Elizabeth Munro Fisher

An early 1800s copy of the Memoirs of Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher, of the city of New-York, daughter of the Rev. Harry Munro, who was a Chaplain in the British Army, during the American Revolution. Written by herself.

Library of Congress

When the American colonies began their fight for independence, the question on the minds of many became one of allegiances. Those loyal to the British Crown (Royalists) often found themselves in precarious situations, with their safety in imminent danger. One Royalist woman with ties to the Saratoga Campaign recalled her experiences in a poignant memoir.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Munro Fisher was the daughter of a Scottish immigrant, Reverand Henry “Harry” Munro. Rev. Munro was the chaplain for the 77th Regiment of Foot (Montgomery’s Highlanders) when the unit was given orders to head to America. Elizabeth was born on December 2, 1759, in Philadelphia, PA. Unfortunately, her mother passed away shortly after the birth. The Reverand remarried, however that woman also passed away after having a seizure. Rev. Munro married for a third time, to a woman by the name of Miss Jay. According to Elizabeth’s memoirs, Miss Jay treated her very harshly, to the point where it affected her mental and physical health.A baby boy was born into the family in 1766, and was given the name Peter Jay Munro.

Though the date is unclear, Rev. Munro was given a patent of land as a reward for his services with the British Army. The 2,000 acre tract was located near what is today Hebron, NY. Elizabeth recalls a summer long trip she and her father made to the countryside in 1775:

“I had not been there long before I perfectly recovered my health and was much delighted with this change, being at liberty to range the woods as I pleased…”

As that summer ended, Rev. Munro made the decision to return to Albany. Wanting to avoid her volatile stepmother, Elizabeth pleaded to be left behind. She soon found board with the Reid family in modern day Salem, NY. In January of 1776, Elizabeth was introduced to her future husband, Donald Fisher. “Mr. Fisher” was born on an unknown date in Scotland and had also served in the 77th Regiment of Foot. He and Elizabeth were wed on February 2, 1776. Despite his initial disapproval of the union, Rev. Munro eventually gave Elizabeth and Donald permission to settle on his patent lands in the spring of 1776.

Elizabeth gave birth to their first child (a boy) in November of that same year. Life continued as normal until the Fisher’s received word that British Lt. General John Burgoyne had taken control of Lake Champlain and landed in Skeenesborough (modern day Whitehall, NY) on July 6, 1777. The Charlotte County militia leader, Colonel Dr. John Williams, came to Donald and “begged of him [Mr. Fisher], as he had been in the British Army, to go and procure a protection for him and all the committee in Salem…” Colonel Williams also stated that he would send another man by the name John Baker to act as a courier for Mr. Fisher whilst he was in the British camp. Baker returned to Salem after a short period of time and reported directly to Colonel Williams.

Several days after Baker’s return, a group of armed men surrounded Elizabeth’s home. The men demanded to know the whereabouts of Mr. Fisher. Elizabeth told them the truth, and soon after the men forced her and her 9-month-old child out of the house under the threat of violence. Once the house was cleared of furniture, it was burned and razed to the ground. Elizabeth had lost the only safe home she had known in the matter of hours. This once citizen now turned Royalist refugee writes of a harrowing ordeal. A man driving a cow passed by the sad scene a while later. Elizabeth inquired about his destination, and he answered simply “The camp”. She asked if she could accompany him, and the reply was “Yes… if you can keep up with me.”

Elizabeth estimated that they walked 22 miles that day, all the while carrying her child. She wrote that her thin silk slippers and stockings disintegrated along the arduous journey, leaving her barefoot by the end. Once Elizabeth and the baby were reunited with Donald in the safety of Burgoyne’s camp, the decision was made to stay with the army. Elizabeth does not write of the Battles, but she does describe life in the camp during the siege (prior to the Convention).

“We were deprived of all comforts of life, and did not dare to kindle a fire for fear we should be fired observed from the other side of the river, and they may fire upon us, which they did several times. Being about the middle of October, we suffered cold and hunger; many a day I had nothing but a piece of raw salt pork, a biscuit, and the drink of water- poor living for a nurse.”

After Burgoyne’s capitulation, the Fishers found themselves with nowhere to go. Similar to other Royalist refugee families (like the Freemans) Elizabeth and Donald sought out sanctuary in Canada. They decided to settle in Montreal.

Though their life was turbulent after the move, they raised four children (two girls and two boys). Mr. Fisher passed away in 1799, and shortly after Elizabeth moved back to the Albany area. She hoped to reclaim the patent lands her father had left to her in his will. Unfortunately, her estranged half-brother, Peter Jay Munro, had assumed control of the property. According to Elizabeth’s writings, Peter had falsified documents and witnesses step forward to dispute any claim that Elizabeth might have had. Elizabeth was eventually arrested and imprisoned on charges of forgery. She spent 6 years in a women’s prison in New York City and was eventually pardoned by Governor Lewis in 1806. Elizabeth lived in the city for 4 years after her release, and eventually moved back to Montreal. She passed away in 1845 at the age of eighty-six.

A copy of her memoirs can be found on the Library of Congress webiste.