The
Norton Family of Fluvanna, Virginia
The Norden and Nordan Family of Wake, North Carolina
The Norden Family of South Carolina and Alabama
snorton@nortonfamily.net
Important Update March 2013
This update adds a new generation!
The father of John Norton b.1859 of Fluvanna, James Norton b. 1761 Fluvanna and David Norton b.1763 fluvanna has long thought to be John Norton, but we had confusing info and no positive link. It was thought that the father was Christopher Norton b. abt 1714 but he seemed too old.
We think we have found the link to John Norton b. 1738 New Kent, Virginia, father of John, James and David. We found a birth record for Christopher Norden in 1737 New Kent, VA. It appears that Christopher was married once when young to Anna in New Kent and then later to Mary Emmerson.
Historical Overview
This Norton family came out of Fluvanna, Virginia and emigrated
into the counties of Bourbon, Pendleton and Greenup Kentucky about 1784. DNA has porvided a link to Rev Robert Norden who was sent to Virginia to establish Baptist congregations by the General Baptists of London in 1714.
From Robert come all the Norden, Nordan and Nordin in the Southern United States. The Norton line changed their surname with Christopher Norden/Norton about 1752.
Family histories tell us there were five brothers who fought in the Revolutionary War. Thomas,
John, James, David and William. One brother, Thomas, died just after
the Battle of Yorktown. Three of the family
(John, James, David) emigrated to Kentucky. The family of Thomas moved to West Virgina and William we have not been able to find after the Revolution.
The Norden/Nordan families moved with the original Baptist congregation from Virginia to North Carolina. The head of this family is Melchezidek Nordan.
There is another Norden family that originated in South Carolina and moved to Alabama that we haven't established a clear paper trail.
DNA research has clearly matched all the branches of this family.
Simple Pedigree Following DNA tests
DNA = a matching DNA signature for this pedigree.
Bold = continued pedigree
Text = link to more info
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DNA DNA
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Robert Norden, Rev (b.abt. 1650, East Sussex, England d.1726, Isle of Wight, Virginia)
m. Jann
children:
----- Robert Norden (child died) 29 May 1691 in Waldron, E Sussex, England
----- Sarah Norden b.abt 1690 m. Arthur Bridger - b.abt 1788 d.after 1759
----- Charles Norden b. abt 1686 England d.1724 (will no children)
----- unknown Norden b.abt 1694 wife Catherine Layless (Lillis) Isle of Wight. VA (will witnessed by Robert Norden) |
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DNA DNA
DNA
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DNA |
unknown Norden b.abt 1694
m. Catherine Layless (Lillis) Isle of Wight. VA
children:
Charles Norden (speculative) purchases land from John Sutton in Johnston, Co, NC 1757.
Robert Norden b.abt.1706
Christopher Norden / Norton b. abt.1714
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DNA DNA |
Robert Norden b.abt 1706 d.abt 1757
m.abt 1726
children:
Charles Noden (speculative)
Melchezidek Nordan b. abt 1727
m.abt.1757 Elizabeth (Redding?)
d.abt 1819 |
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DNA DNA |
Melchezidek Nordan
b. abt 1727
d.abt 1819 (before 1820 census)
m.abt.1757 Elizabeth (Redding?)
children:
Thomas Norden b.abt.1766, m.Patience Gardner d.1823
Mary Norden m.1786 Nowell Johnson
John Nordan b.abt 1768 m. Elizabeth Matthews, d.1824
William Nordin b. abt 1770 m.abt 1786 d.before 1800 census
Cassandra Norden b. abt 1769 m.John Chesser(Cheshire) Wake, NC 1790
Robert Nordin b. abt 1773 m.abt 1804 mary Morgan d.1816 |
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DNA |
Thomas Norden b.abt.1766,
m.Patience Gardner Nordin b.1781, Carroll, Tennessee d.1823
children:
Richard Norden b.1800
John D. Norden b.Dec 1799
William Norden b.1805 d.bef 1840
Alexander Nordin b. 1805
Norman Norden b.1830 |
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DNA |
Alexander
Nordin
b. 1797 or 1804, Wake or Johnson Co. Nc.,
d. 16 Feb 1828, Armada, Crawford Ar.
m. 16 Feb 1828 Hardeman, TN Elizabeth or Betsy Dodd. b. 1804 Wake, NC
children:
Mary J Nordin F 1828 in , Hardeman, TN
Arabella Nordin F 1830 in Kellum Creek, Sevier, Tennessee,
Leah Ann Nordin F Mar 1834 in Mountain Township, Crawford, Arkansas
George Nordin M 1837 in Mountain Township, Crawford, Arkansas
Barbara Nordin F 1844 in Mountain Township, Crawford, Arkansas,
Rebecca Drueilla Nordin F 1846 in Mountain Township, Crawford, Arkansas
James K Nordin M 1847 in Mountain Township, Crawford, Arkansas
Andrew Jackson Nordin M 4 Jan 1852 in Chester, Crawford, Arkansas |
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DNA |
Andrew
Jackson Nordin M 4 Jan 1852 in Chester, Crawford, Arkansas
m. Mary Louisa Lane Born: 4 Feb 1849 in [city], Unkown, Illinois, USA
children:
Mary Jane Nordin F 14 Dec 1871 in Chester, Crawford, Arkansas, USA Edit
Francis Marion Nordin M 10 Jun 1873 in Armada, Crawford, Arkansas, USA
Edit
Nancy Emmaline Nordin F 1 Jun 1876 in Chester, Crawford, Arkansas, USA
Edit
George Wesley Nordin M 23 Sep 1878 in Hammond, Saint Lawrence, New York,
USA Edit
Beatrice Nordin F 28 Oct 1882 in Chester, Crawford, Arkansas, USA Edit
Andrew Lawson Nordin M 26 Sep 1890 in Chester, Crawford, Arkansas, USA
Edit
James Emanuel Nordin M 7 Jun 1897 in Monett, Barry, Missouri, USA Edit
Helen Alice Nordin F 1903 in Monett, Barry, Missouri, USA Edit
Norman Jackson Nordin M 1904 in Monett, Barry, Missouri, USA |
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DNA |
John A. Nordin b.1805
m.1824 Sarah McLean d.1870
Children:
John H Norden b.1824 , , NC
Mary E Nordan b. 1825, Cumberland, NC d.1870 Neills Creek, Harnett, NC
Robert A Nordan b. 1825, , NC d. 1870, Harnett, NC
Alexander Nordan b 26 Jan 1826, Cumberland, NC d.5 Jul 1910Black River, Harnett, NC
John N Norden b. 16 Oct 1834, Cumberland, NC d.12 Jul 1903, Harnett, NC
Elizabeth Nordan b. Dec 1841 Northern, Cumberland, NC d.Dec 1891, Harnett, NC |
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DNA |
Alexander Nordan
b 26 Jan 1826, Cumberland, NC
d.5 Jul 1910Black River, Harnett, NC
m. Susan Suggs b.1837, Johnston, NC
Children:
Norman Nordan b. 15 Feb 1862 Black River, Harnett, NC d.18 Apr 1932 Black River, Harnett, NC
Johnson Tyton T Nordan b. 20 Jan 1863 Black River, Harnett, NC d.16 Mar 1934, Harnett, NC
Devrause E Debrow Nordan b. 8 Jun 1866 Black River, Harnett, NC d.13 Sep 1941 Angier, Harnett, NC
Florence Morten Nordan b.2 Jul 1870 Black River, Harnett, NC d.3 Jun 1944Erwin, Harnett, NC
George Benton Nordan B.7 Mar 1875 Black River, Harnett, NC d.15 Jun 1958 Coats, Harnett, NC
Joseph Nordan b.10 Sep 1876 Black River, Harnett, NC d.7 Dec 1939 Coats, Harnett, NC
William H Nordan b. 1876 Black River, Harnett, NC d.1930 |
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DNA |
Joseph Nordan
b.10 Sep 1876 Black River, Harnett, NC
d.7 Dec 1939 Coats, Harnett, NC
m. Lena Mary Denning |
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Robert Nordin b. abt 1773 Wake, NC d.1816 Cumberland, NC
m.abt 1804 Mary Morgan
children:
Robert A Nordan b.1815 Cumberland, NC
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Robert A Nordan
b. 1815 Cumberland, NC
d. 1874 Harnett, NC
m. Nancy Hawley |
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John Nelson Nordan (from death certificate of John A Norton)
b. 16 Oct 1834 Erwin, Harnett, NC
d.12 Jul 1903 Harnett, NC
m. Mary McKean |
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DNA DNA
DNA
DNA
DNA DNA
DNA |
Christopher Norden “The Commodore” (b.abt.1714 d.abt.1787, Fluvanna, Virginia)
m 1st Anna unknown abt 1737
children:
--- John Norton (b. 1738 New Kent, Virginia d.abt.1787, Bourbon, Kentucky)
m 2nd Mary Emmerson abt.1752
children:
-- Thomas Norton b.1753 Fluvanna, VA
-- William Norton b.June 13, 1754 Fluvanna, VA
-- Margaret Norton b. Oct 28, 1758 Fluvanna, VA |
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DNA
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John Norton (b. 1738 New Kent, Virginia d.abt.1787, Bourbon, Kentucky)
m. 1st Mary unknown
children:
Sarah Norton b.1757
John Nortonb. 1759
James Norton b. 1761
David Norton b. 1763 Fluvanna, VA
Elizabeth Norton b.1769 Fluvanna, VA
Milly Norton b.1774 Fluvanna, VA |
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Sarah Norton b.1757 |
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DNA |
John Norton
b1759 , VA
d. Mar 14, 1814 Bourbon, KY
m. Sarah Spencer 1784
children:
Polly Norton b. 1787 Fayette, KY
James Norton b. 1788 Fayette, KY
Nancy Norton b. 15 May 1791 Bourbon, KY
Peggy (Margaret) Norton b. 25 Oct 1793 Bourbon, KY
Patsy Norton b. Bourbon, KY
Hiram Norton b. 6 Jun 1795 Bourbon, KY
Catherine Norton b. Bourbon, KY
Sarah Norton b. Bourbon, KY
Betsy Norton b. Bourbon, KY
John Norton b. 1800 Bourbon, KY
Spencer Norton b. Bourbon, KY |
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Hiram Norton b. 1795 Bourbon, KY |
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Nimrod Norton b. 1831 Nicholas, KY |
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DNA |
James Norton b. 1761 |
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DNA
DNA
DNA DNA
DNA |
David Norton b. 1763 Fluvanna, VA
M. Sophia Fancher abt 1763 Washington, VA b.
abt.1764 d. 1823, Grant, KY
children:
Samuel Norton b.
1785 Sevier, TN m. Nancy Jones, Bourbon, KY, 1808 d.1819
John N. Norton b.
