Paul Revere, Johnny Tremaine, and Esther Forbes

Millions of American schoolchildren first learned about the colorful characters of the American Revolutionary War through the Young Adult novel "Johnny Tremain," written by Esther Louise Forbes (1891 –1967.) Forbes was an American novelist and historian who received the Pulitzer Prize and the Newbery Medal. She was the first woman elected to membership in the American Antiquarian Society. Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/people/Esther-Louise-Forbes

Battle of Harlaw
July 24 marks the anniversary of one of the bloodiest battles in Scotland: “Reid Harlaw” that pitched clan against clan. The struggle was over possession by inheritance of Mormaerdom (kingdom) of Moray. On July 24, 1411, near Inverurie, Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles, was met by a force of about 2,000 men hastily assembled by Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar. After a day of fierce fighting there was no clear victor. Donald had lost 900 men before retreating back to the Western Isles, and Mar had lost 600. Many families lost not just their chief but every male in their house. Alexander Forbes, eldest son of Sir John de Forbes, joined the forces commanded by his mormaer, the Earl of Mar. Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/harlaw  

St. John’s Church of Edinburgh
One of the most enduring legacies of the House of Forbes is the Church of St. John the Evangelist in the center of Edinburgh, Scotland. The lay leaders primarily responsible for funding and building the church were Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo 6th Baronet and his sons Sir William Forbes, 7th Baronet, and Judge John Hay Forbes. Four of the 10 stunning stained-glass windows were sponsored by members of the House of Forbes: Sir William Forbes, 7th Baronet (window number 4); his younger son Charles Hay Forbes (number 2); his younger brother George Forbes (number 8), and his sister & brother-in-law, Colin & Jane Mackenzie of Portmore (number 3). Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/st-john-s-church-of-edinburgh 

Clan Feud: Leslie
The Forbes feud with Clan Leslie began in 1400 when “Red Sir Andrew” Leslie of Pitscurry absconded with the “Fair Maid of Kemnay” who was betrothed to Sir John “of the Black Lip” Forbes of Druminnor. In retaliation, Forbes and his men attacked and burned Balquhain Castle, the ancestral home of the Leslies. In revenge, Leslie and his men destroyed Castle Forbes (now called Druminnor Castle.) The feud continued in 1527, when William, Master of Forbes and later 7th Lord Forbes, and his brother Alexander were indicted for killing of Alexander Seton of Meldrum, John Leslie in Kinawty, and Malcolm Leslie in Garioch. In 1617, John Forbes of Enzean, third son of William Forbes of Monymusk, bought the debts of the Leslies. They forfeited in 1618 and Forbes received the charter of the lands of Auchinleck and of the Barony of Leslie from King James VI in 1619. John Forbes of Enzean thus became Baron of Leslie. David, 4th Baron of Leslie, sold the Barony of Leslie in 1771 to the Leiths of Leith Hall. Leslie Castle is now operated as a guesthouse by the current owners who also bought the title of the barony. Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/clan-feud-forbes-vs-leslie
 

Battle of Sauchieburn
Alexander Forbes (ca. 1464 – 1491), succeeded his father William “Grey Willie” Forbes as the 4th Lord Forbes in 1483. To secure the loyalty of the Forbeses, the Scottish King James III agreed to the marriage between Forbes and his niece Margaret Boyd, the only daughter of Thomas, Earl of Arran, and of Princess Mary, his sister. In 1488, the majority of the Scottish nobles rose against James, who sought sanctuary in Northern Scotland and attempted to raise an army there. The King established 25-year-old Forbes as his Lieutenant of the northern districts beyond the Grampians. The King’s son, later James IV, lead a host of rebellious Scottish lords in the battle against his father at the Battle of Sauchieburn on June 11, 1488. When James III was killed in the battle, Lord Forbes rode throughout northern Scotland carrying the King's bloody shirt on his spear and attempted to rouse an army to avenge him. He succeeded in recruitng a large force -- but he laid down his arms after the defeat of the Earl of Lennox at Tillymoor, near Stirling. The young James IV pardoned Forbes and allowed the Lords Forbes administration of northern Scotland until about 1500. Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/battle-of-sauchieburn

Clan Forbes Society Members on LinkedIn
If you have an account with LinkedIn, join the group Clan Forbes Society Members! You can link up with other members, follow Society news, and learn about upcoming events. See: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8960618/

Clan Forbes Virtual Gathering: Aug. 28, 2020

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has shut down many Highland games and Scottish festivals, the Forbes Spirit remains! Please join us on Zoom for the first virtual Clan Forbes Gathering on Saturday, August 28, 2020! This fourth Saturday of August is the traditional date of the Lonach Highland Gathering & Games in Strathdon, Aberdeenshire – which has been cancelled this year. The focus will be on Castle Forbes and we need your photographs of you and your family at the clan seat! We’ll be sharing your photos in a slide show and ask that you speak about your experience at the Castle. Please send your photos to membership@clan-forbes.org. We’ll also have updates from the Society Board of Directors and ask for your advice about future gatherings. We’ll send the Zoom link to you two weeks in advance. For time and more information, please see: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/virtul-clan-gathering-2020

Welcome Members!

