Henry E. Downes

Bennett married Sarah Forman. Sarah (daughter of Gen. Thomas Marsh Forman and Hannah Osburn) was born before 1783; died in 1824. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Other-Begin: 10 Sep 1783, Queen Anne Co, Maryland
• Other-Begin: 25 May 1785, Queen Anne Co, Maryland
• Organizations: 1830, Maryland Jockey Club; President

Notes:

info about General Thomas Marsh Forman is in book "A History of Savannah and South Georgia," vol 2
Google Book, pg 592-593

https://books.google.com/books?id=zv9HAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA593&lpg=PA593&dq=Robert+Forman,+Amersterdam,+Charter+for+Flushing,+New+Amersterdam&source=bl&ots=fyS9R8CZ35&sig=zoRPo50zEpV6QyyIhxFc06tm1D0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiRiLW5grLJAhVLRiYKHccQBcEQ6AEIJDAB#v=snippet&q=marsh%20forman&f=false

From: Billie Grunden bilfre64@yahoo.com
Date: 4/29/2017 8:14:13 PM
To: Sherry Sharp
Subject: Re: Gen. Thomas Marsh Forman

Dear Sherry. I noticed after sending my first email that you are in Beaumont. I am in Jasper. It would be pretty easy for us to get together sometime.

I think that the Dandridge book is probably accurate for most of the Formans. It being a delicate situation with the out of wedlock children of Gen.Thomas Marsh Forman left her with some questions unanswered. Thomas Marsh Foreman inherited his Grandfather Marsh's property. He married a rich widow older than himself. She died leaving him very wealthy. He must have enjoyed the playboy life for a time. On the 10th of Sep. 1783, Thomas M Forman signed a document in Queen Anne's County Maryland acknowledgeing that he is the father of two children born of Hannah Osburn, one named James and another named Sarah. On the 25 of May, 1785, he signs pledging his support of another child of Hannah Osburn named Emma. It seems that he may have fathered Emma and another child with a different woman at about the same time. The other child was Delia, daughter of Elizabeth Price. I do not know what happened to Elizabeth Price. I have not found a marriage record for her to Thomas M. Forman, but Delia was the socially acknowledged child. It seems he may have raised her. Maybe her mother died or maybe they married for a short time and then she died. At any rate, he married Martha Ogleman in 1814. Martha kept a diary. It is in the series of microfilmed records called Ante-Bellum Southern Plantations from the Revolutionary though the Civil War.Series D, Martha Forman Diaries, 1814-1860, Cecil County, Maryland. In the diary, Martha gushes over Delia's children and calls them their grandchildren, but never let's her diary audience know the relationship to Sarah's children. Sarah married Bennett Downes and had children named Thomas F. Downes, Mary Emaline, Richard Charles,James Marsh, Sallie Ann, Henry E., and William Bennett Downes. Captain Benentt Downes died in 1820 and Sarah died in 1824. Thomas Marsh Forman spent the largest amount of money at the auction of the household goods. The children and the parents are all mentioned in the diary but no mention of the realtionship. I am a descendant of Sally Ann Downes, so that makes me feel badly for the children. However, in the will of Thomas Marsh Forman, he names all his living grandchildren and seems to prefer the Downes children over some of Delia Bryan's children. He gave everything to Joseph Bryan on the condition that Joseph change his name to Thomas Marsh Forman. If Joseph Bryan did not change his name,then his property should be divided among the Downes children. Of course Joseph changed his name. In the diary, Sallie Ann actually lived with the General and Martha for a time.

I am attaching a document from the Maryland Archives. I have a lot more but this is already long. I have done the ancestry.com family finder and the familytreedna family finder test. I match one lady whose only common ancestor is a Forman. She descended from David, brother of Ezekiel and uncle of Thomas Marsh Forman. I have the Pate Family Tree on ancestry.com, a rather small tree of mostly my father's direct line. His mother was Mary Hellen Gilpin who was the grandaughter of Sallie Ann Downes.

