Person:James Torrance (9)

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46. James Torrance3 (Hugh2 Sergeant Hugh1), born in Ireland, on. February 12, 1744, and died in Washington County, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1826, aged 83. One account states that he was born in Ireland, came from Cumberland County, to Peach Bottom, York County, Pennsylvania, in 1772; later going to Tyrone Township, Fayette County, Pennslvania, where he patented a claim in 1795. He was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. for fifty years; township auditor in 1789, 1797 and 1800; Overseer of the Poor in 1785; County Auditor in 1801-7; and on tax lists in 1808. He came to Tyrone Township with his half-brother Barnett Cunningham. . . Note 101-1 "In Consideration of moneys paid by James Torrence, there is granted to Alexander Torrance, a tract called 'Copeland' Note 101-1 situated on Peters Creek, Washington County, Pennsylvania, being 96 acres. Warrant dated September 28, 1786, signed April 18, 1798, by Thomas Mifflin". Note 101-2

"James Torrence, Peters Creek, 180 acres, April 13, 1786, called 'Copeland'.Note 101-3" James Torrence, March 11, 1182, of Peters Creek, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, farmer, stiller, 1st from Washington County, Pennsylvania. Freeholder, 1789-94-96-97, and 1800. Note 101-4

The U. S. Census, 1790, lists James Torrance with 4 white males over 16, 3 under, 4 females over 16.

"James Torrance was a private in Captain Joseph Strahan's Company, 1812." Note 101-5 "James Torrance was in Tyrone Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania; James Torrence was in service 1778-1779, first rank of Captain under Colonel James Smith". Note 101-6

James Torrance's name appears in Captain John Rea's Company of Militia, First Battalion, under Colonel James Johnston. 101

His will is recorded in Washington, Washington County, Pennsylvania. Note 102-1 It is dated December 24, 1825 and proven May 30, 1826. In it he devises to his second wife, Margaret Stewart, the family Bible, house, and contents. To sons, Hugh, Alexander, James, John, William, Robert, to daughters Peggy, Margery (Cannon), Mary, Betsy, Ann Smith; to son Cunningham, 100 acres; to grandchild Peggy Collins, to grandson William Clark and to grandson Joseph H. Torrance.

James Torrance married twice. His first wife was Mary McConnell, born February 24, 1744, died May 15, 1778. His second wife was Margaret Stewart, born October 10, 1761, died May 18, 1848. Her will is recorded in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Note 102-2 Issue by first marriage, five; by second marriage, ten.

Children of James and Mary (McConnell) Torrance were five:

i. Hugh Torrance4 born June 29, 1770, died September 7, 1848, aged 73; married on May 15,1798, a Miss McKee, daughter of David McKee, who had a ferry at the junction of the Monongahela and Youghiougheny rivers. In 1769, McKeesport, Pennsylvania, was named for him. Note 102-3 He was the first white settler there. Issue, nine: 1. Hugh Torrance5 born 1799, went west at the age of 21. 2. David Torrance5 born 1800, lived on his father's farm; married and had issue, five: i. Mary Torrance6 ii. Elizabeth Torrance6 iii. Hugh Torrance6 iv. Matthew Torrance6 v. Martha Torrance6 3. Robert Torrance5 born 1802. 4. William Torrance5 5. Nancy Torrance5 6. James Torrance5 7. Margaret Torrance5 8. Mary Torrance5 9. Peter Torrance5 ii. Alexander Torrance4 born March 18, 1772, lived in Washington County, Pennsylvania; died prior to 1 841. His wife's name is not known. Issue, two: 1. Mary Torrance5 received land by her father's will, in 1841. 2. Margaret Torrance5 lived in Tyrone Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Will was dated October 5,1839, proven August 23, 1843. iii. James Torrance4 born February 13, 1774 (twin); married and lived at Georgetown, Virginia. Name of wife not known. Issue, one: 1. (daughter) Torrance5 married John McCormick. iv. John Torrance4 born February 13, 1774 (twin); married and raised a family near Lancaster, Ohio. No record can be found of the names of his wife or children. In connection with the name John Torrance, the following references are found, and are entered here as they may be of interest, although it is not certain that they apply to this John. "John 102 Torrance had 600 acres, 1 horse, 1 cattle, and is listed for taxation in Peters Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania;" Note 103-1 and elsewhere, "John Torrance, tract of land called 'Peace Grove' on the Great Road from Union to Cheat River, in George's Township, Fayette County, Pa., 161 acres, April 10, 1793." Note 103-2 John Torrence paid for Warrant #7, for 90 acres, February 11, 1790. Note 103-3 Commonwealth granted to James Torrance, March, 1803, by deed from John Torrence, in Tyrone Township, Fayette County, Pa. Note 103-4 v. Prudence Torrance4 born April 12, 1776, died September 6, 1820, at Georgetown, Virginia. She married George Collins. Issue, one: 1. Peggy Collins5 married Matthew Coles; lived near Dawson, Pennsylvani Children of James and Margaret (Stewart) Torrance were ten:

vi. William Torrance4 born November 18, 1784; married, and lived in Brown County, Ohio. Issue, four: 1. James Torrance5 2. John Torrance5 3. Mary Belle Torrance5 4. Emily Torrance5 vii. Sarah Torrance4 born March 10, 1786, died May 17, 1820. She married, on March 10, 1814, John Clark. Lived in Brown County, Ohio, Issue, one, a son, whose name is not known. ¶46.1 viii. Ann Torrance4 married, George Smith. ix. Cunningham Torrance4 born June 7, 1789, died December 10, 1863; married, February 28, 1820, Margaret Cunningham, who was born April 17, 1798 and died June 21, 1883. Lived in Pennsylvania, but went to the west in 1847, where his children scattered. Issue, ten: 1. James Torrance5 born January 30,1821, died June 1,1907, in Calhoun County, Ohio. 2. Hugh Torrance5 born June 7,1824, died June 7, 1899. 3. Sarah Torrance5 born March 9, 1822, died March 4, 1890, in Horton, Kansas. 4. Mary Ann Torrance5 born October 30, 1826, died April 10, 1885, in Delaware County, Ohio; married Rufus Dike. Issue, one: i. Frank Dike6 5. Samuel Wilson Torrance5 born October 1, 1830, died August 26, 1884, at Wabash, Indiana. 6. Aaron Barnett Torrance5 born June 24, 1833, died September 16, 1859, at Mount Vernon, Ohio. 7. William Stewart Torrance5 born April 2, 1834, died August 4, 1913, Springfield, Iowa. 8. John Torrance5 born November 5,1835, died October 15, 1889, In Arkansas. 9. Alexander Torrance5 born September 27, 1837, was living in Iowa in 1917. 10. Boyd Cunningham Torrance5 born March 1,1841, died September 8, 1863; in U. S. Army, Vicksburg, Mississippi. 103 x. Margaret Torrance4 born April 3,1791, died March 24, 1873. She married her cousin, Hugh Torrance, born in 1782; died January 11, 1868; a son of Hugh Torrance, born November 5, 1745, died June 28, 1830. By his previous marriage Hugh Torrance had a daughter Hannah, who married a Mr. Meaner. xi. Robert Torrance4 born April 24,1793, married, August 31, 1817, name of wife unknown. Lived in Madison, Indiana. Issue, eight. xii. Joseph Huston Torrance4 born April 26, 1795; married Rebecca Norri The following information is supplied by Douglas A. Andrijasevich (3rd March, 2000)

In a letter, dated February 18, 1861, from Joseph H. Torrance, Tyrone, PA, Note 104-1 to his nephew, Alexander Torrance, Joseph lists the names and DOB of his children. He also lists the DOD of several whom died very close together from illness. Alexander was the son of Joseph's brother, Cunningham Torrance and his wife Margaret Cunningham. The names and dates are:

Rebeckah, born September 16, 1828, died March 13, 1860 James, born November 18, 1830 Mary Ann, born June 14, 1832 Adam, born April 5, 1834 Thomas, born January 3, 1836, died March 16, 1859 Eliza Jane, born December 24, 1837, died June 28, 1860 Betsey, born June 26, 1839, died January 29, 1860 Joseph, born March 10, 1840, died May 24, 1860 Joshua, born March 21, 1844 Caroline, born August, 5, 1845 Samuel, born September 20, 1848 He also notes that James married Sarah Elenbarger, August 4, 1853 and had four daughters. He lists his DOB as April 26, 1795 and his wife Dorcas as May 17, 1806 and that they were married November 27, 1827. I have been told that her name was Dorcas Rebecca Narris (might have been spelled Rebeckah as the named their first daughter.)

issue, eleven (all of whom lived in Fayette County, Pennsylvania):

5. Rebeckah Torrance5 4. James Torrance5 6. Mary Ann Torrance5 11. Adam Torrance5 Thomas Torrance5 8. Eliza Jane Torrance5 9. Betsy Torrance5 10. Joseph Torrance5 1. Joshua Torrance5 3. Caroline (Carrie) Torrance5 2. Samuel Torrance5 RMT has Charles instead of Thomas 7. Charles Torrance5 The names of the above have been rearranged in accordance with the letter, the numbers are RMT's original. xiii. Mary Torrance4 born April 17, 1797; married, February 14, 1816, John Cunningham; lived in Trumbell County, Ohio. They left four daughters and one son. No record of names. xiv. Margery Torrance4 born June 4, 1800, died May 18, 1884; married, December 30, 1823, Alexander Cummings. They lived in Sidney, Kentucky. xv. Elizabeth (or Betsy) Torrance4 born January 7, 1802; married a Mr. Wilson.

DAR Application:

Volume 77 page 220 Mrs. Nannie Torrence Stockman. DAR ID Number: 76583 Born in Freemont, Iowa. Wife of David T. Stockman. Descendant of James Torrence and of Alexander Cummings. Daughter of William Torrence (1824-62) and Jane Cummings (1830-1905), his wife, m. 1850. Granddaughter of Hugh Torrence (1770-1843) and Mary McKee (1781-1860), his wife, m. 1799; Alexander Cummings, Jr. (1799-1859), and Margery Torrence (1801-76), his wife, m. 1823. Gr-granddaughter of James Torrence and Mary Harrison (1746-91), his wife, m. 1769 (parents of Hugh); Alexander Cummings and Margaret Hoops (1763-1813), his wife, m. 1787. James Torrence (1740-89) served, 1780, as a private in the company of Capt. John Rea, Col. James Johnston's 1st battalion, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania militia. He was born in Pennsylvania; died in Fayetteville, Pa. [p.220] Alexander Cummings (1759-1804) served, 1781, as a drummer in the company of Capt. Hugh Robertson, Col. David Jenkins' 10th battalion, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania militia. He was born in Ireland; died in Connellsville, Pa.