1777-1986; bulk: 1845-1940
Guide to the Collection
Restrictions on Access
The J. M. Forbes and Co. estate papers are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
There are restrictions on the use of this collection. Users must sign an agreement stating that they understand these restrictions before they will be given access to the collection.
Abstract
This collection consists of papers of J. M. Forbes and Co., a private investment and trust management firm, related to its management of the estates of Forbes family members.
Collection Description
The J. M. Forbes and Co. estate papers consist of wills, codicils, inventories, appraisals, deeds, receipts, correspondence, and other papers held by J. M. Forbes and Co., a private investment and trust management firm, pertaining to the firm's management of the estates of John Murray Forbes; Sarah Swain (Hathaway) Forbes; John Malcolm Forbes, Sr.; John Malcolm Forbes, Jr.; Rose (Dabney) Forbes; Edith (Emerson) Forbes; William Hathaway Forbes; Waldo Emerson Forbes; Ralph Emerson Forbes; Sarah (Forbes) Hughes; and Paul Revere Forbes. While the papers were sorted and identified as belonging to particular individuals' estates, there is some overlap of materials among the different series.
Acquisition Information
Deposited by the J. M. Forbes Family Archives Committee, Jan. 2009.
Restrictions on Access
The J. M. Forbes and Co. estate papers are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
There are restrictions on the use of this collection. Users must sign an agreement stating that they understand these restrictions before they will be given access to the collection.
Restrictions on Use
The estate papers of J. M. Forbes and Co. have been placed on deposit at the Massachusetts Historical Society by the J. M. Forbes Family Archives Committee. The Massachusetts Historical Society does not claim ownership of the literary rights (copyright) to this collection. The Massachusetts Historical Society cannot give permission to publish or quote from documents to which it does not hold copyright. Use of these materials does not imply permission to publish. It is the sole responsibility of the researcher to to obtain formal permission from the owners of the literary rights (copyright) to publish or quote from documents in this collection.
All reproductions, including photocopies and digital photographs, are for personal use only. Personal use copies may not be donated to or deposited in other libraries or archives, or made available to other researchers, without the written permission of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
Detailed Description of the Collection
I. John Murray Forbes estate, 1845-1947
Will, Naushon clause, memoranda, instructions, appointments, legacies and legatees, debts, notes, receipts, certifications, taxes, land associations, real estate papers, share holdings, trusts, distributions, papers pertaining to other people's estates, cemetery information, and miscellaneous matter.
II. Sarah Swain (Hathaway) Forbes estate, 1900-1901
Summary of estate holdings and account with J. M. Forbes and Co.
III. John Malcolm Forbes, Sr. estate, 1837-1946
Wills, accounts, inventories, schedules, clauses, trusts, securities, memoranda, cemetery information, Forbes Farm, Edward C. Jones estate, real estate, Louise Davenport, Will Hale, yachts, Walter Baker Company, horses, and miscellaneous matter.
IV. John Malcolm Forbes, Jr. estate, 1931-1970
Wills, affidavits, probate documents, inventories, appraisals, schedules, securities, real estate, land associations, guardian ad litem, taxes and valuations, income, debts, expenses, receipts, allowances, distributions, Clark Dodge & Co., banks, Naushon and Pasque Islands, Ethel Forbes Trust, Raymond Emerson, Cambridge School Guaranty, Barbara L. T. Miller, Worldover Press, and miscellaneous notes and correspondence.
V. Rose (Dabney) Forbes estate, 1904-1949
Wills, inventories, deed of trust, distributions, receipts, debts, expenses, taxes, cemetery information, and Naushon Timber Project.
VI. Edith (Emerson) Forbes estate, 1900-1975
Wills and codicils, certificate of death, probate appointments, inventories, schedules, appraisals, land associations, securities, taxes, expenses, valuations, receipts, bequests, legacies, distributions, past employees, Beckton Stock Farm, executors' accounts, bank statements, royalties, lands in Milton, William H. Forbes Special Fund, yachts, and rental income.
VII. William Hathaway Forbes estate, 1845-1930
Wills and codicils, probate appointments, appraisals, real estate holdings, Naushon Island, mining companies and other investments, William Hathaway Forbes's account as executor of Sarah J. Forbes estate, Weld Boat Club, yachts, and Jeremiah W. Gay estate.
VIII. Waldo Emerson Forbes estate, 1777-1934
Wills, death certificate, appraisals, schedules, inventories, bank statements, debts, expenses, distributions, releases, stocks, bonds, taxes, real estate, Nashawena Island, yachts, Samuel Vernon estate, and Atlantic Monthly.
IX. Ralph Emerson Forbes estate, 1846-1986
Will and codicil, inventories, memoranda, correspondence, bonds, real estate, bank statements, trusts, funds, distributions, Ellen T. Emerson will, papers relative to Edith E. Forbes estate, petition, and taxes.
X. Sarah (Forbes) Hughes estate, 1902-1957
Will and codicil, income and expenses, stocks, securities, trusts, distributions, Children's Fund Trust, San Antonio Water Company, and G. Loring Briggs.
XI. Paul Revere Forbes estate, 1934-1937
Will and correspondence regarding his death and his estate.
Preferred Citation
J. M. Forbes and Co. estate papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.