Thomas Norris immigrated from England to the United States

Thomas Norris (son of Geoffrey Norris and Anne Mary Myles) The first of the name in the province of Va. was born Abt. 1608 in Congham, County Norfolk, England, and died November 1675 in Talbot County, Maryland colony.

Thomas Norris was born about 1608 in Congham, County Norfolk, England.

He ran away from home as a boy of eleven years of age and went to sea. In those days, he probably started out as a cabin boy. As he grew older, Thomas became a sailor.

He followed the sea for many years.

He landed in Nansemond County, Virginia colony, about 1630 or 1631 and chose to remain in America. Descended from an old family of County Norfolk, England.

He was associated with the trading adventurer, William Claiborne.

From his associates he evidently settled in Nasemond County, & being of an adventurous & roving nature he became a follower of William Claiborne in his adventures.

It is historically well known that the earliest settlers in what later became the province of Md. were the members of the rading posts established by Capt. William Claiborne on what was called "Kent Island", practically most of the upper Eastern Shore, in 1627. By 1633 this was quite a sizable colony, all being Church of England followers & from the province of Va.
In 1634 Lord Baltimore settled in St. Mary's, Md. & there ensued quite a controversy between Claiborne & Baltimore which can be found in other sources & need not be recapitulated here.

Kent Island for all intents & purposes was considered as a part of St. Mary's co. with no definite separate records until October 1640. (Md. Archives I -39, 55, 87, 362; II - 62, 105.)

It is known that many of Claiborne's followers actually moved to St. Mary's co. during the time of the Claiborne - Baltimore controversy while some of them returned to Va.

Norris is said to have followed William Claiborne, in his trading expeditions up the Chesapeake Bay, and then settled in St. Mary's Co. as a Protestant planter. As a trader, he went back and forth between Maryland and Virginia, and this is why he is recorded as being transported several times

He came up the bay to "The Isle of Kent" (Kent Island, then the beginnings of Kent County; now, part of Queen Anne's County, MD) with Wm Claiborne in the 1630s.

He emigrated to St. Mary's County, Maryland colony, about 1634.

There is record of evidence that Thomas Norris was actually in St. Mary's co., Md. during the year 1637, ie.:

1. Thomas was married during the year 1637 to Ann, the dau. of Thomas Hynson, of Nansemond co., Va. & Kent Island, Md.; transported her to St. Mary's co., Md. in that year. (Records Annapolis, 1637).
2. One Michael Lume died in St. Mary's co., Md. sometime during the year 1638, his will was probated 4 Jan. 1639, & his estate was administered May 1640 when the Provincial Court ordered of his debts & among those to whom he was indebted was

"Thos. Norris" (Prov. Ct. Rec. Annapolis; also Md. Arch. IV 59-60, 89, 90).

There are no deed records in St. Mary's co., Md. prior to 1831, those prior to that date have been destroyed by fire.

There are few ABSTRACTS taken from Annapolis records but they do not cover the early period. There is also a lapse in land records of Annapolis from 1634 to 1658 hence the name of Thomas & his associates do not show.

However, Thomas held tobacco land in Nansemond County (presently part of Chesapeake), Virginia in partnership with his brother-in-law.

In 1637, Thomas married Ann Hynson, the daughter of Thomas Hynson, Esquire, of Nansemond County, Virginia colony, and Kent County, Maryland colony.

It appears that after their marriage, Thomas became a planter and was associated with his brother-in-law, Daniel Glover, who had married Ann's sister.

In 1643 Thomas Norris made a trip to Nansemond co., Va. to the home of his father-in-law, he was reported by one John Carter who secured head rights.

In 1647 he made another trip to "Nansemum" co., Va. & was reported by one L. Peeters, who also secured head rights. It can be learned by following up many of these cases that some of the supposed immigrants in both Va. & Md. are really persons engaged in business & whoever transported them from colony to colony claimed land for bringing them into the province.

Thomas Norris & Daniel Glover, his brother-in-law, whose wife was sister to Ann Hynson Norris, were "Transported" to Talbot co., Md. in 1663 at which time they assigned their rights for land to one John Morgan, of Talbot co.; Morgan did not make use of these rights until the year 1665. (Land Records Lib. 9 fol. 313).

