Jonathan Forward (1680–1760) was a London merchant primarily responsible for convict transportation to the American colonies from 1718 to 1739.
[5] Forward contracted with plantation owners in the colonies to receive indentured servants and convicts to work their properties.
Among his most reliable captains was Darby Lux I commanded several ships from Anne Arundel County to Great Britain carrying tobacco on consignment to Forward.
Lux's ships contracted for convict transport to Maryland included: Gilbert, 1720-1722; Jonathan, 1723-1724; Patapsco Merchant, 1732; and Genoa Galley, 1738.
"Andrew Reid, of London, merchant, is to be the transporter of felons loco Jonathan Forward, and the contract to be made with him for that purpose is to be for 3 years certain.