Please welcome our new Active Members for July 2020:

•    Ms. Tanya Garner Floyd, Arkansas, USA
•    Ms. Jennifer Lynn Iannolo, New York, USA
•    Ms. Kelly Forbes Stacy, Virginia, USA
•    Ms. Sherry Fobes Mitchell, New Jersey, USA

Become a House of Forbes Member!

All House of Forbes Members will be added to the Clan Forbes Society Family Tree on Ancestry.com. If you are an Active Member who pays annual dues of $25, you can become an House of Forbes Member, too. Once you receive your membership number, please pay an additional fee of $100 and submit a complete House of Forbes Membership Application that documents your direct lineage from John de Forbes, founder of the House of Forbes. You can use the House of Forbes application available here or submit your GEDCOM (GEnealogical Data COMmunications) file from your online service or program. E-mail your form or file to membership@clan-forbes.org and submit your fee here. Your genealogy will be reviewed by the Society Genealogist. If you are approved, you will receive your official House of Forbes Membership Certificate and your genealogical information will be added to the official family tree of Society. 

The Society’s membership growth has slowed tremendously during the COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home orders. If you’re spending time at home reading the Society’s website and Facebook posts, please let the Society know that you care – and that you want our efforts continued!

If you haven’t already supported the Society financially, please consider becoming a paid member! Active Membership is $25 annually will help the Society research the history and heritage of the House of Forbes; develop resources for tracing your genealogy with your cousins around the world; connect with other members in the Clan Forbes Community; and encourage more members to join us in events, tours and gatherings. Thanks to all our 2019 members – and now it’s time to renew your support for 2020! Renew your membership here.

If you don’t want the bother of renewing your membership every year, consider becoming a Patron Member for lifetime membership at the level of $600. 

​​Highland Games & Festivals

Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, many highland games and Scottish festivals have been cancelled or postponed. Here’s the current list compiled by Leslie Furbish Ingram, Vice President for Conveners. Please see the complete list of Games & Festivals. If you are interested in hosting a Clan Forbes tent at your local gathering, games, or festival, please download the Clan Forbes Convener Guide and let us know how we can assist you! Here are a few of the upcoming events:

Colorado Scottish Festival & Rocky Mountain Highland Games , Colorado. CANCELLED

Maine Highland Games & Scottish Festival , Maine. POSTPONED

ST. Andrew's Society of Detroit Annual Highland Games , Michigan. CANCELLED

Bitterroot Celtic Games & Gathering , Montana. RESCHEDULED: Aug 15-16, 2021

Loch Norman Highland Games , North Carolina. POSTPONED

Long Island Scottish Festival and Highland Games , New York. POSTPONED

Quechee Scottish Festival and Competition, Vermont. POSTPONED

Prescott Highland Games & Faire, Arizona. POSTPONED

Caledonian Club of San Francisco , California. Sept. 5 – 6, 2020. SUBJECT TO CHANGE

 Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival , Colorado. Sept. 11 – 13, 2020.

Columbus Scottish Festival , Indiana. POSTPONED.

St. Louis Scottish Games & Cultural Festival , Missouri. POSTPONED

New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival , New Hampshire. POSTPONED

Scotfest Oklahoma , Oklahoma. POSTPONED

Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival , Pennsylvania. Sept. 25 – 27, 2020.

Ligonier Highland Games , Pennsylvania. POSTPONED

Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival , Tennessee. POSTPONED

Middle Tennessee Highland Games & Celtic Festival, Tennessee. POSTPONED

Virginia Scottish Games & Festival , Virginia. POSTPONED

Scotland CT Scottish Festival, Connecticut. POSTPONED

Indianapolis Scottish Highland Games & Festival , Indiana. POSTPONED

Scotland County Highland Games , North Carolina. POSTPONED

Texas Scottish Festival & Highland Games , Texas. RESCHEDULED: Oct. 16 – 18, 2020

Celtic Heritage & Music Festival and National Tartan Day , MIssippi. CANCELLED

Charleston Scottish Games & Highland Gathering , South Carolina. CANCELLED. 

Central Florida Scottish Highland Games, Florida. RESCHEDULED

Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk, Virginia. CANCELLED