My Norris Ancestors from MD to VA to NC

This is a genealogy of John NORRIS born 1756, Maryland who resided in Loudon Co., VA by the late 1790's and then to Lincoln/Catawba Co. NC by 1803.

NORRIS SURNAME DISTRIBUTION IN THE U.S. (Provided by Hamrick Software)

norrissurname.gif - 3.5 K

The color of each state indicates how frequently you will find someone with this surname in each state. For instance, if a state is colored red, then 1 in 100 people (or more) in that state have the surname. Similarly, yellow means approximately 1 in 300 have the surname, green means 1 in 1000, and blue means 1 in 10,000 (or less).

My Norris Ancestors...

John Norris was born in 1756, Maryland; He died April 27, 1843, and is buried in Catawba Co., N.C. at the Salem Lutheran Church Cemetery (just over the Lincoln Co., N.C. line). His wife (most probably 2nd wife) Jane F. (was born in 1768 (in Maryland), she died on February 24, 1846, and is buried in Catawba Co., N.C.
John and Jane Norris were residing in Lincoln County, N.C. about 1802, when they purchased 252 acres of land for $1,000 which laid on both sides of Clarks Cr. waters of S. fork of Catawba River on Aug. 31, 1802 from John J. Jones and wife Amelia of Wilkes Co. (this land was part of 278 ac. granted Dec. 23, 1768 to Daniel Warlick).

In a 90 year time span, the county was at one time parts of Rowan County (in 1753), then Burke County (in 1778), Lincoln Co. (in the 1780's), and in 1842 Catawba County was formed from the northern portion of Lincoln County, N.C. So, during different periods in history, some of their records may vary from Lincoln to Catawba - with a little understandable confusion.

Note - John and Jane Norris and John Sr's son (by first unknown wife) John Norris Jr. are buried in Salem Lutheran and Reformed Church Cemetery in Row 12 approx. 1 mile inside Lincoln Co. (From 1842-1847, this area was formerly Catawba Co.).

John Norris and unknown first wife had the following children:

1. James Norris born after 1784 - (no further information at this time).
2. William Norris born after 1784 - (no further information at this time).
3. Richard Norris born after 1784 - (no further information at this time).
4. John Norris (Jr.) born 1794; died December 19, 1811; buried in Salem Lutheran Church Cemetery, Lincoln Co.).
5. Nancy Norris - MY ANCESTOR - Born October 11, 1799; married Philip Warlick in Lincoln Co., N.C. on January 17, 1828. She died on December 25, 1877 in Carroll County at the home of her son, John Norris Warlick, she was buried in Jackson, Tenn. (Madison County, Tn.) , along with her husband at the Old Salem Cemetery. Her tombstone inscription reads "Born 1799 in Loudoun Co., VA..."
6. Leonora G. Norris - was born in "VA" about 1800. She married in Lincoln Co., N.C. on December 24, 1822 to Jacob Summey. Jacob Summey was born June 22, 1780 in Lincoln Co., N.C. He died on August 29, 1848 in Green County, AL. Leonora or "Liney" was shown on Greene Co., AL census in 1850 with a Frederick SUMMEY (age 19) student, residing with her - but did not find her in 1860 in AL. No evidence of children in Jacob's will or previous census years.

John NORRIS and second(?) wife Jane 'unknown" had the following children:
7. Benjamin Norris, b. 1808, N.C. (he inherited his father's plantation). Left for Marhsall Co. Miss. by 1849, where he appeared in 1850 & 1860 Miss. census. He married Hariett Steele in Marshall Co., Miss. in 1851 and they had three sons. Hariett must have died in 1856, and Benjamin appeared alone with three sons on the 1860 census.
Benjamin Norris died in 1889 and he and Hariett are buried at Mt. Pleasant Cem., Mt. Pleasant, Marshall Co., Mississippi.
(**Note: It is from the 1880 census of Marshall Co., Miss. that the birthplace of Benjamin's parents was found to be: Maryland).
8. Elizabeth Norris - b. 1812, N.C., married in Lincoln Co., N.C. on December 12, 1833 to John R. Perkins, Jr., son of John Perkins, Sr. and _____. Elizabeth Norris-Perkins was possibly widowed by 1836, for her father's will, which was written in 1836, specifically mentioned "my daughter Elizabeth Perkins" as "single". She had one son named John R. Perkins III (b. ca. 1834) and they were residing in Marshall Co., Miss. by 1849. They appeared with brother Benjamin NORRIS during the 1850 Marshall Co. Miss. census.

