Person:Hugh Torrence (1)

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Children of Sergeant Hugh Terence1 as shown by family records Note 25-1 , (it is quite possible there were others), were three: ¶ 2. Albert Torrence2 married twice; had issue. ¶ 3. Hugh Torrance2 married three times; had issue. ¶ 4. James Torrance2 married; had issue. Albert Torrence and Hugh Torrance came to America, while James remained in Ireland. The three sons, who each became the head of families, will be treated in their order with names of their descendants. Thus, all. descendants of Albert Torrence will be given in extenso before those of the younger brothers. The spelling corresponding to that used by the different individuals so far as can be ascertained.

Before outlining the more personal history of Albert Torrence and his family, it seems appropriate to touch upon the two periods of large emigration from Ireland and Scotland to America. The first took place from 1718 to the middle of the century. The causes were, among others, that the Scotch were discriminated against in matters of religion, as they were Presbyterians. At this time, the Bishop's party in the Irish Parliament, which was ruled by the Episcopal, or State church, enacted many unjust laws. Presbyterians were deprived of their right to hold office in Ireland and were required to pay tithes in support of the25 Church of England and its clergy. Marriages were prohibited except when performed by ordained priests, either Roman or Anglican. Marriages performed otherwise were annulled. The children of such prohibited marriages were declared illegitimate. Also oppressive tariffs were imposed on Irish linens and woollens in favor of English-made, and rents raised to confiscatory degree.

The second large emigration came after 1771. The greater part of Ireland was owned by a comparatively small number of proprietors, who rented their land to others, on long-term leases. In 1771, the leases of the Marquis of Donegal expired, and upon renewal, they were largely advanced in price. This act, added to the before named abuses, caused much resentment and dissatisfaction, and within a comparatively short period, one hundred vessels carrying about twenty-five thousand persons left Irish shores for America. Most of these were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians who landed principally at Newcastle, Delaware, and in Pennsylvania. From these landing places, many followed the Cumberland and Virginia valleys, down to the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

Albert Torrence and his family came with the first emigration while some of the Torrences who settled in Rowan, Mecklendurg, and Lincoln Counties, North Carolina, followed in the second