Clan Forbes Society Newsletter January 2023 |
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Clan Forbes Chief's 2022 Christmas Message Undoubtedly the highlight of 2022 at Castle Forbes was the visit of the Clan Forbes Society tour group in August. It was a very happy and memorable occasion for Lady Forbes and myself and I was delighted that my grandson and heir, Geordie, the Master of Forbes, and his family were also with us. Fortunately, the weather was kind allowing members of the tour to enjoy the surrounding grounds as well as the interior. It was also fine a few days later for the Lonach Gathering when we were all able to meet again on the eve of the group’s departure for home. We do hope that this will be the first of many regular visits in future by members of the Society. We were, of course, delighted to have President Bart Forbes to stay with us for a couple of nights prior to the main group’s arrival which gave us the opportunity to discuss many Forbes-related matters over a few drams. Following the loosening of the lock-down regulations that had been in force during the previous 2 years, it was a pleasure to be able to welcome again many others with “Forbes” connections to Castle Forbes, some of whom I understand have subsequently become members of the Society. To all, we send our very best wishes for a very Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year, Forbes Castle Forbes Grace me Guide |
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Mary, Queen of Scots, and the Forbes of Rires The family of Forbes of Rires was fiercely loyal to Catholic Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, in the 16th century – enough to murder one of her enemies. This cadet family of Pitsligo was founded by Arthur Forbes of Rires (1436 - 1498) who was the third son of Sir Alexander Forbes, 2nd laird of Pitsligo. His great-grandson Arthur, the 4th laird of Rires, married Margaret, daughter of John Beaton (also spelled "Bethune" or "Betoun") of Creich. While Beaton’s home was Creich Castle, he was also the keeper of Falkland Palace in Fife, a royal palace of Mary, Queen of Scots. In 1550, their first son was John and their second son was called Arthur after his father. Margaret Beaton Forbes of Rires, later known as Lady Rires or Reres, was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Mary. She was also the aunt of Mary Beaton, another lady-in-waiting who was known as one of the Queen’s four “Marys.” In 1560, the Scottish Reformation Parliament, claiming to be a “Scottish Parliament” in defiance of the Queen, approved a Protestant confession of faith that rejected papal jurisdiction. Mary added fuel to the religious fire when she married a well-known Catholic in 1565, her cousin Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. After two years, Mary was forced to abdicate 1567 in favor of her infant son James VI, who was to be raised as a Protestant. His regent was Mary's illegitimate half-brother, James Stewart, Earl of Moray, who was a leader of the Protestant faction. Scotland roiled with open hostilities between the Catholic “queen’s men” who supported Mary and the Protestant “king’s men” who supported the infant James VI and his regent, the Earl of Moray. On January 23, 1570, James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh assassinated Moray. Three months later in April 1570, John Wood, Moray’s secretary was assassinated -- by Arthur Forbes, 4th of Rires and his two sons John and Arthur. John was killed in the conflict but his father and brother survived. They were summoned to trial for the “slaughter” of John Wood on February 6, 1573, along with Henry Forret. However, they did not appear and Walter Scott of Branxholme, and Alexander Forbes, 7th laird of Pitsligo were fined 98 (“ijc li.”) pounds. In addition, “the principal parties adjudged to be denounced rebels, and their moveables excheated.” Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/rires |
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HistoryScotland Magazine Features Clan Forbes Family History The January / February edition of HistoryScotland magazine has just hit the virtual stands with a two-page spread featuring the study of DNA genealogist Philip Stead, of the Genealogical Studies programme within the Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Strathclyde. The article summarized his findings on the degree of relationship between Clan Forbes members and the Forbes Chieftain lineage. One of the main findings of the study was that a significant Y-chromosome diversity was observed among the male participants with the surname Forbes, plus spelling variants. The results showed that 28 per cent of project members were direct paternal descendants of a Forbes chieftain, and similar findings have been observed in other Scottish clan DNA projects. Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/historyscotland-dna-article If you are an Active Member of the Clan Forbes Society, you can request a copy of the full report by contacting Bart Forbes at mailto:president@clan-forbes.org. |
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New Video of St. John’s Church of Edinburgh One of the most enduring and consequential legacies of the House of Forbes is the St. John the Apostle Scottish Episcopal Church in the center of Edinburgh, Scotland. The leading lay figures responsible for funding and building the church were the sons of Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo 6th Baronet. Sir William Forbes, 7th Baronet, assumed the leadership of the bank his father created and his brother, John Hay Forbes, was a judge. Four of the 10 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). John Hay Forbes and his wife Jemima Rebecca Stuart Forbes installed a small brass plaque in memory of their son John Stuart Stuart-Forbes, who died in 1876 at the Battle of the Little Bighorn under U.S. Army General George Custer. See new video of church on the Clan Forbes Society YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaIlpRe3gu0&t=27s Learn more about the St. John’s Church of Edinburgh here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/st-john-s-church-of-edinburgh |
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Congratulations to 2023 Board of Directors Thank you to those Active Members who participated in the elections for the 2023 Board of Directors! The votes have been tallied and the results are in: Bart Forbes, President, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer; Leslie Furbish, Vice President for Conveners who manages the outreach and marketing at all the highland games and Scottish festivals; Jim Forbes, Vice President of Operations who serves as the Chief Operating Officer; Natalie Gates, Vice President for Membership who processes new and renewing members and maintains member relations.
