Forbes/Royal Artillary

[swede2]

Have managed to track a bit more info down but would very much like any information on Ann Forbes (nee Walker) and where she came from as well as where James Staats originally came from in Scotland. I have him enlisting in the Royal Artillery in Negg, Kincardineshire when he was 18 putting his birthdate at 1795. Any information regarding the family in Scotland would be much appreciated. I am particularly interested in Arthur Rowley (his son) who came to Queensland. As I mentioned he is on the 1841 census and gone by the 1851 census. I would like to know when he came out to Australia. I have some info on his siblings and their marriages from the census. Which member are you connected through?
Thanks for your help

[cab2]

Hi, I replied yesterday but it has not appeared on the web page so wonder if you have received it.  Anyway, will have another go.   I hope I can fill in a few of the missing links for you.  Our line is of Alexander Forbes the brother of Arthur. 

I am intrigued that Arthur Rowley is on the 1841 census and birth register as Arthur and not Arthur Rowley, but there is a younger sibling called Rowley who died in infancy, and I wonder if it is possible that he later took on that middle name.  Do you know of any explanation? 

Firstly, James Staats Forbes (1796-1864) and Anne Walker to my knowledge had 8 children – James Staats 1823 – 1904, John Adams, 1825 – 1843, Arthur (Rowley), 1827 – 1890, William 1830 – 1888, Ann 1833 – ?, Alexander 1835 – 1880, Rowley 1838 – 1839 and Harriet 1841 – 1841. 

As you say, they were a Scottish family from Aberdeen. James (1796) was in the British army and moved to Woolwich where he worked in the Royal Arsenal as a quartermaster.  His father, also James Staats, b 1760, was a wine merchant in Queen Street, Aberdeen.  The family believes ‘Staats’ is a Dutch name that was given to the first born male of each line. 

So, four boys and one girl made it to adulthood. 

James Staats.  You will find much on the internet about him.  He is described as a railway administrator and art connoisseur.  I know he did at sometime work on the building of the Karunda railway in Queensland, (date on my lost hard drive), so perhaps Arthur Rowley went there to work with him and stayed. 

William became General Manager of the Midland and Great Western Railway of Ireland. 

Alexander was also a railway manager in England.

I have more detailed information about them if you would like it, although Arthur Rowley is not known to the family.  At the moment much of my information is on a broken hard drive which is being transferred to a new computer this week, but even if I cannot retrieve the files I will be able to supply more details if you are interested.

I know nothing about Ann Walker, but perhaps James was sent to Ireland with the army and met her there??  I think it is possible James Staats (1760) was married to Jean Jopp, but not 100% sure.  Also, another web post has James (1796) as married to Annie Beattie and I wonder how this fits in.