1785, Sevier,
TN m.Mary (Polly)
Benefield 1805 Ohio
Mary Norton b. 1788 Sevier,
TN
Sophia Norton b. 1790Sevier,
TN
Henry Norton DNA b. 1791 Bourbon, KY m.Betsy Ann Wright, Pendleton,KY
1812. died in 1831
Sally
Norton b.1793; Ohio, m. Jacob Ashcraft in Pendleton 1817.
Rachel
Norton b. 1795
David Norton Jr. b. 29 Oct 1796 Pendleton, KY married Elizabeth
Benefield 1820 in Fayette, IN.
Girl Norton b. 1799 Ohio, This child shows in 1810 census.
Girl Norton b. 1801 Ohio, This child shows in 1810 census.
Hiram Norton DNA b. 1803 Ohio, married Lydia Ashcraft in Pendleton
1833.
James Norton b.8 Oct, 1808 Pendleton, KY, This child shows in
1810 census. |
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DNA DNA DNA
DNA |
David Norton Jr.b. 29 Oct 1796 Pendleton, KY married Elizabeth
Benefield 1820 in Fayette, IN.
m.Elizabeth Benefield
children:
John Norton
James Norton
Melissa Isabell Norton
Henry Norton
Isabella Norton |
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DNA |
John Norton .b. 29 Oct 1796 Pendleton, KY married Elizabeth
Benefield 1820 in Fayette, IN. |
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DNA |
Riley Norton .b. 29 Oct 1796 |
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DNA |
Merritt Lee Norton .b. 29 Oct 1796 |
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DNA |
Merritt Ronald Norton .b. Aug 16, 1913 Panguitch, UT |
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DNA |
James Norton .b. 29 Oct 1796 Pendleton, KY married Elizabeth
Benefield 1820 in Fayette, IN. |
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Mellisa Isabell Norton .b. 29 Oct 1796 Pendleton, KY married Elizabeth
Benefield 1820 in Fayette, IN. |
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DNA |
Henry Norton .b. 29 Oct 1796 Pendleton, KY married Elizabeth
Benefield 1820 in Fayette, IN. |
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Isabella Norton .b. 29 Oct 1796 Pendleton, KY married Elizabeth
Benefield 1820 in Fayette, IN. |
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Thomas Norton
b.abt 1753 Goochland, VA
d. 1781
m. Elizabeth Hawk? abt 1776
children:
Sarah Norton b. May 1777 Rockingham, VA
Moses Norton b. 1779 Rockingham, VA, d.July 4, 1833
James Norton b. 1780 Rockingham, VA
Elizabeth Norton b. 1781 Rockingham, VA |
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William Norton
b. 13 Jun, 1754 Goochland, VA
d.
m. Milly Taylor. 5 January 1775 in Orange VA
children: |
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Margaret Norton b. Oct 28, 1758 Fluvanna, VA |
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Brief Historical Sketch
Melchezidek Nordan of Virginia and North Carolina
John, James and David Norton of Fluvanna, Virginia and Bourbon, Kentucky
Thomas Norden of South Carolina and Alabama
John, James and David Norton of Fluvanna, Virginia and Bourbon, Kentucky
This Norton family came out of Fluvanna, Virginia and emigrated
into the counties of Bourbon, Pendleton and Greenup Kentucky about 1784.
There were five brothers who fought in the Revolutionary War. Thomas,
John, James, David and William. One brother, Thomas, died just after
the Battle of Yorktown. At least three of the remaining four brothers
emigrated to Kentucky.
The search for
the first Norton of this line to emigrate to Colonial America has
been actively going on for 150 years. It was thought that his name was
John Norton and that he might have lived near Alexandria, Virginia as
well as Fluvanna, Virginia. In the course of researching, we have from
time to time identified our first Norton as Capt William Norton, brother
of Fletcher Norton in England. This was wrong. Then because the only
Norton in Fluvanna was Christopher Norton we tried to tie into a sailor
named Christopher Norton who was was tied up at Norfolk, Virginia in
1760. This was very promising, but he died at sea and was buried in
Halifax. Along the way we found references to John Norton in Orange
county Virginia and while we haven't definititively identified these,
they appear to belong to the John Hatley Norton family of York county.
Finally one big source of mis-information comes from the "History
of Marion County South Caroloina" by WW Sellers. It seems one
of our ancestors named Nimrod Norton and a John W. Norton of Marion,
South Carolina met up at Richmond in 1864 towards the end of the Civil
War and compared notes on their family history. They evidently decided
they were from the same family and John W Norton went home to contribute
a family history to the Sellers work that included "After
the Revolution, the old man and two of his Sons James and John went
to Kentucky..." which
is the only accurate part of his history that applies to our family.
All the rest of it refers to the SC family. I've done up a page on the Sellers history here.
I started www.NortonFamily.net in 1998 to aggregate all of the storys and research that I had picked
up. Over the years we lost some relatives we thought we had and gained
others. Let's salute the hundreds of relatives and researchers who have
peered at musty old records and passed down family storys to give us
clues to our heritage. While I am writing this history, many, many people
have contributed.
DNA
research gave us the clue to the identity of our first Norton. Or perhaps first Norden. It seems that the only family in the world
that matches our Norton family DNA are the decendants of Robert Norden. (explaination
ofDNA research)
In 1714, a small
group of early Baptists in Virignia petitioned the Baptist Convention
in England for a minister. Robert Norden was chosen as the first Baptist
minister in Virginia and the first Baptist minister sent from England
to the colonies. He traveled to Virginia in 1714 with the Matthew Marks
family and lived on the Marks plantation in the county of Ille of Wight,
Virginia roughly near Richmond on the south side of the James River
and there established a small congregation at a place called Burliegh
which was probably near the Marks plantation.
The Church of
England was the official church of Virginia. This meant that all
Virginians were taxed to support the ministers and everyone was expected
to attend.
"The first
nine Acts of 1661 provided for the support of the State Church; in
each parish a church edifice was to be built out of the public treasury,
together with a parsonage house and the purchase of a globe for the
minister's use. He was to receive a salary of ,80 sterling, a provision
subsequently changed to 16,000 pounds of tobacco, to be levied on
the parish and collected like other taxes. Each minister must be ordained
by a Bishop in England, all other preachers were to be banished; every
person who wilfully avoided attendance on the parish Church for one
Sunday was to be fined fifty pounds of tobacco; every Non-conformist
was to be fined ,20 for a month's absence, and if he failed to attend
for a year he must be apprehended and give security for his good behavior,
or remain in prison till he was willing to attend Church." source
In 1691 this little
group of Baptists were called before a magistrate to expain why they
weren't at church.
"At a
court held at Westopher, 22nd June 1691. Jno Moore, Mathew Markes,
Tho Potts, Sam Easly, and Rich'd Was then presented by the grand jury
upon information of Capt. Nicho Wyat for not coming to church. Sheriff
to summon said delinquents to next court to answer."
Source: Benjamin B Weisiger III, compiler, Charles City County, Virginia,
Court Orders 1687-1695: With a Fragment of a Court Order Book for
the Year 1680 (Richmond, Virginia: Weisiger, 1980).
"Some English
Baptists must have begun moving into southeastern Virginia in the early
1700s and they communicated with the Kentish Baptist Association to
send a minister. The Kentish Baptists chose two men-Robert Norden and
Thomas White.
In May 1714 the
General Assembly of the General Baptist churches in England "appointed
and approved" the two men to go to Virginia to "propogate
the Gospell of truth". They wanted them to go with all "Conveniant
Speed". They were sent as "messengers" but
in effect they were "missionaries" and even "church
planters." Virginia was viewed as a mission field.
Thomas White served
a church at Bessels Green, Kent, which viewed the experiment as "the
great work of gathering and settling churches in gospel order in Virginia".
After some debate over White's possible departure, the church agreed
to spare him for a time to perform "this good and great work."
White died on the ocean journey, but Norden arrived and gathered Baptists
into what traditionally is held to be the first Baptist church in Virginia,
Burleigh in the Prince George and Isle of Wight area.
The churches of
the General Assembly sent some financial support for the Virginia mission.
In his report to the Kentish Baptists, Norden told of promising prospect
to plant the Gospel and reported that he in a little time baptized and
settled 18 persons in Gospel order. He described great meetings which
attracted people from many miles to hear. Three more missionaries were
sent to Virginia in 1715. On the pages of one early church record book
from Kent was a notation beside the names of numerous members: Gone
to America.
The information
about these pioneers was gleaned from time spent by this columnist in
the Angus Library of Regent's Park College in Oxford." Heritage
Column for August 18, 2005 By Fred Anderson
Official permission
was required to follow a different religion and eventually they
got permission to have a preacher. But Robert Norden was required to
appear in court and swear allegience to the King of England.
"I ,
Robert Norden do sincerely promise and Solemnly Declare before God
and the World that I will be true and faithful to his Majesty King
George, and I do Solemnly promise and Declare, that I do from my heart
abhor,detest and renounce as Impious and Hereticall that Damnable
Doctrine and Position that Princes Excommunicated or Deprived by the
Pope or any Authority of the See of Rome may be deposed or Murthered
by their subjects or any other whatsoever, and I do Declare that no
foreign Prince, Person, Prelate, State or Potentate hath or ought
to have any power, Jurisdiction Superiority, Preheminence or Authority
, Ecclesiasticall or Spiritual withen his Realm. .
"I Robert Norden Profess faith in God the Father and in Jesus
Christ his Eternal Son, the true God and in the Holy Spirit, one God
Blessed for ever more, and I do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of
the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine Inspiration." ....Robert Norden
Source :Att a Court held for the County of Prince George
on Tuesday the fourteenth of June Anno Dom. 1715
The church was established
at Burleigh, Ille of Wight county, Virginia. Map The location is on the Mill Swamp road and closest town was Smithfild
There is still a Baptist church on this sight.
Robert Norden
was born about 1650 probably in East Sussex, England, England. At
the time he was called to Virginia he was residing at Warbleton, Sussex
England. His call to Virginia was a "messenger"
As has been said,
he went to Virginia in 1714 and stayed on the plantation of Matthew
Marks. When Marks died in 1719, he willed the use of his plantation
to Norden until his death. Robert Norden built up several churches in
the Richmond area particularly a church in Surry and the Burleighy church.
The congregation continued until 1742 when many emigrated to Kehukee,
in Halifax county and formed the first Baptist Association in South
Carolina.
Robert Norden brought
at least two of his children with him to Virginia. We have references
for Charles Norden
and Francis Norden asa well as grandchildren Sarah, Robert, Elizabeth
and Melchezidec. It appears that all of the Norden, Nordan and Nordin
families south of Virginia and Kentucky are his descendants. Here is
a research page for his descendants. http://www.nortonfamily.net/norden-robert
We haven't as
yet found the direct link between Christopher Norton and Robert Norden.
But it was probably one of Robert Norden's sons that stayed in England
that gave us Christopher Norden who appears to be the first of our
line in America. I have started a research
page for the Nordens of East Sussex, England.
The sources
We have collected
four historys that have been passed down about our Norton family.
