John Forbes (clergyman)

John Forbes (1740 - September 17, 1783) 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.)

ee also

* Forbes family