Compiled by: Lynn E. Gill (lynngill01@hotmail.com). My main purpose in compiling this list is to assist in identifying the parents of my ancestor Isabel Forbes b.1731 d. 1812 who married John Renny March 31, 1758 in Pitsligo Parish.

Here are Forbes of Pitsligo and surrounding areas, listed in two sources,
1) "The Kirkyard of Peathill," compiled by Sheila M. Speirs, 1986. Aberdeen & North-east Scotland Family History Society, and
2) The People of Fraserburgh & Pitsligo 1696, first published 1892 by the above society. It is extracted from "List of Poleable Persons within the shire of Aberdeen & Burgh Within the Same," compiled September 1695 and dated 1696. All people over the age of 16 who are not beggars are listed, therefore, born before 1680. Unless other information prevails, birthdate of "Bef. 1680" will be entered.

I have also included information about the aristocratic lords Forbes of Pitsligo. There is no evidence that Isabel Forbes is related to the aristocracatic Forbes, as the surname in Aberdeenshire is also shared by "common people." Evidently, it was also next to impossible for aristocracy to marry down with commoners. Nevertheless, here's information about peerage Forbes of Pitsligo. We know that Alexander Forbes the 4th lord Pitsligo, extant with Isabel, had several daughters. His wife Rebecca Norton died the year Isabel was born, in 1731. Alexander also had a younger brother named Charles.

The Forbes Clan was prominent in Aberdeenshire. Sir William Forbes, younger son of Sir John Forbes of the Black Lip, received a charter of the lands of "Petslegau" in 1428. It is believed that the great tower house of Pitsligo, on the lower slopes of Peathill, were erected at this time. During the 200 years that the barony of Pitsligo developed, the family intermarried with the so-called Buchan families of Gordon, Keith, Anderson, Oglvie, Fraser, and others. The House of Pitsligo continued to be added to by the lairds until an elegant country fortified mansion/castle was completed.

The "lairds" of Pitsligo continued to amass wealth ("geir") until the fourth lord, Alexander Forbes b. 1678, ended up on the wrong side of the Jacobite battles to re-seat the Stuart kings of England, after the "Glorious Rebellion" had seated William of Orange on the throne. Alexander led a platoon of horse raised out of the Aberdeenshire aristocracy, called Pitsligo's Regiment, and was defeated along with "Bonnie Prince Charles" at Culloden in 1745.

The fourth lord of Pitsligo ( b. 24 May 1678 Pitsligo d. 1762) was extant with Isabel Forbes who was born about 1735. Alexander Forbes was the eldest son of Alexander, third lord Pitsligo b. 1755. His younger brother was named Charles, and sisters Jean and Marie [From the "List of Poleable Persons in the Shire of Aberdeen 1696," are listed "The Lord Pitsligo; The Lady Duager of Pitsligo, Charles Forbes, brother to the Lord; Marie and Jean Forbeses, sisters of the Lord"]. Marie AKA Mary later married John Forbes og Moneymusk, and upon his death, James Forbes 15th lord of Forbes (she married well!).

Alexander Forbes. 4th lord, married about 1713 Rebecca Norton of London, and together they had several unspecified daughters, and a single son John Forbes b. 1713 Pitsligo m. Rebecca Ogilvy of Aberdeen, and d. 1781 without issue. This line therefore appears a dead end, however, there were many non-aristocratic Forbses living in Aberdeenshire. There is also a possible link with Alexander's younger brother Charles.

In 1746, not long after the birth of Isabel Forbes in 1731, a platoon of Flemish mercenaries was sent by the Hannoverians to billet at Pitsligo and much of the family's moveable geir was carted off. The estates of lord Pitsligo were attainted ie. forfeited in 1746, and the House of Pitsligo pulled down in 1760. The banker Sir William Forbes repurchased the ruins of the mansion-house in 1770 along with 70 acres of the former barony including nearby Pittullie Castle, and scavanged timbers, stones, lintels, doors, windows, and so forth for the building of his near-by town of New Pitsligo.

Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo, younger brother of Alexander, first lord Forbes, obtained that estate by marriage with Agnes, daughter of Sir William Fraser of Philorth, and was ancestor of Sir John Forbes of Pitsligo b. 1550 , whose son, Alexander b. 1605 , was created first Lord Forbes of Pitsligo, June 24, 1633. The first lord Pitsligo died 163.

Baron Forbes of Pitsligo, a title in the peerage of Scotland, conferred by patent, dated at Holyrood, 24th March, 1633, to him and his heirs male whatsoever, on Alexander Forbes of Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, descended from Sir William Forbes, second son of Alexander de Forbes, justiciary of Aberdeen, who died in 1405. On the death of the first Lord Pitsligo, 25th October, 1635, his son, Alexander, became second lord, and was succeeded by his only son, Alexander, third lord, who died in 1691.