The first we
call the Texas history and it comes from Nimrod
Norton born 1831, a great grandson of Christopher Norden through
his son John. Nimrod also indirectly produced a second history. Nimrod's
history is retold in a book called, "Elias B. Poston and his Ancestors"
by Elias Olan James & Glenna James copyright 1942. Nimrod had a
colorful career as a Colonel in the Confederate Army and ended up in
Texas. We'll have to look at Nimrod's career in detail later, but before
he died in 1903 he dictated what he knew of our family's history to
his nephew Dr. Charles Norton. This history sat in Charles desk until
he died in 1941 just at the Poston history was being researched. Here's
what he said as retold by the Poston researchers.
"...a
Commodore Norton resigned from the British Navy and settled either
in Virginia or on the shore of Albemarle Sound, N. Carolina, "shortly
before" the beginning of the Revolutionary War.
"...that
he had five sons, all of whom served in Virginia units under George
Washington; that one son, David, was taken prisoner and died on a
British prison ship in Charleston harbor; that after the Revolution,
the two older sons, William and Thomas (or--one account says--Solomon,
not Thomas settled in South Carolina; and the two younger sons, John
and James, came to Kentucky with their father, and settled near Lexington." source"
Poston History
A second source
is a history direct from Nimrod himself. Recently we have found
another source for Nimrod's history as told by him directly in a book
called Confederate Military History published in 1899 while Nimrod was
still alive.
"His (Nimrod's)
grandfather was John Norton son of a retired British Naval officer
who had settled in Virginia before the Revolution, and gave five sons
to the Continental army." source
Nimrod Norton
Our third source
we call the Illinois history and is from a decendant of Margaret
Norton who was Christopher's granddaughter also through his son John.
She married John Darneille in 1814 and moved to Sangamon County, Illinois.
The decendant who wrote the history leved in Springfield, Illinois.
This history also came to the Poston researchers within weeks of finding
the Texas history. Although the families had been separated since 1814,
the storys matched with few exceptions. source"
Poston History
The forth source
we call the "Pirate Story". It was written by Eliza Trimble
living at Ballard, Washington in 1906. source Eliza is a great granddaughter of Christopher Norden through his daughter
Elizabeth Norton who married William Benefiel. It's significant to note
that Christphers wife, Mary lived with Elizabeth until her death about
1819. Eliza Benefiel Trimble was born in 1816 and had direct access
to family storys.
"My grandmother,
Elizabeth (Norton) Benefiel, as the daughter of John Norton and was
born May 1, 1769. Her father, John Norton, was born in England in
the time of trouble with sea pirates. He went to sea at the age of
twelve and was 40 years on the sea. There was one noted pirate that
did such havoc to the merchant vessels that England fitted out a vessel
expressly to capture him. My grandfather Norton was on the English
vessel that followed the pirate five years and finally came on it
in a heavy fog in speaking distance. When spoken to they hoisted a
black flag. The pirates had two vessels - one very small and tams
- the idea was with the English that they would cripple the small
vessel first. They shot into it and it sank like a lump of lead. They
then attacked the other vessel and had a hard fight with them - finally
overpowered them and took them to England. But most all the treasure
was on the little vessel. Grandfather said that the money that was
on the big vessel was divided among the men and there was a hatful
to each man. All treasure was on the little vessel. I did know the
names of the two captives and of both the English and pirate vessels
which I have often heard my grandfather relate. I dont doubt
it is in the libraries as England fitted out the vessel expressly
for the capture of the noted pirate, the event would no doubt be on
record.
Grandfather
Norton lived to be old and died in Virginia. I think Grandmother Norton
died in Kentucky at the age of 104 years." source:
note: Eliza
Trimble identifies John Norton as the father of Elizabeth. We think
she confused John Norton the older brother of Elizabeth because he
was so prominent in the family in Bourbon, KY. The father of Elizabeth
died abt 1787, 32 years before Mary Norton, the mother died.
A confusing
history is referred to by W. W. Sellers "History of Marion County,
South Carolina". This history is mixed up with a non-related
Norton history from South Carolina and has been the source of a great
deal of confusion. I'll print the history and then expalin it.
"The first
of this family came from England to New England, at a very remote
period in the past, about the first of the seventeenth century; that
his name was John; that he or one of his descendants, named John,
afterwards came down to Virginia and settled near what is now Alexandria,
Va. This Virginia John had five sons, all of whom were soldiers in
the Revolutionary War; one of them, James, served in Washington's
guard as a Sergeant; another one of then was taken prisoner and died
in a prison ship, in Charleston harbor, in 1780 or 1781.
Their names
were William, James, John, David and Solomon. After the Revolution,
the old man and two of his Sons James and John went to Kentucky; two
others of then came to South Carolina. William went to Georgetown,
and the other went to Beaufort." source
This obviously
refers to our family history but is mixed up with the Marion SC Norton
history. DNA research determined that this Norton line from
Horry and Marion counties in South Carolina is not related to our family. source Don't even try to sort out what is our family and what is the Marion,
SC family. There's just a little of both in every line.
The author of this
work was William Sellers. As it turns out, his daughter was the wife
of the promient Congressman from Marion County, James Norton. His source
for the Norton history was the father of James, John W. Norton who was
a celebrated veteran of the Civil War. So how did John W. Norton
of Marion, SC get his family history mixed up with ours?
This is where Nimrod Norton comes in. Nimrod's father, Hiram Norton was one of the wealthiest
men in Kentucky. Nimrod was sent to two military schools and when the
Civil War broke out he was living in Missouri. There he raised the first
regiment for the Confederacy. Later he was elected to the Confederate
Congress in 1864 at Richmond, Virginia.
John W. Norton
and his three sons were among the first to join the Confederacy and were sent to Virginia to serve with Robert E. Lee and the Army of
Virgina until the war ended. In 1864 they were engaged in defending
Richmond and were in close proximity with Nimrod Norton for several
months. They must have met and compared family history. Both came from
Virginia. both had five brothers that fought in the Revolution and both
had a brother who died in battle. The names of the brothers were even
similar. William, James, John, David and Solomon. Except that in Nimrod's
family the name was Thomas, not Solomon.
John W. Norton
knew his ancestor was William in South Carolina, but was real fuzzy
on relationships and names. Nimrod must have filled in the blanks. After
the Civil War John W Norton went back to Marion county South Carolina
and contributed a family history to the Sellers book that had a little
bit of Nimrod's history and a rather fuzzy selection of his own. It
took DNA to sort things out, but with know with great certainty that
these families are not connected.
Lets tell the Story
We know that
Christopher Norden is father of this family. (Here
is a page with documentation) He would be a grandson of Robert Norden
the Baptist minister and was born in England. Christopher probably had
a career at sea including some time in the Royal Navy. If the Trimble
History is correct, he went to sea at 12 possibly with a commission
as a midshipman in the Royal Navy. We estimate he was born in 1720 and
was 27 when he shows up in Norfolk, Virginia in 1747. By this time he
had resigned his commission in the Royal Navy after a 15 year career.
He married Mary Emmerson near Richmond about 1752 and soon after 1756
they began using Norton rather than Norden.
The first evidence
of Christopher Norden is a lawsuit filed in 1747 at James Cittie
that names Charles Friend, mariner v. Christopher Norden. source This helps establish
him as a mariner, possibly a Captain of a merchant ship because Friend
was a master of a ship.. If the "Historys" are correct, he
began his career in the Royal Navy as a midshipman at the age of 12.
The area of Warbleton, England where his grandfather Robert Norden lived
before he came to Virginia is the principal foundry for English naval
cannons and is very near the major naval ports suggesting a connection
with the Royal Navy. source A
mystery that needs to be solved is, how does a family associated with
the Baptist religion get a commission in the Royal Navy? England was
still imprisoning and executing Baptists in the first half of the 1600's.
It was only under the reign of William and Mary that "non-conformists"
to the Church of England were given the right to exist. Perhaps a son
of Robert Norden who stayed in England was not a Baptist and had connections
to get his son a commission. Robert Norden died 1725 in Virginia. We
think Christopher went to sea in 1732, seven years after Robert died.
The "Pirate
Story" says Christopher spent 40 years at sea. source Not all of these were necesarily with the Royal Navy. We think he was
born about 1720source and went
to sea in 1732. After ten years in the Royal Navy his career had not
advanced and he resigned his commission to settle near Norden relatives
in Virginia. He seems to have continued as a mariner until the Revolution
made commerce too dangerous in 1777. This is when we have records of
him associated with land deeds in Fluvanna. There is also a reference
to Robert Norden in a lawsuit filed at Richmond in 1753. This Robert
Norden is a grandson Robert Norden the Baptist minister and is the
ancestor of all the Nordans in North Carolina.
Christopher Norden
and Mary Emmerson married about 1752 in the county of Goochland
in Virginia. source Mary Emmerson
was born in 1735 and was 17 when she married. Her father, Thomas Emmerson
had land just on the borders of Goochland, Fluvanna and Louisa counties
along the Three Notched Road. Her father's will names Mary Norton in
1790 and leaves her 5 shillings. source Mary Norton is well established as the mother our Norton line and the
wife of Christopher Norton. It appears that they began using Norton
over Norden soon after their marriage. Mary Norton witnesses
a deed in Albemarle near Nortonsville in 1762 source and in 1785 is recorded as the wife of Christopher Norton on a rather
special land grant from Virginia giving ownership to the Nortons for
the land they had been farming in Fluvanna since at least 1777. source Mary also gives permission for her daughter Milly Norton to marry in
1792. source
Nortonsville, Boonesville and the Shenandoah
Nortonsville is a hamlet located on the border of
present day Albemarle and Green counties Virginia. There are several
records and events that tie our Norton family to this little hamlet
and it's possible this is the area that our Norton family came to settle
after Christopher and Mary married in 1752. It is possible Christopher
Norton aquired this land from a headright for transporting people to
Virginia. There are several nearby examples of this but there is no
direct evidence.
Link to a map of land owners around Nortonsville circa 1760
The buildings
of Nortonsville are very old. An expert who examined them said some
of the buildings were made of recycled earlier materials including ship
timbers. The main house consists of three sections built at different
times. In fact one (the oldest) was supposed to have been moved there
from another spot nearby. The land contains the old general store, a
cottage, a farmhouse, a smithy, grist mill, dairy, barn, cemetery
and two schools - one for white children and the other for black children,
Some of the wood beams in the farmhouse appear to be recycled from a
circa-1600s building and, before that, a ship.
link to a picture of Nortonsville.
notes
In 1761 Mary
Norton witnessed a deed for a property just 7 miles from Nortonsville.
