William Norris

Fact: William Norris b 31 May 1757 in Johnston County North Carolina, served in the Revolutionary War from North Carolina. In 1784 he moved, with his parents from North Carolina to Wilkes County Georgia, where, in 1792, he married Nancy Watkins. The license of that marriage is on file in the Georgia Archives. William Norris last resided in Harris County Georgia, where he died on 5 April 1844. No record has been found to suggest that another William Norris died in Harris County in 1838 or 1839.

Fact: Nancy Watkins was born in 1772 and was the daughter of Reese Watkins, who had located to Wilkes County Georgia from Virginia. The family trees of the Watkins and the Cleveland's list her name as either Ann Holman Nancy Watkins or Nancy Holman Watkins. Nancy Norris died in Harris County Georgia on 18 January 1852, while living with her daughter, Nancy Cleveland.

Fact: From Will Book A, page 73, Harris County Georgia, signed on 7 September 1841, William Norris appointed Benjamin F. Cleveland "my son at law" as sole executor and left his entire estate for the use, benefit and support of "my wife, Nancy Norris." That will was filed on 6 May 1844 by William Griggs and further states that "William Norris is buried at Rehoboth Cemetery, Cataula, GA. His grave was marked with a government marker by Button Gwinnett D.A.R. Chapter, Columbus, GA." The inscription reads " William Norris, 31 March 1757 Johnston County NC, 5 April 1844, Harris County GA."

Fact: William Norris b Johnston County N.C. on 31 May 1757, and Nancy Watkins (she is also referred to in other documents as Ann Holman Nancy Watkins) b Virginia ca 1767, were married in Wilkes County Georgia on 06 February 1792. The following children are listed in the gedcom file that I received from Yancey Watkins in July 1999. This information comes from the Watkins family and is in no way connected to the Harry Davis manuscript.

Rigden Norris b ca 1790 (has to be no earlier than 1793)

Serena Norris b ca 1792 (has to be no earlier than 1794)

Olive Norris b ca 1794 (has to be no earlier than 1795)

Selina Norris b ca 1796

Sallie Norris b ca 1798 (name probably Sarah McElroy Norris)

William Norris b ca 1800 (b 17 September 1800) (William Hutchinson Norris)

Jack Norris b ca 1802 (probably John M. Norris)

Frank Norris b ca 1804 (probably Harris Franklin Norris)

Reese Norris b ca 1806 (probably Young Reese Norris)

Nancy Norris b ca 1809 (Nancy Holman Norris)

Fact: According to the Abstract of Rev. War Pension Files, Nancy Watkins Norris applied for a continuation of the pension awarded her late husband, William Norris. This was denied in 1848, due to lack of proof of marriage. Among the supporting documents that were filed in her behalf, was an affidavit from "her son" John M. Norris, a resident of Russell County Alabama. The reason for denial was the fact that she alleged the marriage took place in Oglethorpe County and no record could be found there. The marriage, in fact, took place in Wilkes County, and could have been located if they had looked in the right place. Note: At the time the affidavit was signed, Russell and Chambers Counties shared a common boundary.

RECORD:

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

William (304) Norris was born in Feb 1758 in , Baltimore, Maryland. He died in 1838/9 at the age of 81 in , Harris, Georgia. Signed Oath of Allegiance 1778 Harfod co., Md. (Md Rec. MSS Vol. III p32)

The records of the War Dept. Washington D.C. show the following: "William Norris, rank not stated, 2d Md. Regt. enlisted Mar 1788 in Cumberland, Pa.; residence stated as Baltimore co., Md.; age 35 years,, complexion warthy; height 5 ft. 9 in.; hair black; proportion well set" Family records of William Anderson grandson, contain information that William Norris was at the surrender of Yorktown. William received a grant of land as bounty for this Revolutionary service from the state of Ga. 1827 in Henry co. (Ga. Roster pg. 363) Migrated to Ga. & located Franklin co. where the resided many years. William Norris was serving as justice of peace in said county 1798 (Dept. of Arch. Atlanta). Resided a few years in Henry co. & moved to Gwinnet co. abt 1829, to Harris co. abt 1836. She moved to Jasper co., Ga. living with son Jacob 1840; moving to Chambers co., Ala early 1850's with son John M. Norris & d. there in 1850's stated to be 1853. Stated to have 14 children.

