Glenbuchat Heritage

74 James Forbes of Seaton

James Forbes of Seaton

The photographs above are:
Top: James Forbes of Seaton
Bottom: Seaton House, previously sited in Seaton Park Aberdeen

James Forbes of Seaton in Aberdeen has a number of significant connections with the Forbes of Newe, Glenbuchat and Glen Nochty.

James Forbes of Seaton is a direct descendant of Alaster ‘Cam’ Forbes who slew Mowatt at Badenyon as detailed in the section on Mowatt Stone (or Muat Stone.)

The family later, under William Forbes, acquired Belnaboddach in Glen Nochty

James Forbes purchased of the estate of Newe from his bankrupt relative Major John Forbes, 9th Laird of Newe.

He then sold it on to John Forbes ‘ Bombay Jock’ for quite a profit. As a result, in 1782, he was able to buy the estate of Seaton in Aberdeen. Latterly this estate was acquired by the town and became Seaton Park.

James’s daughter, Elizabeth Forbes, married Lord James Hay second son of George, 7th Marquis of Tweeddale. Lord James Hay (1788 – 1862) was active during the Napoleonic Wars and was present at Waterloo. He became Colonel of the 86th Regiment of Foot in 1854, and was a Director of the Aberdeen Railway Company, serving as Chairman for the period 1848 – 1854.

James Forbes Family History

FORBES, Alaster 'Cam' 1st Laird of Brux
Born: About 1386
Marriage (1): CAMERON, Katherine in 1409
Marriage (2): STUART, "A Gentlewoman"
Died: About 1466
Brux was historically in the ownership of the Camerons. By marrying the heiress of Brux, daughter of Sir Hugh Cameron, Alexander Forbes - "Alaster Cam" - obtained Brux, but also Glenconrie and Glencarvie in the parish of Strathdon.

Alaster Cam's sons by his wife Stuart are reported to have been natural offspring. 2

Alaster married Katherine CAMERON, daughter of Hugh or Ewan CAMERON of Brux and Unknown, in 1409. (Katherine CAMERON was born about 1389.)

Alaster next married STUART "A Gentlewoman". (STUART "A Gentlewoman" was born about 1390.)
Spouses/Children:
1. CAMERON, Katherine
2.
FORBES, Arthur
FORBES, John 'white Laird' of Brux
FORBES, Duncan of Drumalachie
2. STUART, "A Gentlewoman"
FORBES, Thomas of Echt
FORBES, John

FORBES, Duncan of Drumalachie
Born: About 1418
Marriage (1): CRICHTONE, Bessie
Died: Before 1490

Duncan married Bessie CRICHTONE. (Bessie CRICHTONE was born about 1435.)
Spouses/Children:
1. CRICHTONE, Bessie
2.
FORBES, William of Kildrummy, Laird of Towie
FORBES, John Laird of Brux, "the Glyd Laird"


FORBES, William of Kildrummy, Laird of Towie
Born: About 1460
Marriage (1): SETON, Katherine
Another name for William was FORBES, Wm of Kildrimie.
William married Elizabeth on his deathbed, thus legitimising her children by him. As the eldest son he got Kildrummy from his father, considered a better inheritance than Brux.

William married Katherine SETON, daughter of Alexander SETON 2nd Laird of Meldrum and Muriella SUTHERLAND. (Katherine SETON was born about 1470.)
pouses/Children:
1. SETON, Katherine
FORBES,
FORBES, Alexander of Towie
FORBES, John Laird of Barnes
FORBES, William of Ardmurdo


FORBES, John Laird of Barnes
Born: About 1490
Marriage (1): LEITH, Elizabeth
Died: Before 1560
John Forbes of Towie acquired half of the lands of Barnes on his marriage.