(see map below) source Why is
Mary Norton witnessing this deed? As it turns out, three of Mary's brothers
own about 1,000 acres bordering or very close to this deed. Further
evidence that the Mary's brothers were active in this area is a record
of her brother Henry Emmerson being baptized by Benjamin Burger, the
same minister who married one of Mary's children. The other witnesses
on the deed are David and Caty Thompson. The Thompsons are a significant
family in Albemarle and Fluvanna owning many thousands of acres. George
Thompson posted marriage bonds for James Norton in 1788. The owner of
the property under Nortonsville was originally Roger Thompson who's
actual plantation is thought to be at Boonesville. (note on this map
it's called Boonesboro, but on recent maps it is Boonesville.) There
is a significant connection between the Nortons and Thompsons, but we
have not been able to identify the source. (It may be through the Emmerson
family who owned land next to David Thomson in Lousia county.)
An important note
is that Mary Norton witnessed the deed and not Christopher Norton. We
consistantly find that Christopher Norton is missing from important
documents suggesting that he is away from the family and perhpas at
sea.
Additional links
to Nortonsville are the marriages in 1775 of two of Christopher
and Mary's children.
William Norton
married Mildred Taylor in January of 1775. She is the daughter of Erasmus
Taylor and Jane Moore of Orange County and have land situated not far
from Nortonsville. Mildred Taylor was a 2nd cousin of President James
Madison. Mildred's uncle also produced another president, Zachary Taylor.
Christopher and
Mary's oldest daughter, Sarah married William Farney of Orange county
Virginia in November of 1775. William Farney is really Fearneyhough
and the Fearneyhough land is located just 2 miles from Nortonsville
over the border in present day Green county. (Orange county included
Green county in 1774). The Fearneyhough also appear to be a wealthy
family. When Sarah's husband died just after the Battle of Yorktown
their estate was valued at 30,000 pounds Sterling. These marriages give
us some insight into the status of the Norton family at this time. Christopher's
former commission in the Royal Navy and position in maritine must have
established him in society. Mary's family is also well placed.
While we haven't
been able to determine when Nortonsville got it's name it is included
on the earliest maps we can find. Nortonsville is missing from "The
Roads of Albmarle County" which records the building of the roads
through Nortonsville in 1743. (source)
|
The history of
Boonesville is lost. We have only echos, but Daniel Boone often
came through these parts. He was captured in Charlottesville, Albemarle
county by the British in 1781 as he was attending the Continental Congress.
After he was released he was joined by James Norton, a son of Christopher
and Mary, on his return trip to Lexington, Kentucky. James Norton and
Daniel Boone were side by side at the 'Battle of Blue Licks" fought
in Kentucky 1782. It's from James that we get an eye witness account
of Daniel's son Israel's death during the battle.
The Revolution
changed everything for the Norton family. Maritine commerce was
choaked off in Virginia by January of 1777 ruining Christopher's marintime
business. This is the time we find Christopher Norton mentioned on land
deeds in Fluvanna. Also in 1778 the Norton sons began buying land in
Rockingham, Virginia.
The route from Nortonsville
to Rockingham was through Brown's Cove. Thomas Norton purchased 300
acres on a branch of the North Mill Creek commonly known as "Wolfs
Place" in south-east Rockingham, VA in 1778. Thomas brother John
also purchased land in the area. When Sarah Norton married William Farney
they also purchased land in Rockingham. Nortonsville may have been sold
to purchase land in Rockingham because from this point we find references
to Norton land in Fluvanna and Rockingham and not in Albemarle. We know
that the land in Fluvanna was not purchased, but was eventually granted
to Christopher Norton in 1785 by the Patrick Henry, the governor of
Virginia.
Chapter
6
The Revolution of
1776
In
March of 1775 Patrick Henry made his famous speech uttering "Give
Me Liberty or Give Me Death!" In April 1775 Paul Revere made his
midnight ride before the Minute Men battled the British at Lexington
and Concord. In June of 1775, George Washington was named Commander
in Chief of the Continental Army.
Thomas Norton
and William Norton along with Sarah's husband, William Farney possibly
joined with the 7th Virginia Regiment organized in Ablemarle county
between February and May of 1776. Thomas Norton would have been 23 and
William Norton 22. A third brother John was 17 at this time, but it
appears he stayed at home to help manage the plantation.
Here
is a link to the history of the 7th Virginia during the Revolutionary
War as constituted in Albemarle, Virginia. You have to be careful
becasue the 7th was combined with other regiments and another regiment
named the 7th.
The 7th Virginia first defended the Chesapeake Bay during 1775. They were on the line
at New York when the British routed the Continentals and forced a retreat
across New Jersey to Pennsylvania in November of 1776. the 7th was with
Washington on Christmas Day, 1776, when he crossed the Delaware River
and attacked a garrison of 1600 Hessian troops at Trenton, NJ. They
were forced out of Philadelphia by the British and settled in at Valley
Forge.
The 7th Virginia
regiment entered Valley Forge in the winter of 1777 with 427 assigned
and only 46 fit for duty. When they left the following Spring of 1778
they had 376 with 226 fit for duty.
The oldest son,
Thomas Norton was a Corporal in the Virginia Continental Line.
There is a strong
family tradition that says that James Norton served as an orderly sergant
in George Washington's guard. James never mentioned this service in
any of his War Pension applications, but I believe the family tradition
is correct. James married Jean Bybee whose brother served as an "Aide
de Camp" for Washington. The Bybee's had seven sons who served
with Washington in important postitions. In addition, George Thompson
who posted bonds for James marriage to jean Bybee served in positions
close to Washington. William Norton married Mildred Taylor who was a
2nd cousin of President James Madison. The Nortons were well connected
at the time of the Revolution and there was ample opportunity for James
Norton to be associated with Washington's guard. However since he never
mentioned it in hispension applications, I rather suspect he was a young
orderly since he was only 15 in 1776.
The
Norton family in 1778-1779 consisted of Christopher and Mary
about 53 and 46 years old, Thomas 24 (married to Elisabeth Hawke?),
William 23 (married to Mildred Taylor), Martha 21, Sarah 20 (married
to William Farney), John 19, James 17, David 15, Elizabeth 11 and Milly
4.
It appears that
the Norton brother's enlistment was up in the early in the Spring of
1778. In May of 1778 Thomas Norton purchased 300 acres on a branch of
the North Mill Creek commonly known as "Wolf's Place" in southeast
Rockingham, Virginia. Close by is William Farney who was married to
Thomas' sister Sarah. This land is only 40 miles from the family farm
in Fluvanna County but just over the Blue Ridge Mountains and served
as a "safe" place when the British moved through Albemarle
and Fluvanna in 1780. It is apparent that the Norton family located
there for safety from the British from the war record of James Norton.
James Norton the
4th son served two tours of duty in the Virginia Militia during 1779.
James pension record states he served his 1st Tour from April to September
1779. He joined under Col. George Thompson, Capt William Smith, Leuftenant
Ben Smith in Fluvanna County, Virginia. (James 1st Pension app said
he started from Rockingham, but his 2nd says he was wrong and started
from Fluvanna) He marched from Fluvanna to Albermarle barracks.
Then to Richmond and Petersburg. From there to Portsmouth and Norfolk.
From Norfolk he returned to Albermarle County til his tour of 6 months
was fulfilled. James 2nd Tour was for 3 months starting in Sept 1779
in Albermarle County under Col. Hamilton and Capt Lamb. He marched to
barracks in Winchester and conveyed prisoners there. He then returned
to Albemarle county till his 3 month tour was up in December 1779.
James Norton substituted for John Shannon beginning March
12 1780 from Albemarle, Virginia which constituted his 3rd tour. John
Shannon furnished him with suitable clothes and everything except a
gun which he drew from the Gochland Court House. This was a rifle company.
Several of his company were killed during action on Chesapeake Bay and
the south branch of the Potomac in Hampshire County. This tour saw considerable
sickness in his camp. From the mouth of the James River he marched to
Camel Court House through Pittsylvania County VA and here received his
discharge about September 1780.
David Norton
begins his service about May of 1780. His Revolutionary War
record says he served for a year and a half which takes him to the surrender
at Yorktown. It also mentions he recieved a scar on his left cheek.
We know that
John Norton was also at Yorktown from brother-in-law, John Black's
war pension records, but we have no details.
We have no
record of where William Norton served or where. Only his pay
picked up in 1783.
Thomas Norton
must have died shortly after Yorktown because his children are
bound out in Rockingham court just 5 weeks after Yorktown surrendered.
Sarah Norton's husband is also deceased and the Rockingham court handles
her case the same day which suggests that William Farney also died at
Yorktown.
Nimrod
Norton's history says that one of the brothers was a prisoner on
a prison hulk in Charleston harbor and died there. It's known that he
mixed history with the Nortons of Marion county, South Carolina. The
only brother that died was Thomas and it appears that he died at Yorktown.
The prison ship may refer to the Marion, SC Norton history.
The British invade
Fluvanna 1781
For Christopher Norton the War for Independance must have been a personal
battle. As a former British naval officer with decades of service, he
was trained for command and had already lived a life of action at sea.
He knew what to expect from the British.
British
forces led by turncoat Benedict Arnold and Lord Cornwallis entered the
Virginia interior in January of 1781 and Virginia was powerless to defend
itself. Most of the Virginia Line and militia had been captured at Charleston,
South Carolina.. Only a disorganized and inexperienced force remained
to fight for the home cause. Thus, the British arrived unchecked at
Richmond, and considerable damage was done to the area.
In
June 1781 the "British Legion" commanded by Banastre Tarelton
called "The Butcher" for his actions at Charleston was at
the very door of the Norton plantation in Fluvanna. In a forced march,
Tarelton came right through the Norton plantation in Fluvanna to suprise
Charlottesville, almost capturing Thomas
Jefferson at Montecello. Jefferson was warned of the attack just in
time just in time, and was able to disperse family and visitors to various
shelters. He himself fled to safety just as the approaching British
arrived within sight.
During this time
there are indications that the Norton family had moved to Thomas Norton's
land in Rockingham county in the Shenendoah Valley safely away from
the British. It appears that all five Norton sons join the Virginia
Militia for the final battle at Yorktown. It is possible Thomas Norton
and William Farney died at Yorktown.
From James Norton's
pension record we learn some of the details.
In July or August
James Norton was marched down within a few miles from Richmond and
connected with Maj. Bunting and General Layfette. where the Americans
had just left.
The only event
in particular he now remembers of was during the siege of York and
Glocester. One morning about four October, the British broke out and
overtook a little battery where the French troops were posted. And
the battery repulsed at length with some loss on both sides but the
American side suffered most.
This was after
as he now remembers Vandenberg, the fight of Pigeon Hill which also
took place during the siege. He states that he was not stationed on
the York side where the most of the Virginia troops were until the
day preceeding the surrender.
He states that
he was on the north of York River on the night the British attempted
to escape but was punished by the fury of the water. (a storm came
up to foil the English escape) He was at Gloucester upon York
where the British gave up having crossed over to the other side. This
last service he was commanded mostly by French commanders whose names
he has mostly forgotten. Gen. Chois, a frenchman, took the command
of the Virginia army. This just before the surrender. (On the 3d
of October the Sieur de Choisy marched to block up Gloucester, and
take a position at three miles distance from that place.) Gen.
