We know from the 1870 Census that John Forbes was born about 1811 in Kentucky. Virtually nothing else is known about him. I have not been able to learn the name of his wife who would surely be the mother of his children. I would assume that he married sometime before 1843 presumably in Kentucky. I have searched numerous rolls of 1850 and 1860 Census Film trying to locate his family in Kentucky and other states. He is listed on the 1870 Fannin County Census as a Teamster so one might assume that perhaps he traveled a great deal and was not in one place or any length of time. This census record is the only indication that I have that he existed. Parent's names were left blank on Stacy's death certificate,. At this time I would like to make a plea for anyone that thinks they may have a connection to contact me direct by Email. The known children of John Forbes were:
Stacy was born in Kentucky January 9, 1843 and died in Terry County, Texas February 13, 1923. My mother, Bonnie Black Key Melton remembered her grandmother quite well and related many things to me. She said that Stacy said she was Cherokee and was quite proud of her heritage and taught the grandchildren to be equally proud. She had lovely white hair and flashing black eyes. I have written more in detail on my first family history page about Stacy in the BLACK FAMILY Story.
John W. Forbes, the oldest son was born about 1847 in Kentucky. This information taken from the Census and I have no other information about him.
Elizabeth E. "Bettie" Forbes was born about 1852 in Kentucky. It is thought that her middle name was Emily. There was a photograph in my Mother's picture box that she said was "Aunt Bettie Bryson". Mama said she was buried in Big Spring, Texas but did not know anything else about here. I searched for years in the Big Spring, Howard County, Texas area for some record of Aunt Bettie and my search was always fruitless until about five months ago when I found a new book, "Howard County, Texas Marriage, Wills and Probate Proceedings 1882-1930" by Eunice J. Knight. I found a marriage record for Nelson M. Bryson and Mrs. E. E. Davenport, October 26,1909. I am convinced this is my Elizabeth "Bettie" Forbes. I also found a burial record for a Mrs. N. M. Bryson in Mount Olive Cemetery. No date of birth was given but the date of death was December 24, 1917. Mount Olive was also the burial place of Mr. Bryson. He was born in Texas in August 1844 according to the 1900 Howard County Census. He was a Yardmaster for the Railroad. He passed away July 20, 1920. Aunt Bettie would have been about sixty-eight years old at the time of her death. I now had a final resting place, the last name of her previous husband but no children or any other clues. Backtracking I found an Emily Davenport on the 1900 Soundex living in Stephens County, Texas with her nephew, Henry Forbes. Stacy, George, and their family had moved to Stephens County about 1880 and I thought it a logical assumption hat Aunt Bettie went too. I looked at the actual roll of microfilm and it shows a Henry Forbes as head of the house. It shows Henry born in Texas September 1879. The census said he was born in Texas, his father in Kentucky and his mother in Alabama. This information matches what I already knew from the Fannin County, Texas 1880 Census. Also living in the house were Henry's two sisters, Elizabeth and Rosie. (It appeared to be Rosie on the microfilm but it was difficult to read.) Elizabeth was born in 1881 and Rosie 1883. Emily Deavenport (different spelling of Davenport) was shown as born in May 1841, age 59, divorced, that she had given birth to two children but neither child was still living. A divorce was certainly a rarity in 1900! No children living. That pretty well dashed my hopes of finding Davenport Descendants. No record of Mr. Davenport's name has been found. No marriage record of Elizabeth and any Davenport. I have sent for her death certificate hoping that by some stroke of luck it will reveal the names of her parents.
Milton C. Forbes was born circa 1854 in Kentucky. He makes his next appearance on the 1880 Fannin County, Texas Census shown in the Index as Millan C. Forbes. Upon close examination of the microfilm I believe it to be Milton C. If one looks closely enough they can see where the T is crossed. Milton is listed as married to Louisa A. _________. Indicates that he is 26 years old, born in Kentucky as were both his parents. Louisa was 19, born in Alabama along with her parents. They had one child a white male listed as 8 months old and born in October. This child's name was hard to read but I thought it to be George perhaps after his sister Stacy's husband, George Black. I found no other record of Milton and his wife Louisa. I do think that they too made the move to Stephens County, Texas either with the Black family or soon thereafter. I think that the Henry Forbes that is shown as head of the house in 1900 Stephens County is the same as the 8 month old child shown with Milton and Louisa on the 1880 Census. I found a burial for Henry Forbes born 1879 and died 1909 in Post Oak Cemetery in Stephens County. Next to him is Elizabeth Forbes ANGEL, his sister, born 1881 died 1919. I found a marriage record for Miss. A. E. Forbes and J. W. Angel in Eastland, Eastland County, Texas dated October 4, 1904. Logically Elizabeth Forbes Angel left some children behind and I would like to make contact with some descendants.
Note: We have two FORBES Family Lines, his and hers. I have no indication that they are even remotely connected. If you have additional information I would appreciate your sharing or if you think that I can assist you please Email me direct. I am especially interested in locating FORBES and ANGEL descendants.
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This Forbes family is shrouded in mystery with the exception of Stacy Frances Forbes Black, my great grandmother. Her life is well documented from the time of her marriage in Fannin County, Texas to George Black on August 8, 1865 until her death in 1923. Prior to this marriage I have not been able to locate any records or documentation of Stacy or her family. George and Stacy Black are found on the 1870 Fannin County, Texas Census with their two oldest children Emily Jane and John Walter. Also living in the house with the Black family is her father, John Forbes and three of his other known children, Elizabeth "Betty", John W. and Milton C. Forbes.
George Black, Sr., and Stacey Forbes Black
in their declining years.
This Family Page
Or if you have any additional information I would love for you to share. Please feel free to E-mail me. Katherine Melton O'Neal at [email protected]