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Frobes' Hill was named after the original Forbes family that settled there sometime between 1783 and 1784.

Little Exuma was divided into two parcels, the first, north of the little bush salt pond consisting of 200 acres granted to Thomas Forbes. The second parcel consisting of 500 acres was granted to william Panton.

Thomas Forbes was a prominent loyalist who made a considerable contribution to the political and economic life of the Bahamas. He played a major role on exuma, fighting alongside other loyalists for a stronger representation in the general assembly and was a significant landholder on Exuma.

He was also a partner in the merchant firm, Panton, Leslie & Co. that carried on trade with the Indians during the pre-revolutionary period in the Southern American Colonies. In March 1781, he was elected to the General Assembly in East Florida.

In addition, to his 200 acres on Little Exuma, Thomas Forbes held two other tracts of Land on Great Exuma. One of them included a 70 acre tract which extended across the island on which the small settlement of Hartswell. The other, a 600 acre plot of land where Harts and Rokers Point are today. The parcel in Rokers Point extended from Ocean Bight to the east of Flamingo Bay.

The settlement of Forbes' Hill occupies part of the old Forbes Land Grant on Little Exuma and is probably the site of the slave quarters of the Forbes' Estate. He also had a home in the east suburds of Nassau where he stayed while conducting business in New Providence. He was a close friend of the Kelsalls, a very prominent family in the Bahamas.

Elected as a representative from exuma to the Bahamas general Assembly in January 1786, he was excused because of his private affairs which did not allow him the time to carry out his duties and responsibilities. He was elected again in January 1788 and resigned in March of that same year. These instances of him declining to serve were part of a protest by the loyalists against what they considered an improperly constituted Assembly at that time. He must have later served, since, he is recorded in the journal of the General Assembly as proposing a Bill on August 6, 1763.

"Mr forbes with leave brought in a Bill for making, amending, repairing and keeping in repair the public roads, highways and causeways in the Islands of Great and Little Exuma, which he read in his place and delivered in at the Table"

In December of 1802, he was listed with John Kelsall as a Member of the Council, the advisory body to the governor of the Colony. By the late 1790's he was seriously involved in politics and held for some period of time responsible positions in Government. Thomas Forbes had a younger brother who does not seem to have played an important role in Exuma's life.