Chois commanded one division during the siege that he was in.

He was not out
on furlough for one day after the British gave up. He went with the
Militia and some prisoners to Winchester, he remained till the last
of December 1781 and was discharged & received his discharge from
Patrick Shannon who was in the barracks.
Our Colonel was
authorized to call out men whenever necessary. Being what were called
"Minute Men" as we had to be always in readiness so that
we could go at less than one hours notice. James Norton remains
with the army guarding prisoners until December of 1781.
Sadly the end
of 1781 brought the business of taking care of the families and estates of Thomas Norton and William Farney who died just after the Battle of
Yorktown. Thomas' brother John Norton was appointed executor of William
Farneys estate posting a bond for 30,000 pounds Sterling. He was also
appointed guardian of their only son, John Farney.
The children
of Thomas Norton are also bound out to wards of the court.
1781, Nov 26 Rockingham
John Norton is appointed executor of William Farney's estate in Rockingham,
VA valued 30,000 pounds. John will also be appointed guardian of John
Farney. William Farney is the husband of Sarah Norton, John's sister.
This appears to be John Norton later of Bourbon, KY. He signs with
an "x".
"From Abstracts of Executor, Administrator and
Guardian Bonds of Rockingham Co., VA 1778-1864 by Marguerite B. Priode
John Norton the administrator of the estate of William Furnay on Nov.
26, 1781 of 30,000 pounds sterling. The bondsman was Robert Harrison."
November 26, 1781
Thomas Norton Deceased
"On the motion of Peter Vaneman that the church wardens bind
out Sarah Norton daughter of Thomas Norton who has left his wife &
family destitute of the means of subsistance to Peter Vaneman until
she comes of age being now 4 1/2 years of age." Rockingham County,
Virginia Minute Book, 1778-1792 Part I 1778-1786.
|
|
Sources:
1
James City County, Mariner, Charles Friend v. Christopher Norden Judgment
1747
http://www.lva.virginia.gov/whatwehave/local/burned/locality-ip.asp
Israel Friend had
many family members who followed him to the Potomac area, including
two siblings. Charles Friend (1699-1751) lived in the area that is now
Williamsport, Washington Co., Md.(24) Mary Friend had
been married in1727 in Cecil Co., Maryland to Robert Turner, who is
found in Frederick Co., Md. deed records as late as 1769.(25)
http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvclay/israel.htm
Israel's sons had followed their father's example, and had movedto the
leading edges of the frontier to find their fortunes. Eldest son Jonas
Friend was born circa 1725. He had lived at Friend's Fort, now Elkins,
Randolph Co., West Virginia, where he died 15 Nov. 1807.(30) He had
married by 1754 to Sarah Skidmore in RockinghamCo., Va., and they had
five children. Second son Jacob Friend was born circa 1727. He lived
inRockingham, later Pendleton, Co., Va. He died in 1818.(31) He hadmarried
in 1756 to Elizabeth Skidmore, sister of Sarah, and they had atleast
nine children. It has been said that Jonas and Jacob met their brides
inRockingham Co., Va. However Joseph Skidmore (their father) is found
inFrederick County, Maryland in 1750.(32) He is also found on the 1766list
of debts owing to merchant James Dixon of Frederick, Md. (33) The youngest
son Charles Friend was born circa 1730, and died in1816 in Monroe County,
(West) Virginia.(34), leaving at least four children.
More records on Friend
Friend,
Wm. -- merchant -- 1678, SR 05762c, p. 24
Friend,
zzz -- master of ship: Cartwright -- 1744, SR 00900, p. 1 These refer
to Capt Friend of the ship Cartwright
Friend,
zzz -- master of ship: Cartwright -- 1744, SR 14692, p. 1
The Friend family were Quakers and the reference to Capt Friend of the
ship Cartwright is for carrying letters to Virginia of London Friends
meetings.
2
3 Wm.
Douglas Register of marriages
in Goochland- Fluvanna, VA.
"Christopher
Norden & Mary Emmerson a son named William born Jun 13.1754
[Baptized] 1756 June 26. p. 49" [p. 261 in the Douglas Registry
book]
THE DOUGLAS REGISTER,
by W. Jones (1928). "Being a detailed record of births, marriages
and deaths with other interesting notes as kept by the Rev. Douglas,
from
1750 1797." A Goochland Co. Will Index is also included. According
to the book, The reverend William Douglas came to St. James northam
parish in goochland county, VA, Dover church, on the 12th of October
1750. A memorandum in the register shows that he had charge of St. James
northam parish for 27 years: Maniken town (king William parish) for
19 years and ministered to a charge in Buckingham County for 4 years.
"This book is known as the Douglas register for the reason that
it not only contains a record of births, christenings, marriages and
deaths and funerals in St. James Northam parish and the county of Goochland
but in many instances in adjacent counties and other more remote. the
record also is not only for the period he was in charge of St. James
Northam parish but continues after he left that parish on the 5th of
Sept 1777 and went to live in the Louisa County. In fact he kept up
the entries in the register until 1797 and thus it covers a period of
92 years.
4
Albemarle Deed Book 3, p. 211
20 Dec 1761 HENRY TILLEY JR. & wife JEAN (JANE) to PHILLIP THURMAN
(This is the fellow who is said to have changed spelling to THURMOND)
for L30, 294 acres adj. Rich Meadow; CAPT. JOS. MARTIN, HENRY BUNCH.
Wit: DAVID THOMSON, CATY THOMSON, MARY NORTON.
5
Christopher Norton received a Land Office Treasury Warrant from Patrick
Henry, the Gov. of the Commonwealth on September 10, 1782. He and his
wife "Mary" sold that land to a man named John Furbush in
September 1788. This grant was unusual for not being assiciated with
land bountys granted Revolutionary War vetrans. It seems to be a special
grant giving the Nortons ownership of land that they had been farming
since at least 1777 when Christopher Norton land is mentioned on deeds
bordering it. Several other parcels bordering this land in Fluvanna
changed hands at the end of the Revolution suggesting that a Loyalist
previously owned the land. Most were purchased in pounds sterling. "Real"
money was scarce after the Revolution and paying in pounds sterling
was unusual.
6
Christopher Nordens birth may be as early at 1710 and as late as 1725.
He married Mary Emmerson in 1754 when she was 19. If he was born in
1725 he would be 29. This age difference is not unusual for a man with
a career in the Royal Navy. However if he was born in 1715 and was 39,
it begs our imagination to allow it. Also his last child was born in
1774. He was 49 if he was born in 1725 and 59 if he was born in 1715.
Another way of measuring
his age is from his naval references. The "Pirate Story" says
he was 12 when he went to sea and spent 40 years at sea. 12 years old
is the common age for a commission as a midshipman in the Royal Navy.
If we count back 40 years from 1777 when we have references for Norton
land in Fluvanna and add 12 more we get 1725. It could be that Christopher
served the Revolution as a mariner and that could add a few more years
to his birth date.
7
Cast of characters associated with the deed Mary Norton witnessed.
Albemarle Deed Book 3, p. 211
20 Dec 1761 HENRY TILLEY JR. & wife JEAN (JANE) to PHILLIP THURMAN
(This is the fellow who is said to have changed spelling to THURMOND)
for L30, 294 acres adj. Rich Meadow; CAPT. JOS. MARTIN, HENRY BUNCH.
Wit: DAVID THOMSON, CATY THOMSON, MARY NORTON.
==================
Richard Meadows listed as "rich meadow". -a location
Capt Joseph Martin - location
Henry Bunch -location
vid Caty Thomson - witness
Mary Norton - witness
Phillip Thurmond - purchaser
Henry Tilly - owner
1) First of all I found the location
of the deed.
It's just below
Free Union, VA. This deed is right on the road south of Free Union at
the joining of Moremans and Mechams creeks. You can see it on the map.
It's 7.5 miles from Nortonsville south on the main road.
2) (witness) There
is a John Thomson one property east (1759). I have 7 other Thomson properties
without a locator to plot them. Any of these could be next to the witness
property. William Thomson has land on Moremans creek and close to Woods
gap.
3) (location) Rich
Meadow west of deed.
4) (location) Joseph
Martins land adjoins (barely) north. 1745
5) (location) Henry
Bunch adjoins southish. William Bunch has land 1/2 mile from Nortonsville
1739.
6) (seller) Henry
Tilley has several properties on the survey I am using but none real
close to this property. The records are far from complete.
7) I didn't find
any Emmersons in Albemarle, but I misspelled it "Jemmerson"
and hit the jackpot.
Adjoing the deed
or very near by are 1000 acres owned by the 3 oldest brothers of Mary
Emmerson Norton.
Samuel Jemmerson
and John Jemmerson (several spellings) have 1000 acres going up the
north side of Moreman's creek. This is within 1/4 mile of the witnessed
property. The deed dates are 1741-1751. I think Jemmerson is a problem
transcribing "J. Emmerson" or combining "Je" for
a Capital E. At least they were consistant. I find no Jemmersons on
other counties.
There is also a
Henry Emmerson in the area but more towards Fluvanna border and of course
Thomas Emmerson (deed 1773) within 1/4 mile of Christopher Norton. Thomas
Emmerson also has land further down the 3 notched road 1763.
Emmerson is also used as "Thomas Eme'son's". Thomas Emmersons
land is mentioned
9) Adjoining Thomas
Emmersons property in Christopher/Fluvanna is John Thurmond, Glasby,
Joseph Walker, Samuel Davis,Francis Baker, Jno Stranges, John Bybe.
10) Thomas Emmersons
other Fluvanna Property dates from 1747. 1/4 mile away is David Walker
1739, John Walker Jun. 1739 and Joseph Walker 1750. Thomas Walker also
witnessed a deed 1728.
11) Goochland. It
turns out that Thomas Emmersons land in Goochland (240 acres) adjoins
his land in Fluvanna. The Goochland deed dates from 1763. Next door
is John Walkers land (400 acres) dating from 1735. Joseph Walker
is next to John 1735.
8
this land transaction is close to Boonesville and is the location of
Gentry church. In 1785, James Gentry, from Louisa County, purchased
400 acres of land in northern Albemarle County near the county line
with Orange County. The land was purchased from Thomson and Sarah Walton
for 40 pounds of current Virginia money. In 1810, James Gentry purchased
400 acres of land from John Huckstep and his wife, Aggy, just across
the Albemarle County line into Orange County. The 400 acres was located
on the Lyne (Lynch) River and is now located in Greene County (see map,
Figure 2a).
