Nominee: Col Thomas Forster
Nominated by: Susan V. C. Forster

Colonel Thomas Forster (1762-1836) was instrumental in the settlement of "The Triangle" and the development of the village of Erie. He was involved in almost every phase of Erie's growth. He was a surveyor who made maps of the area.

In 1792 the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed an act to encourage emigration to the Triangle. Because of Indian trouble the north western part of Pennsylvania was not fit for settlement until 1796. At that time, Col. Forster, was a member of the Harrisburg and Presque Isle Company formed for the purpose of "settling, improving and populating the country
near and adjoining the Lake Erie shoreline."

Forster and Richard Swan built and operated the grist mill at the foot of Walnut Creek. In 1797, the two of them were standing on a high bluff overlooking the lake and Forster stated, "This is the fairest views I have seen yet." Thereby, came the name of "Fairview."

1799-1836 - Forster was appointed by six presidents to be the Collector of Customs for the District of Presque Isle, which included the whole PA coastline. 40 Miles of shore including three shipping ports: Erie, North
East, and Elk Creek.

1800 - Forster purchased a lot at the southeast corner of Fifth and French Streets with his wife, Elizabeth Montgomery, and their children.

In 1805, the need for a better road to transport salt from the harbor to Waterford became inperative. Forster was elected President of the Erie and Waterford Turnpike Company. The old road was the old French Road. The first road was completed by the company and called the Ridge Road; it traveled from Buffalo to Erie and points west.

1806 - Forster was chosen to be one of the three street commissioners by the first council for the Borough of Erie. He was also made the Director and Librarian of the new library. He also formed the Erie Light Infantry in conformance with the State Militia Act.

1809 - James Madison took office as President of the United States and reappointed Forster to his collector position.

1812 - At the beginning of the war Thomas Forster's light infantry was the only protection Erie had. They fought in Buffalo and then returned to Erie where they guarded the building of the fleet as well as Erie. In 1813 his sisters Margaret Forster Stewart and Dorcas Forster Bell made the flag DONT GIVE UP THE SHIP in Margaret's house. That was the Battle of Lake Erie which gave control of the Great Lakes to the U.S.

In 1817, the building of Erie Academy began, with Forster as one of the first trustees. Forster was reappointed, by new President Monroe, as Collector of Customs; Forster oversaw shipping to arsenals.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania appointed Forster, Giles Sanford, and George Moore to survey the bay of Presque Isle and to ascertain the depth of the water in the bay, on the bar, the anchorage outside the bar, and to expend $15,000 toward improving the harbor.

On March 17, 1827, Forster was one of 11 who were elected vestryman for the newly organized St. Paul's Episcopal Church; he also served as church warden.

In 1835, Forster was among 11 people selected to organize the building of a monument to Oliver "Hazard" Perry.

On June 30, 1836 Forster died, at the age of 74, of a "protracted illness."

"With those who knew him, eulogy is unnecessary. He was one of the eldest settlers of this county, and has held the office of collector of this port for more than 30 years. In all the relations of life, his worth and usefulness will be long remembered." - Obituary, Erie Gazette. Thursday, June 30, 1836, page 3.

 

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