Thomas Forsyth (1761-1832)

He was born at Huntly, Aberdeenshire. He went to Quebec to represent the importing firm of Phyn, Ellice & Co., one of the best known in British North America, of which his uncle James Phyn was a senior partner. He was later joined by his younger brothers John and Joseph. Thomas returned to London and managed the firm from there. In 1789, he was one of the subscribers who funded the publication of a book of letters by Lt. Thomas Anburey entitled Travels Through the Interior Parts of America. In 1806, his brother, John, was appointed to the committee to raise funds for the erection of a column in Montreal to commemorate Lord Nelson's defeat of Napoleon at Trafalgar. Thomas had taken an interest in Nelson for some time and in 1802 had written to the Hero of the Nile to enquire which of the numerous images of him was the best likeness. Nelson replied to him with the opinion that, "a little outline of the head sold at Brydon’s Charing Cross is the most like me". This pencil sketch was made by Simon de Koster in 1800. In 1810, Thomas became the first Chairman of the Canada Club, founded by William McGillivray. He retired from business in 1816 and died at Huntly, unmarried.