The Agnes Forbes Mystery

 As I continue to work on my genealogy, I've encountered a few family mysteries, and I've even solved a few of them. For instance, I found info about John Reid Martin's third wife and my 3rd-great grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth Webb. And I finally solved the mystery of what happened to Matthew Harvey Nace.  But many mysteries still remain— including a mystery in my Forbes line.

My Forbes ancestors have been in eastern Franklin County since the late 1700s.

According to the settlers' map (above), John Forbes lived on Little Bull Run Creek. His land would now be under Smith Mountain Lake (probably in the cove at the top of the picture below). 

Update: He most likely lived along Gills Creek. At least he had bought land there. Gills Creek, now under Smith Mountain Lake, is shown on this 1834 map of Franklin County:

John Forbes was apparently a son of Edmund Robert Forbes of New Kent, Virginia. In the  The Vestry Book and Register of St. Peter's Parish, 1684-1786, John is listed as born Jan. 25, 1760. His brother Thomas was listed for Jan. 28, 1758.

As a descendent of two of John Forbes' children—Peter B. Forbes was my 3rd great grandfather and Agnes Forbes was my 4th great grandmother, I wondered if I could find any info about Agnes Forbes (1786-1860), the mother of my 3rd great-grandmother, Catherine "Kitty" Forbes. 

I was particulary curious about who the father of "Kitty" Forbes might be. The Internet—especially Ancestry and FindaGrave—was full of incorrect information, such as this one which gives Kitty's mother's maiden name as Bernard (it wasn't—Agnes was the daughter of John Forbes and Sally R. Bernard Forbes) and her husband as John Forbes (he wasn't; John Forbes was her father!) whom she married in 1806 (John Forbes' wife Sally was still alive and eventually outlived John).

 I posted a query on Facebook's Franklin County Genealogy page. Here's part of it:

I am seeking information about the parents of Catherine “Kitty” Forbes (1810-1850), the wife of Anselm Wright (abt. 1805-1853). My great-grandmother is Julia Franklin Forbes Brown (1859-1887), daughter of Mary Wright (daughter of Kitty Forbes) and Greenbury Forbes (son of Peter B. Forbes who was son of John Forbes).

In numerous trees on Ancestry, Catherine “Kitty” Forbes is mentioned as the daughter of John Forbes (1760-1826) and his second wife Agnes/Agness (b. 1786) who is possibly the daughter of Peter Bernard and Agnes Key. Supposedly—according to info on Ancestry and Findagrave—John married Agnes Bernard in 1806 following the death of his first wife Sarah R. “Sally” Bernard (b. 1762). 

However, that can’t be right. As far as I can determine, John Forbes died in 1832—not 1826—and he only had one wife, “Sally” who outlived him and who was the mother of all his children.

John Forbes' will—dated 22 July 1832, and presented for probate and proved in court on 6 Aug 1832—names the following legatees: "My beloved wife Sally"; daughters "Agnes Forbes and her heirs forever," Sally Wray, Betsy Bradley, and Polly Lyon; grandson Philip Forbes; sons John R Forbes, Peter B. Forbes, Thomas J Forbes, and heirs of William Forbes." (Info from will #516 in Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900; Will Books, Vol. 3-4, 1825-1840). This will doesn’t mention Catherine “Kitty” Forbes. Any info will be appreciated.

I received this answer from a Facebook member in California whose several books about early Franklin County settlers are in the Franklin County Historical Society:

Agness Forbes was the mother of Kitty (Forbes) Wright. The marriage bond of Anselm Wright and Kitty C. Forbes was dated on October 27, 1826, at Franklin County, Virginia, with John R. Forbes as surety:

"Sir Please to Grant Anselm Wright licence to marry my daughter Kitty C Forbes and oblige yours &c

Teste Agness Forbes

October the 26th 1826

Know all men by these Presents that we Anselm Wright & John R Forbes are held and firmly bound unto John Tyler Esquire Governor or chief magistrate of the Common Wealth of Virginia in the sum of one hundred and fifty Dollars, to which payment whereof well and truly to be made to the said Governor and his successors in Office for the use of the Common Wealth We bind ourselves and each of us our and each of our heirs Exors and Administrators jointly and Severally firmly by these Presents sealed with our Seals and dated this 27 day of October 1826

The Condition of the above Obligation is such that whereas the said Anselm Wright hath this day obtained from the Clerk of the County Court of Franklin a licence for his intermarriage with Kitty C Forbes of said County Now if there shall be no lawful cause to obstruct the said marriage Then this Obligation to be void else to remain in full force & Virtue

Witness his

Ro. N Dickinson Anselm X Wright his mark

John R X Forbes mark"

The marriage bond doesn't mention Kitty's father—only her mother, "Agness." Usually a father provides surety, but Agnes's brother—John R. Forbes—did.