John married Elizabeth LEITH, daughter of George LEITH 7th Laird of Barnis and Unknown. (Elizabeth LEITH was born about 1515.)
Spouses/Children:
1. LEITH, Elizabeth
2.
FORBES, James
FORBES, William of Barnes
FORBES, Janet
FORBES, Duncan
FORBES, John
FORBES, Margaret of Barnes


FORBES, William of Barnes
Born: About 1532
Marriage (1): LUNDIE, Katherine
Died: Before 1600

William married Katherine LUNDIE, daughter of Andrew LUNDIE 2nd of Benholm and Margaret SCRYMGEOUR. (Katherine LUNDIE was born about 1535.)
Spouses/Children:
1. LUNDIE, Katherine
FORBES, Alexander
FORBES, John 3rd Laird of Towie & Barnes
FORBES, George 1st Laird of Skellater
Spouses/Children:
1. SKENE, Euphemia co-heir of Auchtererne
FORBES, Janet
FORBES, Elspet
FORBES, Sophie
FORBES, William 2nd Laird of Skellater
FORBES, John 1st Laird of Ledmacoy
2. FORBES, Margaret
FORBES, Sophie

FORBES, George 1st Laird of Skellater
Born: About 1571
Marriage (1): SKENE, Euphemia co-heir of Auchtererne before 29 March 1594
Marriage (2): FORBES, Margaret
Died: 8 July 1632 2
The lands of Skellater came to George through his marriage to his first wife who was a co-heiress and life renter, and then on a charter of sale by John, Earl of Mar.

"George Forbes, second son of William Forbes, 2nd Laird of Barnes (a cadet house of Towie, cadet of Brux), married before March 23rd, 1593, Euphemia, daughter and co-heiress of William Skene of Auchtererne, and on September 14th, 1604, they had a charter of the land of Skellater from Alexander, Master of Elpinstone, fiar of the lands, with the consent of Alexander, Lord Elpinstone, Life renter of the same, The charter was signed at Kildrummie--witnesses, John Forbes of Newe, and Patrick Barclay of Towie.

"There was also a charter of confirmation by John, Earl of Mar, September 15th, 1626.

[Footnote] Charter by King Jame IV. to John Forbes, brother german of William orbes of Towie, of the whole lands of Brus, etc., erected into the barony of Brus, and of its woods and bogs erected into the free Forest of Glencarvy and Glanconry. A.D. 1505. This must have been for money advanced."

George married Euphemia SKENE co-heir of Auchtererne, daughter of William SKENE of Auchtererne and Margaret FORBES, before 29 March 1594.1 (Euphemia SKENE co-heir of Auchtererne was born about 1571 and died about 1622.)

George next married Margaret FORBES. (Margaret FORBES was born about 1595 and died in 1632.)
Spouses/Children:
1. SKENE, Euphemia co-heir of Auchtererne
FORBES, Janet
FORBES, Elspet
FORBES, Sophie
FORBES, William 2nd Laird of Skellater
FORBES, John 1st Laird of Ledmacoy
2. FORBES, Margaret
FORBES, Sophie


FORBES, John 1st Laird of Ledmacoy
Born: About 1616
Marriage (1): BROWN,
Marriage (2): STEUART, Kathren on 23 May 1675 in Strathdon Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland 1
Died: 1684 2
Another name for John was FORBES, John Invernettie, Belnabodach and Ledmacoy.3
Ledmacoy included Invernettie, from 1673, and Belnabodach. 2

John married BROWN. (BROWN was born about 1630.)