9
A HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS By Thomas Armitage THE AMERICAN BAPTISTS
The first
nine Acts of 1661 provided for the support of the State Church; in each
parish a church edifice was to be built out of the public treasury,
together with a parsonage house and the purchase of a globe for the
minister's use. He was to receive a salary of ,80 sterling, a provision
subsequently changed to 16,000 pounds of tobacco, to be levied on the
parish and collected like other taxes. Each minister must be ordained
by a Bishop in England, all other preachers were to be banished; every
person who wilfully avoided attendance on the parish Church for one
Sunday was to be fined fifty pounds of tobacco; every Non-conformist
was to be fined ,20 for a month's absence, and if he failed to attend
for a year he must be apprehended and give security for his good behavior,
or remain in prison till he was willing to attend Church. Much pretense
has been made, that because the early settlers of the colony were cavaliers,
they were less austere, more polished and of gentler blood than the
Puritans of Massachusetts. But the brutal intolerance of the English
Court was faithfully copied by them, and no darker or more bloody pages
stain English or Massachusetts history than those that defile the early
records of Virginia. White tells us of a band of men who were driven
from Virginia 'for their religious opinions' in 1634. [Annals of Annapolis,
p. 23] Bulk records the revolting barbarities inflicted on Stevenson
Reek for the same cause in 1640. He 'stood in the pillory two hours
with a label on his back, paid a fine of ,50, and was imprisoned at
the pleasure of the Governor,' for simply saying, in a jocular manner,
that his majesty was at confession with my lord of Canterbury.' [ Ecc.
Hist. of Va., ii, pp. 51-67] Holmes details, at length, that in 1648
four missionaries were sent from Massachusetts to Virginia, Messrs.
James, Knollys, Thompson and Harrison. They held a few meetings there
in private, but their little congregations were violently broken up
and the missionaries banished, while many of their hearers were imprisoned.'
[Annals, 289] James Ryland, a member of the House of Burgesses from
the Isle of Wight County, prepared a Catechism which was pronounced
'blasphemous' for which he was expelled in 1652; and for some other
trivial religious offense a member from Norfolk was expelled in 1663.
Virginia had adhered to the king against Cromwell and the Commonwealth,
and Dr. Hawks, the eloquent Episcopal historian of Virginia, tells of
four of Cromwell's soldiers who were 'rudely hung, as a warning to the
remainder' in 1680, for their religions opinions, under the pretense
that 'their assemblages' were 'perverted from religious to treasonable
purposes', 'these religious assemblages themselves being regarded as
a subversion of the government.' [Hist. of Episcopacy in Va., pp. 71-72]
Hening states that
the 111th Act of the Grand Assembly of 1661-62 declared that, 'Whereas,
Many schismatical persons, out of their averseness to the orthodox established
religion, or out of the new-fangled conceits of their own heretical
inventions, refuse to have their children baptized; Be it therefore
enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that all persons that in contempt
of the divine sacrament of baptism, shall refuse when they may carry
their child to a lawful minister in that county, to have them baptized,
shall be amersed two thousand pounds of tobacco; half to the informer,
half to the public.' [Statutes at large, ii, pp. 165-166]
This was a blow
dealt at the Quakers, as there seem to have been no Baptists in the
colony at that time. Several Acts of the Assembly in 1659, 1662 and
1693 made it a crime for parents to refuse the baptism of their children.
Jefferson writes: 'If no execution took place here, as in New England,
it was not owing to the moderation of the Church or the spirit of the
Legislature, as may be inferred from the law itself, but to historical
circumstances which have not been handed down to us.'
When William and
Mary came to the throne, in 1689, their accession was signalized by
that enactment of Parliament called the ACT OF TOLERATION. Even this,
as Dr. Woolsey remarks, 'removed only the harshest restrictions upon
Protestant religious worship, and was arbitrary, unequal and unsystematic
in its provisions.' Still, it was the entering wedge to religious freedom,
and while the Baptists of England gladly availed themselves of it and
organized under it in London as a great Association for new work, a
hundred and seventeen Churches being represented, the authorities of
Virginia thought it inoperative in their colony. It was not until a
score of years after the passage of this Act that the colonial Legislature
gave to the colonists the meager liberties which it granted to the British
subject. When, however, news of this Act reached Virginia, the few individual
Baptists then scattered abroad there resolved on their full liberty
as British subjects under its provisions. They entreated the London
Meeting to send them ministers, an entreaty which was followed by a
correspondence running through many years. In 1714 Robert Nordin and
Thomas White were sent as ordained ministers to the colony, but White
died upon the voyage. Up to this time there seems to have been no organized
body of Baptists in Virginia, although there are traces of individuals
in North Carolina as early as 1696, who had fled from Virginia to escape
her intolerance. Semple finds the first Baptist Church of Virginia organized
in association with the labors of Nordin at Burleigh, Isle of Wight
County, in 1714, on the south side of the river and opposite Jamestown.
Howell thinks that before the coming of Nordin there had been a gathering
of citizens there, joined by others from Surry County for consultation,
and that they had petitioned the London Baptists to send them help.
Be this as it may, Nordin was soon followed by two other ministers,
Messrs. Jones and Mintz, and under the labors of these men of God the
first Church was formed in that year, and soon after one at Brandon,
in the County of Surry. The first is now known as Mill Swamp; it is
thought that the Otterdams Church is the second. These were General
Baptists, but in a few years they embraced Calvinistic sentiments, and
Nordin labored in that region till he died, in 1725. While this movement
was in progress in the southern part of Virginia, the influence of the
Welsh Baptists, in Pennsylvania and Delaware, began to be felt in Berkeley,
London and Rockingham Counties, which were visited by their ministers.
Semple thinks that these laborers first readied the colony through Edward
Hays and Thomas Yates, members of the Saters Baptist Church, in Maryland,
and that Revs. Loveall, Heaton and Gerard soon followed them. Churches
were then gathered at Opecon, Mill Creek, Ketocton and other points
in rapid succession, which became members of the Philadelphia Association,
from which they received the counsel and aid of David Thomas, John Gano
and James Miller, which accounts in part for the rapid spread of Baptist
principles in North Virginia. They were soon strengthened, also, by
the labors of two men of great power, formerly of other denominations,
who became Baptists. Shubael Steams, a native of Boston, Mass., was
converted under the preaching of George Whitefield, and united himself
with the revival party of the Congregationalists, called New Lights,
in 1745. He continued with them for six years, when lie became convinced,
from an examination of the Scriptures, that infant baptism was a human
institution and that it was his duty to confess Christ on his faith.
10
Albemarle County Will Book No. 3 1785-1798, pg. 101 reads, "I will
and bequeath to my daughter Mary Morton five shillings...."
However, the Albemarle
Wills microfiche (#30212) of the handwritten will clearly reads "Mary
Norton": especially when you compare the handwritten "M"
in "Mary" to the "N" in "Norton."
11
"Although from this time orders proliferated for roads within present
Louisa County, the
next order falling within our area of interest occurs in the fall on
10 October 1743 O.S. This
order called for a road from the road in Orange that extends to the
dividing line between this
County and Orange on Linches river to the upper north fork of Buck Mountain
creek along the
track that leads to Robert Thomson.? Greene County was separated in
1838 from Orange
County, created in 1734, so that the area in question lies on Lynch?s
River along that boundary.
Although it is not known where Robert Thomson lived, the upper north
fork of Buck mountain
creek would appear to be those branches of the stream in the Boonesville
area, and the road
Route 810 from the hollow north of Browns Cove down through the present
Boonesville and
Nortonsville to Lynchs River and ?the road in Orange County that extends
to the dividing line."
ALBEMARLE COUNTY ROADS 1725-1816 By Nathaniel Mason Pawlett
|
|
Rev Robert Norden
1690
Waldron, Sussex, England |
"Norden Robert, Waldron 22 Jul 1690 house of R Norden registered for worship of Anabaptists."
"A History of Baptists in Virginia" by Reuben Edward Alley:
1. While serving as the pastor of the church at Warbleton, Robert Norton was voted the number one choice of the Baptist Association in England to go serve in Virginia (78 votes for Norden, 30 for Thomas White, 4 for Miller, 2 for Richardson). (A History of Baptists in Virginia, p. 20-22. Excerpt below.)
2. He was advanced from the office of Elder (essentially pastor) to Messenger (evangelical missionary). "Accordingly Norden would devote himself to labors with General Baptists in a wide territory....As Messenger Norden would not become pastor of a church, rather he would cultivate the Baptist faith by traveling over the area in order to teach and to conduct meetings with small groups at different places. In this manner as Messenger he would try to develop congregations in preparation for the organization of the churches which would then require the services of Elders as pastors." (ibid, p. 23)
Norden gathered a church at a place called Burley, in the county of the Isle of Wight. He was faithful in his labors and died in the year 1725. Two years after his death Casper Mintz and Richard Jones, two ministers, came over from England, and Jones became pastor of the church. The following additional information is given by Paul Palmer in a letter to John Comer, in 1729:
There is a comely little church in the Isle of Wight county, of about thirty or forty members, the elder of which is one Richard Jones, a very sensible old gentleman, whom I have great love for. We see each other at every yearly meeting, and sometimes more often. There is another church in Surry county, where my brother Jones lives, I suppose of about thirty more. |
1705, Jan 23
Waldren, E Sussex, England |
1705, Jan 23 Robert Norden. glover of Waldron leases land to James Durrant for 101 years at a peppercorn rent
date: 9 Apr 1748 By JOHN DURRANT of Waldron, carpenter, eldest son and executor of the Will of James Durrant late of Waldron, carpenter, to BARTHOMOLEW GORLEY of Herringley (sic), brickmaker, - for £35 - of 20 rods of ground part of a tenement called Harpers, bounding to Waldron Down, W., to a highway from Possingworth to the messuage of Edward Durrant, S., and to lands of Robert Norden and John Grover called Harpers, E. and N.; which said 20 rods were demised, 23 Jan., 1705, by Robert Norden of Waldron, glover and John Grover of Heathfield, mercer, to the said James Durrant for 101 years at a peppercorn rent and upon which ground the said James Durrant afterwards erected a messuage, and by his Will dated 3 June, 1740 devised the same to the said John Durrant And also Mortgage of a barn and 1 ac. of ground adjoining the 20 rods on the N. side. Signature, John Durrant, and seal
Witnesses:- Mary Gosling, John Gosling |
1706, Nov 25
Waldren, E Sussex, England |
1706, Nov 25 Jann Norden (b.abt ?) (died) 25 Nov 1706 ye wife of Robert glover (Waldron-burial record)
|
1707, June 4
Waldren, E Sussex, England
|
1707, June 4 Will of Robert Norden of Waldron
Will of Robert Norton 1707 (signed by Henry Miller and John Fuller)
http://www.nortonfamily.net/images/will%20of%20Robert%20NOrden%201707%20Waldren.pdf
I Robert Norden of Waldron, in the county of Sussex, yeoman being sick and weake in body but of sound and perfect memory (blessed be God) do make and depose this my last will and testament to be that my loving brother, John Norton of East Hoathly in this county above said shall pay and discharge all my debts and ?????? executor whatsoever and to and for this better enableing to do the same and to and for the performance of such other as private instructions as I have given him I give devise and bequeath unto my said brother all my estate both real and personall and I make him sole executor to put my hand and seal this fourth day of June in the sixth year of the Reighn of our Sovereign Lady and by the grace of God Queen of Great Britain en doing dommini 1707: Robert Norden
Signed Sealed and published in the prefecture of us John Fuller, Lydia Sone and Hen: Miller
notes on signers
1) John Sone, Robert Norden witnessed a deed in Waldron 11 Jan 1658
2) Henry SOANE [Parents] was born in 1618 in Brighton, Sussex, England. He was christened on 17 Nov 1622 in Brighton, Sussex. He died about 1662 in James City Co., VA.. He married Judith FULLER on 17 Feb 1643 in Lewes, Sussex. Judith FULLER died after 1695. She married Henry SOANE on 17 Feb 1643 in Lewes, Sussex. Judith is the ggrandmother of Thomas Jefferson.