 We investigated the actions of this John Morgan & the records disclosed he specialized in "Transporting" persons to & from Va. to St. Mary's co., Md. & from St. Mary's co. to Talbot co., Md., thus securing headrights to land which he disposed of for a "consideration". <br/>

There does not appear any definite & distinct record of the date when Talbot was lined off from Kent as a separate jurisdiction. It is first mentioned in the Council in 1660/1, & no original boundaries defined clearly. It, however, appears that from 1661 to 1665 Talbot embraced all territory from Kent Narrows & south of Kent Island to the Delaware line & Choptank River. In 1665 definite boundary was established between Kent & Talbot.

The first Court of Talbot co. was held at the house of William Coursey 25 Apr. 1662. Seven Justices are named & among them is Thomas Hynson. At a Court held at the house of William Coursey November 1663 Edward Lloyd takes his seat as a Justice. It appears that Thomas Hynson had resigned or failed of reappointment as we find him foreman of a jury of inquest and among the jury we find the following names of interest: Thomas Hynson Jr., John Hynson, Daniel Glover, and Thomas Norris, sons and sons-in-law of said Thomas Hynson, Senior. (Ct. Rec. Talbot co.; also History of Talbot Co., Tilghman, pp 203-5).

1664, July 6, Calvert Co., granted 400 acres to Robert Macklin, called "Macklinburg", on east side of Chesapeake Bay; assigned to Guy White

In 1665 Thomas Norris & Daniel Glover bought 400 acres of land jointly from Cornelius Comegys. Thomas Norris deed his share of this land to William Lads on 26 Jul. 1668, his wife doe not appear in this deed (Deed Lib 1 fol. 43).

1668, July 2, Talbot Co., deed, Thomas Norris, to William Lads, for 400 acres jointly purchased between Thomas Norris, Daniel Glover, and Cornelius Comegys; witnesses, William Hemsley, Nathaniel Evett. (Land Records I:4

1668, Aug. 3, Calvert Co., deed, Guy White, planter, and wife Sarah, sell all of "Macklinburg" to Robert Macklin, Thomas Norris, and John Singleton

1669, Feb. 21, Talbot Co., deed, Daniel Glover, to John True, planter, for 200 acres on Chester River, on Garrett's Creek, purchased with Thomas Norris, and Cornelius Comegys; witnesses, Cornelius Comegys, Isack Sasney. (Land Records I:98)

In a power of Attorney dtd 20 Jun 1670 from Ann Hynson, wife of Thomas Hynson, Junior, to Thomas Norris, she empowers said Norris to represent her in the sale of a parcel of land called "Grayson's Rectified", granted to Thomas Hynson, Senior, descd. (Deeds Lib. 1 fol. 110). The sale of this land is recorded on 20 June 1670, Thomas Hynson, Jr. to John Hynson, land on east fork of Wickliffe being one half of 800 acres formerly owned by Thomas Hynson, descd., father of said Thomas & John, etc. (Deeds Lib. 1 fol. 109).

In 1673 Thomas Norris, of Talbot co., Md. had a grant of 200 acres of land called "Norrisdey", on Chester River. (Lib. 17 fol. 315). On 6 Nov. 1675 Thomas Norris, of Talbot co., Md., bricklayer, (son of Thomas Norris, Senior) deeded to John Power 200 acres of land on Chester River for 13,000 pounds of tobacco. In this deed the land is called "Marklinborough" & it appears identical with the description of land granted above in 1673.

From the above record Thomas Norris, Senior, died just prior to Nov. 1675 & intestate. He was evidently negotiating the sale of the 200 acres of land at the time of his demise & it was concluded by Thomas Norris, Junior, eldest son & heir at law.
Ann Norris, his wife, was evidently deceased prior to July 1668 as she does not appear in the deed of that date as waiving dower, etc.

From the above record Thomas Norris, Senior, died just prior to Nov. 1675 and intestate. He was evidently negotiating the sale of the 200 acres of land at the time of his demise and it was concluded by Thomas Norris, Junior, eldest son and heir at law.

Ann Norris, his wife, was evidently deceased prior to July 1668 as she does not appear in the deed of that date as waiving dower, etc."

1677, Kent Co. MD., Patent 150 acres to Thomas Norris, called "PRESBURY".

1681, Kent Co. MD., Patent 100 acres to Thomas Norris, called "NORRIS HIS FORREST"

Thomas had holdings along the James River in Virginia, but he or his son received a land grant and settled at the confluence of Island Creek, Southeast Creek and the Chester River, where in 1932 a direct descendant bought a farm, partly or wholly on the sme acreage as the original grant.

