Clan Forbes Society Newsletter November 2022 |
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Pittencrieff House Alexander Clerk of Stenton (1569 - 1644), Provost of Edinburgh from 1623 to 1625, built the three-story house with stone from the former royal palace at Dunfermline. In 1701, the house was purchased by Lieut.-Colonel John Forbes (1658–1707), sixth son of the John Forbes, 2nd Lord Culloden. His son John was born at Pittencrieff House in 1707 and grew up there. He purchased a commission as captain in 1744 and his commission as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Scots Greys in 1750. He was deployed to the British colonies during the French and Indian War. In 1758, he commanded an expedition, with Lieutenant-Colonel George Washington leading a provincial militia. On his march to the French outpost of Fort Duquesne, he oversaw the construction of a military trail known as the Forbes Road, which became an important route for settlement of the Western United States. He forced the French out of Fort Duquesne and ordered the construction of Fort Pitt, named after British Secretary of State Pitt the Elder. He also established a settlement between the rivers, the site of modern Pittsburgh. His birthplace of Pittencrieff House was sold in 1762 and changed hands several times until Colonel James Hunt in 1903 sold the property to industrialist Andrew Carnegie (1835 – 1919) who donated Pittencrieff House to the citizens of Dunfermline. The house is located across the Tower Burn from Dunfermline palace, Dunfermline Abbey, and the tomb of Robert the Bruce. Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/pittencrieff-house |
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Josie Forbes: The Witch of Taskee Mrs. Josie Forbes, the “Witch of Taskee,” was a popular clairvoyant in Missouri from the end of 19th century until her death in 1944. She helped thousands of people from many states of the Union with everything from lost articles, to stolen livestock and to murders. The most controversial instance of her clairvoyance was with her involvement in a murder. The local newspaper ran a cartoon ridiculing a sheriff and his deputy for consulting her. However, her popularity remained untarnished. In her front-page obituary, the Greenville Sun reported that “Her place of residence was the stopping point for thousands of people, her doorsteps having been visited by people from nearly every state in the union.” Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/witch |
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Flowers of the Forest: Rick Forbes “Flowers of the Forest” is a Scottish folk song commemorating the defeat of the Scottish army of James IV at the Battle of Flodden in September 1513. Solo bagpipe versions of the song are used at services of remembrance, funerals, and other occasions. The Clan Forbes Society uses this term to honor our members who “are a' wede away". Rick Forbes, Clan Forbes Society convener for Texas, passed away unexpectedly on September 17, 2022, at the age of 59. Rick was born in Southern California on January 12, 1963, to Ruth Lesch and Harold Forbes. He grew up and settled in the Dallas Area. Rick attended Bryan Adams HS and graduated in 1981. He started working at Superior AP in 1987 and he worked at Turbine Aircraft in North Texas in his later years. Rick had the opportunity to explore his heritage in Scotland in March of 2019 and visited Forbes Castle with his family. Rick is survived by wife of 29 years, Junella, his two daughters Erin and Heather, his grandson James, his sister Deborah and her husband Fabian, nieces Stephanie and Monica, Aunt Joan and Uncle Charles. He is also survived by close relatives Kayleigh, Devon, Shayla and Haley and Jaden. In lieu of flowers, feel free to donate or volunteer your time to either your local SPCA or Animal Shelter, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society North Texas Chapter or The Dallas Area Parkinson’s Foundation. Learn more here: https://www.ariacremation.com/obituary/rick-forbes/ |
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Board of Directors Nominations Now Open! If you have been enjoying the Clan Forbes Society, why not get more involved? In addition to Clan Conveners, the Society needs advisers, officers, and directors who can help lead the Society. Learn more about volunteer opportunities here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/volunteer. The Board is now comprised of four officers: the President serves as the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President of Operations serves as the Chief Operating Officer, the Vice President for Conveners manages the outreach and marketing at all the highland games and Scottish festivals, and the Vice President for Membership processes new and renewing members and maintains member relations. The President can appoint any other officer and directors as needed and as interest allows. These may include Secretary, Treasurer, and Director for Genealogy. All current Active Members will be voting for the 2023 Board of Directors next month. If you are willing to commit to specific duties and responsibilities, please consider becoming an officer, director or volunteer. The deadline for Board nominations is November 30, 2022. If you want to find out more, please contact Bart Forbes at president@clan-forbes.org. Thanks! |
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St. Andrew’s Day Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan in Alexandria, Virginia If you live in the Washington, DC, area, please join the Clan Forbes Society at a Kirk’ o’ the Tartan. St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church is holding this event on Saturday, November 30, 2022 at 7:00 PM. This day honors St. Andrew, the Patron Saint of Scotland. The service will include a blessing of Scottish tartans, a bagpiper, Scottish fiddling, and other Scottish music. It will be followed by a reception with Scottish foods and beverages. Bring your kilts and tartans if you have them! The church is located at 402 E. Monroe Avenue, Alexandria, VA (1 block off Mount Vernon Avenue), 703-683-3343. For more information, contact Ron Pearson at ron@pearsonandpipkin.com. |
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Welcome Members!
Please welcome our new Active Members for October 2022:
Mr. John B. Lumsden, Virginia, USA Mr. Joshua Forbes, Cape Town, South Africa Mr. Sebastian Carpelan, Finland Mr. Arthur P.M. Vorreiter, Germany
Please welcome our Renewing Active Members for October 2022: Ms. Dianne Snyder, Tennessee, USA Ms. Judith Spingler Carroll, Rhode Island, USA Ms. Cynthia Dire, Texas, USA Ms. Diana Leigh Forbes Lucas, New Zealand Ms. Gwendolyn Ann Forbes, Florida, USA Ms. Margaret L. Harrill, South Carolina, USA Mr. Tom Forbes, Ontario, Canada Mr. James R Forbes, Quebec, Canada Ms. Heather Forbes, Ontario, Canada Ms. Lori Lynn Caldwell, Ohio, USA Ms. Sheryl Karr Shaw, Texas, USA Mr. William Forbes, Wisconsin, USA Mr. Andrew Forbes, New Zealand Ms. Jean Stacy Gore, Texas, USA
Please welcome our two new life-time Patron Members: Ms. Ilona Palin, California, USA Mr. Joseph R Forbes, New York, 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 Membership Chairman Natalie Gates at membership@clan-forbes.org. |
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Highland Games & Festivals Thanks to Joshua Fordyce, Clan Forbes was well represented at the recent Stone Mountain Highland Games! Here is the latest list of Highland Games and Scottish Festivals, as compiled by Leslie Furbish, VP for Conveners. Please check the Clan Forbes Society website for the latest announcements: https://www.clan-forbes.org/games United States Charleston Scottish Games
November 5, 2022; Riverfront Park, Charleston, South Carolina Clan Forbes Convener: Victor and Amy Ney Tucson Celtic Festival And Scottish Highland Games November 4-6, 2022; Rillito Raceway Park, Tucson, Arizona
Austin Celtic Festival November 5-6, 2022; Pioneer Farms, Austin, Texas Salado Scottish Gathering & Highland Games November 11-13, 2022; Salado Museum and Park, Salado, Texas Clover Highland Games November 12, 2022; Clover, South Carolina Celtic Music Festival & Scottish Highland Games November 12-13, 2022; Gulfport, Mississippi Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk December 3, 2022; Alexandria, Virginia Forbes Convener: Ron Pearson |
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