William (304) Norris and Sarah Rigdon were married about 1788 in , Harford, Maryland. Sarah Rigdon, daughter of Alexander Rigdon and Ann Reese, was born in 1772/3 in , Harford, Maryland. She died in 1853 at the age of 80 in , Chambers, Alabama.

William (304) Norris and Sarah Rigdon had the following children:

2 i. Susannah Olivia (627) Norris) was born in Dec 1789 in , Franklin, Georgia. Resided Monroe co., Ga. Farmer. Living, 1850 not listed in Monroe co., 186- & possibly both deceased/ Several children d. infancy.Susannah Olivia (627) Norris and John Calvin Morris were married before 1810. John Calvin Morris was born in 1783 in , , South Carolina. John Calvin Morris and Susannah Olivia (627)

3 ii. Rigdon (628) Norris, was born in 1791 in , Franklin, Georgia. Served as 3d Lieut. Wooten's Detachment of Jasper co., Ga. Militia commissioned 6 Sep. 1814 War of 1812. (Rec Adj. Gen Office Wash. D.C.) Stated her maiden name possibly Peques or Regen. Was in Dallas co., Al bef 1830 & had a grant of land there & was there til abt. 1857/8 moving to Clarke co., Al. Both living 1860, not listed in county 1870. Believed to have been deceased. Rigdon (628) Norris and Martha were married before 1828. Martha was born in 1800 in , , Georgia.

4 iii. Jacob (629) "Wicks" Norris, was born in 1793 in , Franklin, Georgia. He died before 1850 at the age of 57 in , , Louisiana. Resided Jasper co., Ga. til abt. 1841 when they moved to La. & victims of Yellow Fever. Jacob (629) "Wicks" Norris and Eliza were married before 1817. Eliza was born in 1798/9. She died before 1850 at the age of 51 in , , Louisiana.

5 iv. Selina (630) Norris, was born in 1796 in , Franklin, Georgia. She died in Feb 1859 at the age of 63 in Opelika, , Alabama. Resided Ga., Ms for 5 years then returned to Ga. & moved th Chambers co., abt. 1836/7. Selina (630) Norris and John Bankston were married before 1822. John Bankston was born in , , Georgia.

6 v. Joseph E. (631) Norris was born in 1798 in , Franklin, Georgia. Migrated to AL. abt. 1832. Mechanic. Resided Dallas co., Al. Moved to Tx. after Civil War and no further record. Joseph E. (631) Norris and Martha A. Sewell were married before 1837 in , , Alabama. Martha A. Sewell, daughter of Sewell and Nancy , was born in 1816 in , , North Carolina.

7 vi. Young Reese (632) Norris was born in Jul 1799 in , Franklin, Georgia. He died in Oct 1842 at the age of 43. Farm laborer Setled Butts co., Ga. bef 840, Farmer & owner of 2 slaves. She conducted a boarding house Young Reese (632) Norris and Martha Berry were married in 1839/40. Martha Berry was born in 1805 in , , Georgia. She died on 1 Sep 1873 at the age of 68 in Atlanta, , Georgia.