John next married Kathren STEUART, daughter of James STEUART of Achorachan, later 1st of Lesmurdie and Elizabeth STRACHAN of Lesmurdie, on 23 May 1675 in Strathdon Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.1 (Kathren STEUART was born about 1645 and died after 1676.)
Spouses/Children:
1. BROWN,
2.
FORBES, Marjory
FORBES, Nan of Invernettie
FORBES, Jeane
FORBES, Alexander of Invernettie
FORBES, William of Belnabodach
FORBES, Helen
FORBES, Isobel
FORBES, Rebecca
2. STEUART, Kathren
FORBES, John 2nd of Ledmacay
FORBES, Violet
FORBES, Diana


FORBES, William of Belnabodach
Born: About 1658
Marriage (1): STEUART, Mary of Lesmurdie about 1681
Marriage (2): FORBES, Isabel of Edenglassie on 6 June 1693 in Strathdon Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Marriage (3): FORBES, Agnes of Newe on 19 August 1697 in Strathdon Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
"William Forbes who inherited Belnabodach
m (1) in 1681 [GD1/404/6] Mary Stewart second daughter of James Stewart of Lesmurdie
( daughters Agnes 1682 and Isobel 1684)
m (2) in 1693 Isabel Forbes of Edinglassie (sons John and Joseph - John m 7 Nov 1706 Janet Robertson daughter of the Minister of Strathdon and inherited Belnabodach in 1711: their son William became Minister of Towie)
m (3) in 1697 [GD1/404/7] Agnes Forbes youngest daughter of William Forbes of Newe
(sons Nathaniel of Auchernach, William of Corriebreck (Note 2), George of Culquhonny and Hugh d 1769)"

from Glen Nochty website by David Walker

Note:
1) If John Forbes was the son of William and Isabel as mentioned in (2) above, then he may have been born out of wedlock since the couple married, as above, in 1693. The marriage would then legitimise him.
2)William Forbes as Minister of Towie, as mentioned above, has not been found. 1

William married Mary STEUART of Lesmurdie, daughter of James STEUART 3rd Laird of Lesmurdie and Margaret DUFF, about 1681.1 (Mary STEUART of Lesmurdie was born about 1669.)

William next married Isabel FORBES of Edenglassie on 6 June 1693 in Strathdon Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. (Isabel FORBES of Edenglassie was born about 1670.)

William next married Agnes FORBES of Newe, daughter of William FORBES 5th Laird of Newe and Helen FORBES, on 19 August 1697 in Strathdon Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. (Agnes FORBES of Newe was born about 1670.)

Marriage Notes:
Old Parish Register
Strathdon Parish Aberdeenshire
Marriages 1697

"(July) 24 - The sd day William forbes of Belnabodach and Agnas forbes youngest lawfull daughter to William forbes of [New] gave up ther names to be proclaimed in order to ther mariage. Married August 19"
Spouses/Children:
1. STEUART, Mary of Lesmurdie
FORBES, Agnas
FORBES, Isobell+
2. FORBES, Isabel of Edenglassie
FORBES, John in Belnabodach
FORBES, Jean
3. FORBES, Agnes of Newe
FORBES, Nathanael of Auchernach
FORBES, William of Corriebreck
FORBES, George of Culquhonny
FORBES, Hugh

FORBES, William of Corriebreck
Baptised: 1710, Strathdon Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Marriage (1): MICHIE, Jean
General Notes:
Old Parish Register
Strathdon Parish Aberdeenshire
Baptisms 1710

"William Forbes off Belnaboddach hade a son bapt William wit: William Forbes off Bucham & William Forbes Invernochtie"

William married Jean MICHIE, daughter of James MICHIE of Rippachie and Elizabeth COPLAND. (Jean MICHIE was born about 1710 and died about 1790.)
Spouses/Children:
1. MICHIE, Jean
FORBES, James of Seaton

FORBES, James of Seaton
Born: About 1735
Marriage (1): GORDON, Margaret
Spouses/Children:
1. GORDON, Margaret
2.
FORBES, James
FORBES, Elizabeth
FORBES, William Oswald

"Note 2
William of Corriebreck
According to 'Clan Farquharson' 2005, William Forbes of Corriebreck married Jean Michie c 1710-1790 eldest of the 'Five Maidens of Rippachie', daughters of James Michie of Rippachie (died 1752) and Elizabeth Copland. According to the 'Red Book' in the British Library compiled by Bettina Forbes in 1934 [Mss Eur F380/1] one of their sons was James Forbes of Seaton."