IMPORTANT NOTE!!!
There is a Norris book (available on microfilm) by Harry Alexander Davis through Library of Congress that contains seveal errors. On page 299, the author has mistakenly included two of my ancestor's children to William & Emaline (Wilson?) Norris.

The two children are # 4 & 5 on page 299:

iv. Elizabeth was born abt. 1810 (in N.C.) - she did marry John R. Perkins (in Lincoln Co. NC on December 12, 1833) and moved to Marshall Co., Miss. and they had one son named John Perkins (Jr.) and she was a widow, BUT she was a child of my ancestors John and Jane Norris (mentioned above). After she was widowed, Elizabeth's son was appointed a guardian (his uncle Benjamin) and these records appear in Lincoln Co. NC court papers - Benjamin and Elizabeth and her son John Perkins were all residing together in the 1850 Marshall Co. Miss. census). Elizabeth and her son John Perkins disappeared from Miss. census records after that.

v. Benjamin was born May 12, 1806 in Lincoln Co. NC and died June 19, 1889 in Mt. Pleasant, Marshall Co., Mississippi. Benjamin NORRIS received the "bulk" of his father's estate in 1836. I have not found his other brothers in Lincoln Co. NC census or court records after that... Benjamin may have married twice. His first wife Jane was mentioned in John Norris' will (dated 17 Feb. 1836) - I have not found a marriage record for them (I do not think they had any children before she died)... His second wife was Harriett Steele, whom he wed in Marshall Co. Miss. on August 25, 1851. He had three children with Harriett: William H. Norris (b.1853), Jane H. Norris (b. 1854), and B. Richard Norris (b. 1856) - all born in Marshall Co. Miss. Harriett may have died giving birth to their youngest son - her death is recorded as February 21, 1856 and she is buried in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, Marshall Co., Miss. along with Benjamin who died there in 1889.
Benjamin's son Wm. H. married Emma Unknown and they had two daughters by 1880 (Loucy and Carrie B.) - Benjamin was residing with them in the 1880 Marshall Co. Miss. census and states that both of his parents were born in Maryland - none of his children or grandchildren were found in the 1900 Miss. census - they must have left the state.

Pleast note this CORRECTION (on page 299) if you own a copy of Harry Alexander Davis' NORRIS book! Elizabeth and Benjamin Norris were NOT children of Wm. & Emaline Norris...! They were the children of my ancestor John Norris b. 1756, Maryland and Jane Unknown! ....Thanks!

EARLY VIRGINIA NORRIS MARRIAGES:

John Norris to Mary Jones on March 25, 1782, Fauquier County, VA. Note: Fran Miller found a history written by Emolene Lynch in the Gilmer County, West Virginia History Book that lists one of the children of William & Hannah (Bell) Norris as John Norris. John married Mary Jones and they had children born in Fauquier County, VA, including Hannah, born 13 Oct 1787 and William, born 8 Aug 1792. John & Mary (Jones) Norris left Fauquier Co. VA around 1808 and ended up in Harrison County, VA (now WV). Hannah married an Irishman, Daniel O'Brien, had 6 children, and died 26 May 1876 in Upshur Co., WV. William married Sarah "Sally" Lowther of Harrison Co. (now WV). William and Sally had 11 children, most of whom seem to have been born in Lewis Co. (now WV). William & Sally's son, Milton, was a surveyor and landowner in Gilmer County, WV. His home was called The Beeches and it still stands in Glenville, WV. At one time, he and a partner owned the land now occupied by Glenville State College. Milton is my (3x) great-grandfather. If anyone else has any information about this Norris Family, please go to genforum's site at: http://genforum.genealogy.com/cgi-bin/pageload.cgi?Fauquier::norris::3374.html to contact Fran.
Elijah Robinson and Susannah Norris on October 3, 1785, Fauquier County, VA.
Winter Bailey and Ann Norris on December 10, 1789, Fauquier County, VA.
Thomas Butler and Mary Norris, infant on June 20, 1765, Sussex County, VA.
John Norris and Jane Cammell on February 4, 1737–8, Lancaster County, VA.
James Kirk and Mary Norris on August 27, 1762, Lancaster County, VA.
Oliver Stott and Elizabeth Norris on September 19, 1786, Lancaster County, VA.
John Brent and Judith Norris on April—, 1791, Lancaster County, VA.
Fortunatus George and Judith Norris on October 20, 1788, Lancaster County, VA.