8 vii. William Hutchinson (633) Norris was born on 25 Sep 1800 in , Franklin, Georgia. He died on 13 Jul 1893 at the age of 92 in Santa Barbara, Sao Paula, Brazil. Went to Perry co., AL Farmer & delt in Real estate. Melinda & Mary 1st cosuins. Moved to Dallas co., AL., 1838 Farmer & became a large slave owner. 1848 damitted to the bar. Served in House & Senate for Dallas co. in Al. legislature. 1858 purchased a new home Monroe co., Al. near Mt. Pleasant & moved there. CLose of war he took stock of his possessions & surveyin gthe ruins & general condition of the whole state migrated late 1765 for Brazil where he established a new home. Master Mason in Dale Lodge No. 25, 1839 located at Prairie Bluff & represented the Lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State. Father of Liberty , now C. P. White Lodge No. 65 of FUlton Lodge No. 98 & Mt. Pleasant Lodge No. 266 & upon settling in Brazil application was made to the Grand Orient of Brazil & a charter was granted to Washington Lodge with Brother Norris its first worshipful master, the only lodge in Brazxil in which ceremonies were conducted in English. Elected Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Al, 1860 & served as Grand Master in 1861-2. In 1876 he returned to the U.S. to attend the Centennial Expostion at Philadelphia, Pa. & visted Al. while here. A large oil painting of him hangs on the wall of the Al captial, 1929. At his death he left wife, 9 children, 29 grandchildren & 23 great grandchildren. William Hutchinson (633) Norris and Mary Black were married in 1832. Mary Black, daughter of Samuel Black, was born in 1811 in , , Alabama. She died on 3 Aug 1893 at the age of 82.

9 viii. James Elam (634) Norris, was born in 1802 in , Franklin, Georgia. Moved to Tx. in 1842 & Ark. abt 1845. Farmer. Both living, 1860 Union co., Ak. Real estate valued at $8600. Resided Union co., Ark. Noth there 1870 & family tradition states wnet to Kansas. James Elam (634) Norris and Jane R. Norris were married about 1839. Jane R. Norris, daughter of James (206) Norris and Mary Davis, was born in 1824 in , , Georgia.

10 ix. Sarah McElroy (635) Norris, was born in 1805 in , Franklin, Georgia. She died in 1877 at the age of 72. Moved to Henry & Harris counties, Ga. with parents. He is said to have been a soldier in Seminole War. Moved to Al. abt 1838 & resided sometime CHambers co. & later settled Pike co., Al. 1860 listed as Farmer & real Estate of $39,645.Sarah McElroy (635) Norris and James Anderson were married before 1830 in , Harris, Georgia. James Anderson was born in 1800 in , , South Carolina. He died in 1871 at the age of 71.

11 x. John Mitchell (636) Norris, was born in 1807 in , Franklin, Georgia. He died in 1869 at the age of 62 in , Butler, ALabama. Physician. Moved to CHambers co., Al abt 1838 & risided there till 1858 when moved to Butler co., Al. 10 children 3 of whom d. infancy. John Mitchell (636) Norris and Catherine Pratt were married before 1833. Catherine Pratt was born in 1812 in , , Georgia. She died about 1885 at the age of 73.

12 xi. Nancy Norris, was born in 1810. A prosperous farmer & resided Harris co., Ga. There appears to be another Benjamin F. Cleveland who was a minster & had wife Nancy also & p-ossibly dau. of WIlliam Noris who is not manner connected to this tribe. Both living in 1850. & last definte record of them. Nancy Norris and Benjamin Franklin Cleveland were married in 1831 in , Harris, Georgia. Benjamin Franklin Cleveland was born (date unknown).

13 xii. Harris Franklin (637) Norris, ) was born in 1811/2 in , Franklin, Georgia. Moved to Henry co., Ga & later Harris co., Ga. with his parents. Moved to Chambers co., Al., abt 1838 & resided there till 1850 when moved to Butler co., AL. After the war moved to Taalapoosa Co., Al. He was living 1876. Harris Franklin (637) Norris and Angeline R. Jones were married before 1834. Angeline R. Jones was born in 1815/6 in , , Georgia.

ALSO NOTE : Ancestry.com Norris trees list him with both wives.