All for now,
Billie Grunden, Jasper, TX

Other-Begin:
On the 10th of Sep. 1783, Thomas M Forman signed a document in Queen Anne's County Maryland acknowledgeing that he is the father of two children born of Hannah Osburn, one named James and another named Sarah.
(email from Billie Grunden)

Other-Begin:
On the 25 of May, 1785, he signs pledging his support of another child of Hannah Osburn named Emma.

Organizations:
"Gen. T.M. Forman was fond of racing and owned horses in conjunction with John Randolph of Roanoak. He became the first president of the Maryland Jockey Club in 1830. He retained his activity in a remarkable degree, being able to ride horseback for long distances when a very old man."

http://www.archive.org/stream/threerevolutiona00form#page/26/mode/2up


Buried:
his home.

Thomas married Hannah Osburn in (not married). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Other-Begin: Monmouth, New Jersey; escaped jail
• Property: Bayou Sara, Natchez, Mississippi; 1000 acres with Richard Butler.
• Residence: New York; to New York from NJ then returned to NJ
• Residence: 1767, Princeton, New Jersey
• Politics: 14 Jan 1776, High Sheriff of Kent Co, Maryland
• Residence: 5 Nov 1777, Maryland
• Residence: 1789, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Residence: 20 Apr 1790, Natchez (Spanish held), Mississippi; from Pennsylvania
• Residence: 22 Jun 1790, Natchez (Spanish held), Mississippi; flatboat "The Nancy" from Monmouth Co, New Jersey
• Property: 1795, Natchez, Mississippi; (at death)
• Possessions: 19 Nov 1804, Natchez, Mississippi

Notes:

Natchez Court Records, 1767-1805 by May Wilson McBee


p 439 2 May 1790. Richard Harrison to Ezekiel Forman, 450 arpents on St. Catherine's Creek, from Fort, b. by Bennet Truly, John Lum, the creek and Mistress Spell. Signed by both.

Page 454
p 363 Claim No. 1250 Spanish grant to David Forman, 600 acres, 40 mi. SE of Fort, adj. land of Ezekiel Forman, father of the grantee. N.O. 30 Jun 1795 by Carondelet. // p 365. Will of David Forman, of Chester Town, Co. of Kent, State of Maryland. To daughter Sarah Marsh Forman all my plate and household furniture, also all my house servants, for and in consideration of the tender care she has shown towards her mother, my beloved wife. The remainder of my estate to be divided into seven equal shares. It has pleased God to deprive my beloved wife, Ann, of her reason, 1/7 to remain in the hands of my exor. for her maintenance. To my son-in-law, william Gordon Forman and Sarah Marsh Forman, his wife, 1/7 of my estate. To my daughters, Ann, Emma, Eliza, Malvina and Elvina, each 1/7, etc. Son-in-law and dau Sarah, Exrs. 30 Aug 1796. Prob Oct 26 1797. Wit Phill Reed, Wm, Burnseston, Ben Chambers. // File. Claimant, Wm. G. Forman, 26, Mch. 1804. Nov 12, 1804, W.G. Forman suggests that he has no claim to this land but that it belongs to D. Forman, Jr. Wit: Nathaniel Ivy, 26 Nov 1804. Certif. A. 378 issued to D. Forman. Wm. Gordon Forman, surviving exr., of David Forman, decd, claims 600 acres in Wilkinson Co, subject to the uses and trusts declared and devised in the last will and testament as above, by favor of a grant from the Spanish Govt. to sd David Forman, decd. By Lyman Harding, his attorney.

