Philip Allen Monroe

• Philip A. Munroe Find A Grave Memorial# 46162647
• North Burial Ground, Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island, USA, Plot: Section 14, Lot 2615

MUNROE, PHILIP ALLEN, son of Burden and Lydia (Baker) Munroe, was born in Swansea, Mass., Nov. 27, 1821. He was descended from a long line of illustrious ancestors, the Munroe family being of Scotch descent, traced back to the eleventh century. Through the marriage of his great-grandfather, John Munro, to Hannah Rosbotham, he was descended from Richard Warren who came to America in the Mayflower in 1620, his line of descent from the Mayflower being: Richard Wanren, Elizabeth Warren, Col. Benjamin Church, Elizabeth Church, Hannah Rosbotham, who married John Munro, Stephen Munro, Burden Munroe, Philip Allen Munroe. Although he never became a member, he was eligible to membership in the Society of Mayflower Descendants and thc Society of Colonial Wars. When he was five years of age his parents removed to Warren, R.I., where they resided for two or three years, after which his father purchased a farm in Rehoboth, where the family permanently settled. Philip obtained his education, which was limited, in the little old schoolhouse near his father's farm, the course of study being restricted to the "three Rs." With this meager schooling he commenced a career of wide usefulness and substantial success, starting emptyhanded and by indomitable perseverance and industry acquired a handsome competence. He was in every respect a self-made man, of unimpeachable integrity, and became one of the most prominent business men of the City of Providence. After leaving school he learned the mason's trade which he followed for about a year in Pawtucket, R.I. He then became a clerk in the grocery store of his brother-in-law, Lyman Pierce, on Canal Street in Providence, which was the beginning of his successful business career. After about a year he became a partner in the business, and so little capital did he have that he was obliged to give his note in payment for his interest, which note he paid in a little over a year. This partnership continued for sixteen years, Mr. Pierce retiring from the firm at the end of that period. Mr. Munroe continued in business at the old stand, and later took his brother Burden into partnership; the business, which had now grown to immense proportions, being conducted under the firm name of P. A. Munroe & Co., and was continued until 1876, when the firm was dissolved and both partners retired from active business. Mr. Munroe had been connected with the business for about thirty years and his retirement was well earned. He had previously settled in East Providence, where he had built a fine residence, and after his retirement he devoted his attention to looking after his large real estate interests; in addition to which he served as executor and trustee for several estates. He spent several winters in Florida, and his life, after retirement from business, was one of ease and comfort. He remained loyal to Rehoboth, the scene of his boyhood days, and always spoke of the town in the highest terms. While never holding any public office, he generally voted for the men and measures of the Democratic party. In religion he was a lifelong Universalist, being quite prominent in that denomination. He died in East Providence, Sept. 18, 1908, in the eighty-seventh year of his age.

On Dec. 29, 1844, Mr. Munroe married Delana Pierce, who was also descended from a long line of illustrious ancestors. She was a descendant of Capt. Michael Pierce, the famous Indian fighter; an original Daughter of the American Revolution, her father hav- ing fought in the Continental Army, and she was a member of Gaspee Chapter, D.A.R., of Providence. Delana Pierce was born in Rehoboth, July 13, 1823, daughter of Isaac and Polly (Bowen) Pierce, and died in Barrington, R.I., June 19. 1909, in the eighty- sixth year of her age. She contributed much toward the success of her husband, by her thoughtful co-operation and valuable assistance. As a young woman she was a regular attendant at the old Hombine Meeting-House in Rehoboth, and she always showed a loving loyalty to the town of her birth, to the old church of her girlhood days, and to her kindred. The children of Philip A. and Delana Munroe were:

Sophronia Jane, born in Providence, Jan. 5, 1847. married Thomas W. Richmond, Nov. 21, 1866; died April 29, 1869.

Lyman Francis, bom in Providence, June 14. 1848; married (1) Camilla C. Munroe, Dec. 25, 1873; (2) Jnnnie McDearm|d, April 3, 1882.

Delana Jenoe, born in Providence, Jan. 9, 1850; died March 20, 1856.

Lena Augusta, born in Providence, Dec. 30, 1850; died Aug. 28, 1851.

Philip Allen, Ir., born in Providence, June 26, 1852; married Henrietta Packard, Jan. 2, 1877.

Josephine, born in Providence, April 9, 1854; died Nov. 30, 1854.

Oliver Buchanan, born in Providence, May 22, 1856; married (1) Mrs. Annie S. Jeffery, Dec. 11, 1883; (2) Ethel B. Crosse, March 6, 1889.

Addison Pierce, born in Providence, Jan. 2, 1862; married Annie B. Hopkins, Dec. 22, 1885.

Nellie Frances, born in Rehoboth, May 4, 1868; married Clarence A. Brouwer, Dec. 15, 1892.

Source: A History of Rehoboth, MASS by George H. Tilton, 1918, page 367-368. Available in Google Books.