Falkirk Archives (Archon Code: GB558) FALKIRK ARCHIVES Forbes of Callendar Papers finding aid Part 1 – William Forbes (1747-1815) This collection consists of 36m of records of the Forbes of Callendar family from 1531-1974. The records have been arranged into twenty eight series (see introduction for details) and the finding aid has been separated into these series to make it easier to download from our website. Part 1 consists of the correspondence and personal papers of the first William Forbes of Callendar (1747-1815). A727.1 24 Sep 1722-15 Apr Copy letters to Colin Kirk WS from William Stirling of 1723 Herbertshire, his brother in law and letter to Stirling from John Cuthill at Herbertshire concerning Stirling's claim to the teinds of Denny A727.2 29 Aug 1724 Letter to David Maculoch, writer in Edinburgh, from George Mackenzie, Fortrose, complaining that Maculoch has not delivered a letter to the laird of Herbertshire A727.3 10 Jun 1728 Letter to Mr John Campbell, writer, Edinburgh, from William Stirling of Herbertshire, wishing to delay his action until Lord Grange and the Lord President are on the bench and asking for writs of Belvill A727.4 28 Mar 1732 Copy letter to Alexander Baillie, attorney at Law at London, from John Campbell, concerning the appeal to the House of Lord by the feuars of Denny against [William Stirling] of Herbertshire. A727.5 05 Mar 1765 Letter to John Mackenzie [McKenzie] of Delvin WS, Edinburgh, from John Syme [Sim], Edinburgh, concerning incumbrances on Barskeoch estate. A727.6 01 Jan 1773 Letter, with enclosures, to William Forbes, in London, from Robert Mitchell, concerning methods of distilling. (4 items) A727.7 04 Jan 1773-22 Apr Letters to William Forbes & Company, coppersmiths, 1773 London, on business matters. Correspondents - James Whitechurch, Bristol (no.1); T. Vassall (2,3); George Collins, Lynn (4,5,8); Christopher Court & Co, Crutched Friars (6); Hawkins & Hamilton, Lynn (7) (8 items) A727.8 19 Jan 1773 Letter to William Forbes, in London, from Alexander Bannerman, in London concerning a successful lottery ticket. A727.9 19 Apr 1773 Letter to George Forbes, coppersmith, Aberdeen, from Mary Oliver, in Greenwich, acknowledging receipt of claret. A727.10 1773-1774 Letters to William Forbes, in London, from George Forbes, his brother, in Aberdeen, partners in firm of George and William Forbes, coppersmiths, Aberdeen and London, concerning their business, including shipments from London to Aberdeen of iron, copper, tinplates and articles specially requested; shipment from Aberdeen to London of metal goods, such as tea-kettles, porrage pots and coffee pots, sugar, money (usually hidden in a kettle), borax, solder, gifts of marmalade made by their sister, etc, sometimes describing how goods are packed; financial arrangements; credit-worthiness of customers; casting of metal goods; relationship with customs officers; and 3. bad times because of the decline of the stocking manufactucture Falkirk Archives (Archon Code: GB558) which 'has supplied most of the Country's money for several years'; 4. storm of wind has blown lead off the Chapel of Ease - George amends a printed report to prevent reflection on their firm; 10. shipment of claret; 16. pipes for the Infirmary baths; 18. fashion is for longer candlesticks; 19. grates for Infirmary baths; 20,27,30,31. George's marriage, particularly the financial terms; 21-33. importing iron from Gothenburg [Goteborg, Sweden] to Aberdeen; 34-35. sickles required because regular selling items; 35,44,52. selling bathing caps; 41. exchange of deficient gold coins; 49. special order for a 'tea kitchen'; 54. sends home-made Christmas loaves, and discusses separating the Aberdeen and London businesses. Enclosures includes copies of shipment lists. (55 items) A727.11 1773-1775 Letters to William Forbes, in London, from James Dun [Dunn] in Aberdeen, Alexander Dun, his son, in London, Sir William Forbes in Edinburgh, D. McCulloch and J. Broomhead, both in London, concerning Alexander's financial straits and melancholy condition. (25 items) A727.12 1773-1777 Letters to William Forbes, in London, from Katharine and John Abercrombie, his sister and brother-in-law, in Aberdeen, concerning family matters, receipt of goods from London, honey and other foodstuffs sent to London, insurance on ships to Holland, friends in London on business, and 3. requests fashionable Bristow shoe buckles, not paste; 7,8,28,29. inquiring the value of Nova Scotia notes; 11-14. ordering a gold watch for Katharine - 'no ingraved cases has ever yet appeard' in Aberdeen; 18. enclosed sample of printed cotton; 22. sends a maid servant along with their sister Jessie who is to keep house for William; 48-53. applications for place of postmaster in Aberdeen; 55. Scots pebbles for seals. (58 items) A727.13 1773-1777 Letters to William Forbes, in London, from Robert Forbes, his uncle, in Nairn, and Elizabeth Forbes, Robert's wife, concerning supply of drugs to Robert from London, asking news of his daughter there, and other family matters. (11 items) A727.14 1773-1779 Letters to William Forbes in London from James Forbes his brother in Aberdeen concerning financial matters, James's various business ventures, his health and gossip. 