Notes:

In the 1715 St. Philip's parish census for Barbados, Ralph is listed as a Doctor and Esquire, age 35, with wife Madam Jane, 37, Madam Mary Austin, widow, 56, Ralph Weeks, age 5, Nathaniel Weekes, 3, Edward Weekes, age 10 months and Thomas Weekes, age 2 months. (F-250) This same Ralph, Jr. is listed in the Barbados Deed records. On Sept. 17th, 1705, Ralph Weekes, Island Doctor in Physics of the other part was deeded land from Archibald White and wife Rebecca in St. Phillips Parish, v. 23, p. 465. (F-309) Then he sold 3 acres to his "loving brother Roger" in St. Phillips in v. 28, p. 513. (F-309) This seems to be the related line as Samuel Forte then deeded land to Ralph Weekes in V. 30, p. 140 and p. 179. Ralph was deeded land over a dozen times in Barbados Deeds. (F-310)

Ralph married Madam Jane GRETTON on 2 Oct 1707 in Christ Church, Barbados. Madam (daughter of GRETTON and Madam Mary AUSTIN) was born about 1678 in Barbados, British West Indies; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was President of the Council of the Island of Barbados. (C-548) His title is listed as President of the Island of Barbados in Claude James Forte's Ancestry. He is listed as the father of Elizabeth Weekes in Burkes Colonial Gentry. Ralph is probably the Ralph who was age 5 in the 1715 Barbados census and the son of Doctor and Esquire Ralph and Madam Jane Weekes. His family and ancestry are listed here connected to Elizabeth Weekes. (F-309,310) Additional evidence that this is the correct line, is that Samuel Forte deeded land to this Ralph Weekes in Vol. 30, p.140, and p. 179.

Family/Spouse: Sarah LASHLEY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Burke's Landed Gentry gives her father as Ralph Weekes. That means he was probably the grandson of the Rev. Ralph Weekes who had sons Ralph, Nathaniel, John, Thomas, and Roger listed in his will in St. Philips Parish, dated 6 Aug 1700. (F-160) At least one of these Weeke's was of Quaker persuasion. A Ralph Weekes is buried in a Quaker burial Ground in St. Phillips Parish on Robert Taylor's Plantation. (F-161)

Elizabeth married Christopher FORTE on 27 Oct 1764 in , St. Phillip Parish, , Barbados. Christopher (son of Christopher FORTE and Thomasin LESLIE) was born about 1740 in Clifton, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England?; died in 1780 in , , Barbados. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Please note that in this particular family, the christening dates occur in groupings and are not likely to coincide with the children's birth dates. One christening occurs 9 days before the christening of his son Christopher. Thomas Forte, a negro slave, property of Doctor Samuel Forte, was christened 21 June 1789 in St. Thomas Parish. (F-221) Samuel Forte's title was Esquire of Fortevilla, Barbados.

Doctor Samuel Forte is listed as having served as a representative in the House of Assembly for St. Thomas from the years 1787 till 1803. His brothers are listed as younger brother Nathaniel who was Speaker of the House of Assembly sometime in the early 1830's, and Christopher Forte, Esq. who died in 1830 in St. James Parish. It is interesting to note that Emancipation of the slaves took place in Barbados in 1833 while Nathaniel was speaker of the house. (F-189)

In Barbados deed records show Samuel Forte, Doctor, deeded 38 acres bounded by lands of Mrs. Chick, Matthew Johnson Seale, Galniel Reeves of St Thomas to Christopher Forte, Doctor and Surgeon. (F-255) Vol. 263, p. 413. A video tape of this deed is in the custody of Linda Coate Dudick.