from Glen Nochty website by David Walker

"James Forbes (1735-1829) was the son of William Forbes of Corriebreck and his wife Jane Michie, and grandson of William Forbes of Belnabodach. Very little has been published about his life. From the records deposited here and other collections in the University (see 'Related Material' field) it is known that he had business interests in London, and that he was one of the proprietors of the Aberdeenshire Canal. The main references to him in A. and H. Tayler's 'The House of Forbes' (Third Spalding Club, 1937; pages 368381) concern his purchase of the estate of Newe from his bankrupt relative Major John Forbes, 9th Laird of Newe, which he resold, for a considerable profit, to 'Bombay Jock' Forbes, founder of the Bombay mercantile business, Forbes and Co. Later, c. 1782, he purchased Seaton Estate in Old Aberdeen, and settled here with his wife, Margaret Gordon, daughter of Rear Admiral William Gordon of Banff. Their only surviving child and heiress, Elizabeth Forbes, married Lord James Hay (17881862), second son of George, 7th Marquis of Tweeddale (17531804), in 1813, and they subsequently lived at Seaton with her father, who died in 1829, aged ninety-two.

from The Ancestors of Thomas Reese Parry and Violet Michie compiled by Venita Parry Roylance

The University of Aberdeen Special Collections contains Correspondence, dated 1746-1879, relating to Forbes-Hay family matters
"The files of correspondence cover many subjects such as leases, tenants, change of tenants, state of land, measurements of land, building of houses on estate, mills, notably Mugiemoss Mill, dyeing and printing and equipment for same, Auchmull House, sate of roads, quarries, canal, activities of Forbes as executor for Ogilvy, payment of bills, debts, investments, parliamentary candidates etc. "
The context, even in the resume details, makes it clear that the James Forbes referred to is this one, and therefore that the papers concern members of his family and acquaintance. It includes for example a
"letter to James Forbes from Alexander Gerrard, Strand: 'P.S. I give you joy of your late purchase of the Seaton Estate'."


Family tree of John Forbes who sold Newe to Bombay Jock

William Forbes of Newe
Born in 1657. He was the son of William Forbes and Helen Forbes.
He married Christian Forbes, daughter of Alexander Forbes of Boyndlie. 12th September 1678
He died on 22 July 1699
Child of William Forbes and Helen Forbes
Jean baptised 29th June 1682, married Nathaniel Forbes of Ardgeith

Married 2nd Isobel, daughter of Thomas Stewart of Drumin.
Children of William Forbes and Christian Forbes
1.John Forbes baptised 9th December 1687, married 3rd July 1707 Sophia, daughter of deceased Arthur Forbes of Brux.
2.Alexander
3.William
4.Jean
5.Helen
6. Isobel
7. Anna
8. Elspet


John Forbes of Newe
Son of William Forbes and Christian Forbes.
He married Sophia Forbes, daughter of Arthur Forbes of Brux, on 3 July 1707.
Robert (Jacobite). Alexander) (dsp). Charles.
Child of John Forbes and Sophia Forbes
1. John Forbes d. 1775


John Forbes of Newe
Son of John Forbes and Sophia Forbes.
He married Anne Grant, daughter of Colonel William Grant of Ballindalloch.1 He died in 1775, with three daughters.
John Forbes was Captain 42nd Highlanders.
Child of John Forbes and Anne Grant. Other children but no issue
1.John Forbes d. 1792
Henrietta Forbes d. 31.3.1817


John Forbes of Newe
Son of John Forbes and Anne Grant.
He married Anne Duff in 1788.
He was Major 29th Regiment. Mary Forbes
He died in 1792, bankrupt in King's Bench Prison
Child to John Forbes and Anne Duff
1 ?Mary d. 15.11.1852 m 01.01.1788 Sir Archibald Grant 4th Bart Monymusk(b7.5.1760 d 17.4.1820

Newe 1780 sold to James Forbes