Francis grew up in New Jersey until 1848, when his parents moved the family to Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia. In 1852, they moved to Columbus, where he began his trade as a machinist. Francis, often known as Frank, originally spelled his surname Torbet (with one 't' at the end), he began spelling it with two 't's circa 1870.

Frank married Louisa J Burt in Columbus, Georgia, on November 7, 1859. Tensions with the Northern States led to the South succeeding from the Union. Georgia succeeded on January 18, 1861, and became a founding member of the new Confederate States of America on February 8, 1861.

He enlisted into Company C, 1st City Battalion, Georgia Infantry (State Guards), of the Confederate Army. This battalion was also called Ordnance Battalion. His unit was temporary assigned to Eufaula, Barbour County, Alabama. After returning to Columbus, he continued manufacturing weapons. On August 4, 1863, he was promoted to Ordnance Sergeant and was working as an arsenal operative and machinist at the Ordnance Depot. On July 18, 1864, he was assigned to Company B, Arsenal Battalion, Georgia Infantry. After Major General Sherman attacked Atlanta, the Arsonal Battalion marched to Macon to head off the Union Army's advance and to assist in the evacuation of Savannah. The Battalion surrendered in North Carolina on April 26, 1865, as part of General Joseph Eggleston Johnston's Army of the Tennessee.

"I was detailed as Mechanical Engineer and Machinist at Columbus Ga. In 1861 I was at Eufaula Ala. had a Contract to make 1000 Pikes for the State of Alabama in the Fall of 1861 I was in Columbus aiding in the manufacturing of Rifles for the Confederate States Regiment. In 1862 was engaged in manufacturing. Machinist for Making Colt [...] for CS. Government
In 1863, 1864 & 1865 was engaged in work of Manufacturing of Heavy Brass Cannons for the CS Government.
Upon Shermans attack on Atlanta was ordered out with Troops for Service at Macon Ga. And was with same thogh All the March and Seige of Savannah Ga. And at its evacuation through the Carolinas.
Signed Francis T. Torbett" (submitted with his membership request to the Confederate Veterans Association)

His wife Louisa died in Columbus, in 1873, and he married Martha Hunley Hawes on December 14, 1876, in Stewart County, Georgia. He and "Mattie" have two sons. By 1880, they had moved to Savannah.

Frank worked in Savannah as an engineer for J.W. Tynan, Lower Press, C.R.R., Gordon Press, and then for Cotton Press. By 1898, they were living at 106 W Jones Street. From their home, Mattie ran a bed and breakfast.

Residence
1880, 1881 - 105 Congress Street, Savannah
1882, 1883 - 57 Whitaker Street, Savannah
1884 - 163½ Perry Street, Savannah
1885 - 1st Street (west of Floyd), Savannah
1888, 1889, 1890, 1892, 1893, 1895, 1896 - 76 Barnard Street, Savannah
1891 - 76 Montgomery Street, Savannah (error?)
1898, 1900, 1901 - 106 W Jones Street, Savannah

-his middle name Theophilus comes from Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1.
-cause of death: badder cancer

The Savannah Press - Savannah, Georgia
Saturday, February, 6, 1909, p 10.
MR.FRANCIS T. TORBETT
DIED THIS MORNING
Interment Will Take Place at Columbus Monday.
Mr. Francis T. Torbett, aged sixty-eight years, died this morning at 10:30 o'clock after an illness extending over a period of several weeks. Mr. Torbett was a native of New Jersey, but had lived in the South since he was nine years of age. Mr. Torbett had resided in Savannah for about thirty-five years, first coming here from Jacksonville as an engineer on the river steamer Florida.
Later he was engineer of the Atlantic Compress, remaining in that position for 28 years. Funeral services will be held at his late residence, 106 Jones street east, tomorrow evening, at 7 o'clock, after which the remains will be sent to Columbus, where the interment will be made on Monday. Mr. Torbett is survived by his wife, three sons, Messrs. M. A. and S. J. Torbett of this city, and C. L. Torbett of Columbus; on sister Miss Josephine Torbett, of Columbus, who was here at the time of his death; and one brother Mr. Lafayette Torbett, of Austin, Tex.

