James Anthony Torbert

b. 9 August 1794, d. 9 December 1835
  • James Anthony Torbert was born on 9 August 1794 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
  • In 1815, the first Alabama Territorial Legislature convened at St. Stephens; James Titus was the only member of the Senate; Gabriel Moor of Madison County, was the speaker of the house. In 1818, the first Bank was established, with David Files, J. A. Torbert, D. Darling, Thomas I. Strong, Israel Pickens, J. G. Lyon, William Crawford, J. F. Ross, W. D. Gaines, A. S. Lipscomb, Nathan Whiting, George Buchanan and Thomas Crowell, directors.
  • The following appeared on 9 January 1819 in the Halcyon and Tombeckbe Public Advertiser: The Subscribers have just received from New-York, a handsome and general assortment of goods with those they had on hand, and are now offered for sale at their Store near the Bank. . . . All of which will be sold very cheap for Cash or Cotton, either at wholesale or retail.
  • The following appeared on 1 March 1819 in the Halcyon and Tombeckbe Public Advertiser: The subscribers have just received a quantity of Groceries, Sugar, Coffee, Chocolate, Pilot bread, basket Crackers, superfine Flour, Ale, Porter, Wine, Brandy, Salt, &c. All of which they will sell low for Cash. James A. Torbert & co. And also on the same page: To country Store keepers, Planters and others. J. S. Moxsy being desirous of selling off his stock of Goods on hand; Consisting of an elegant assortment of Dry Goods, Hard-Ware, Porters, &c. will dispose of them on the most liberal terms, for indorsed notes. It will be to the advantage of the above named Gentlemen, wishing to supply their country establishments, to call at his store, No. 152 High Street, St. Stephens.
  • The following appeared on 9 August 1819 in the Halcyon and Tombeckbe Public Advertiser: Auction! To be sold a Public Auction, at the store of James A. Torbert & Co. on Thursday next, At 10 o'clock, a quantity of Cheese, Crackers, Pilot Bread. Terms, Cash. Chamberlin & Derling, Auc's. St. Stephens.
  • The following appeared on 28 February 1820 in the Halcyon and Tombeckbe Public Advertiser: The subscribers have just received from New-York, and offer for sale very low for Cash or Cotton, a General Assortment of Dry Goods, Consisting of. . . . James A. Torbert & Co.
  • The following appeared on 12 June 1820 in The Halcyon and Tombeckbe Public Advertiser: The subscriber begs leave to inform the Public that he has taken the Store lately occupied by J. A. Torbert & Co. near the Market House, in the town of St. Stephens, and offers for sale the following articles of. . . . The above articles will be sold on reasonable terms for Cash, or in exchange for Cotton. S. Diehl, May 22, 1820.
  • He married Ann R. Cunningham, daughter of Alexander Cunningham and Anne E. (?), on 23 December 1820 in Wakefield, Baldwin County, Alabama.
  • In his will signed 15 January 1820 in Baldwin County, Alabama, Thomas J. Strong names as heirs his minor daughter Hannah L. Strong, his wife Ann Strong and her daughterfrom an earlier marriage Ann Cunningham. Other heirs include "brothers and sisters," but he names only brothers Richard and William. Also named are daughters Maria and Emily of Susannah Day, who does not appear to have been his sister. He makes reference to the estate of his uncle John Moxsy, but it appears that this may have been his cousin John Moxsy, a son of his mother's sister Dorothy, who died in 1819. Executors were Harry Toulmin, Henry B. Slade and John S. Moxsy.
         In a codicil dated 18 September 1820, Thomas J. Strong names James A. Torbert an executor in place of deceased John S. Moxsy.
         Research Note: We have tentatively identified birth/baptism records for daughter Maria (but not Emily) of Susanna and Benjamin Day, who seem to fit into the picture in terms of time and place, but their relationship to Thomas J. Strong is not clear. Records tentatively have been identified for borthers William and Richard. Further research is required.
  • The following appeared on 7 November 1835 in the Alabama Intelligencer and State Rights Expositor: Valuable Lands for Sale -- The subscriber offers for sale his valuable French Creek tract of land, situated in the county of Marengo, three and a half miles east of Demopolis containg 400 and eighty acres, sixty of the same now in cultivation. Persons wishing to purchase will apply to the subscriber at his residence or to James H. Adams at Livingston. James A. Torbert. Monticello, Sept. 30.
  • James Anthony Torbert died on 9 December 1835 at age 41 in Marengo County, Alabama, . There are conflicting reports of his death.
  • His wife Ann R. Cunningham became a widow at his death.
  • He was interred at Old Spring Hill, Marengo County, Alabama, in the Torbert family cemetery.
  • Last Edited: 14 Jul 2014

Family: Ann R. Cunningham b. 25 December 1795, d. 22 May 1877