised the same day. Still cant find one for Urban.

Name   James Munro
Christening Date   11 Feb 1805
Christening Place   Vepery, Madras, India
Father's Name   John Munro
Mother's Name   /

Name   Margaret Munro
Christening Date   11 Feb 1805
Christening Place   Vepery, Madras, India
Birth Date   15 Sep 1804
Father's Name   John Munro

Name   Theodosia Munro
Christening Date   13 Nov 1807
Christening Place   Vepery, Madras, India
Birth Date   14 Sep 1805
Father's Name   John Munro
Mother's Name    Chauby

Poster states "Urban Verres Vigors Munro, born on 11 April 1802, probably in Madras, South India" and bio on the link states "baptised 1801 Madras "
He couldnt have been baptised in 1801 if he wasnt born until 1802. Im thinking maybe born 1801 and baptised 1802???

[bbart]

Poster states "Urban Verres Vigors Munro, born on 11 April 1802, probably in Madras, South India" and bio on the link states "baptised 1801 Madras "
He couldnt have been baptised in 1801 if he wasnt born until 1802. Im thinking maybe born 1801 and baptised 1802???

That would make more sense; there is also the possibility that whoever wrote the bio on Findagrave is the same person that wrote the Wiki article, and they had it wrong.  Without seeing the the real document, it's still a guessing game!

I'm unsure of the middle name Verres as well.  In the few documents and indexes that I could find, it was always "Urban Vigors Munro" or "Urban Munro", never a mention of a middle name Verres.  Hopefully the OP will return and let us know where that came from!

[giblet]

chances are that Chauby was also his mother

Yes i agree. I just cant find anything to prove it tho.

Been a interesting subject even if i cant find what im looking for