11 and 12 are written when William is in Porstmouth and Jame in London and concern William's coppersmith business. 17-19 are enclosed accounts for linen items A727.15 29 Jan 1774-16 Dec Letters to William Forbes, coppersmith, London, on 1774 business matters. Correspondents - George Collins, Lynn (1); John Hall & Co, Gothenburg [Goteborg, Sweden] (2); William Mathew Burt (3,28; 28 being written at St Christopher's); William Blakey [Blaikie], Paris [France] (4); William Pengree, Snowhill (5); Robert Joseph Rotton, Derby (6,8); William Simpson (7); John Cooke [Cook], Kilnhurst Forge (9,12); Thomas Slade, Deptford (10); E. Ormes (11,23,38); Harford, Lloyd & Co, Bristol (13); William Atkin [Aitken], Sheffield (14); Michael Herries (15); Joseph Jewitt, Hull (16); John Byres [Byers] (17); Joseph Tuckwell, Wallingford (18,35); J. Foster Barham, Bedford (19); R. Byres [Byers] (20); John Wilkinson, Brosely (21,22,24); Simon Dobbs (25,30,31); George Walker (26); Moir, Falkirk Archives (Archon Code: GB558) Davidson & Co (27); Captain J. Oliver (29); T. Vassall (32- 34); Thomas Barnard, Aylsham (36); Wright & Son (37). (38 items) N.B. In the bundles of letters to William Forbes, coppersmith, on business matters, correspondents who are geographically undesignated are usually writing from London. A727.16 28 Feb 1774-29 Nov Letters to William Forbes, coppersmith, London, on 1774 personal matters. Correspondents - Mrs Jean Watson, Rotherhithe (1,8); John Melvill [Melville], about to sail to Tobago (2-4); John Duncan, Aberdeen (5,9,10,13,14); Mrs Barbara Hardie, Peckham (6); John Grant, Inverness, whose son is in Forbes' service (7); Logan Henderson, Haddington (11); W. Matthews (12). (14 items) A727.17 06 Oct 1774-23 Nov Correspondence between William Forbes and Henry 1774 Laurens [Lawrence], concerning Aberdeen stone for building quays or wharfs, the stone to be transported to South Carolina [U.S.A.]. (3 items) A727.18 17 Dec 1774 Letter to Robert Forbes, in London, from Janet Forbes, his sister, in Aberdeen. Their brother does not want her to keep house for him in London. A727.19 1774-1777 Letters to William Forbes, coppersmith, in London, from David Forbes, his brother, in Aberdeen, concerning their metal business, including goods shipped from Aberdeen to London. No 3 is addressed to George Forbes, their brother, who is in London. (18 items) A727.20 1774-1780 Letters to William Forbes, in London, from Janet Dyce, his mother, in Aberdeen, on personal and family matters, exchanging gifts, mainly food, and including 7. she chooses black silk for gowns - 'as they are thought a genteel dress here tho not in mourning'; 18. she is ordered to appear before Chancery in Dublin [Eire] in an inheritance case. 19. is enclosed letter from James Forbes. (26 items) A727.21 06 Feb 1775-29 Sep Letters to William Forbes, coppersmith, London, on 1775 business matters. Correspondents - George Lear, Wapping (1); Charles Trevor, Hull (2); Joseph Tuckwell, Wallingford (3,5); George Sinkler [Sinclair], Hull (4); Thomas Bridge (6); John Wilkinson, Broseley (7); Edward Harpham, Putney (8); D. Cookson, Lothbury (9); Joseph Jewitt, Hull (10); William Pengree, Temple and Snow Hill (11,30,47); John Freeman & Co, Bristol (12-22,26-28,32-36,38,4042,45); Edward Wells, Wallingford (23,24,29); Thomas Gilbert, Hounslow (25); T. Vassall (31); John Hall & Co, Gothenburg (37); E. Ormes (39); J.F. Barham, Bedford (43,46,48); Crichton & Co (44). (48 items) A727.22 30 Mar 1775-29 Aug Draft letters to customers, potential customers and suppliers 1775 from William Forbes, coppersmith, London. Letters to John Freeman & Copper Company, Bristol, refer to shipments to the Gulf of Lyons and Gibraltar and from Portugal to India. 23 is to Hall & Co, Gothenburg [Goteborg, Sweden]. (23 items) A727.23 10 Apr 1775-17 Apr Correspondence among members of the Forbes family 1775 concerning their descent from Thomas Mitchell and Katharine Dun [Dunn] in Aberdeen. No 2 is list of their children (born 1666-76) 'taken from the town's register'. Matter arises through possible inheritance from Irish relative. (4 items) A727.24 04 May 1775-13 Dec Letters to William Forbes, coppersmith, London, on Falkirk Archives (Archon Code: GB558) 1775 personal matters. Correspondents - William Gray, Aberdeen, a cousin (1); J. Bowman (2); William Eliott [Elliot] (3); Mr Vaugham (4); Neil Malcolm, whose brother is to embark for Jamaica (5); Peter Young, in King's Bench Prison (6); William Rose, Kilphader (7); Mrs Mary Oliver, Greenwich (8). (8 items) A727.25 09 Sep 1775-29 Dec Draft letters to customers, potential customers and suppliers 1775 from William Forbes, coppersmith, London.