Abraham Norwood, I

Children: Anne Norwood, Eliza Norwood, Abraham Norwood, Abigail W. Norwood, Susan Norwood, Jonathan Norwood, Mary P. Norwood, Elias Norwood, Augusta Norwood, Hester W. Norwood, Eleanor Norwood, Lucinda Norwood, Catherine Norwood, Albert Norwood, & Edwin Norwood.

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braham Norwood was born in Cape Ann, Pigons Cove, Essex County, Gloucester, MA in 1870 On January 14, 1804, Abraham, the son of Jonathan (b.1740 d.1799) and Elizabeth Davis (b.& d. unknown) Norwood, married Nancy Norwood, the daughter of Gustavus (b.1752 d.1841) and Abigail Sargent Norwood. Whereas Jonathan and Gustavus were both sons of Jonathan (b.1712 d.1791) Norwood and Elizabeth (b.1712 d.1775) Davis Norwood, they were first cousins. Twelve of Abraham and Nancy Norwood's fifteen children through Lucinda (born 6/21/1821) were born in Cape Ann, Gloucester, Mass. Catherine (1/22/1823), Albert (12/13/1823), and Edwin (9/8/1825) were born in Biddeford, Maine which indicates Abraham and Nancy settled on the banks at the mouth of the Saco River about 1822 which eventually became the Norwood Homestead.

Deeds for land purchased from Israel Lassell on 11/6/1829 for forty acres; from John Patten on 5/10/1830 an additional 40 acres; and on 1/22/1840 from Ether Shapley another 40 acres, show that Abraham and Nancy were purchasing large areas of land in Biddeford at the mouth of the Saco River Several other documents show transfer of ownership of other parcels of land adjacent to the original land purchases to Abraham Norwood and then to several of his children including Eliza and Susan Norwood.

A deed July 13, 1871 shows Abraham Norwood purchasing “One eighth part of Wood Island, situated at the mouth of Saco River, or so much that is not owned by the United States. Said eight part containing about three and one half acres, being in common and undivided, from Thomas Butts, Esq.” Another deed dated Feb. 24, 1840 shows Abraham Norwood purchasing additional land on Wood Island from James Chase of Saco for $61.67. Several other documents show transfer of ownership of other parcels of land adjacent to the original land purchases to Abraham Norwood and then to several of his children including Eliza and Susan Norwood. From “LANDMARK AT HILLS BEACH MAKES WAY FOR PROGRESS” Before marring, at the age of 20, Mary (Norwood) Callahan had lived practically all her life with her parents (Albert & Mary B. Norwood) on Wood Island, off the coast of Biddeford Pool. Her grandfather, Abraham Norwood, was the first person to man the lighthouse when it was built, and in turn his son, Albert Norwood (Mary's father), kept up the family reign on the island.

Abraham Norwood died on August 4, 1844 at the age of 64 and is buried along side of his wife Nancy in the Oaks Cemetery, a beautiful location on the Pool Road in Biddeford on land which they owned near their home at the mouth of the Saco River with Wood Island Light House in the distance in Winter Harbor. Many of their children are also buried there. A monument listing all their names was later purchased by their son Albert.

Family Members Spouse Photo Nancy Norwood Norwood* 1785–1852

Children Ann Norwood Sanderson* 1804–1829

Photo Eliza Norwood Butterworth* 1805–1892

Photo Abraham Norwood* 1806–1880

Abigail W Norwood Tarbox* 1808–1873

Photo Susan Norwood* 1810–1871

Photo Jonathon Norwood* 1811–1900

Photo Mary P Norwood* 1813–1834

Photo Elias Norwood* 1814–1888

Photo Augusta Norwood Silsby* 1816–1853

Photo Hester W Norwood* 1817–1873

Photo Eleanor Norwood Norwood* 1819–1838

Photo Lucinda Norwood* 1821–1899

Photo Catharine Norwood* 1823–1823

Photo Albert Henry Norwood* 1823–1888

Edwin L Norwood* 1825–1826