John Forster (1668 - 1720)

Born 1668 in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland [uncertain]

Descendants

Died 2 Jul 1720 at about age 52 in Santry, County Dublin, Ireland

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Biography

John was the son of Richard Forster and Anne Webber^[1]

Forster served as Recorder of Dublin from 1701 to 1714, and represented Dublin City in the Irish House of Commons from 1703 to 1715. He was Solicitor-General for Ireland in 1709 and Attorney-General for Ireland from Christmas Eve 1709 to 1711, before being raised to the Bench as Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas on 20 September 1714.

In 1713 he took part in the hotly contested Irish General Election and his constituency was the scene of the Dublin election riot.

Elrington Ball described Forster as "a sound lawyer and impressive speaker" but lacking in political judgment. Like Alan Brodrick, 1st Viscount Midleton, his mentor, he was stubborn and hot-tempered. His tenure as Recorder of Dublin saw a major conflict between the aldermen of Dublin and the Privy Council; Forster was entirely on the side of the aldermen, and for this he was violently attacked by Jonathan Swift and other critics. These attacks undoubtedly took their toll, and it is believed he exchanged the Recordership for the position of Chief Justice in the belief that the more senior position would in practice be less onerous than the Recordership.

John married (1) Rebecca Monck, daughter of Henry Monck of St. Stephens Green, Dublin and his wife Sarah, daughter and heiress of Sir Thomas Stanley of Grangegorman, on 7 November 1695 at St Peter's Church, Dublin^[2]

Children

1. Richard married Elizabeth Geering in 1721, and died in 1738
2. Anne married George Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne
3. Elizabeth married Rev. Robert Spence

John married (2) Dorothy Evans, daughter of George Evans and Mary Eyre, and sister of George Evans, 1st Baron Carbery.

Chidren

1. Dorothy married Thomas Burton

He died following a stroke at his home, Clonshagh, Santry in 1720. ^[3]

Probate ^[4]

John Forster , Chief Justice of common Pleas

Will dated 3 April 1720, proved 6 August 1720

Son - Richard Forster

Daughter - Mary (by 2nd wife)

Daughter - Sarah

Daughter - Elizabeth

A 1720 deed which gives details of the will of John Forster, late Chief Justice of HM Court of Common Pleas in Ireland. ^[5]

Research Notes

According to Wikipedia - John was born about 1668 and was the son of Richard Forster and Anne Webber^[6]

1. There is a T.C.D. alumni record for a John Forster, who entered 9 June 1683, aged 15, born in Dublin, son of Richard, Generosus (well born). no degrees or further information recorded. Birth date would be 1668

2. However the T.C.D. record that shows John Forster as 'Chief Justice of Common Pleas' has him entering T.C.D. 8 November 1701, aged 15, born in Dublin, son of John, Attorney. Educated by Mr Blackhall of county Dublin . Sch 1704, Irish Bar 1709, Chief Justice of Common Pleas. Birth date would be 1686.

3. His marriage is confirmed at St Peter's Church, Dublin in 1695, so it would appear that the T.C.D. register entry for the birth date 1668, is correct. ^[7]

4. It can be confirmed that Nicholas Forster, Bishop of Raphoe is his brother despite the fact that the T.C.D. Alumni register states that Nicholas is the son of "William de Dublino" (William from Dublin).

Nicholas Forster, Bishop of Raphoe and brother of John Forster was one of the executors of John's 1720 will. A 1720 deed which gives details of the will of John Forster, late Chief Justice of HM Court of Common Pleas in Ireland. ^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Forster_(Chief_Justice)#cite_note-2)
2. ↑ http://census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/dm/IRE_DIOC_007246589_00449.pdf
3. ↑ http://census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/dw/IRE_DIOC_007246541_00279.pdf
4. ↑ FindmyPast - Betham's Genealogical Abstracts Prerogative Wills.(Phillips Mss) F. 1700-1754
5. ↑ https://irishdeedsindex.net/mem.php?memorial=16755
6. ↑ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Forster_(Chief_Justice)#cite_note-2)
7. ↑ FindmyPast - Alumni Dublinenses - 1924 Edition Note: Published in 1924, this is the first edition Alumni Dublinenses, a register of provosts, professors, graduates and students of Trinity College Dublin, Ireland's oldest university.
8. ↑ https://irishdeedsindex.net/mem.php?memorial=16755

• Burke's genealogical and heraldic history of peerage, baronetage and knightage. 1878
• Wikipedia - John Forster