Sources |
- [S492] Suffield Historical Society, (Location: http://www.suffieldhistoricalsociety.org;), Family history of George Norton, http://www.suffieldhistoricalsociety.org/families/norton.htm, accessed 25 Aug 2012.
Family history of George Norton
++++++++++++ FIRST GENERATION ++++++++++++
1 George Norton
bp. 28 Mar 1641, Salem, MA; d. 15 Nov 1696, Suffield, CT; son of George Norton & Mary Machias; m. (1) 7 Oct 1669, Ipswich, MA, Sarah Hart; dau. of Thomas Hart & Alice nln; b. ca. 1647; d. 23 Jun 1682, Suffield, CT.
Children:
1 Sarah Norton, b. 12 Jun 1670, Ipswich, MA.
2‑2 George Norton, b. 10 Nov 1672, Ipswich, MA; m. (1) Hannah Younglove; m. (2) Martha Ellsworth.
3 Thomas Norton, b. 10 Nov 1674, Ipswich, MA.
4 Nathaniel Norton, b. 30 Jun 1676, Ipswich, MA; d. 2 Feb 1676, Suffield, CT.
5 Alice Norton, b. ca. 1677, Ipswich, MA.
6 Samuel Norton, b. 22 Jan 1679, Suffield, CT; d. 2 Feb 1679, Suffield, CT.
7 Samuel Norton, b. 9 Apr 1681, Suffield, CT; d. 16 Jun 1682, Suffield, CT.
8 Jonathan Norton, b. 12 Jun 1682, Suffield, CT; d. 23 Jun 1683, Suffield, CT.
m. (2) 14 Jun 1683, Mercy Barber; dau. of Thomas Barber & Jane Bancroft; bp. 12 Oct 1651, Windsor, CT; d. 31 Dec 1725, Suffield, CT.
Children:
3‑9 Mary Norton, b. 18 Jan 1684/85, Suffield, CT; m. Jared Huxley.
10 Abigail Norton, b. 14 Dec 1686, Suffield, CT; d. 21 Oct 1705, Suffield, CT.
4‑11 Freegrace Norton, b. 1 Jan 1688, Suffield, CT; m. Sarah Martin.
5‑12 Joanna Norton, b. 17 Mar 1692/93, Suffield, CT; m. Abraham Adams.
13 Elizabeth Norton, b. 31 Aug 1695, Suffield, CT; d. 1 Aug 1697, Suffield, CT.
14 Elizabeth Norton, b. 19 Mar 1696/97, Suffield, CT; d. 1727, Suffield, CT.
George married second widow Mercy Gillet, widow of John, by whom she had six children.
Reference Documents: 12, 13, 71, 112
++++++++++++ SECOND GENERATION ++++++++++++
2 George Norton
b. 10 Nov 1672, Ipswich, MA; d. 13 Feb 1741/42, Suffield, CT, ae. 70 yrs.; son of George Norton & Sarah Hart; m. (1) 11 Dec 1695, Suffield, CT, Hannah Younglove; dau. of John Younglove & Sarah Kinsman; b. ca. 1678, Hadley, MA; d. 23 Nov 1715, Suffield, CT.
Children:
6‑1 George Norton, b. 6 Mar 1696/97, Suffield, CT; m. Agnes Austin.
2 Hannah Norton, b. 28 Nov 1701, Suffield, CT; d. 7 Dec 1701, Suffield, CT.
7‑3 Nathaniel Norton, b. 17 Feb 1702/03, Suffield, CT; m. Mary Bartlet.
4 Hannah Norton, b. 30 Jan 1706/07, Suffield, CT.
8‑5 Thomas Norton, b. 16 Nov 1708, Suffield, CT; m. Elizabeth Sikes.
9‑6 John Norton, bp. 21 Sep 1712, Suffield, CT; m. Rebecca Sheldon.
m. (2) 14 May 1717, Suffield, CT, Martha Ellsworth; dau. of Josias Ellsworth & Martha Gaylord; b. 5 Oct 1680, Windsor, CT.
George married widow Martha Loomis, wife of Samuel.
Reference Documents: 12, 13, 71
3 Mary Norton
b. 18 Jan 1684/85, Suffield, CT; dau. of George Norton & Mercy Barber; m. 5 May 1709, Suffield, CT, Jared Huxley; son of Thomas Huxley & Sarah Spencer; b. 21 Jan 1679, Suffield, CT.