The third lord's eldest son, Alexander, fourth and last Lord Pitsligo, was celebrated for his share in the rebellion of 1745 to crown Bonnie Prince Charles king, and for his various adventures and escapes subsequent to it. After Culloden, with Lord Ogilvy and Hunter of Burnside, he got safe to Bergen in Norway, whence the party proceeded to Sweden. Lord Pitsligo afterwards returned to Scotland, and lurked amongst his tenantry in Aberdeenshire, till his death in 1764, at the advanced age of 85. [He is the father of John Forbes b. 1713 and several daughters} His sister the Hon. Mary Forbes, by her first husband, John Forbes, younger of Monymusk, was the mother of Sir William Forbes, baronet, father of the eminent banker of that name. Lord Pitsligo 4th's only son, John, master of Pisligo, died in 1781, without issue. The title is claimed by Sir John Forbes of Pitsligo and Fettercairn, baronet; by Sir Charles Forbes of Newe and Edinglassi, baronet; and by John Alexander Forbes, Esq., formerly lieutenant-colonel of the 92d Highlanders. [Anderson, W. the Scottish nation. 3. v. 1862. ]

The family of Forbes of Pitsligo and Fettercairn, which possesses a baronetcy, are descended from Hon. Duncan Forbes of Corsindae, 2nd son of the 2nd Lord Forbes. This gentleman's grandson, Duncan Forbes of Monymusk, died in 1587. His grandson, William Forbes, was created a baronet of Nova Scotia, by patent, dated 2nd April, 1626, to himself and his heirs male. His eldest son, Sir William, 2nd baronet, had, with one daughter, an only son, Sir William, 3rd baronet, who was twice married, and had, by his first wife, Margaret, daughter of the 1st Viscount Arbuthnott, two sons and a daughter; and by his second wife, Barbara, daughter of Dalmahoy of Dalmahoy, two sons and three daughters.

His eldest son, Sir William, fourth baronet, married Lady Jane Keith, daughter of John, earl of Kintore, and had two sons and four daughters. John, the elder son, married the Hon. Mary Forbes of Pitsligo, daughter of Alexander third Lord Forbes of Pitsligo, and on the death of John, master of Pitsligo, in 1781, her descendants became nearest heirs and representatives of that noble family. He died before his father, but left two sons, the elder of whom, Sir William, fifth baronet, succeeded his grandfather. This Sir William, an advocate in Edinburgh, married Christian, daughter of John Forbes, Esq., and died in 1729. He had two sons.

The elder son, Sir William, sixth baronet, was the celebrated banker of Edinburgh. As soon as he had an opportunity he purchased seventy acres of the upper barony of Pitsligo, including the old mansion-house, at that time roofless and deserted, and by the death of Mr. Forbes in 1781, he succeeded as heir to the lower barony also. The extensive improvements which he introduced on every portion of his property greatly enhanced its value, and exhibited in a high degree his genuine patriotism and public spirit. He married the eldest daughter of Sir James Hay of Haysont, baronet, and died in 1806. His second son John Hay Forbes, was a lord of session, under the judicial title of Lord Medwyn. He was born at Edinburgh in 1776, passed advocate in 1799; appointed sheriff-dupte of Perthshire in 1807, and raised to the bench in January 1825; appointed a lord of justiciary in December 1830; resigned that office in May 1847; retired from the bench in October 1852, and died in 1854. It was chiefly through his exertions, and to the efforts of the episcopal congregation worshipping in the Cowgate chapel, that the handsome structure called St. Paul’s chapel, York Place, Edinburgh, was erected in 1818. His eldest brother, Sir William Forbes, also greatly assisted in the building of St. John's episcopal chapel, at the west end of Princes Street of the same city.

His lordship married, in 1802, a daughter of Sir Alexander Penrose Cuming Gordon, baronet, of Altyre and Godonstown. His eldest son, William, became an advocate. His second son, the Right Rev. Alexander Penrose Forbes, D.C.L., was consecrated bishop of Brechin in 1847, on the death of Dr. Moir. Born in Edinburgh in 1817, he was educated in Brasenose College, Oxfod, where he was Boden Sanscrit scholar in 1841, and received the honorary degree of doctor of civil laws. George, the youngest son of Sir William, in 1815 was admitted a partner in the bank, and on its junction with the Glasgow Union bank he became a director of the Union bank, the new name of the firm.
The eldest son, Sir William, seventh baronet, married 19th June 1797, Williamina, sole child and heiress of Sir John Stuart Belches of Fettercairn, baronet, whose name and arms have been assumed by the family. He had four sons and two daughters; the eldest son, William, a captain in the army died unmarried, before his father in 1826; the second son, Sir John, succeeded him; the third, Charles, became a partner in the banking firm of Sir William Forbes and Co., afterwards the Union bank; and the fourth, James David Forbes, D.C.L., was elected professor of natural philosophy in the university of Edinburgh in 1833.