EARLY NORRIS MARRIAGE RECORDS IN PENNSYLVANIA

Francis Norris to ? in May 1744.
Henry Norris and Ann Hill on May 11, 1774.
Joseph Norris and Hannah Wood on Aug. 7, 1766.
Mary Norris and William Bringhurst on June 1, 1769.
Robert Norris and Hannah Gilbert on 1775, Apr. 26, 1775.
Robert Norris and Hannah Gilbert on Apr. 26, 1765.
Robert Norris and Margaret Long on M'ch 5 or 6, 1768.
Sara Norris and Samuel Forster on Apr. 22, 1761.
Thomas Norris and Hannah Gilbert, on Aug. 31, 1762.
Thomas Norris and Catharine Steward on Nov. —1746.
William Norris and Ann Aubery on M'ch 17, 1766.

MISC. VIRGINIA NORRIS INFORMATION
provided by Corinne H Diller - Thanks Corinne!

1759, Loudoun Co. tax : William Norris, "constable", 2 slaves.
1763, April 10, Loudoun Co., deed, Bryan & Elizabeth Fairfax, of Fairfax Co., to
George Washington of Fairfax Co. . . 275 acres on Difficult Run, being part of a larger tract granted 17 Aug. 1739 to Col. John Colvill, and surveyed for William Norris...
1776, Loudoun Co. tax : John Gregg, fuller, has Francis Norris, total 2.
1778, Lancaster Co., will of John Norris.
1778, Lancaster Co., will of Joseph Norris.
1778, Loudoun Co., Shelburne Parish, tax : John Gregg has in his household: Francis Norris, Abner Gregg, Thomas Gregg, total 4.
1782, 4m (June), 10, Loudoun Co., date of will of Isaac Walker; ...sisters Sarah Norris, Hannah Smith, Rebecca Trahern ... proved 10 June 1782.

1782-87, Virginia taxes:
Fauquier Co., William Norris, 1 poll, 7 slaves.
John Norris, 1 poll. (northeast dist.)
Prince William Co., James Norris, 1 poll.
Prince George Co., Joseph Norris, 1 poll.
Washington Co., John Norris, 1 poll.

1783-85, Virginia taxes :
Albemarle Co., William Norris, 5 whites, 4 other bldgs.
Elizabeth Norris, 7 whites, 1 dwelling, 9 other bldgs.
Chesterfield Co., James Norris, 6 whites.
James Norris, 6 whites, 6 blacks.
John Norris, 3 whites, 3 blacks.
Cumberland Co., Thomas Norris, 6 whites, 9 blacks, 1782.
Halifax Co., John Norris Jr., 3 whites, 10 blacks.
John Norris Sr., 2 whites, 3 blacks.
Lancaster Co., William Norris, 6 whites, 1 dwelling, 3 other bldgs.
George Norris, 7 whites, 21 blacks, 1783.
George Norris, 7 whites, 1 dwelling, 3 other bldgs.
James Norris, 7 whites, 1 dwelling, 5 other bldgs.
John Norris, 6 whites, 7 blacks.
John Norris, 6 whites, 1 dwelling, 7 other bldgs.
Joseph Norris, 9 whites, 16 blacks.
Judith Norris, 1 white, 1 dwelling, 3 other bldgs.
Martin Norris, 3 whites, 3 blacks., 1783.
William Norris, 6 whites, 4 blacks.
Monongalia Co., William Norris, 7 whites, 8 blacks, 1782.
Northumberland Co., William Norris, 3 whites, 5 blacks, St. Stephen’s Parish.
Princess Anne Co., Agnes Norrice, 1 white, 11 blacks.
Thomas Norrice, 8 whites.
John Norris, 1 white.
William Norris.
Thomas Norris, 7 whites, 1 dw., 1 other, 1785.
William Norris, 7 whites, 8 blacks, Blackwater precinct.
1783, Berkeley Co. tax, John Norris’ list, himself : 1 white male, 12 slaves over 16, 6 slaves under 16, 22 horses, 39 cattle.
1784, Berkeley Co. tax, John Norris’ list, himself : 1 tithable, 12 slaves, 22 horses, 39 cattle, 2 wheeled carriage.

