Portrait of "Archdeacon John Torrens," by George Sanders after J G Middleton, which was published by T. Cranfield
Torrens of Richview
Rev Thomas Torrens of Co Derry, a diocesan schoolmaster married Eliza Curry on 12 Feb 1765.
Eliza was daughter of Samuel Curry and his wife Rhoda Harvey. Both Thomas and Eliza died
circa 1780 and their children were brought up by their grandfather Rev Dr Torrens initially and
then by an uncle Rev Dr Thomas Torrens, fellow of Trinity College.
1 John Torrens born 18 Aug 1769. He married Mary Ball. Mary was the daughter of
Major William Chichester Ball of the 85th Regiment. For 32 years John was rector of the
united parishes of St Peter and St Kevin, Dublin and 37 years rector of Narraghmore. He
lived at Richview Clonskeagh in 1847 and was a member of the RDS. John died 9 Jun 1851
at Narraghmore near Ballitore. He was interred in the vaults of St Peters, Dublin and a
marble tablet was installed in Christ Church Cathedral in his memory.
1 Thomas Henry Torrens eldest son took Holy orders. He was rector of Carnalway, Co
Kildare and married Barbara Maria Richardson on 18 Dec 1851 at Faughanvale
Church. Barbara was the third daughter of the late Rev Tomas R Richardson of
Somerset, Co Derry. Thomas died on the 29 Nov 1858 at Fitzwilliam Street.
2 Robert Torrens second son born circa 1805 was with the East India Civil Service. He
was MP for Carrickfergus from 1859 to 1869 and as last surviving son died
23 Dec 1874 at Corsham, Wiltshire.
3 Henry Torrens youngest son born circa 1822 was a pupil of Rev Babbington at
Cossington Rectory in Leicestershire. He drowned in the River Soar on
18 Nov 1840 when boating on the River near Cossington Rectory, Leicestershire.
4 Elizabeth Grace Torrens. As only surviving daughter, she married the widower of her
cousin, the Reverend William Chichester O’Neill on 8 Apr 1858 at St Peter’s Dublin. He
was the 1st Baron O'Neill, of Rutland Square and of Shane's Castle, the home of the
famous O’Neill’s, the Ulster Chiefs.
2 Samuel Torrens second son born circa 1772. He was a captain in the 55th Regiment and
died from wounds circa 1800 in Ferrol, La Coruña, Galicia, Spain.
3 Robert Torrens third son born 14 Oct 1774 educated at Trinity and admitted Kings Inns. He
was the second justice of the court of common pleas in Ireland. He died 1856 at Derrynoid,
Co Londonderry having served thirty three years on the Irish Bench. He was buried at St
Columba's Church of Ireland, Draperstown.
1 Thomas Francis Torrens, third son born 25 Nov 1815 graduated TCD and admitted
Kings Inns.
2 Henrietta Torrens born circa 1817 married William Chichester on 3 Jan 1839. William
took the name O'Neill by Royal licence to inherit a family estate. In 1868 he was
created Baron O'Neill of Shane's Castle, 1st Baron O'Neill. Henrietta died in 1857.
1 Edward Chichester born circa 1839 was MP for Co Antrim from 1863 to 1880.
He later took the name O’Neill and succeeded his father as 2nd Baron O'Neill in
1883 on the death of his father.
2 Robert Torrens Chichester O’Neill
3 Arthur Chichester O’Neill
4 Anne Chichester O’Neill
William secondly married Elizabeth Grace Torrens on 8 Apr 1858. Elizabeth was the
daughter of Dr John Torrens, archdeacon of Dublin. In 1868 he was created Baron
O'Neill of Shane's Castle and died in 1883. No issue found.
4 Henry Torrens born circa 1779 in Londonderry. He was in the military academy in Dublin and
at age 14 commenced his military career with the 52nd Regiment and attained the rank of
General. He was a major with the 86th Regiment and married Sarah Patton at St Helena on
9 Mar 1803. Sarah was the daughter of Col Robert Patton, governor of the island. They had at
least six children. Henry was knighted and died 1828.
1 Henry Whitelock Torrens baptised in Kent on 7 Jun 1806. He was with the Indian Civil
Service He was one of the first translators of ‘Arabian nights’.