Children of Thomas Norris and Ann Hynson are:

1. +Thomas Norris, Jr., b. 1638, St. Mary's County, Maryland colony, d. June 1683, Lancaster County, Virginia
2. Edward NORRIS b: OCT 1639 in St. Mary's County, Maryland
3. Geoffrey NORRIS b: ABT. 1641 d. 1641 in St. Mary's County, Maryland
4. Daniel NORRIS b: APR 1643 in Nancemond County, Virginia
5. Alice NORRIS b: JUN 1644 in Nancemond County, Virginia m. William EVANS.
6. Cuthbert NORRIS b: AUG 1645 in Nancemond County, Virginia
7. Robert NORRIS b: DEC 1647 in Nancemond County, Virginia m. Tabitha OSTLEY.
8. Ann Hannah NORRIS b: ABT. 1650 in St. Mary's County, Maryland
9. John NORRIS b: 1652 in St. Mary's County, Maryland

Study of J. Anthony Norris 12/2008

Basis of this line is in the assumptions/research of the Manuscript "The Norris Family of Maryland and Virginia" by Maj.H.A.Davis. Although much discredited by almost all in it's detail, and herein modified by descendants, one must begin somewhere –

The cited work (hereafter referred to as "HAD") is avail in LOC rare books, LDS film Film # 1759098, and other sources.

I will refer to Thomas b.1608 as "HAD0000", to maintain the Davis assigned numbering where applicable. e.i. his son Thomas 1638 is HAD0001, his 2nd born, my ancestor Edward, is HAD0002, etc.

PLEASE - it takes time - If you see errors, and can document, please fix it. - J.Anthony Norris 12/2008

so we begin (extracted from above HAD) with our immigrant Thomas b. circa 1608 of:

(8) Geoffrey Norris b. 15__ married _____. He was living in 1609 and executor of his brother, Edmund.
Issue

1. i. Alice Norris
2. ii. Elizabeth Norris
3. iii. Edmund Norris
4. iv. Thomas Norris (9) b. circa 1608 (The Immigrant)

Thomas (1) Norris, the Immigrant

Their children were:

1. i. Thomas b.1638 m. 1 - Martha Ironmonger m. 2 - Elizabeth Hosier
2. ii. Edward b. Oct 1639 m. 1 - Mary Freeman m. 2 - Sarah Wichell
3. iii.Geoffrey b.164- d. abt 2 or 3 years
4. iv. Daniel b. Apr 1643 m. Elizabeth ______
5. v. Alice b. Jun 1644 m. William Evans
6. vi. Cuthbert b. Aug 1645 d. abt 23 years - drowned at sea
7. vii. Robert b. Dec 1647 m. Tabitha Ostley
8. viii .Ann b. Abt 1650 m. Francis Shepherd
9. ix. John b. 1652 m. Susannah Heard

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NOTES

Harry Alexander Davis, The Norris Family of Maryland & Virginia; Genealogy of Thomas Norris 1361 - 1930 (4 vol. 1941 Washington D.C. Transcript),

This transcript was transcribed into PAF - along with the following books/transcripts:

1 Kentucky Descendants of Thomas Norris of Maryland 1630 - 1953 and Allied Families

2 Norris Family Aquilla and Priscilla Norris Descendants of Thomas Norris and Ann Hynson - Herbert S. Norris

3 Pennsylvania Descendants of Thomas Norris of Maryland 1630 - 1959 and allied Families

there are about 26,500 profiles - many with documentation

"The Congham area is still a very rural area. The fields surrounding the town are flat and a little rocky. The Church (St. Andrews) predates Thomas Norris, born in Congham in 1608. It is near Kings Lynn, a seaport town, where he supposedly went to sea at an early age." He ran away from home when about 11 years old and went to sea. He died in MD about Nov 1675.

Some descendants slowly moved back north, and became dry-goods merchants in Baltimore and New orleans in the late 1700s, then locomotive builders in Philadelphia PA, Schenectady NY and Lancaster PA during the 1840s and '50s, perhaps later. The Schenectady branch folded circa 1854-55, and one branch of the Norrises moved back to Philadelphia.

SOURCES

"Early Virginia Immigrants", By Greer

"Baltimore Counties Families", 1989 By Robert Barnes.

.[http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/b/u/t/Thomas-K-Butt/WEBS...]

