This is the text of the original letter of 1803 from Robert Torrens to his family. It has been checked against the photocopy in JST and copied with spelling and line breaks.
He evidently wrote (at least) one copy, one he retained (presumably the draft) and he received two letters from Ireland in response to the one sent. These three letters give a firm foundation to four trees:
Middlebury October 29th 1803 Dear Brother and Sister In the year 1754 I Left my Native Cuntery Ireland and Landed in America I left a farther and Mother in the Parish of Augheduway in the County of of Londonderry By the names of (His) Hugh Torrance and hers Elenor Tor- rance - I am Now 67 years of age a widdower Since Janu -ary the 29th 1798 I have five Children (viz) Two Sons & three Dau ghters one of each is maried I am healthy for a man of my years my family is so likewise I am in Posesion of a Property addequate to all my wants A history of my Life Since I Left my Native Cuntery would Be nothing extraordinary or entertaining. But Be -ing So far advanced in life and having never heard from any of my Relations Since I left them. But threw the Med -ium of our Public NewsPapers hear of of the wars Both Intern -al and External must Conclude that it is unhappy for all grad -es of People whatever I have thought it no Less than my Duty as a Christian to writ to Learn if Posiable what the Situation of my friends ware and invite them to a hospita -ble Shore a Cuntery of Peace and Plenty or Learn at Least their Circumstances and Request them to write me a leter on the Receit of this, and Direct it to Robert Torrance Middlebury, Addison County Vermont North America - But should there be no Traces of my Family Left then I Solicit the Friendly hand of some honnist harted furth -er to Let me know what was the fate of my Friends or what Cuntery that they have fled to and as in Duty Bou -nd with gratitude Shall ever acknowledge their kindness - But should my Brother (Thomas Torrence) or either of my Sisters (whose Maiden Names were Jane, Marther and Molly Torrance) yet remain in, I wish them to Leave a Cuntery whose civil wars and entestine Broils has Destroyd the Peace of its inhabitants and Leaves the unfortunate to Suffer with want, and Fly to a Land of health and happiness that abounds with all the Luxurys that life Requires or Thinkin man can wish for - My Famely all Sends there Compliments to there uncles aunts and Cousends This from your Brother until Deth Robert Torrance Thomas Torrence and Mrs Jane Torrence Augheduway in Ireland N.B. Middlebury is 270 Miles from Newyork But Pasing By Newyork to Albany By Water which can Be done every Day By Coasting or River Sloops Leave But 111 Miles from Albany to Middlebury - from Boston to Middlebury it is only 170 Miles But Should my Brother or Sister or any of my Cousins write to me and send it By some Safe Conveyance to America with Directions for it to be Put into the Mail there whould Be no Doubt But it would reach me amediately. Robert TorranceHugh Torrance's reply 1st of May 1804