Samuel Munn

Samuel Munn 02.09.1817 - 17.03.1864  was my great, great, great grandfather. He was born in in Galston, Ayrshire and died  at the home of his daughter Isabella and her husband, William Martin, 201 Sauchiehall Street Glasgow.   Samuel was an Excise Officer, the third of my ancestors to undertake this unpopular job.  

I wrote about Samuel's father John's death by drowning earlier in the year.  Samuel's grandfather, John Munn's father in law John Hamilton,  was also an Excise Officer.  Maybe there are other family EOs yet to be discovered. 


The blip shows some of the papers relating to Samuel’s acceptance as an Excise Officer. I was sent digitised copies of these documents which are held by the National Archives in Kew, England. I find it extraordinary that these are available and even show my ancestor’s signature. The wording is verbose and obsequious but a reflection of the times.
I’ve had a go at transcribing some of the papers:


“To the Honourable Commissioners and Governors of the Revenue of Excise, etc., etc.

We do certify that Samuel Munn, born at Galston in the Parish of Galston in the County of Ayr, is a likely man to make a good Excise Officer. He is healthy and active, and not in embarrassed circumstances. A single man, and of good character and conduct, and not addicted to intemperance or other vices. He is a good clerk and well qualified to serve His Majesty's Government”.

Andrew Monro, Merchant, Glasgow
William Kay, Collector of Gas Rates of Glasgow
Thomas Wilson, Supervisor


Oath by Samuel Munn:

"I, Samuel Munn, do voluntarily make Oath that neither I nor any person for me, to my knowledge or belief, have, or hath, directly or indirectly, given, or promised to give, any fee, gratuity, reward, or emolument or reward whatsoever, for obtaining or endeavouring to obtain for me, an order of instruction, or any employment in the Revenue of Excise."

Signed: Samuel Munn 
Sworn this 9th day of September 1846

May it Please Your Honor,

These are to certify that Mr. Samuel Munn living at Galston in the County of Ayr, in my Collection, pays 19 Shillings instructed pursuant to Your Honor’s Order bearing date 3rd October 1846, and is qualified for Surveying Distillers, Maltsters, Soap makers, Paper makers, Brandy, Coffee, Tea, Tobacco, Tobacco and Snuff, Golden Wines and other Spirits Retailers. He can exact Excise and Malt Gages both by Pen and Rule, hath  taken gages and stocked for six weeks in Rothesay [Ride?], and duly enter’d his entry in Books prepared by him for that purpose, from which he hath made true Vouchers and Abstracts, is provided with proper Instruments and Instructions, and in every respect well qualified for the employment of an Officer of Excise. –

We are

Honourable Sir,

Your Dutiful servants

Francis Allan Supervisor
John Thomson Officer

Rothesay

25th November 1846




... he understands the first four Rules of Vulgar and Decimal Arithmetic; he hath taken the Oath of Office; and the said Certificate and the within Oaths are of his own hand Writing.
I am
Your Honour's Most Obedient
Humble Servant,
Thomas Wilson Johnson
Rothesay
9 September 1836

Altogether the National Archives sent me seven documents but some are copies of envelopes. I can't thank them enough for the diligent help. 
It's a bit more family history for my records but it doesn't solve some mysteries about Samuel's life - there are gaps to be filled!

Today my nephew and great nephew will leave to go home via Nottingham. It's been so good to have them here. However, I'm looking forward to a quiet day.