John Forbes (clergyman)
Encyclopedia
John Forbes was a clergyman and magistrate in East Florida
. He was born in Strathdon
, Scotland
, the son of Archibald Forbes of Deskrie, Scotland
(1713–1793).
He received his education at King's College
in old Aberdeen
, where he passed through the ordinary course of Greek, mathematics, and philosophy, and attended lectures in divinity. The University of Aberdeen
conferred on him the degree of M.A. in the spring of 1763, and he was then recommended to the bishops of the Church of England
for ordination to the ministry.
John Forbes was the first clergyman licensed to officiate in East Florida; and on May 5, 1764, he gave the customary bond to be conveyed to his missionary field, St. Augustine, Florida
, where the larger number of East Florida settlers had gathered. From all accounts he was conscientious in the discharge of his parochial duties; but his field was difficult and the territory quite extensive; besides, he was the only English clergyman in East Florida during most of the British occupation. Once a year he generally visited the most remote parts, "at a considerable expense and great fatigue." Advantageous offers to go elsewhere were refused.
On February 2, 1769, he was married in Milton, Massachusetts
to Dorothy Murray, daughter of James Murray.
In 1783, after nearly twenty years in the province, he returned to England on leave of absence, in bad health. He died in England, September 17, 1783, leaving a widow and three sons: James Grant Forbes (1769–1826), John Murray Forbes (1771–1831), and Ralph Bennett Forbes (1773–1824). Among his grandsons were Robert Bennet Forbes
(1804–1889) and John Murray Forbes
(1813–1898).
(Adapted from "John Forbes," by E. L. Pennington, in "Florida History Quarterly," VIII, 164-68, January 1930.)
East Florida
East Florida was a colony of Great Britain from 1763–1783 and of Spain from 1783–1822. East Florida was established by the British colonial government in 1763; as its name implies it consisted of the eastern part of the region of Florida, with West Florida comprising the western parts. Its capital...
. He was born in Strathdon
Strathdon
Strathdon is an area in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is situated in the strath of the River Don, 45 miles west of Aberdeen in the Highlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, the son of Archibald Forbes of Deskrie, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
(1713–1793).
He received his education at King's College
King's College, Aberdeen
King's College in Old Aberdeen, Scotland is a formerly independent university founded in 1495 and an integral part of the University of Aberdeen...
in old Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, where he passed through the ordinary course of Greek, mathematics, and philosophy, and attended lectures in divinity. The University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
conferred on him the degree of M.A. in the spring of 1763, and he was then recommended to the bishops of the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
for ordination to the ministry.
John Forbes was the first clergyman licensed to officiate in East Florida; and on May 5, 1764, he gave the customary bond to be conveyed to his missionary field, St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United...
, where the larger number of East Florida settlers had gathered. From all accounts he was conscientious in the discharge of his parochial duties; but his field was difficult and the territory quite extensive; besides, he was the only English clergyman in East Florida during most of the British occupation. Once a year he generally visited the most remote parts, "at a considerable expense and great fatigue." Advantageous offers to go elsewhere were refused.
On February 2, 1769, he was married in Milton, Massachusetts
Milton, Massachusetts
Milton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States and part of the Greater Boston area. The population was 27,003 at the 2010 census. Milton is the birthplace of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush and architect Buckminster Fuller. Milton also has the highest percentage of...
to Dorothy Murray, daughter of James Murray.
In 1783, after nearly twenty years in the province, he returned to England on leave of absence, in bad health. He died in England, September 17, 1783, leaving a widow and three sons: James Grant Forbes (1769–1826), John Murray Forbes (1771–1831), and Ralph Bennett Forbes (1773–1824). Among his grandsons were Robert Bennet Forbes
Robert Bennet Forbes
Captain Robert Bennet Forbes , was a sea captain, China merchant, ship owner, and writer. He was active in ship construction, maritime safety, the opium trade, and charitable activities.-Captain, opium trader and humanitarian:...
(1804–1889) and John Murray Forbes
John Murray Forbes
John Murray Forbes was an American railroad magnate, merchant, philanthropist and abolitionist. He was president of both the Michigan Central railroad and the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad in the 1850s....
(1813–1898).
(Adapted from "John Forbes," by E. L. Pennington, in "Florida History Quarterly," VIII, 164-68, January 1930.)
See also
- Forbes familyForbes familyThe Forbes family is a wealthy extended American family originating in Boston. The family's fortune originates from trading between North America and China in the 19th century plus other investments in the same period. The name descends from Scottish immigrants, and can be traced back to Sir John...