3) IGI LIDIA SONE
Christening: 20 JAN 1681 Ninfield, Sussex, England - Father Obediahhttp://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp&clear_form=true
This Lydia would be 26 in 1707.
4) Also Lydia Soane who's family move into Virginia big time. |
| 1714, Mar 26 |
March the 26th, 1714. BESSELS GREEN CHURCH BOOK
http://www.unitarian.org.uk/docs/publications/2001_Sevenoaks.pdf
At our Church Meeting holden at Bro. Joseph Coules, Senr. at the Park, these things now debated and agreed on as fol loweth:
1. As to visiting the congregation, after mature consideration it was agreed that the Elders give the congregation a general personal visit and enquire into the state of their souls.
2. Agreed to go on to complete the subscription and send in the sum by our representatives to the association: being Bro. Cox and Bro. Brown and Bro. White.
3 . As to Cacket and his wife it was agreed t o send two brethren to give them a Christian admonition.
4. It is the agreement of this Church that the persons to be sent to Virginia be such as hath a freeness ? in themselves and as to whom we think upon as fit persons are Bro. Miller or Norden out of the Congregation and Bro. Benge and Bro. Tasker as an assistant, and the method of proceeding to know the mind of God in choosing (we with submission) offer you our thought that out of those are four you may judge who are fit and then agree what number to send of those fit persons which may be chosen by lot or otherwise. |
1714, May 14
|
May the 14 th, 1714. BESSELS GREEN CHURCH BOOK
http://www.unitarian.org.uk/docs/publications/2001_Sevenoaks.pdf
At our Church Meeting Holden Bro. Joseph Brown's the following things were debated and determined:
First, Bro. Patterson in pursuance of a special commission given him and Bro. Miller by and from the association held late at Cranbrook acquainted the people with the several steps that Association had taken in order to send messengers into Virginia, and in particular with their message to them at this time in order to remove the difficulties with them, and Bro. White to take upon him part of the great work of gathering and settling churches in gospel order in Virginia. Whereupon, after some debate, the people concluded that it would not be safe to withhold Bro. White from this good and great work and therefore thought good to spare him for a time to go with Bro. Norden as aforesaid.
Upon this, Bro. White, being asked as to his own freeness, replied that upon the account of the orderly steps that had been taken in seeking the Lord and at the Association, together with the consent of the Church at Sevenoke to whom he belong, that he was free to take part of that ministry with Bro. Norden as aforesaid.
Secondly, agreed to send a letter of request to the Church at Warbleton in order to obtain Bro. Nicholas Burgis to come up and assist us in the ministry, and also to entreat Bro. Burgis to come and Bro. Wood, (where he lives) to spare him.
Thirdly, Bro. Patterson, Bro. Miller, and Bro. Richardson promise to come up, one of them, once in two months in order to assist us in the ministry during the time of Bro. White's absence.
Fourthly, a g r e e d t h a t Bro. Cox and Bro. Brown go-to the Assembly as representatives with Bro. Calverly and Bro. White.
Fifthly, agreed to keep tomorrow a day of fasting and prayer in order ordain Bro. White, and that if they are there.
Samuel Patterson.
Henry Miller
Messengers.
James Richardson.
William CoxJ
Joseph Coules.
William Jefferies.
Richard Westerman.
Joseph Brown.
James Brown.
John Colgate
James Calverly.
Thos. White.
George Pescud.
Samuel Sarles.
James Fletcher.
William Fletcher.
Thos. W ickham
Thos. Coules
Robert Martin
These in the behalf of the rest
|
| 1714 |
1714 Assembly of General Baptists
"The Association appointed 'Bros Paterson, Norden, Richardson and Jarman' a committee to take 'names of such persons as by Representatives of ye Congregations should be nominated to be sent as Messengers to Virginia and to bring in ye Names of such as in committee presented the name of four 'right and proper persons' to be named as Messengers. The Association then 'proceeded to decissive Choice of ye Persons to be sent' to Virginia. The ballot resulted as follows: Miller 4, Richardson 2, Norden 78, White 30. Upon this ye Association did declare that Bro. Norden & Bro. White were their choice...and moreover that a letter be written to ye next Assembly to aquaint them with our Proceedings in Sending Messengers to Virginia." (Footnote 6)
"Having named the Messengers the Association appointed committees to visit the churches then served by Norden and White as pastors. "It is further agreed that Br. Patterson & Bro. Richardson shall go to Warbleton, in order to endeavor to Remove the Difficulties with the Congregation on Br. Norden's Account and that the Same with Bro. Miller to go to Sevenoks in order to remove the Difficulties with them in Respect to Bro. White.'".....
"When the General Assembly of General Baptists met in London on May 19, 1714, representatives of the churches approved the action taken by the Kentish Association with respect to sending Norden and White as Messengers to Virginia. The Assembly affired the ordination of the two ministers to the rank of Messenger and made necessary provisions as recorded." p. 22
"For proper understanding of subsequent events in Virginia it is necessary to observe the distinction between an elder and a messenger as made by the Six Principle (Hebrews 6:1-2) or General Baptists of that period. Norden has been ordained as an elder before he could become pastor of the church at Warbleton. In 1714 he was ordained as a Messenger by the General Aseembly in London in order that he might go to Virginia with that higher rank....
"From this description of the office it is clear that Norden as a essenger, duly elected by the denomination came to Virginia to exercise 'functions analagous to those entrusted of recent years to the General Superindendents appointed by the Baptist Union.' (England) Accordingly Norden would devote himself to labors with General Baptists in a wide territory, and in Virginia that meant to those who had homes in counties south of the James River--Prince George, Surry, Isle of Wight and neighboring communities. As a Messenger Norden would not become pastor of a church, rather he would cultivate the Baptist faith by traveling over the area in order to teach and to conduct meetings with small groups at different places. In this
manner as Messenger he would try to develop congregations in preparation for the organization of churches which would then require the services of Elders as pastors. An Elder was elected by the congregation and responsible to the congregation.....
A History of Baptists in Virginia by Reuben Edward Alley, p. =20
20-26(Available in the FH Library)
|
| 1714, June 14 |
1714, June 14 Robert Norden and Thomas White appointed messengers for Virginia
"The Baptists of Virginia originated from three general sources. As has been indicated, the first came from England, about 1714. Some of these Baptists wrote letters to England asking for assistance. The Assembly of the General Baptists sent, in the same year, Robert Norden, of Warbleton, who was already an ordained minister, and Thomas White, who died Upon the journey. The order of the Assembly was as follows:
"To Stir them Up for Some Assistance for Robt. Norden and Thos. White who are Appointed & Approved by this Assembly to go to Virginia to propagate the Gospel of truth
(The Minutes of the General Assembly of the General Baptist Churches in England, I.). |
| 1714, Nov 9 |
1714, Nov 9 - Will of Robert Norden of Wladren, glover
will mentions wife "Anne" and possible children brothers John and Thomas
http://books.google.com/books?ei=UWPqTsrmB-_ViALJl4jQBA&id=rm3kAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22robert+norden%22+glover+sussex&q=glover#search_anchor
Virginia Baptist Research http://www.baptistheritage.org/Research/tabid/119/Default.aspx |
1715, June 14
Burleigh, VA |
1715, June 14 Norden sets up church in Burleigh, VA
Prince George County show that on June 14, 1715,
"Robert Norden, an Annabaptist preacher appears in Court and takes the Oaths and Subscribes the Declarations mentioned in the Act of Parliament of the 1st of William and Mary."
Order Book, 1714-1720, p. 20. The oath and declaration are given in Deed Book, No. 1, p. 58. Urner, Clarence H. Early Baptist Records in Prince George County, Virginia. In the Virginia Magazine, Vol. XLI. Richmond, Va., 1933.]
On the same day the court records that "Matthew MARKS having petitioned this court that his house be entered a publick meeting house for those persons called Annabaptists, it's Ordered the same be done immediately." At the next session of the Court, July 12, 1715, "On motion of Nicholas ROBERTSON it's Ordered that his house be recorded a publick meeting house for the Sext of Annabaptists."
[Footnote: Order Book, 20, 25. Urner, 99. The earliest known mention of Matthew MARKS is his patent in 1690 for 556 acres on Ward's Run in Martins Brandon Parish (Virginia Patent Book No. 8, p. 77). In 1691 the Order Book of Charles City County (from which Prince George was formed in 1703) records that Matthew MARKS was summoned for not attending the parish church. In 1704 his
holdings were over 1,500 acres (Prince George Quit Rent Rolls, in Virginia Magazine, Vol. 28, p. 334). Nicholas ROBERTSON recorded his "mark for cattle" in Charles City County in 1687. A Deed by him in 1718 shows that he lived in Bristol Parish. The homes of MARKS and ROBERTSON were in different parts of the county.]
Norden establishes Baptist church in Burleigh, Isle of Wight, VA |
1715, July 12
Prince George, VA |
12 July 1715 – Meeting House Approved
On motion of Nicholas Robertson, ordered that his house be recorded as a Public Meeting House for the Sect of Anabaptists. (Prince George County, VA, Court Orders 1714-1720, 25)
The first wife of Nicholas Robertson is claimed to have been Sarah Marks, daughter of Matthew Marks and sister of Mary Marks Davenport, wife of George. Robertson searchers identify John, Israel, and Edward Robertson as sons of Sarah, say that Nicholas’ second wife was Jane Tillman, daughter of Roger and Susannah Tillman of Prince George. |
1717, March
Virginia |
1717, March
Catherine Norden is mentioned in a will in Virginia
wife - Catherine Layless (Lillis) of Elizabeth Cittie, Isle of Wight. (will is witnessed by Robert Norden)
The will of Stephen Layless (Lillis) March 1717 Layless (Lillis), Stephen Wills and Administrations of Elizabeth City County, Virginia 1688-1800
"Money left me by my son John (Lillis) in the hands of Catherine Norden, ????? to my wife, my son Thomas, my daughter. My personal estate to be divided between Mary Henderson, Catherine Norden and John Bordland.
Exec: Catherine Norden and John Bordland. Dec 17, 171?