Children:
1 Jared Huxley, b. 14 Jun 1710, Suffield, CT; m. Martha Trumble.
2 Mary Huxley, b. 12 May 1712, Suffield, CT; m. Aron Godard.
3 Sarah Huxley, b. 22 Jul 1714, Suffield, CT; d. 15 Aug 1714, Suffield, CT.
4 Sarah Huxley, b. 1 Jul 1716, Suffield, CT.
5 Mercy Huxley, b. 5 Feb 1718/19, Suffield, CT; d. 6 Feb 1718/19, Suffield, CT.
6 Mercy Huxley, b. 12 Sep 1720, Suffield, CT.
Twins
7 Thomas Huxley, b. 12 Sep 1720, Suffield, CT; m. Lois Seymour.
8 Abigail Huxley, b. 2 Nov 1723, Suffield, CT.
9 Elizabeth Huxley, b. 1 Jun 1726, Suffield, CT.
Reference Documents: 8, 12, 112
4 Freegrace Norton
b. 1 Jan 1688, Suffield, CT; d. 20 Nov 1758, Suffield, CT; son of George Norton & Mercy Barber; m. 18 Jun 1713, Suffield, CT, Sarah Martin; dau. of Samuel Martin & Abigail Norton; b. 16 Oct 1689, Ipswich, MA; d. 26 Mar 1785, Suffield, CT.
Children:
1 Freegrace Norton, b. ca. 1714, Suffield, CT.
10‑2 Freegrace Norton, b. 31 Mar 1716/17, Suffield, CT; m. Margaret Towsley.
11‑3 Samuel Norton, b. 26 Oct 1718, Suffield, CT; m. Elizabeth Pomeroy.
12‑4 John Norton, b. 9 Jul 1720, Suffield, CT; m. Deborah Harmon.
13‑5 Martin Norton, b. 15 Mar 1722/23, Suffield, CT; m. Rhoda Harmon.
14‑6 Sarah Norton, b. 28 Aug 1724, Suffield, CT; m. Jarvis Peck.
7 Mercy Norton, b. 29 Mar 1726, Suffield, CT.
15‑8 Abigail Norton, b. 9 Mar 1727/28, Suffield, CT; m. Nehemiah Harmon.
16‑9 Elizabeth Norton, b. 14 May 1730, Suffield, CT; m. Moses Harmon.
10 Johanna Norton, b. 20 Oct 1731, Suffield, CT.
11 Robert Norton, b. 2 Nov 1733, Suffield, CT.
Reference Documents: 12, 113
5 Joanna Norton
b. 17 Mar 1692/93, Suffield, CT; d. 3 Sep 1726, Suffield, CT; dau. of George Norton & Mercy Barber; m. 7 Apr 1713, Suffield, CT, Abraham Adams; son of Jacob Adams & Anna Allen; b. 10 Nov 1687, Suffield, CT; d. 12 Feb 1769, Suffield, CT.
Children:
1 Abraham Adams, b. 19 Feb 1715, Suffield, CT.
2 Joseph Adams, b. 24 Jan 1717/18, Suffield, CT.
3 Joanna Adams, b. 23 Aug 1720, Suffield, CT; m. Joel Hathaway.
4 Freegrace Adams, b. Nov 1723, Suffield, CT; m. Anna Kent.
5 Silence Adams, b. 22 Aug 1726, Suffield, CT.
Twins
6 Mournful Adams, b. 22 Aug 1726, Suffield, CT.
Reference Documents: 13, 126
++++++++++++ THIRD GENERATION ++++++++++++
6 George Norton
b. 6 Mar 1696/97, Suffield, CT; d. 1768, Suffield, CT; son of George Norton & Hannah Younglove; m. 4 Jan 1721/22, Suffield, CT, Agnes Austin; dau. of John Austin & Agnes King; b. 21 Jan 1701, Suffield, CT.
Children:
1 Agnes Norton, b. 28 Nov 1722, Suffield, CT.
2 George Norton, b. 13 Sep 1724, Suffield, CT.
3 Zebulou Norton, b. 7 May 1727, Suffield, CT.
4 Isacher Norton, b. 16 Nov 1729, Suffield, CT.
17‑5 Shadrack Norton, b. 31 Aug 1732, Suffield, CT; m. Mercy Smith.
Martha Bradley & George Norton Jr. m. int. 28 Nov 1718, Martha of Haverhill.
Reference Documents: 8, 12, 18
7 Nathaniel Norton
b. 17 Feb 1702/03, Suffield, CT; d. 6 Jul 1776, Suffield, CT; son of George Norton & Hannah Younglove; m. 28 Jul 1729, Suffield, CT, Mary Bartlet; d. 9 Jan 1747, Suffield, CT.
Children:
18‑1 Alice Norton, b. 18 Nov 1729, Suffield, CT; m. Noah Pomeroy.
19‑2 Nathaniel Norton, b. 26 Apr 1732, Suffield, CT; m. (1) Mary Stratton; m. (2) widow Lucy Munsell.
