Lieut. John Torrey

     John was born on Friday, 23 June 1673 in Weymouth, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.³ John married Mary Symmes, daughter of William Symmes and Mary Chickering, on 26 December 1700. John is listed in Weymouth records as being a tanner and a trader. He formed a company to engage in the Fishing trade of Cape Sables. He may have lived in Boston for some time since records show he added an addition to his house on Tannery Lane. However, his children were all born at Weymouth. he died there and his widow remained there until her death. John departed this life on Saturday, 7 January 1729/30 in Weymouth at age 56 years, 6 months and 15 days. He was buried there in North Weymouth Cemetery. The inscription on his stone reads: Here Lyes Buried the Body of Lieut John Torrey Who Died January 7th 1729 in the 57th year of His Age. The inventory of John's estate was taken in February 1759 by Joshua Torrey, James Vining & James Beale. His estate in Weymouth was valued at £1,069-16-7; his house in Boston was valued at £455. His eldest son, William was the administrator of the estate. The reason for the title of Lieutenant is unclear as it appears only in his mother-in-law's will and on his tombstone.⁴