Person:William Torrance (8)

http://www.4qd.org/torrens/books/rmt10.html#68A

68. William Torrence3 (James2 Sergeant Hugh1), is believed to be a son of James Torrence, of Ireland. He settled in York County, Pennsylvania. "William Torrence of Chanceford Township, York County, Pennsylvania, died in 1752, leaving two sons, William and John." Note 131-1

""William Torrence, of Shrewsbury Township, died December 26, 1751. Left a plantation valued at £50. Total value of inventory, £76-4-0. Eleanor Torrence, who later married a Mr. Lester, was made administratrix. They had two sons, John Torrence, born January 1, 1750, and William Torrence, Jr. William Torrence a/c filed June 19, 1753. Appraisement by Alexander Wallace and Wm. Gemmell." Note 131-2

Original papers in York County: Bond of Eleanor Torrence, administratrix of William Torrance, deceased, dated Jan. 27, 1752; amount of bond, £150 current money of Pennsylvania; sureties, Alex. Wallace and William Gammel (signed Gemmel). Eleanor signed her name Torrance. In the index, it is noted "William Torrence, date of account filed June 19, 1753."

"Memorandum that letters of administration in common form were granted Eleanor Torrence, on the estate of William Torrence, late of York County, deceased, inventory to be exhibited on or before the twenty second day of February next, and an account on or before the 131 twenty second day of January, Anno Domini, one thousand seven hundred and fifty three. Given under the Seal of the Register's Office at York, the twenty second day of January 1752. Signed- Geo. Stevenson, Deputy. Rr." Note 132-1

"August 29, 1759, Came into Court Alexander Creighton, of Shrewsbury Township and informed the Court, that Eleanor Lester, the widow of William Torrens, late of Shrewsbury Township, cordiner, deceased, who died intestate, left her child named John Torrens, a minor orphan, son of the said deceased, about five years ago (i. e. 1754) at his house, on trial, in order to have him bound an apprentice to him, the said Alexander, that the said Eleanor soon after died, that the said child hath remained with him since. And the said Alexander prays the Court that the said child may be now bound an apprentice to him, agreeable to the intentions of his mother. It is considered by the Court, and the said John Torrence, aged nine years, about the first of January last, is hereby bound an apprentice to the said Alexander Creighton until he shall be aged 21 years. In consideration whereof, the said Alexander Creighton doth covenant and agree to teach or cause to be taught, the said apprentice, the art or mystery of a weaver, to read the Bible, to write, and arithmetic, as far as the rule of three, direct and to furnish and allow said apprentice sufficient meat, drink, apparel, washing and lodging during said term, and at the expiration thereof, to pay unto him a good new weaver's loom, one good pair of temples and six new sleas of divers sorts and also two suits of apparel, one whereof, shall be new and of the value of five pounds, or five pounds in money, in lieu of the new suit, which the said apprentice, shall then choose." Note 132-2

"Dec.10, 1754, Upon the petition of William Lister (Lester) administrator of the estate of William Torrence, late of Chanceford Township, deceased, setting forth that he has maintained and clothed William and John Torrence, minor orphans, sons of William Torrence aforesaid, since the decease of their Father, praying that the Court will allow him compensation for the same. It is considered by the Court and ordered that he retain in his hands, the sum of ten pounds, in lieu of maintenance and clothing aforesaid." Note 132-3132

From the foregoing, it seems that after the death of William Torrence, of Chanceford Township, York County, Pennsylvania, his widow Eleanor married William Lester; that she died shortly thereafter; that the two sons of William Torrence, William Torrence, Jr., and John Torrence, were cared for by their mother while she lived, and that she had expressed her willingness that the son John might be apprenticed to Alexander Creighton. On December 10, 1754, their stepfather came into Court to ask for compensation for their support during the years following the death of their father. It further appears that on August 29, 1759, Alexander Creighton apprenticed the son John Torrence, from that date until he should reach the age of 21. The records do not state where the son William lived, while a minor.

The U. S. Census of 1790, lists William Torrence as having 3 males and five females in his family, and it appears that this reference is to the son of William Torrence, Senior.

Children of William and Eleanor Torrence were two:

¶73. i. William Torrence4 Jr, married Ann, surname unknown. ¶68.1. ii. John Torrence4 who, as shown by records previously quoted, was apprenticed to Alexander Creighton, his father having died in 1752, and his mother, who married again, having died shortly thereafter. He was born January 1,1750, in York County, Pennsylvania. He was a taxable in Monaghan Township, in 1771, and a subscriber to the Guinston Presbyterian Church, August 26, 1771. This church, in Chanceford Township, York County, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1745, and was first connected with the Associated Presbyterian Church, the history of which runs hack into Scotland as that of the Convenanters and Associators (Seceders), which was formed by a secession from the established Church of Scotland in 1733. Note 133-1

John Torrence is listed as a taxable in Monaghan Township, York County, Pennsylvania, on December 11, 1771, for the year 1772. There is no record showing this tax was paid for that year. In fact, his name disappears from the records of the county, and nothing is definitely known regarding his whereabouts.

Among the subscribers to the Guinston Presbyterian Church, are also found the names of Alexander Creighton, under whose care John Torrence was placed, and William Gemmil, who acted as one of the appraisers for the estate of William Torrence, the father of this John Torrence. Note 133-2 133

1783, Alexander Creighton to Patrick Purdy; Hopewell Township; refers to grant 1750; lands adjoin Alexander Wallace and William Gemmil. Note 134-1 Tax lists for Hopewell Township, now York, Pennsylvania, show the names of Alexander Creighton and William Gemmill, December 6, 1771, for 1772 taxes.

In the 8th, Congress, mentioned above, the name of Robert Crighton, is given among the settlers of the Manor of Maske, who made improvements before June 18, 1741. His date of settlement is given as June, 1739.

"William Gemmell, a native of Scotland, came to America before 1750, settled in Hopewell Township, York County, Penna., in that part, known as Shrewsbury Township, 1000 acres." Note 134-2

"William Gemmell, 150 acres, one slave, was a petitioner from Shrewsbury Township, in April, 1767, granted June 23, 1767. Original settlers In this district, were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians." Note 134-3 (See Torrence, Georgia branch.)

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Ancestry.com. Public Member Trees: (Note: not considered a reliable primary source).