Figure of the Week

Murray Forbes (1782-1863) was the son of Dr. David Forbes (1751-1789) and Margaret Sterling (1754-1806), the daughter of the last Laird of Herbertshire.  Murray was born in Dumfries, Prince William County, but decided upon a mercantile career rather than medicine.  He moved to Falmouth and in 1815 married Sallie Innis Thornton (1799-1885), the daughter of Francis Thornton (1767-1836) of Fall HIll, Spotsylvania.  Murray Forbes was a successful merchant in Falmouth and a veteran of the War of 1812.  He was involved in Stafford County affairs, serving in the 1820s as a magistrate, as county treasurer in 1828, and as postmaster of Falmouth from 1825 until his death in 1863.