James FORREST (1787-1810)

James FORREST was baptized 14 OCT 1787 at the Paradice Street Presbyterian Chapel, Liverpool, Lancashire. He was the son of James "the Mariner" Forrest and his wife Margaret "Peggy" Hutton.

James set out to follow his father's career as a mariner. In the family papers is an impressment protection notice [used to protect seamen from being impressed into the Royal Navy], dated 17 Dec 1803: " ...the Bearer James Forest has bound himself Apprentice to James Forest of Alloa to serve at sea, by indenture dated the 24 March 1803 and that he never used the sea before that time; and he being therefore entitled to a Protection in pursuance of the said Act of Parliament, to free and exempt him being impressed for the space of Three Years from the aforementioned date of his indenture...". The left margin has a description of James Forest: "A fair complexion and smooth faced", not unreasonable considering James was only 16 at the time!

Sadly, in only a few years James contracted tuberculosis and died 19 Mar 1810. An 1822 letter from Dr. James Dinsmore of Stirling to Dr. William Hutton Forrest mentions "...your brother died of phthisis...". Phthisis is another word for tuberculosis. (Dr. Dinsmore was the partner of Dr. John Forrest (1761-1822) of Stirling.

James' last letter to his sister Eleanor Forrest was dated 30 Jan 1810, and probably written from Liverpool. In the letter he mentions his 'Aunt Jenny' and 'Aunt Ann', both older sisters of his mother Margaret Hutton. He also writes, "My uncle has a new ship launched called the "Mag" (May?)... I should have gone chief mate, but my health would not allow me...". The letter is signed, "Your affectionate brother, James Forrest." On the edge of the letter in a different hand, is written: "James Forrest Born Oct 8th 17__ Died March 19th 1810"