Received March 8, 1717.
Witness: Nathaniel Parker, John Henry Rombough, Joseph Wragg.
Probation granted to Robert Norden March 1717."
Nathaniel Parker
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/vafdking/parker.htm
http://www.sallysfamilyplace.com/Parker/tompark.htm#Nathaniel%20Parker%20d.%201730
John Henry Rombough Court officer did many estate appraisals. |
1717. Sept 20
Surry, VA |
1717. Sept 20 House of Thomas Sorby is registered for Baptist worship in Surry, VA
This is a second congregation in Virginia for the Baptists.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vaschsm/S2000v2n4p3.html
These are to certifty whom it may concerne that the house of Thomas Sorby in the parish of Southwark in the county of Sury in Virginia being in the Northern part of America in the west Indiaes and in the Dioces of John Lord Bishope of London Is designed to be set Apart and Appointed for A place of Religeous Worshipe for prodistant desenters from the Church of England calling themselves Baptissess as wittness our hands this sixth day of May Anno Domoni: 1717
Robert Norden & Thomas Harrison {ministers }
Mathew Marks
Israell Markes
John Averey
William Dredge
Richard Winckles
George Davenport
Regred Sept 20th 1717
The Marks, who also signed the letter, came to Virginia and patented land in Prince George County before 1714, and appear to have been instrumental in the spreading of the Baptist faith. Wherever the early Baptists appeared, so did the Marks. Were they sent here to prepare for the coming of the ministers?
Below is the letter asking for permission to preach in Surry homes, from a copy in the Virginia Historical Society. There is another for the house of Robert Clark. The Guildhall Museum in London has the original documents and has certified our copies as authentic. |
1719, 15 Aug
|
15 Aug1719 – PROBATE: Last Will & Testament of Matthew Marks, late of Prince George County, Decd.
Made this date; probated at Merchants Hope 13 Oct 1719. Named Edward Marks, son of Edward Marks, to have 200 acres adjoining Ward’s Creek at age 21; John Robyson to have the land at The Ponds; Israel and Edward Robyson to have the land on the other end of the Spring branch at Blighton’s line; daughter Mary Davenport to have the parcel of land at The Ponds next to Blighton’s line; John Marks, son of Israel Marks, to have 50 acres next to the Southern Run and Harrison’s line; daughter [Elizabeth?] to have two beds, one for her and the other for Robert Norden during his time of tarrying in Virginia; to John Marks, son of Israel Marks, a feather bed; Robert Norden to have my plantation to live on until Edward Marks comes of age. Executors: Robert Norden, John Avery. /s/ Matthews Marks. Wit: Elizabeth Marks,
Joseph “X” Thomas, Mary Jones, Penelope Warthen, (Prince George County, VA, Deeds & Wills, 1713-1728, 358)
The Prince George County Court House was at Merchants Hope Plantation from 1714-1728. Marks had apparently sold the land he patented in Isle of Wight County before he made the will—unless there were two Matthew Marks. Another Matthew Marks appeared in Goochland (later Cumberland) County in 1738 (see below). |
1721, 12 June
Prince George, VA |
12 Jun 1721 – PROBATE: Estate of Mathew Marks, late of Prince George County, Decd.
Estate accounting mentions George Davenport, Captain Goodrich, Robert Norden, John Avery, William Hamlin, and Eliza Marks. (Prince George, VA, Deeds & Wills, 1713-1728, 470) |
1724
Kent, England |
1724, Robert Norden requests funds from Kent
For a period collections were taken in Kent to sustain this enterprise. In 1724 Norden wrote to the Assembly and the next year the question was raised whether he should return to England to solicit funds. The action of the Assembly was as follows:
Agreed by this Assembly that Bror Norden being sent for Home from Virginia if he be Disposed to Returne be to Bror Henry Miller & Bror Robt. Mesers who are Impowered by this Assembly to Act in that Affair as they Shall Judge Necessary & Call Such Assistance from other Churches as they may think proper (Minutes, I.). |
1724, April 11
Prine George, VA |
1724, April 11 Charles Norden dies in Prince George County, VA
Prince George County, Virginia Records 1713-1728, Part 5, p. 727
"Will of Charles Noden of Martins Brandon Parish, School Master
Will of Charles Noden - 1724 (Deeds etc. 1713-28, page 727, Prince George Co.VA.)
In the Name of God, Amen. I Charles Noden of Martin Brandon parrish, in Prince George County, School-Master, being verry weak in Body tho' of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God for it, do make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following.- Imprimis. I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of that Almighty God that gave it, and my Body to the Earth to be in a Christian Like and decent manner buried, hopeing thro' the merritts and intersessionof my blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, not my own deserts, to receive the same again at the General resurrection of the Dead, and to be received into the fullness of joy, among the number of the Elect, which God of his Infinate mercy grant. Amen.
Item. I give unto my verry good friend James Bell of the aforesaid parrish and County, all that small matter wherewithall it hath pleased God to bless me with, and do make him Executor of this my Last Will and Testament, only desireing that if any _______ should come in to me of next shipping, that Doctor Hammersley may have the physicall part; and if there be any other Goods desire Mr.Bell may keep them for his own use.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Eleventh day of Aprill, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand, Seven Hundred and twenty four.
Charles Noden Seald w'th. red wax.
Signed, Seald and Declared by the said Charles Noden to be his Last Will and Testament in presence of us}
Edward Markes
Richard Stevens
John (the mark of) Bailey
At a Court held at Merchants Hope for Prince George County on the Second Tuesday in August, being the Eleventh day of the said month Anno Dom: 1724.
The above written Last Will and Testament of Charles Noden dec'ed. was Exhibited into Court by James Bell his Executor who made oath thereto and it being proved by the oaths of Edward Markes and Richard Stevens two of the witnesses thereto, is by order of the Court truly recorded. And on the motion of the said James Bell, and his giveing Security according to Law Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of the said Will in due form.
Test Wm. Hamlin ClCur. |
1725, Dec 1
Virginia |
1725, Dec 1 Robert Norden died in Virginia on Dec 1, 1725
The inventory of his goods when he died was taken Oct 7, 1726 by Richard Jones, Adm'r. Value L 20/10/00 Appraised by William Short, Travis Morris, Richard Warthen. Recorded Dec 13, 1726. (Prince George County, VA Wills & Deeds 1713-1728, p. 940).
Two years after Norden's death Casper Mintz and Richard Jones, two ministers, came over from England, and Jones became pastor of the church and Mintz started a new work in Surrey. |
Charles Norden
|
1724, April 11
Prince George, VA |
1724, April 11 Charles Norden dies in Prince George County, VA
Prince George County, Virginia Records 1713-1728, Part 5, p. 727
"Will of Charles Noden of Martins Brandon Parish, School Master
Will of Charles Noden - 1724
(Deeds etc. 1713-28, page 727, Prince George Co.VA.)
In the Name of God, Amen. I Charles Noden of Martin Brandon parrish, in Prince George County, School-Master, being very weak in Body tho' of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God for it, do make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following.- Imprimis. I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of that Almighty God that gave it, and my Body to the Earth to be in a Christian Like and decent manner buried, hopeing thro' the merritts and intersessionof my blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, not my own deserts, to receive the same again at the General resurrection of the Dead, and to be received into the fullness of joy, among the number of the Elect, which God of his Infinate mercy grant. Amen.
Item. I give unto my verry good friend James Bell of the aforesaid parrish and County, all that small matter wherewithall it hath pleased God to bless me with, and do make him Executor of this my Last Will and Testament, only desireing that if any _______ should come in to me of next shipping, that Doctor Hammersley may have the physicall part; and if there be any other Goods desire Mr.Bell may keep them for his own use.
In
Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Eleventh day of Aprill, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand, Seven Hundred and twenty four.
Charles Noden Seald w'th. red wax.Signed,
Seald and Declared by the said Charles Noden to be his Last Will and Testament in presence of us}
Edward Markes
Richard Stevens
John (the mark of) Bailey
At a Court held at Merchants Hope for Prince George County on the Second Tuesday in August, being the Eleventh day of the said month Anno Dom: 1724.
The above written Last Will and Testament of Charles Noden dec'ed. was Exhibited into Court by James Bell his Executor who made oath thereto and it being proved by the oaths of Edward Markes and Richard Stevens two of the witnesses thereto, is by order of the Court truly recorded. And on the motion of the said James Bell, and his giveing Security according to Law Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of the said Will in due form.Test Wm. Hamlin ClCur. |
Timeline
- 1717 Robert Norden emigrates to Virginia be establish Baptist congregation
in Ille of Wigh county.
- 1725 Robert Norden dies in Virginia.
- 1747 lawsuit
filed in 1747 at James Cittie that names Charles Friend, mariner v.
Christopher Norden,
- 1752 Christopher Norden and Mary Emmerson married in Goochland, VA
- 1753 Thomas Norton born.
- 1754 William
Norton born Goochland, VA
- 1756 Martha
Norton born Goochland, VA
- 1757 Sarah
Norton born VA
- 1759 John
Norton born VA
- 1761 James
Norton born VA
- 1762 Mary
Norton witness deed in Albemarle, VA
- 1763 David
Norton born Fluvanna, VA
- 1769 Elizabeth
Norton born Fluvanna, Virginia
- 1769 Elizabeth
Norton born Fluvanna, Virginia
- 1774 Milly
Norton born Fluvanna, Virginia
- 1775 Marriage
of William Norton and Mildred Taylor
- 1775 Marriage
of Sarah Norton to William Farney both of Orange, VA
- 1777 First
mention of Christopher Norton in Fluvanna deed books.
- 1778 Thoams
Norton purchases land in Rockingham, VA
- 1779 Christopher
Norton witnesses deed in Fluvanna, VA
- 1779 James
Norton serves his 1st Tour from April to September 1779. in Fluvanna
County, Virginia. James 2nd Tour in Sept 1779 in Albermarle County
his 3 month tour was up in December 1779.
- 1780 May,
David Norton enlists in Virginia Line.
- 1780 James
serves 3rd Tour from Albemarle, VA.
- 1780 Thomas
Norton captured at Charleston, SC
- June 1781 the "British Legion" commanded by Banastre Tarelton attack
Charlottesville, VA going through Norton plantation.
- 1781 Estate
of Thomas Norton settled.
- 1781 Oct
18 Yorktown surrenders. James and John Norton are documented as being
there.
- Nov 26 1781 John Norton executor of William Farney estate in Rockingham.
- August
19, 1782 James
at the "Battle of Blue Licks" in Kentucky.
- September
10, 1782 Christopher Norton received
a Land Office Treasury Warrant from Patrick Henry, the Gov. of Virgnia.
He and his wife "Mary" sold that land to a man named John
Furbush in September 1788.
Link to map of Norton land in Fluvanna with history of neighbors
- 1784 John Norton marries Sarah Spencer in Albemarle. Married by Benj. Burger
a Baptist minister.
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