The President can appoint any other officer and directors as needed and as interest allows. |
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Welcome Members!
Please welcome our new Active Members for December 2022:
Mr. David Forbis, Oregon, USA Mr. Andrew Forbes, South Carolina, USA Mr. Jamie Byron Forbes, Utah, USA Mr. Walter Glenn Forbus, Alabama, USA Ms. Virginia Mandell Weber, Texas, USA Mr. Michael Shane Forbis, California, USA Ms. Jessica Forbis, Wyoming, USA Ms. Holly Kristen Forbis, Michigan, USA Ms. Glennell Forbes Munne, Florida, USA Ms. Noelle Elizabeth Forbes, Georgia, USA
Please welcome our Renewing Active Members for December 2022: Mr. David Forbes Swanson, Virgina, USA Mr. John W. Forbes, Kansas, USA Ms. Kimberly Forbes Fox, Ohio, USA Ms. Susan Forbes Graham, New York, USA Ms. Linda Forbes Bridgeman, New York, USA Mr. Walter H. Boyes, Jr., Washington, USA Mr. Ronald Kenny Forbes, Iowa, USA Ms. Sheryll Forbes Reti, Queensland, Australia Ms. Margaret Forbes Tollefson, Texas, USA Mr. James G. Forbes II, Indiana, USA Ms. Alba M. Forbes, Indiana, USA Mr. Blake Joseph Forbes, Indiana, USA Mr. Robert Forbes, Ireland Mr. Scott Richard Forbes, Utah, USA Ms. Annette Zamarchi, New Hampshire, USA Ms. Nicole Rose ForbusOhio, USA
Become an Active Member or Renew Now! If you haven’t already supported the Society financially, please consider becoming a paid member! Active Membership is US$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. 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 US$600. Have a question about your membership, certificate, or your renewal date? Contact Vice President for Membership Natalie Gates at membership@clan-forbes.org. |
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Highland Games & Festivals Congratulations to Natalie Gates, Games Convener and Membership Chairman, for winning the award for the best new clan tent at the ScotFest Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival in Estes Park, Colorado, last September! Here is a list of games and festivals, with known conveners. Please let the Clan Forbes Society if your festival or convener is not listed by contacting Vice President for Conveners Leslie A. Furbish. 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! Scotland Lonach Highland Gathering & Games August 26, 2023 Bellabeg, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire United States Florida Keys Celtic Festival January 7-8, 2023; Marathon, Florida Central Florida Scottish Highland Games January 14-15, 2023; Winter Springs, Florida Clan Forbes Convener: Ann Forbes Tallhassee Highland Games February 11-12, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida Mount Dora Scottish Highland Festival February 18-19, 2023; Mount Dora, Florida Clan Forbes Convener: Ann Forbes Northeast Florida Scottish Games and Festival February 23, 2023; Green Cove Springs, Florida Phoenix Scottish Games March 3-5, 2023; Gilbert Regional Park, Gilbert, Arizona Panama City Beach Scottish Festival & Highland Games March 4, 2023; Panama City Beach, Florida Southeast Florida Scottish Festival & Highland Games March 4, 2023; Plantation, Florida Calaveras Celtic Faire & Concert March 10-12, 2023; Angel, California Clan Forbes Convener: Valerie Edwards Sherman Celtic Festival & Highland Games March 25-26, 2023; Pecan Grove West Park, Sherman, Texas San Antonio Highland Games April 1-2, 2023; Helotes, Texas Clan Forbes Convener: Bart Forbes Hawaiian Scottish Festival & Highland Games and Ceilidh April 1-2, 2023; Jefferson Elementary School, Honolulu, Hawaii Las Vegas Highland Games April 15-16, 2023; Floyd Lamb Park, Las Vegas, Nevada Loch Norman Highland Games April 15-16, 2023; Historic Rural Hill, Huntersville, North Carolina Southern Maryland Celtic Festival & Highland Gathering April 29, 2023; St. Leonard, Maryland |
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