p 369 Claim No. 1251. Nathan Swazey and wife Bethia, to William Gordon Forman of Monmouth Co, N.J. for $1282 paid, 366 acres on Second Creek, ... plat made by Spanish Govt b. by lands of the late David Forman, Samuel Swazey, Elijah Swazey and David Lambert.
File. Claimant. Wm. G. Forman, 26 March 1804, Wit Nath'l Ivy

p 371 Claim 1252 Spanish gr to Ezekiel Forman 600 acres 40 mi S.E. from Fort, adj Dona Frances Forman, sister of grantee, N.O. 30 Jun 1796 by Carondelet. // p 372, last will of Ezekiel Forman of Natches Dist, May 7 1795. Beloved wife, Margaret Forman, extrx, and friends, Wm. Dunbar, Ebenzezer Rees and Benajah Osmun, exrs. Joseph Bernard appraiser. Exrs. to be guardians of my dear children (not named) Sep 16 795. // file claimant, Wm,. G. Forman for Exekiel Forman, 26 Mch 1804. W.G. Forman suggests that this tract of land is still the property of the original claimant. (signed) E.T. No. 26 1804. Wit. Nthaniel Ivy 26 Nov 1804. Certf. A-379 issued to legal representatives of Ezekiel Forman, 26 Jun 1805. (one side of paper torn and parts missing.) Wm. Gordon Forman, executor of the last will and testament of David Forman, dec'd. hereby gives notice that he claims 600 acres in Wilkinson Co, subject to the uses and trusts expressed in the sd will. 30 Aug 1796. By virtue of a Spanish grant to Ezekiel Forman now deceased and conveyed by the exrs of the will of sd Ezekiel Forman, decd, to said David Forman in his lifetime. By Lyman Harding, atty.

Book D p 373:
Claim No. 1253, Spanish grant to James Fletcher, 1000 acres on Fairchild's Creek and Cole's Creek, 15 mi NE of Fort, adj Thomas peterson, Robertson, John Reed, and Gabriel Griffin. N.O. 9 Sep 1788 by Miro. Plat and certif. of survey, 25 May 1796. // p 375. Power of attorney from James Fletcher to John Turnbull. N.O. 17 Dec 1798. // Charles Norwood, of N.O. exor of the late John Turnull sells to Abijah Hunt and Wm. G. Forman, for $1600, the above 1000 acres granted to James Fletcher. May 31, 1802. Signed. Wit: John Murdock, Robert Moore. "This excepts 200 acres James Fletcher granted to have the land improved. // p 377. 10 July 1803. Abijah Hunt to William Gordon Forman, for $500, a quit claim to 800 acres.
(omitted parts of entry because no cut and paste!)
William Gordon Forman claims an undivided 800 acres of 1000 acres by virtue of Spanish grant to James Fletcher, as above, and conveyed from sd Fletcher to John Turnbull, 17 Dec 1798, and by exr of Turnbull to this claimant and Abijah Hunt and released by sd Hunt to claimaint.

p 378 Claim No. 1254 Spanish grant to Augustina Forman, 600 acres 40 mi SE of Fort, adj to Ezekiel Forman, father of grantee. N.O. Jun 30 1795 by Carondelet. // File. Augstina Forman, claimant 26 Mch 1804. Wit: Nathaniel Ivy. Cert. A-380 to Augustina Forman, 26 Jun 1805. Augustina Forman claims 600 arpents to Wilkinson Co, by virtue of the above Spanish grant. by Lyman Harding.

p 380 Claim No. 1255: Spanish grant to Dona Margarite Forman, 600 acres 40 mi SE from Fort, adj. Dona Frances Forman, sister of grantee, N.O. 30 Jun 1795, by Carondelet. // file. Claimant, Margaretta Forman, 26 Mch 1804. Wit Nath'l Ivy. 26 Nov 1805. Cert. A-380 issued to claimant, 26 Jun 1805. Margaretta Forman claims 600 acres in Wilkinson Co, by a grant from the Spanish Govt, as above.

