| Notes |
- 1 - Sir William Stuart Forbes died in 1828, and John, his eldest surviving son, succeeded to the estates and titles. On the death of his cousin, Alexander Hepburn-Murray Belsches of Invermay and Balmanno, he succeeded, in 1864, as heir of entail to these estates, and assumed the additional surname and arms of Hepburn. He had been educated for the bar, and that training served him in good stead throughout his career, in the conduct of affairs, as a public-spirited and philanthropic county gentleman. It may be truly said that upon him fell the mantle of his grandfather, and that, by those who knew him, his like may not again be seen. He spared neither time, trouble, nor expense in promoting the welfare of his fellow-creatures; and in many instances, known to the writer of these pages, he worked late and early, both in and out, regardless of bodily case and comfort, for the sake of doing good. He held a prominent place among agriculturists, and in their councils he was regarded as an authority. He was long an active and leading member of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, a patron and promoter of the Fettercairn Farmers' Club, taking, in connection with these bodies, a deep and humane interest in the state of the agricultural labourer, and making praiseworthy efforts to elevate his condition. As an enlightened and advanced educationist he had few equals. The schools on his extensive estates, and the parochial schools with which he had to do as an heritor, were the objects of his constant care; with a hand ever open to supply their wants, and with wise counsels ever ready to guide the teachers. In 1857 the evening entertainments known as Penny Readings, and which for a time became so common all over the country, were begun by him in Fettercairn, as the first of the kind in Scotland. In 1856, along with the Marquis of Tweedale, he founded the Scottish Meteorological Society; and continued to use his influence and lend his aid for the promotion of its objects. As a deputy-lieutenant and the convener of Kincardineshire, he took a leading part in the business of the county. In 1834 he married Lady Harriet Kerr, third daughter of William sixth Marquis of Lothian, who survived him. She died at London in 1884, truly and sincerely regretted by all, and specially by the people of Fettercairn, who had so long experienced her kindly acts of benevolence and charity.
Sir John died in London in May, 1866, and was interred in the family tomb in Edinburgh Greyfriars' Churchyard. Their only child and daughter, Harriet-Williamina, married, in July, 1858, her cousin, the Efbn. Charles Henry Rolle Trefusis, now twentieth Baron Clinton.
[http://www.electricscotland.com/history/fettercairn/chapter12.htm]
2 - Modern Buildings. — There is no mansion-house on the estate of Kincardine, the proprietor, Sir John Stuart Forbes, Bart. residing at Fettercairn House, in the adjoining parish.
[Statistical Accounts of Scotland 1845]
3 - Forbes, Sir John Stewart, of Pitsligo, Bart., enrolled 11 July 1826, son of Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo, Bart., born 25 Sept. 1804, died 27 May 1866, mar. 14 June 1834 Lady Harriet Kerr (born 19 Oct. 1808. died 26 April 1884), daughterf William, 6th Marquis of Lothian. Succeeded 1828, assumed name of Hepburn.
(THE FACULTY OF ADVOCATES OF SCOTLAND 1532-1943 WITH GENEALOGICAL NOTES 1944)
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1804 - 1866 (61 years)
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