The book, 'Thomas Norris ~ The Immigrant', by Pearl Mitchell Mallory

Herbert S. Norris, Norris Family Aquilla and Priscilla Norris Descendants of Thomas Norris and Ann Hynson (25 Oct 1997, update 27 Feb. 1999),

Marjorie (Butler) (Mrs. Henry Norris) Harrison, Pennsylvania Descendants of Thomas Norris of Maryland 1630 - 1959 and allied Families (1959 Edwards Brothers Inc. Ann Arbor, Mi.), pg. V & 1, National Genealogical Society, 4527 Seventeenth St. N., Arlington, Virginia. 22207-2399, CS/71/N858/1959.

Personal Records of Christine E. (Mrs. James M.) Williams, Kentucky Historical Society, 100 West Broadway, Frankfort, Kentucy 40601-1931, E-Mail: www.kyhistory.org, Fax:502-564-4701.

Harry Alexander Davis, The Norris Family of Maryland & Virginia; Genealogy of Thomas Norris 1361 - 1930 (4 vol. 1941 Washington D.C. Transcript), pg. 1-3, Library of Congress, Photoduplication Service, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, District of Columbia, 20540-4570, CS71.N858; Microfilm 88/5447 MicRR 99ft. "The Norris Family" is an amazing work in Genealogy, 1500 pages in four volumes. Only three copies were produced, and one is located in the Rare Books Section of the Library of Congress. Another is to be in the Kansas DAR Library at dodge city, Ks.

Gertrude Cleghorn Josserand (Mrs. Guy D.), Kentucky Descendants of Thomas Norris of Maryland 1630 - 1953 and Allied Families ((1916) Edwards Brothers Inc. Ann Arbor, Mich.), pg. 1-2, New England Historic Genealogical Society, CS/71/N858/1953.

F Marie Waltman, Nine Pioneer Families From the SIdeling Hill Area in Western Maryland, 2000 Heritage Books Inc. Bowie, Md.

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/g/r/e/Judith-A-Greene/WE...

http://www.spaldinggenealogy.com/norris_family_of_maryland_and_ke.htm

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/a/l/Jamie-L-Hald/GENE1...

http://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/thomas-norris_8413112

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=bdev605&i...
http://www.friendsofallencounty.org/ellingham/getperson.php?personI...

http://www.goodmanancestors.com/noreys.html

http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/j/o/h/Mary-N-Johnson/GENE4-0011.html

Find A Grave Memorial# 137413468 Created by: LTC Stephen R. Pain Record added: Oct 18, 2014

[ https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-57645-72/chetham-miscell... Chetham Miscellanies, Volume 9 (1851)] ..., in the and To Thomas Norris Esq. M.P. THE NORRIS PAPERS. 1695. my to came hope 1695. My for Flanders moment first 8, my The King in this will find I hope are gott London, June Brother Dick and his...—

"YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN"

♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥ Thomas Norris Sr. was the beloved son of Geoffrey Norris and Anne Mary Myles. Thomas was born in 1608 in Congham, Norfolk, England and died in Nov. 1675 in Talbot Co., MD at the age of 67. Thomas ran away from home as a boy of eleven years and went to sea. He landed in Nansemond County, Virginia Colony about 1631 and chose to remain in America. He was the first member of his family to settle in America. He migrated to Saint Mary's County, Maryland about 1634. He married Ann Hynson the daughter of Thomas Hynson, Esquire of Nansemond County, VA and Kent County, MD. Thomas became a planter with his brother-in-law, Daniel Glover, who married Ann's sister. Thomas and Daniel migrated to Talbot County, MD in 1665 and bought four hundred acres of land. Thomas also had a land grant of two hundred acres called "Norrisderry" on the Chester River. He died just prior to Nov. 1675 in the midst of another land transaction. It was completed by his son, Thomas Junior.

• *********************************** Children of Thomas Norris and Ann Hynson:

1. Thomas Norris Jr., b. 1638 in Norrisberry, Saint Marys County, MD. 2. Geoffrey Norris, b, Abt. 1641 in Saint Mary's County, MD. 3. Edward Norris, b. Oct. 1639 in St. Marys County, MD. 4. Daniel Norris, b. Apr. 1643 in MD. 5. Alice Norris, b. Jun. 1644 in MD. 6. Cuthbert Norris, b. Aug. 1645 in MD. 7. Robert Norris, b. Dec. 1647 in MD. 8. Hannah Ann Norris, b. Abt. 1650 in MD. 9. John Norris, b. 1652 in MD.

• ***********************************
• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: May 22 2018, 17:07:11 UTC

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