Born in Scotland, Robert Forsyth moved to America as a teen and distinguished himself in the Continental Army. After the Revolutionary War, he was appointed by President George Washington to be the first United States Marshal in the state of Georgia.

Forsyth was serving in this capacity when he knocked at the door of Beverly Allen to serve him with court papers on January 11, 1794. Allen, a former Methodist minister from South Carolina, saw Fosyth approaching and hid in a room on the second floor of the house. When Forsyth knocked on the door of the room, Allen shot him through the door, hitting the forty-year-old Forsyth in the head and killing him instantly. The incident marked the first time a United States Marshal was killed in the line of duty.

Allen was arrested but soon escaped and was never recaptured.

Robert Forsyth

Robert Forsyth’s son John served United States Minister to Spain from 1819-23, during which time he negotiated the treaty ceding Florida to the United States.

John Forsyth was also Governor of Georgia from 1827-29 and a United States Senator from 1829-34. He also served as Secretary of State under Presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren.

John Forsyth

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7764246/robert-forsyth#

SOURCES:

• United States Marshals