Sir John Stuart Forbes, the second son, became eighth baronet, on his father's death, 24th October, 1828. he was born 25th September 1804, and married 14th June 1834, Lady Harriet Louisa Anne Ker, third daughter of the sixth marquis of Lothian, and had a daughter, Harriet Williamina. He died May 27, 1856, and was succeeded by his nephew, Sir William Stuart Forbes as ninth baronet. He was born June 16, 1835, and married July 1, 1865, Miss Marion Watts, and has issue. [ Anderson, W. The Scottish nation. 3. v. 1862. ]

Children of PITSLIGO Forbes are:
2. i. 1ST Lord OF PITSLIGO ALEXANDER2 Forbes, b. Abt. 1605, Of Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. October 25, 1635, Scotland.
3. ii. UNKNOWN Forbes, b. Bef. 1650, Rosehearty Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
iii. AGNES Forbes, b. Bef. 1680, Of Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for AGNES FORBES:
In "List of Poleable Persons 1696," in Fraserburgh Parish is Agnes Forbes, indweller.

iv. ALEXANDER Forbes, b. Bef. 1680, Of Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. MARGARET CLUB; b. Bef. 1696, Of Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for ALEXANDER FORBES:
From the "List of Poleable Persons 1696," in Rosehartie is Alexander Forbes, indweller ther; and Margaret Club, his wife."

v. MARGARETT Forbes, b. Bef. 1680, Of Pitullie and Pittendrum, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. PETER WALKER; b. Bef. 1696, Of Pitullie and Pittendrum, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for MARGARETT FORBES:
From "List of Poleable Person 1696," on the lands of Sir Partick Ogilvie of Boyne, Lord Boyne of Pitulie and Pittendrum: Peter Walker, grassman; and Margarett Forbes, his wife.

4. vi. WILLIAM Forbes, b. Bef. 1680, Of Mounthiley, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. April 06, 1717, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
5. vii. JOHN Forbes, b. February 07, 1679/80, Monymusk, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. November 1716, At sea.
6. viii. HELEN Forbes, b. Abt. 1700.
7. ix. ISABEL Forbes, b. 1731, Probably Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. December 07, 1812, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
x. CHARLES Forbes, b. 1850, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. March 05, 1931, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

More About CHARLES FORBES:
Burial: 1931, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

xi. ROBERT Forbes, b. 1856, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. November 27, 1932, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. MARY JANE R. DOWNIE; b. 1866, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. June 22, 1947, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Notes for ROBERT FORBES:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 365: In loving memory of our grandparents ROBERT Forbes fisherman d. 27 Nov. 1932
aged 76 [b.1856]; his wife MARY JANE R. DOWNIE d. 22 June 1947 aged 81 [b.1866].


More About ROBERT FORBES:
Burial: 1932, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About MARY JANE R. DOWNIE:
Burial: 1947, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

xii. ALEXANDER DOWNIE Forbes, b. 1864, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. June 19, 1943, Aldershot, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; m. MARY JANE SKINNER; b. 1866, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. November 19, 1935, Aldershot.

Notes for ALEXANDER DOWNIE FORBES:
Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Stone 10: In loving memory of MARY JANE Forbes nee SKINNER d. 19 Nov. 1935 aged 69; her dau. CHRISTIAN MELVILLE Forbes d. 17 Aug. 1918 aged 20; her husband ALEXANDER DOWNIE Forbes d. Aldershot 19 June 1943 aged 79; daus. MARY ELIZABETH GLENNIE d. Winnipeg, Canada 28 Aug. 1959 aged 69; MARGARET WATKINSON d. Aldershot 24 Jan. 1965 aged 72; son ALEXANDER DOWNIE d. Brisbane, Australia 20 June 1964 aged 69; EMILY ROGER HUGHILL d. Sydney, Australia 9 Aug, 1967 aged 72; BERTHA KELMAN HARDY d. 30 Nov. 1981 aged 81.

More About ALEXANDER DOWNIE FORBES:
Burial: 1943, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

More About MARY JANE SKINNER:
Burial: 1935, Peathill Kirkyard, Pitsligo Parish,Aberdeenshire, Scotland


Generation No. 2

2. 1ST Lord OF PITSLIGO ALEXANDER2 Forbes (PITSLIGO1) was born Abt. 1605 in Of Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died October 25, 1635 in Scotland. He married JEAN KEITH. She was born 1610 in Scotland, and died 1636.

Notes for 1ST Lord OF PITSLIGO ALEXANDER FORBES:
Created 1st Lord Forbes of Pitsligo June 24, 1633.

More About 1ST Lord OF PITSLIGO ALEXANDER FORBES:
Burial: 1635, Vault, Peathill Kirk, Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Children of ALEXANDER Forbes and JEAN KEITH are:
8. i. 2D Lord OF PITSLIGO ALEXANDER3 Forbes, b. 1630, Of Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; d. November 01, 1690, Auchiries, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
ii. MARY Forbes, b. 1632.


3. UNKNOWN2 Forbes (PITSLIGO1) was born Bef. 1650 in Rosehearty Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married MARIE UNKNOWN. She was born Abt. 1650.

Child of UNKNOWN Forbes and MARIE UNKNOWN is:
i. SOPHIA3 Forbes, b. Bef. 1696, Aberdeenshire,