Marriage Bonds Of Franklin County, Virginia, 1786-1858, by Marshall Wingfield, listed the marriage bond John R. Forbes, the surety listed above, and Lydia Wright, daughter of John and Mary Wright, on November 2, 1818, in Franklin County, VA. John and Mary Wright were the grandparents of Anslem Wright. So John R. Forbes' acted as surety as much by reason of his marital connection to Anslem Wright as to his common surname with Kitty Forbes.

John Forbes' will, proved in court on 6 Aug 1832, names all his children—including Agnes—and makes it clear that Sally was  his only wife. (p. 287 in online version, will # 516 in Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900; Will Books, Vol. 3-4, 1825-1840) Here is a transcription (the original was lacking in punctuation):

In the name of god amen I John Forbes in the county of Franklin in the state of Virginia Being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the mortality of my Body do make and ordain this my last will and testament. First it is my wish for all my Just Debts to be paid. Secondly: I give to my beloved wife Sally Forbes the lot of land I now live on containing by Survey eight and a quarter acres which I Deeded to my son John R. Forbes Also my other tract or parcel  of land Adjoining the above mentioned Land Beginning in a corner elm on the tract land branch thence with the branch as it meanders to William Pasleys line thence  with his line to William Booths corner white oak thence with William Booth line  to corner black Jack thence with  James Wray Juns [Jr.] line to his Spring branch thence  down the [Same?] until it intersects with Thomas J. Forbes line thence with the same to a corner Post Oak on the lot line which I now live  also all my Personal Estate all to be at her discretion during her natural life and at her death both the above mentioned lots or parcels of land I leave to my daughter Agnes Forbes to her and her heirs forever. Also I leave to my beloved wife Sally Forbes my negro woman Linda and her increase and all the personal property that my wife leaves at her Death to my Daughters Sally Wray Betsy Bradley and Polly Lyon all to be Equally Divided amongst them three with the exception of a short gun that I give to my Grandson Philip Forbes. I also give to my Son John R. Forbes the land on which he now lives as his full legacy in my Estate.  I also give to my son Peter B. Forbes the land on which he now lives made to him by a Deed of Gift as his full part of my Estate. I also give to my son Thomas Forbes the tract or parcel of land that he now lives on made to him by a Deed of Gift  as his full part of my Estate. I also give to the heirs of my son William Forbes four Dollars in cash together with the money that I paid for William Forbes their father while he survived the same being their full part of my Estate. And now I  constitute and appoint my beloved wife Sally Forbes and John R. Forbes to execute this my last Will and Testament. In testimony whereof I have unto set my hand and seal this 22^nd day of July one thousand eight hundred and Thirty two.

 Signed and sealed in the presence of us John Pasley, Solomon Pasley, Thomas J (X his mark) Mitchell

John's wife Sally apparently died before the 1850 census and—per his will—Agnes (1786-1860) inherited John's land. In that census, Agnes is now head of the household and her son Otey is farming the land.

In the 1850 Federal Census Non-Population Schedule for Virgina-Agriculture-1850-Franklin, Agnes is listed as owning 140 acres (120 cultivated and 20 uncultivated).

On December 13, 1855, at Franklin County, VA, D.B. 24/226, Agnes Forbes gifted her land to her son Otey T. Forbes (1813-1901).

In the 1860 census, 73-year-old Agnes is a member of Otey’s household. They lived next to Greenbury Forbes (1827-1912), son of Agnes's brother Peter B. Forbes (1800-1883). Greenbury Forbes married Mary Wright (abt. 1833-1865), daughter of Catherine "Kitty" Forbes Wright (1810-1850) and granddaughter of Agnes Forbes.

From evidence, it's clear that John Forbes was the father—not the husband—of Agnes Forbes and was grandfather—not the father—of Agnes's three children.

Some facts to correct the errors that are rampant on the internet:

• John Forbes, of Franklin County, Virginia, did not die in 1826; he died in 1832—as proved by his will probated on 6 August 1832.
• Sally R. Bernard was John's only wife. Sally did not die in 1806. She died sometime after 1832 but before the 1850 census. Thus, John did not remarry in 1806.
• Agnes Forbes —the daughter, not wife—of John Forbes never married but had three children: Catherine "Kitty" Forbes (1810-1850), Otey Forbes (1813-1900), and Philip Forbes (1818-1901). Since she was unmarried but had a family and no home of her own, her father John provided in his will that—after his wife Sally's death—"both the above mentioned lots or parcels of land I leave to my daughter Agnes Forbes to her and her heirs forever."
• John Forbes' will, dated 22 July 1832,  names the following legatees (p. 287 in online version, will # 516 in Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900; Will Books, Vol. 3-4, 1825-1840):  "My beloved wife Sally;" Daughter Agnes Forbes and her heirs forever;  Daughters Sally Wray, Betsy Bradley, and Polly Lyon; Grandson Philip Forbes; Son John R Forbes; Son Peter B. Forbes; Son Thomas J Forbes; and Heirs of my son William Forbes. 