1787 Virginia taxes :
Fauquier Co., John Norris, 3 horses, 1 cow.
William Norris, 3 sl.16+, 3 sl.<16, 6 horses, 8 cows, Joseph.
Frederick Co., Joseph Norris, 1 horse, 4 cows.
Henry Co., John Norris, 1 white male 16-21, 4 horses, 12 cows.
King George Co., John Norris, 1 slave over 16, 2 slaves under 16, 2 horses.
Lancaster Co., John Norris, 3 sl.16+, 5 sl.<16, 1 horse, 7 cows.
Princess Ann Co., John Norris, 2 sl. 16+, 2 sl. <16, 1 horse, 5 cows.

MUSTER ROLLS
SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1812
DETACHED FROM THE MILITIA OF NORTH CAROLINA 1812 AND 1814
Found on USGenWeb Archives webpage located at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/nc/ncfiles.htm

The following NORRIS' appear:
James NORRIS - 3rd Regiment - Duplin Co. NC
James NORRIS - 5th Regiment - 7th Co. Detached from Wake Regiment
James NORRIS - 4th Regiment, 2nd Co., Cumberland Regiment
John NORRIS - 5th Regiment - Wilkes Co. NC
John NORRIS - 5th Regiment - Caswell Co. NC
Leonard NORRIS
Noel NORRIS
Peyton NORRIS
William NORRIS - 2nd Regt. Pitt Co., NC

Misc. Norris Information!

  • Check out these sites based on the manuscript of Harry Alexander Davis "THE NORRIS FAMILIES OF ENGLAND AND MARYLAND" (of which there is said there are many errors, including the errors I've listed above regarding my line!).
    The only copy of this book is located in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and on microfilm in the Latter Day Saints Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Film # 1759098).

    These websites include the Norris Lineage From England to the Ancestry of Thomas Norris of Maryland and Virginia. This book does contain numerous errors... one of which affects my line... The author (Mr. Davis) mistakenly assigned two children (Benjamin and Elizabeth) # 4 & 5 on page 299 as children belonging to someone else. THIS IS A HUGE ERROR - these were children of my ancestor John NORRIS (b. 1756) of MD to VA to NC. I have complete documentation linking Benjamin and Elizabeth (who moved to Marshall Co. Miss.) as children of my ancestor John NORRIS.

    http://home.onestop.net/enorrste/hynson.html - The Norris Lineage in England, Ancestry of Thomas Norris of Maryland and Virginia

    http://www.geocities.com/heartland/meadows/3026/hynson.html - NOTE: this link was not active as of March 2002...

  • Norris Family Genealogy Forum lets you post and view Norris queries!!!

  • The Norris House Inn Leesburg, Virginia In the heart of the Historic District of Leesburg the Norris House offers "bed & breakfast accommodations" amidst elegant surroundings. The Inn is located between two nationally known bike trails, the 45 mile W & OD Trail in Virginia, just 200 yards away, and the 185 mile C & O Trail along the Potomac River in Maryland, five miles from the Inn. The Norris House Inn, 108 Loudoun Street, S.W., Leesburg, Virginia 20175-2909, (703) 777-1806; (800) 644-1806; Fax: (703) 771-8051; Don & Pam McMurray, Innkeepers

  • Loudoun Co. VA GenWeb.