Dr. Samuel Forte also left a will that is in the custody of the Archives in Barbados. It is here transcribed. "Barbados: This is the last will and testament of me Samuel Forte of the Parish of Saint Michael in the island above said named this twenty-ninth day of November One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Four. I direct that my just debts and funeral expenses may be fully paid and satisfied. I give and bequeath to my two grand daughters Mary Forte Millard and Caroline Anna Millard (children of my daughter Sarah Millard) all my right title and interest in and to my apprenticed labourers, John, Jack Duke, John Richard, Betty Dick and Rachael together with all my plate household stuff and furniture and all other my property, real and personal to be equally divided between them share and share alike, and in case of the death of either of them, I give the whole to the survivor and her heirs. It is my will and desire that my apprenticed labourer Hannah shall be discharged from her apprenticeship and set free from all kind of servitude. I do hereby nominate and appoint my brother Nathaniel Forte and my son-in-law John Millard Executors of this my Will revoking and making void any and all former will or wills by me at any time here to for made. In testimony whereof I have affixed my hand and seal the day and year above written." (Probated on Feb. 5th 1840) (F-191) (Note that his son Christopher, died shortly before the writing of this will)

Descendants of this Samuel and Jane moved to Cape Colony in South Africa. (F-462) There is a possibility that Samuel married three times, as there are two other marriage records to Samuel's that are unconnected. Samuel Forte to Susanna Carmichaell on Mar. 17, 1791 in St. Thomas Parish and to Elizabeth Williams on July 30, 1822 in St. Michaels Parish. (F-224) This would fit the Samuel's places of residence and dates. The will has no wife listed, so it doesn't discount it.

There is an interesting story that occurred to another young Samuel Forte who was living in Barbados at the time. At an election party, a young soldier, Lieutenant John Cage was, in jest, hit on the back by a Mr. Samuel Forte. A fight followed. Lieutenant Cage was not forgiving and demanded that a duel be held in lieu of an apology. Mr. Forte of "good family and high social position" accepted the duel and shot Cage dead. When the military tried to arrest him, he was taken into hiding by "Aunt Peg" of General William's family at the Welchman Hall plantation. He is said to have escaped the island after receiving "Aunt Peg's" help and lived the rest of his life abroad. This particular story coined the phrase "AS DEAD AS CAGE". (F-162)

Esq. married Jane NEBLETT on 8 Jun 1787 in St. Thomas Parish, , Barbados. Jane (daughter of Esq. Unknown NEBLETT) was born about 1770; died before 1834. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Christopher's will was probated by a Christopher on the 23 day of Mar. 1830. He did not appear to have a wife or children. He divided his estate between a friend: Elizabeth Leslie, wife of John Hart Leslie, their daughter Elizabeth, and his brother, Nathaniel's children: Nathaniel Forte, Caroline Leslie Forte, Anna Christopher Forte, and Amelia Nathan Forte. His witnesses were S. Forte, Jr. and Saml. Forte King. His brother, Nathaniel executed the will. (F-458)

Notes:

Nathaniel was the Speaker of the House of Assembly from 1829-1835, as well as J.P. and Colonel of the Militia. (F-458, 604) There is a story in the genealogical magazines of Barbados that goes like this. At an election party, a young soldier, Lieutenant John Cage was, in jest, hit on the back by a young Mr. Samuel Forte. A fight followed. Lieutenant Cage was not forgiving and demanded that a duel be held in lieu of an apology. Mr. Forte of "good family and high social position" accepted the duel and shot Cage dead. When the military tried to arrest him, he was taken into hiding by "Aunt Peg" of General William's family at the Welchman Hall plantation. He is said to have escaped the island after receiving "Aunt Peg's" help and lived the rest of his life abroad. This particular story coined the phrase "AS DEAD AS CAGE". (F-162)

However, a cousin in New Zeland has it handed down from his great grandfather's genealogy (Claude Forte) that this actually occurred to the above Nathaniel Weekes Forte.... and he obviously still went on to become Speaker of the House. The pistols used in the duel are still in possession of the family in New Zealand. Nigel Forte, gr.grandson of the above Claude does not know where he got the information that the duel happened to Nathaniel instead. It's really still in question. (F-602)

Nathaniel married Jane ADAMSON on 21 Nov 1801. Jane (daughter of Esq. George ADAMSON) died in Feb 1843 in , St. Thomas Parish, , Barbados. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]