3 Abel Norton, b. 30 Aug 1734, Suffield, CT.
4 Mary Norton, b. 22 Feb 1736/37, Suffield, CT.
5 Jonathan Norton, b. 15 Aug 1739, Suffield, CT.
6 Thankful Norton, b. 14 Jul 1742, Suffield, CT.
7 George Norton, b. 10 May 1747, Suffield, CT.
Mary Bartlett m. int 11 Jul 1729 Nathaniel Norton in Suffield.
Reference Documents: 8, 12
8 Thomas Norton
b. 16 Nov 1708, Suffield, CT; d. 1756, Suffield, CT; son of George Norton & Hannah Younglove; m. 28 Apr 1737, Suffield, CT, Elizabeth Sikes; dau. of Victory Sikes & Mary King; b. 23 Mar 1712, Suffield, CT; d. 23 Jan 1794, Suffield, CT.
Children:
20‑1 Hannah Norton, b. 18 Jun 1739, Suffield, CT; m. Roger Barton.
21‑2 Elizabeth Norton, b. 6 Apr 1744, Suffield, CT.
22‑3 Thomas Norton, b. 17 Sep 1745, Suffield, CT; m. Submit Towsley.
23‑4 Simeon Norton, b. 19 Jun 1748, Suffield, CT; m. Mary Adams.
Widow Elizabeth married Thomas Palmer.
Reference Documents: 9, 10, 12, 29, 110
9 John Norton
bp. 21 Sep 1712, Suffield, CT; d. 30 Apr 1789, Suffield, CT, ae. 77 yrs.; son of George Norton & Hannah Younglove; m. 5 Dec 1732, Suffield, CT, Rebecca Sheldon; dau. of Jonathan Sheldon & Mary Southwell; b. 18 Apr 1714, Northampton, MA; d. 12 May 1793, Suffield, CT, ae. 79 yrs.
Children:
24‑1 Rebecca Norton, b. 10 Feb 1732/33, Suffield, CT; m. Joseph Fuller.
25‑2 John Norton, b. 19 Nov 1734, Suffield, CT; m. (1) Mabel Austin; m. (2) Elizabeth Harmon.
26‑3 Huldah Norton, b. 4 Oct 1736, Suffield, CT; m. Moses Rowe.
4 Asa Norton, b. 27 Jan 1739, Suffield, CT.
27‑5 Elijah Norton, b. 1 Nov 1741, Suffield, CT; m. Elizabeth Stiles.
28‑6 Rachel Norton, b. 11 May 1744, Suffield, CT; m. John Hale.
29‑7 Sarah Norton, b. 5 Sep 1746, Suffield, CT; m. Pelatiah Dewey.
8 Apphia Norton, b. 26 Apr 1749, Suffield, CT.
30‑9 Daniel Norton, b. 13 Sep 1751, Suffield, CT; m. Lucy King.
31‑10 Seth Norton, b. 12 Jun 1754, Suffield, CT; m. Sarah Gilley.
Reference Documents: 12, 163
10 Freegrace Norton
b. 31 Mar 1716/17, Suffield, CT; son of Freegrace Norton & Sarah Martin; m. 23 Nov 1738, Suffield, CT, Margaret Towsley; dau. of Matthew Towsley & Mary Smith; b. 13 May 1717, Suffield, CT.
Children:
32‑1 Margaret Norton, b. 9 Oct 1740, Suffield, CT; m. David Nelson.
2 Ruth Norton, b. 18 Jan 1742/43, Suffield, CT.
33‑3 Anna Norton, b. 31 Oct 1744, Suffield, CT; m. Daniel Noble Jr.
34‑4 Freegrace Norton, b. 5 Dec 1746, Suffield, CT; m. Mary Hale.
5 Robert Norton, b. 15 Feb 1748/49, Suffield, CT.
6 Eldad Norton, b. 30 Jun 1751, Suffield, CT.
7 Mercy Norton, b. 30 Sep 1753, Suffield, CT.
Problem: On 21 Oct 1738 Freegrace Norton & Margaret Towsley publish intention to be married. On 23 Nov 1738 Margaret Trumble & Freegrace Norton are married. Are they the same person? Is it Towsley or Trumble? Margaret Towsley birth is a closer match to Freegrace Norton so I have assigned the children to Freegrace & Margaret Towsley.
Reference Documents: 12
11 Samuel Norton
b. 26 Oct 1718, Suffield, CT; d. 6 Jul 1757, New Marlboro, MA; son of Freegrace Norton & Sarah Martin; m. 15 Sep 1743, Suffield, CT, Elizabeth Pomeroy; dau. of Medad Pomeroy & Hannah Trumble; b. 20 Feb 1720, Suffield, CT.
