This letter is of interest: Dr H.R Torrens was uncle to my Grandfather, John Morrison Torrens of Youghal. I believe JMT was himself contacted by Jared Sidney and as a result was in touch with his uncle, HRT. This probably triggered my father's interest in Genealogy. Certainly my uncle (Cecil Woodman T) has a tree he claims was handwitten by John Morrison Torrens - but RGT says the tree was written by Aunt Hattie' - Harriette Thompson. (Note added by RJT)
Seaforde
Park Road
Belfast
Ireland
4/5/1920
Dear Sir:-
I have your letter of Mar. 30th, and note what you say about applying to
the families still residing in Co. Derry. It is not a very satisfactory
affair. I visited, I suppose, the most educated man of the whole
connection a few years ago, and he knew very little about the earlier
history. He is a retired medical doctor. But I shall try him again. From
the enclosed you will see I have been drawing a rather fine comb thro the
public records, with unsatisfactory results. There is only one abstract
of real interest - the memorial of deed (Orr to Torrens) It shows there
was a lease in this case. The line here was:
Hugh Torrens
|
James Torrens
(see above and abstract)
|
John Torrens of Gorton
later of Coolyrammer
|
Dr. H R Torrens
(see above)
I am now seeing what the landlord's rentals or records or leases can be
got at. Owing to land troubles they are not easily accessble, if they
exist at all. It is regrettable that these do not help us in the
provisional chart.
I got the wives' names looked up in Dublin. There is only one giving the
name. but without fresh light. Notice one of the wills of Torrens sent
before - Alexr. Torrens of Mullahinch, par. of Aghadowey. His son in law,
Samuel Heselet in mentioned. I think I sent you previously the marriage
entry (probably the same) of Samuel Haslet from the Boveva register,
dated Mar. 8, 1761. The wife Elizabeth Torrens is named as of the parish
of Boveedy (Bovidie). Yet in the will Alexr. Torrens is named as of the
par. of Aghadowey in 1770. These changes of residence are perplexing. Let
me say now that following on the getting of another name or two the
search in the bills is now going on. I think I explained that owing to
all the lists of Bills having to be examined it proves very costly unless
by method of co-operation. The document about Sergeant Hugh, which I hope
reached you, was only got by this search in Bills, which had to be
suspended through one or two dropping out. I have a letter from Mr. Hugh
Torrens in reply to an inquiry about graveyards. My letter in the
newspaper drew a few answers, but they were useless.
Yours faithfully
J.W.Kernohan.