Person:James Torrance (11)

http://www.4qd.org/torrens/books/rmt04.html#8A

8. Captain James Torrence 3 (Albert2 Sergeant Hugh1), eldest son of Albert Torrence by his second marriage, was born July 26, 1736? (original source said 1786, which is obviously wrong), and died June 1, 1810. Residing first in Letterkenny township, Cumberland, later Franklin County, Pennsylvania, he acquired and sold considerable land in that township. His first land transaction would appear to be February 25, 1769, with Charles Torrance, later of Baltimore.Note 47-1 In 1781 he was still in Letterkenny township, after which he is listed as of Mifflin township, Allegheny County.Note 47-2 In the Census of 1790 his rating there is three white males over sixteen, three under sixteen and four females. Patriotism was an outstanding quality of the Pennsylvania Scotch Irish and, like them, he too served in the Revolution; was Captain of 4th Company, Third Battalion, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Militia under Colonel James Smith in 1778, 1779.Note 47-3

In 1778 the electorate of Tyrone township, Westmoreland County, returned his name to the Supreme Executive Council of the State for Commission as a Justice of the Peace. His military activities probably delayed such action by the Council until June 16, 1780, when it was duly conferred.Note 47-3

He and several of his family were members of the Old Lebanon Church and are buried there. His will,Note 47-4 executed April 19, 1808;47 probated June 23, 1810, describes himself as "James Torrence of Mifflin Township, Allegheny County, weak in body." He appointed his wife, Janet, executrix with life interest in his estate, after which it was to be sold and the proceeds equally divided, one-tenth each to: Children of daughter, Elizabeth Kincaid; John Torrence; Albert Torrence; James Torrence; William Torrence; Matthew Torrence; David Torrence; Isabel Torrence; Agnes Torrence and Hugh Torrence.

From letters extant it would appear that he married first, on August 14, 1764, Elizabeth, whose name is believed to have been Blair, by whom he had seven children. He married, second, circa 1781, Janet, whose maiden name is thought to have been Shields, by which marriage there were six children. In all, sixteen:

Children of James and Elizabeth (Blair?) Torrence: Elizabeth Torrence4 born June 12, 1765; married a Mr. Kincaid, and had issue. Rebeckah Torrence4 born October 10, 1766; not named in father's will. ¶15. John Torrence4 born February 19, 1768. Albert Torrence,4 born February 5,1770; witness to deed of his father, August 18, 1806, and named in his will of April, 1803. James Torrence4 born December 9, 1771. His will dated April 4, 1838; proved August 15th following, described him as of "Moon Township, Allegheny County, weak in body." His estate is left to wife, Jane, during her widowhood. He mentions children to whom property is to be divided when youngest is twenty-one and makes Robert Simpson and William H. Ferree, Executors. Samuel Torrence4 born August 13, 1773; not named in father's will. William Blair Torrence4 born September 17, 1774; named in father's will. Children of James and Janet (Shields?) Torrence:

Hugh Torrence4 born June 30, 1782; named in his father's will. David Shields Torrence4 born December 23, 1784; probably died young. Isabel Torrence4 born September 7, 1786. Matthew Torrence4 born July 9, 1788; married Judie Hess, December 11, 1812. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, under an enlistment in Allegheny County, February 12, 1814, in Captain Peter Stille's Company, Pennsylvania Militia and was honorably discharged March 3, 1814, near Baltimore, Maryland. Papers filed with his application for pension set forth that on 8 August, 1873, he was eighty-five years old and a resident of Sandusky, Crawford County, Ohio; that he had in that War "guarded prisoners at Pittsburgh, served in defense of Baltimore, and had received48 Land Warrant for 160 acres of land." Note 49-1 This latter may be the grant in Hamilton County, Ohio, of March 7, 1818.Note 49-2 Agnes Torrence4 born May 30, 1790. ¶16. David Torrence4 born August 9, 1792.Note 49-3