Reverend John Holcomb Forbes was born February 27, 1817 in Rockbridge County, VA.  He died April 19, 1899 in Pittsylvania County, VA.

His father, Peter Forbes, was born in Scotland, either Edinburg or Aberdeen.  His mother's name was Mary.  It is believed that four Forbes brothers, three of them ministers, came to America together.  Legend has it that John Holcomb's father became homesick and returned to his beloved Scotland where he died and is buried.

Mary Henry Nance Forbes, born October 3, 1816, was a daughter of John Wood Nance and Mildred Fulkerson Nance.  She died in May 1900 in Pittsylvania County, VA.  John and Mary were married August 31, 1840.  This picture was taken in the late 1880s or early 1890s.

John was a circuit riding Methodist minister, one of the first ministers at Rock Springs United Methodist Church in Ringgold, VA (Pittsylvania County near Danville).  He was prominent and well known in and around Danville, VA.  He was hired to minister to the wounded soldiers, both in prisons and hospitals, during the Civil War.  John and Mary lived in and around Danville for their entire married lives so far as we have been able to determine.  His obituary in the Danville paper read as follows:

"Tuesday afternoon, April 18th, was the time that one of the most saintly men that ever lived in this community went, we verily believe, from earth to heaven, in the person of Rev. J. H. Forbes.  The announcement of this death was heard with sorrow by our people of every walk in life.  He was a welcome visitor to the homes of the people, throughout this entire section.  He was honored and loved for his truly consecrated life and Godly walk among his fellow men. He was indeed a benediction to the community in which he lived and died.  He celebrated his 82nd birthday February 27th of this year by preaching a sermon of great power, at Washington Street Tabernacle of this city, upon the "Witness of the Spirit."  For years, possibly over fifty, he has been an honored local Methodist preacher, and rendered valuable service in assisting in revival services.  He was a forcible speaker and greatly gifted in prayer.  His rendering of the hymn "The Old Ship of Zion," has caused the shout of many happy souls.  He leaves his loved ones one of the richest legacies ever bequeathed in this section of the country--that of a well-spent life, the influence of which will abide the test of time.  The funeral service held at his home, two miles from this city, was attended by the largest number of people ever seen at a funeral in the country in this section of our State.  For several years Brother Forbes was a member of Cabell Street Tabernacle Sunday school.  An impressive memorial service was held in his memory Sunday afternoon, April 23rd, when eulogies were pronounced upon the life of our saintly brother, by Mayor Harry Wooding, Horace Guerrant, C. R. Harris, F. B. Gravely and T. N. Anderson.  We feel that one long known as the Salt of the Earth in this community has gone to his happy home, where his influence on earth has prepared others to greet him there."