It is commendable that John Forbes saw fit to provide for his daughter Agnes and her three illegitimate offspring. I was unable to find any clue as to who might be the father (fathers?) of Agnes's children or why Agnes never married. Might the father have been married to someone else and was thus unable to marry her? Or was there another reason?

It remains a mystery.

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Smith Farm History

Smith Farm has been in my family for over a hundred years and through three generations. 

On that farm, my grandparents Joe and his wife Sallie raised their family—Russell, Myrtle, Belva, Virgie, and foster daughter Laura—and grew old together until Joe died in October 1959. Then my daddy bought the farm at auction. Since 1969, it's been mine. The cabin was made of logs, but Joe had a sawmill and made the boards that covered the logs. Here is how the cabin looked in 1936:

The original part—on the left—was where William (1833-1907) and Gillie Ann Bernard (1839-1897) once lived and raised their family. The Bernards are buried up on the hill. To the left of the back of  the cabin was where Gillie Ann's kitchen once was and where her lilac bush grew. The right side of the cabin was added later and a dog-trot built between the two sections. 

In 1967,  the cabin still looked the way it did in 1936.

My great-grandfather, Will Brown, bought the farm from William Bernard's son for $440 in 1905. The deed below references points such as "three persimmon trees in Jno. R Robertson's line," "a dead red oak, thence with Dudley's line," "to a chestnut, a corner of Creed Bernard's lot," etc. The trees, like the people whose land was next to the farm, are long gone.

In 1906, Will Brown financed the farm for his son-in-law Joe Smith. Joe paid him back over a period of years and kept the receipts for payments he'd made.  

 

Joe also kept a record:

. . .  and finally the debt was paid.

The farm, the cabin, and the outbuildings have changed a lot through the decades. The only remains of Gillie Ann's kitchen—which my Aunt Belva once told me "fell in" when she and her sister were children—are some rocks, but you have to look close to see them. The lilac bush has died out; I'm glad I got a slip from it years ago.

 

Several out-buildings are now long gone. This open space in back is where the hen-house, smoke house, and a shed for the buggy used to be:

In front, three other buildings stood—one was a corn-crib, another a wheat house, and a third one was for storage. Now only one building still exists.

When Joe and Sallie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1954, they stood in front of that remaining building, but you can see another building to the right:

This picture of their oldest daughter Myrtle, taken when she was 16, shows two and part of a third out-building:

Joe never had a big barn. This building, beside the entry road, was where hay was stored.

Above: Front view (facing the cabin): Below: side view 

On the back side of this barn were once two stalls, now long gone and only a part of the roof remains. The last two animals to occupy those stalls were Kate the horse and Gen the mule.  I can barely remember them. Before them were other horses—I think Maude might have been the one before Gen, but she was before my time—and before the horses were a team of oxen. My daddy once told me their names were Hiram and Roger (Rajah?). I remember once seeing the remains of their ox-yoke.

Not far from where the stalls once were, two iron wheels and part of an old wagon's frame remain.

Just past the barn, the farm road leads to a now-paved state road that the Smiths called "the racetrack" because boys used to race their horses and buggies there. I can remember when it was a red clay road that turned to mud in rainy weather. On the deed, it's called  "racepaths known as the Union Hall and Bethel Church road."

Tucked in the woods near the farm road is an old tobacco barn. Tobacco was the money crop in Franklin County back in the day.

The house is showing its age. The top of the original stone chimney was replaced with brick years before my time. 

When Gillie died, William Bernard cut the little window to the left of the chimney so he could keep an eye on her grave up on the hill beyond the pasture while he sat by the fire.

William joined Gillie on the hill in 1907. A few decades later, two of Joe and Sallie's grandchildren—Myrtle's son Clyde and Russell's son Robert—both of whom died as infants, joined them. Joe and Sallie's son, William Everett Smith who was born and died in 1911, is supposed to be buried near the Bernards, but there's no trace of his grave.

For over a half century,  Gillie's grave has been hidden by the woods that took over the pasture, and—long after William joined her on the hill—the brick on the chimney beside the window is falling in. 

High on this chimney are these initials. A date—1852 or 1853, I forget which—used to be visible to the right.

The back of the cabin is also falling in. The porch and its roof collapsed and fell over a decade ago.

These notches show where the back porch roof once was attached.

The spring, where water was fetched a couple of times a day, was down this hill and and across a creek. The Smiths' cow also lived down here, but was fenced out of the spring and spring box. A branch ran from the spring and eventually connected to the creek.

This hillside between cabin and spring was once the site of the Smiths' garden.

 

The creek—and then the spring and its branch—are the other side of the trees at the bottom.

Beside the farm road that leads to the cabin is an ancient walnut tree. It was huge  when I was a kid 75 years ago.

Every year, it looks like it's dying . . .

. . .  but by late spring, after the surrounding trees have leafed out, it starts to sprout leaves. Every year—so far—it still bears walnuts.

At least a few things remain.

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