pg 381 Claim No. 1256 Spanish gr. to Francisco (Frances) Forman, 600 acres 40 mi SE of Fort. b by Ezekiel Forman and Margarita Forman, brother and sister of the grantee. N.O. 30 Jun 1795 by Carondelet. Plat shows tracts on Bayou Sara. // File Frances Forman, claimant 26 Mch 1804. Wit Nath'l Ivy 26 Nov 1804. Cert A 382 issued to claimant 26 Jun 1805. Frances Forman claims 600 arpents in Wilkinson Co, by virtue of a grant from the Spanish Govt. as above.

http://books.google.com/books?id=yvJw1hHgSLMC&pg=PA115&lpg=PA115&dq=green,+province+of+west+florida&source=bl&ots=-PhXvwnRzr&sig=UyLpAOAD_6BqmGrQBlpgUxY2Cfc&hl=en&ei=tAIUTYznK8K88gbewKy7Dw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CFcQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=green&f=false

----
"Here (Natchez MS) in 1795 he (Ezekiel) died. Besides Margaret Douglas Forman, aged 39; Ann, aged 14 months; David, aged 34; Ezekiel, aged 23; all children of the second marriage there is buried at Natchez with her sons, Elizabeth, wife of Gen. Benjamin Chambers of Chesterdown, Md., who was daughter of the first marriage."
(The Forman Genealogy - pg 98)

In Major S.S. Forman's "Narrative," Ezekiel Forman is described as a "fine, portly looking man, neat and dignified; always wore powder, as all gentlemen did in those days, and large cocked hat."
(The Forman Genealogy, pg 99)


Property:
I will also note here that Ezekiel Forman's land is on the Bayou Sara and he shares ownership of another 1000 acres with Richard Butler. This is important because it establishes a contact between the Butler's and the Forman's of George's line. (George Forman son of Edward* Forman)
http://jeffersoncountyms.org/bios.htm#george



Other-Begin:
This Ezekiel, was evidently the favorite brother of Gen. David Forman, but was a Tory and had been under a death sentence in NJ, where he was a wealthy merchant. He escaped from jail, where another nephew, David Forman, was the sheriff.

http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/surnames.forman/38.47.59.106.107.108.110/mb.ashx

Residence:
The was a branch that went to NY but came back to NJ(this would be Ezekiel Forman.

http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/thread.aspx?mv=flat&m=38&p=surnames.forman

Residence:
"It was at Ezekiel Forman's house at Princeton, N.J., that his brother David was married in 1767."
)The Firman Genealogy, pg 98)

Residence:
Archives of Maryland show that on Nov 5, 1777, "Ezekiel Forman, Esq, is appointed Paymaster to the Eastern Shore Marching Militia..." In the same year he was a member of the council of safety of Maryland."
(The Firman Genealogy, pg 98)


Residence:
Living there in 1789 when arrangements having been made by Gen. David Forman with his family journeyed down the Oio and Mississippi, and established himself as a tabacco planter at the Wilderness Plantation on the St. Catherine's Creek about four or five miles from Natchez.
((The Forman Genealogy, pg 98)

Residence:
These reports were written by a Spanish officer, Carlos de Grand Pre to Governor Estevan Miro; therefore many of the names are in SPANISH or a PHONETIC attempt to convert the name to Spanish. Some are in English. The term "settler" means those with intent to settle the district. In 1788, a royal order encouraged American immigration and trade, and colonist began arriving in larger numbers than ever before. Few of these arrived via the land route, however; most arrived on flatboats, coming down the Mississippi. The majority came from Kentucky. Many settled in what would become Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Franklin, Jefferson and Wilkinson counties. List taken from records in the MS Dept. of Archives and History, Jackson MS.