    The following information was provided by Ira C. Nickle (inickle@mail.conterra.com) on 12 Nov. 1997:

    John Norris was born in 1672 in Charleston, South Carolina and he died in the Colleton District of South Carolina c. 1750. He was a mariner sailing from Baltimore, Maryland. In c. 1705 he married Mary Winifred Patrick who was born in 1689 in Maryland a daughter of Henry Patrick of Kent County, Maryland. They moved to Charleston where, on 11 November 1707, John received a land grant for 300 acres in the Colleton District. After John's death his widow moved to the Abbeville District near her son Robert Norris. In 1760 she was killed there by Indians. John and Mary's children were:
    1. Patrick Norris was born in June 1707 in Kent County, Maryland.
    2. JOHN NORRIS, JR
    3. Cuthbert Norris was born in 1713.
    4. Mary Norris was born in 1716. She married Joseph Jones on 4 October 1749 in St. Philips Parish, South Carolina.
    5. Henry Norris was born c. 1719.
    6. Robert Norris was born in 1722 at Colleton District, South Carolina. He died in 1792 at Abbeville, South Carolina. He married (1) Elizabeth Wrentz who was killed by Indians at Abbeville in 1760 with her mother-in-law Mary Norris. In c. 1761 Robert married (2) Jane (Erwing) Calhoun widow of Ezekiel Calhoun.

    John Norris, Jr. was born in 1710 in South Carolina, probably near Charleston. He was a mariner for many years. By 1748 he had married Jane who was born in South Carolina in 1728. They moved from South Carolina to Lunenburg County, Virginia around 1749. In 1764 a John Norris was listed with one tithe in Cornwall Parish, Lunenburg County. Their children were:

    1. Daniel Norris was born in 1746/8 near Charleston, South Carolina. He died in 1818/9. He married Mary Ross on 27 October 1783 in St. Johns Lutheran Church.
    2. Robert Norris was born c. 1749/50 probably in Colleton District of South Carolina. He married Martha c. 1785 and he died c. 1820.
    3. John Norris was born in Lunenburg County, Virginia on 20 October 1750. He died c. 1836 in McMinn County, Tennessee. He married Ann Gilbert, 1757-1820, in 1772. They moved to Wilkes County, North Carolina in c. 1776. He served in the North Carolina Line in the Revolutionary War. A John Norris was in the 1790 and 1800 census of 96 District, Greenville County, South Carolina. He applied for a pension in McMinn County, Tennessee on 9 September 1835. His application number was R 7700.
    4. Abner Norris was born on 12 January 1758 in Lunenburg County, Virginia. He served in the Virgina and North Carolina Line during the Revolutionary War. He lived in Halifax County, Virginia at the time of his first enlistment. He later moved to Guilford County, North Carolina where he enlisted a second time. There was an Abner Norris in the 1790 and 1800 census of 96 District, Greenville County, South Carolina. He applied for a pension in White County, Tennessee on 19 October 1833. The application number was S1575. There was an Abner Norris listed in the 1840 census of Bloomington Township, Buchanan County, Missouri.
    5. James Norris was born in 1760 in Lunenburg County, Virginia. He married Elizabeth in 1781. A James Norris was in the 1790 census of 96 District, Greenville County, South Carolina and a James Norris was in the 1810 census of 96 District, Abbeville County, South Carolina.
    6. DAVID NORRIS.
    7. Thomas Norris was born 1763/4 in Lunenburg County, Virginia. He married Mary c. 1798 and he died c. 1828. There was a Thomas Norris in the 1790 and 1800 census of 96 District, Greenville County, South Carolina.
    8. William Norris was born in 1758 in Lunenburg County, Virginia. There was a William Norris in the 1790, 1800, and 1810 census of Abbeville District, South Carolina.

    If you have ANY information on my Loudoun Co., VA to Lincoln Co. NC Norris family, please contact me via e-mail......I'd love to hear from you!
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    This page was last updated on the 31 December 2005..