Savannah Morning News - Savannah, Georgia
Sunday, February, 7, 1909, p 4.
F. T. Torbett
Mr. Francis T. Torbett died at the Savannah Hospital at 10:30 o'clock yesterday morning after an illness of several weeks. His remains will be taken to Columbus to-night, where the funeral will take place to-morrow.
Mr. Torbett was a native of New Jersey,, but had lived in the South since childhood. He was 68 years of age. He came to Savannah about twenty-five years ago, at which time he was engineer on the river steamer Florida, which plied on the inland water route between here and Jacksonville. He was a Mason, but belonged to a Columbus lodge.
For about twenty-three years Mr. Torbett was in the employ of the Atlantic Compress Company. He is survived by his wife; by three sons, M. A. and S. J. Torbett of Savannah, and C. L. Torbett of Columbus; by a sister Miss Josephine Torbett of Columbus, who was with him when he died; by a brother, LaFayette Torbett, of Austin, Tex.; by a niece, Mrs. W. P. Brunson, Apalachicola, Fla.; and by a nephew, A. F. K. Whitehead, of Apalachicola, the last two being with him when he died.

Columbus Enquirer-Sun - Columbus, Georgia
Sunday, February 7, 1909, p 6.
MR. F. T. TORBETT
DIES IN SAVANNAH
He Will Be Laid to Rest
With Masonic Honors at
Linwood Tomorrow.
News was received in the city yesterday announcing the death of Mr. Franklin T. Torbett of Savannah, father of Mr. C. L. Torbett, of this city. Mr. Torbertt left Friday afternoon for the bedside of his father.
The deceased was well known in this city and the news of his death wlli be received with regret by many friends.
Besides his wife, he is survived by four sons: Messrs, Samuel J. Torbett and Mac P. Torbett, of Savannah; Mr. C. L. Torbett, of Columbus, and Mr. F. F. Torbett, of Mobile, Ala.
The remains will arrive in the city tomorrow morning from Savannah, and will be taken to the residence of Mr. C. L. Torbett, on lower Broad street, from which the funeral will take place at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Interment will be in Linwood cemetery. Mr. Torbett will be buried with Masonic honors.

The Savannah Press - Savannah, Georgia
Monday, February, 8, 1909, p 9.
MR. F. T. TORBETT'S REMAINS TAKEN TO COLUMBUS
The remains of Mr. Francis T. Torbett, who died Saturday morning, were taken last night to Columbus, where the funeral took place this afternoon. Many friends called at the home of Mrs. Torbett during Saturday and yesterday to offer sympathy in her sorrow.
Many beautiful floral offerings were sent, among them being a very large and handsome pillow from the men at Gordon Press, where Mr. Torbett had served so long and faithfully. A telegram of sympathy was sent from the headquarters of the Atlantic Compress Company, in Atlanta, Saturday upon hearing of Mr. Torbett's death.

Columbus Enquirer-Sun - Columbus, Georgia
Tuesday, February 9, 1909, p 2.
MR. F. T. TORBETT'S
FUNERAL SUNDAY
Remains Were Laid to Rest
in Linwood Cemetery--
Largely Attended.
The funeral of Mr. F. T. Torbett, whose death occurred in Savannah on last Saturday morning, took place Sunday afternoon at three o'clock from the residence of his son, Mr. C. L. Torbett, No. 513 Broad street, and the funeral was largely attended by friends and relatives of the deceased gentleman. There were several out-of-town people present.
Mr. Torbett was buried with Masonic honors, the members of Columbian lodge attending the funeral in a body, and the service was very beautiful and impressive.
The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. S. Alston Wragg, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, and the interment was in Linwood cemetery. The following gentlemen acted as pallbearers:
Messrs, Wm. Sullivan, R. R. Thweatt, Louis Wells, J. C. Albrecht, T. R. Brooks and George J. Burrus.

[note: Misspellings from the original news reports are retained.]

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(bio by: Raymond B.)