FLATBOATS ARRIVING IN NATCHEZ -
OWNER, EMPLOYEES, AND/OR SETTLERS
ACCORDING TO LETTERS FROM CARLOS
DE GRAND PRE TO GOVERNOR MIRO

APRIL 22, 1790
Arriving from PENNSYLVANIA ,
brought by EZEKIEL FORMAN all to settle:
FORMAN, EZEKIEL
with wife, son, and three daughters
Passengers:
OMUND, EBENEZER
CHACACH, ELIZABETH
Employees:
HARLTOCK, CHRISTIAN
ROBENS, GEORGE
OCONOR, GUILLERMO

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~msfrank2/americansinspanishnatchez.htm

Residence:
AMERICANS ARRIVING in SPANISH-HELD NATCHEZ 1788-1790

*These reports were written by a Spanish officer, Carlos de Grand Pre to Governor Estevan Miro; therefore many of the names are in SPANISH or a PHONETIC attempt to convert the name to Spanish. Some are in English. The term "settler" means those with intent to settle the district. In 1788, a royal order encouraged American immigration and trade, and colonist began arriving in larger numbers than ever before. Few of these arrived via the land route, however; most arrived on flatboats, coming down the Mississippi. The majority came from Kentucky. Many settled in what would become Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Franklin, Jefferson and Wilkinson counties. List taken from records in the MS Dept. of Archives and History, Jackson MS.

JUNE 22, 1790
Arriving by 6 flatboats from the UNITED STATES

First flatboat, the NANCY, from OHIO [River]
FORMAN, SAMUEL, owner and settler
FORMAN, EZEK, resident of Natchez District

Other flatboats all from KENTUCKY

-------
"He [Samuel]

Second boat, owner and one passenger returning
Settlers:
MITCHEL, WILLIAM
GOLL, JACOBO
MCKEY, JUAN

Third boat
WINTERS, ELISHA, owner and settler

Fourth boat, owner returning
Settlers:
BUSHNELL, EUSEBIO
GUILLION, JOHN
Fifth and sixth boats,
consigned to OLIVER POLLOCK
SHIPMAN, STEPHEN , to settle

JUNE 28, 1790
Arriving by flatboat from KENTUCKY
Settlers:
BEARE, WALTER
TERRY, JAMES with wife and 5 children
HUFFMAN, JACOBO with wife and three children

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~msfrank2/americansinspanishnatchez.htm

-----
"He [Samuel] later owned a flat bottom boat and took his Uncle Ezekiel Forman, his family and 67 Negro slaves down the Ohio River to Natchez, Mississippi where his Uncle General David Forman had arranged for the purchase of some 1200 acres from Spanish Governor Gayoso for the purpose of starting a tobacco plantation."

http://jeffersoncountyms.org/bios.htm#george


Property:
He also settled the estate of Ezekiel Forman, when he passed on, and bought up much of Ezekiel's land. Some of the land did go to David Forman, a son of Ezekiel Forman.

http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/surnames.forman/38.47.59.106.107.108.110/mb.ashx

Possessions:
Natchez Court records (pg 447)
p 284 Claim No. 1128 Spanish govt to Ezekiel Forman 1000 acres 41 mi SSE of Fort, by Augustine Forman, son of grantee and David Forman, N.O. 30 Jun 1795, by Carndelet. File, // Richard W. Crane, 19 Nov 1804. Certif B-64 issued to claimants, 10 Sep 1806. Elizabeth Ann Coburn claim 476 arpents by virtue of a warrant of survey in favor of Jacob Coburn above and as in preceding claim.

Ezekiel married Augustina Marsh. Augustina (daughter of Esq Thomas Marsh and Mary Thompson) was born in Apr 1740. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Thomas Marsh Forman was born on Kentt Island, Maryland, Aug 20 1758. he was the eldest son of Ezekiel Forman (elder bro of Gen David Forman) by his first marriage with Augustine Marsh. Augustine Marsh was a half-sister of Mrs. David Forman and was descended from Augustine Herman who founded Bohemia Manor in Maryland in the seventeenth century."

http://www.archive.org/stream/threerevolutiona00form#page/24/mode/2up