William Hutton FORREST (1799-1879)
William Hutton FORREST was born on the 19th February 1799 and baptised on 25th March 1799 in Stirling, Scotland[1]. He was the sixth child of James FORREST and Margaret HUTTON.
William became was awarded a Doctorate from Edinburgh on 1st December 1818[2].
William is mentioned in "Old Faces, Old Places and Old Stories of Stirling" by William Drysdale:
"Dr W. H. Forrest was a native of Stirling. Born in 1799, he received his education in Stirling and Edinburgh, taking his degree as surgeon in 1818. A short time afterwards he went to one of the Southern States of America, where he remained till 1822, when he returned to Stirling. The Doctor always had a strong interest in his native town, and did everything he could for its improvement, and evinced a warm solicitude for the comfort of its inhabitants. In 1825 he assisted in the formation of the School of Arts, and for many years was principal attendant at the Stirling Dispensary. Doctor Forrest may also be said to have been the promoter of the Stirling Fishing Club. It was also greatly through his exertions that the town was provided with a supply of excellent water, in recognition of which services he was presented, in September, 1857, with a silver tea service. The Doctor also took a prominent part in the improvement of the sewerage system of the burgh, which had formerly been very defective, the effects of that improvement producing a general desire for greater cleanliness. Old and dilapidated houses disappeared, and more improved buildings and streets were formed. The Doctor was one of those strong-minded and intrepid individuals, who fearlessly encounter every difficulty, and allow no obstacle to interfere with the carrying out of any enterprise for the general benefit which they have entered upon. He was unflinching in his efforts for the public weal, and went straight onwards in his course, undeterred by the cavillings of narrow-minded prejudice on the one hand, or of bitter jealousy on the other. His aim was uninfluenced by all petty considerations of place or power ; he sought his own good in the welfare and comfort of the whole community."[3]
Family
In Stirling, he married on 24th September 1843 Margaret Thompson STEPHENSON[4][5], daughter of Andrew STEPHENSON and Anne MOUBRAY. Together they had issue:
- i. James FORREST, born on 19th August 1844 and baptised on 25th September 1844 in Stirling[6].
- ii. Andrew Stephenson FORREST, born on 28th May 1846 and baptised on 15th July 1846 in Stirling[6].
- iii. Margaret Anne FORREST, born on the 25th June 1849 and baptised on 21st August 1849 in Stirling[7].
- iv. Jane FORREST, born on the 10th July 1851 and baptised on 4th September 1851 in Stirling[7].
- v. William Hutton FORREST, born on 3rd June 1853 and baptised on 19th August 1853 in Stirling[8].
- vi. Anne Moubray FORREST, born on 22nd March 1855 in Stirling[9].
He died from heart disease on 20th March 1879[10][11][12], and his wife shortly after on 24th October 1879[13].
References
- ↑ Old Parochial Register, Births, Stirling, OPR Ref. 490/0030 0264
- ↑ Original Affidavit, 1840, in possession of Robert B. Forrest: [certifies that Mr. William Hutton Forrest obtained the Diploma of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh on 1 Dec 1818]
- ↑ Old Faces, Old Places and Old Stories of Stirling - William Drysdale (1898) p94
- ↑ Old Parochial Register, Marriages, Stirling, OPR Ref. 490/0070 0185
- ↑ Old Parochial Register, Marriages, St Ninians, OPR Ref. 488/0060 0321
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Old Parochial Register, Births, Stirling, OPR Ref. 490/0060 0374
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Old Parochial Register, Births, Stirling, OPR Ref. 490/0060 0408
- ↑ Old Parochial Register, Births, Stirling, OPR Ref. 490/0060 0468
- ↑ Statutory Register, Births, Ref. 490/00 0048
- ↑ Statutory Register, Deaths, Ref. 490/00 0078
- ↑ Family tombstone in Erskine Churchyard, Stirling: "Born Stirling 19 Feb 1799. Died Stirling 20 Mar 1879."
- ↑ Inventory, Contract of Marriage, Deed of Apportionment and Division of William Hutton Forrest (1879) Ref. SC67/36/71 Stirling Sheriff Court
- ↑ Statutory Register, Deaths, Ref. 490/00 0265