2 Sir Arthur Wellesley Torrens born circa 1809 was knighted and died 1 Sep 1855.
© June Bow & Karen Poff - November 2024
Return to Richview page
Rev Thomas Torrens of Co Derry, a diocesan schoolmaster married Eliza Curry on 12 Feb 1765.
Eliza was daughter of Samuel Curry and his wife Rhoda Harvey. Both Thomas and Eliza died
circa 1780 and their children were brought up by their grandfather Rev Dr Torrens initially and
then by an uncle Rev Dr Thomas Torrens, fellow of Trinity College.
1 John Torrens born 18 Aug 1769. He married Mary Ball. Mary was the daughter of
Major William Chichester Ball of the 85th Regiment. For 32 years John was rector of the
united parishes of St Peter and St Kevin, Dublin and 37 years rector of Narraghmore. He
lived at Richview Clonskeagh in 1847 and was a member of the RDS. John died 9 Jun 1851
at Narraghmore near Ballitore. He was interred in the vaults of St Peters, Dublin and a
marble tablet was installed in Christ Church Cathedral in his memory.
1 Thomas Henry Torrens eldest son took Holy orders. He was rector of Carnalway, Co
Kildare and married Barbara Maria Richardson on 18 Dec 1851 at Faughanvale
Church. Barbara was the third daughter of the late Rev Tomas R Richardson of
Somerset, Co Derry. Thomas died on the 29 Nov 1858 at Fitzwilliam Street.
2 Robert Torrens second son born circa 1805 was with the East India Civil Service. He
was MP for Carrickfergus from 1859 to 1869 and as last surviving son died
23 Dec 1874 at Corsham, Wiltshire.
3 Henry Torrens youngest son born circa 1822 was a pupil of Rev Babbington at
Cossington Rectory in Leicestershire. He drowned in the River Soar on
18 Nov 1840 when boating on the River near Cossington Rectory, Leicestershire.
4 Elizabeth Grace Torrens. As only surviving daughter, she married the widower of her
cousin, the Reverend William Chichester O’Neill on 8 Apr 1858 at St Peter’s Dublin. He
was the 1st Baron O'Neill, of Rutland Square and of Shane's Castle, the home of the
famous O’Neill’s, the Ulster Chiefs.
2 Samuel Torrens second son born circa 1772. He was a captain in the 55th Regiment and
died from wounds circa 1800 in Ferrol, La Coruña, Galicia, Spain.
3 Robert Torrens third son born 14 Oct 1774 educated at Trinity and admitted Kings Inns. He
was the second justice of the court of common pleas in Ireland. He died 1856 at Derrynoid,
Co Londonderry having served thirty three years on the Irish Bench. He was buried at St
Columba's Church of Ireland, Draperstown.
1 Thomas Francis Torrens, third son born 25 Nov 1815 graduated TCD and admitted
Kings Inns.
2 Henrietta Torrens born circa 1817 married William Chichester on 3 Jan 1839. William
took the name O'Neill by Royal licence to inherit a family estate. In 1868 he was
created Baron O'Neill of Shane's Castle, 1st Baron O'Neill. Henrietta died in 1857.
1 Edward Chichester born circa 1839 was MP for Co Antrim from 1863 to 1880.
He later took the name O’Neill and succeeded his father as 2nd Baron O'Neill in
1883 on the death of his father.
2 Robert Torrens Chichester O’Neill
3 Arthur Chichester O’Neill
4 Anne Chichester O’Neill
William secondly married Elizabeth Grace Torrens on 8 Apr 1858. Elizabeth was the
daughter of Dr John Torrens, archdeacon of Dublin. In 1868 he was created Baron
O'Neill of Shane's Castle and died in 1883. No issue found.
4 Henry Torrens born circa 1779 in Londonderry. He was in the military academy in Dublin and
at age 14 commenced his military career with the 52nd Regiment and attained the rank of
General. He was a major with the 86th Regiment and married Sarah Patton at St Helena on
9 Mar 1803. Sarah was the daughter of Col Robert Patton, governor of the island. They had at
least six children. Henry was knighted and died 1828.
1 Henry Whitelock Torrens baptised in Kent on 7 Jun 1806. He was with the Indian Civil
Service He was one of the first translators of ‘Arabian nights’.
2 Sir Arthur Wellesley Torrens born circa 1809 was knighted and died 1 Sep 1855.
© June Bow & Karen Poff - November 2024
Return to Richview page