Sarah Rigdon Birth 1768 Hartford, Maryland, United States Death 1853 Chambers, Alabama, United States
nancy Watkins 1767–1852 Birth 1767 , Augusta, Virginia, USA Death 18 JUN 1852 , Harris, Georgia, USA

AND both wives having the same set of children.

• Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Jul 28 2016, 4:22:11 UTC

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Fact: William Norris b 31 May 1757 in Johnston County North Carolina, served in the Revolutionary War from North Carolina. In 1784 he moved, with his parents from North Carolina to Wilkes County Georgia, where, in 1792, he married Nancy Watkins. The license of that marriage is on file in the Georgia Archives. William Norris last resided in Harris County Georgia, where he died on 5 April 1844. No record has been found to suggest that another William Norris died in Harris County in 1838 or 1839.

Fact: Nancy Watkins was born in 1772 and was the daughter of Reese Watkins, who had located to Wilkes County Georgia from Virginia. The family trees of the Watkins and the Cleveland's list her name as either Ann Holman Nancy Watkins or Nancy Holman Watkins. Nancy Norris died in Harris County Georgia on 18 January 1852, while living with her daughter, Nancy Cleveland.

Fact: From Will Book A, page 73, Harris County Georgia, signed on 7 September 1841, William Norris appointed Benjamin F. Cleveland "my son at law" as sole executor and left his entire estate for the use, benefit and support of "my wife, Nancy Norris." That will was filed on 6 May 1844 by William Griggs and further states that "William Norris is buried at Rehoboth Cemetery, Cataula, GA. His grave was marked with a government marker by Button Gwinnett D.A.R. Chapter, Columbus, GA." The inscription reads " William Norris, 31 March 1757 Johnston County NC, 5 April 1844, Harris County GA."

Fact: William Norris b Johnston County N.C. on 31 May 1757, and Nancy Watkins (she is also referred to in other documents as Ann Holman Nancy Watkins) b Virginia ca 1767, were married in Wilkes County Georgia on 06 February 1792. The following children are listed in the gedcom file that I received from Yancey Watkins in July 1999. This information comes from the Watkins family and is in no way connected to the Harry Davis manuscript.

Rigden Norris b ca 1790 (has to be no earlier than 1793)

Serena Norris b ca 1792 (has to be no earlier than 1794)

Olive Norris b ca 1794 (has to be no earlier than 1795)

Selina Norris b ca 1796

Sallie Norris b ca 1798 (name probably Sarah McElroy Norris)

William Norris b ca 1800 (b 17 September 1800) (William Hutchinson Norris)

Jack Norris b ca 1802 (probably John M. Norris)

Frank Norris b ca 1804 (probably Harris Franklin Norris)

Reese Norris b ca 1806 (probably Young Reese Norris)

Nancy Norris b ca 1809 (Nancy Holman Norris)

Fact: According to the Abstract of Rev. War Pension Files, Nancy Watkins Norris applied for a continuation of the pension awarded her late husband, William Norris. This was denied in 1848, due to lack of proof of marriage. Among the supporting documents that were filed in her behalf, was an affidavit from "her son" John M. Norris, a resident of Russell County Alabama. The reason for denial was the fact that she alleged the marriage took place in Oglethorpe County and no record could be found there. The marriage, in fact, took place in Wilkes County, and could have been located if they had looked in the right place. Note: At the time the affidavit was signed, Russell and Chambers Counties shared a common boundary.

Notes

• https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/norris/4535/ According to Davis, there were two William NORRISes in Harris Co, GA, at the same time. Jones contradicts Davis, saying that there was only one William NORRIS (wife Nancy WATKINS) in Harris County. Davis has in Harris Co—in addition to William & Nancy WATKINS NORRIS—the so-called Revolutionary War soldier William NORRIS of MD who was supposed to have married Sarah RIGDON; there is no documentation for such a William NORRIS marrying a Sarah RIGDON or being in Harris Co, according to Jones.