Thomas Forrest (colonist)

Thomas Forrest is said in genealogies[1] that he and Margaret had married on August 16, 1605, in St. Giles in the Fields, London, England, four years after Peter was born.

"[6]Further research is required as forensic evidence suggests that Thomas was widowed shortly after arriving in Jamestown in 1608 with his wife.

"One would not expect a lady to bring her servant with her, no doubt paying for the crossing, and then to release her from service soon after arriving in the new colony.

This suggests that Thomas went back to England, very possibly on the same ship he came over on, having concluded colonial life was better observed from afar.

In February 1837, John Gadsby Chapman received a commission from the United States Congress to paint a historical scene for the rotunda of the Capitol building.

It is unlikely this historic painting done over two centuries later reflects the actual history: Mistress Forrest may have died soon after her arrival in Jamestown in 1608, thus would not have been alive to witness a 1613 baptism.

Nevertheless, the painting firmly places Thomas Forrest, and perhaps his son Peter, in the rotunda of American History as art, if not fact.