Children:
1 Elizabeth Norton, b. 20 Aug 1744, Suffield, CT.
2 Eunice Norton, b. 20 Jul 1746, Suffield, CT.
3 Samuel Norton, b. 3 Jul 1748, Suffield, CT.
Reference Documents: 12
12 John Norton
b. 9 Jul 1720, Suffield, CT; d. 12 Dec 1792, Suffield, CT, ae. 72 yrs., 5 mos., 3 days; son of Freegrace Norton & Sarah Martin; m. 4 Jun 1747, Suffield, CT, Deborah Harmon; dau. of Samuel Harmon & Deborah Winchell; b. 17 Aug 1724, Suffield, CT; d. Suffield, CT.
John Norton & Deborah Harmon m. int. Jan 1746/47.
They both died of small pox, they had no children.
Reference Documents: 8, 113
13 Martin Norton
b. 15 Mar 1722/23, Suffield, CT; son of Freegrace Norton & Sarah Martin; m. 26 Nov 1747, Suffield, CT, Rhoda Harmon; dau. of Samuel Harmon & Deborah Winchell; b. 11 Mar 1728/29, Suffield, CT; d. 20 Apr 1793, ae. 64 yrs., 1 mos., 9 days.
Reference Documents: 113
14 Sarah Norton
b. 28 Aug 1724, Suffield, CT; dau. of Freegrace Norton & Sarah Martin; m. 7 Jan 1747/48, Suffield, CT, Jarvis Peck.
Jarvis Peck of New Marlborough.
Reference Documents: 8
15 Abigail Norton
b. 9 Mar 1727/28, Suffield, CT; d. 24 Jul 1782, Rupert, Vt, ae. 54 yrs.; dau. of Freegrace Norton & Sarah Martin; m. 31 Aug 1749, Suffield, CT, Nehemiah Harmon; son of Nathaniel Harmon & Esther Austin; b. 17 Apr 1728, Suffield, CT; d. 1806, Poultney, Vt, ae. 78 yrs.
Children:
1 Nehemiah Harmon, b. 13 Jun 1750, Suffield, CT.
They had eleven children only the first was born in Suffield, CT.
Reference Documents: 8, 12, 113
16 Elizabeth Norton
b. 14 May 1730, Suffield, CT; d. 4 Mar 1808, New Marlborough, MA; dau. of Freegrace Norton & Sarah Martin; m. 1751, Suffield, CT, Moses Harmon; son of Joseph Harmon & Elizabeth Granger; b. 21 Jan 1721/22, Suffield, CT; d. 31 Dec 1812, New Marlborough, MA.
Children:
1 Moses Harmon, b. 22 Mar 1752, New Marlborough, MA.
2 Elizabeth Harmon, b. 17 Feb 1754, New Marlborough, MA.
3 Dan Harmon, b. 11 May 1756, New Marlborough, MA.
4 Triphena Harmon, b. 11 Jul 1758, New Marlborough, MA; d. 24 Jun 1773, New Marlborough, MA.
5 John Harmon, b. 28 Aug 1760, New Marlborough, MA.
6 Orpha Harmon, b. 30 Aug 1762, New Marlborough, MA.
7 Joseph Harmon, b. 22 Nov 1764, New Marlborough, MA.
8 Ruth Harmon, b. 17 Dec 1766, New Marlborough, MA.
9 Ahimaaz Harmon, b. 15 Mar 1769, New Marlborough, MA.
10 Mark Harmon, b. 14 Mar 1772, New Marlborough, MA.
Moses Harmon & Elizabeth Norton had ten children born at New Marlborough, MA.
Reference Documents: 12, 113
- [S527] Savage, James, A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, showing three generations of those who came before May, 1962, on the basis of Farmer's Register, 290-291.
George, Salem, was prob. that carpenter, who came in the fleet with Higginson, Apr. 1629, from London, freem. 14 May 1634, by w. Mary had Freegrace, b. prob. 1 635, but whose bapt. I find not ; John, bapt. Oct. 1637; Nathaniel, May 1639 ; George, 28 Mar. 1641; rem. to Gloucester, was there selectman 1642,3, and rep. 1642-4; and there Mary was b. 28 Feb. 1643 ; unless this were mistake, as to me seems prob. for Henry ; Mehitable; Sarah; Hannah; and Abigail, 1651; rem. again, perhaps for short time, to Ipswich, but soon to Wenham, where was bapt. his d. Sarah, 14 Feb. 1647; and Eliz. 7 Aug. 1653; and he d. 1659 ; leav. wid. Mary and those ten ch. His wid. m. Philip Fowler.
- [S519] Norton, Walter Whittlesey, Some descendants of John Norton of Branford, 1622-1709, 53.
George Norton, born in England, emigrated with
Higginson to Salem in 1629. Took the freeman's oath
May 14, 1634. There is some evidence that he was a
carpenter by trade. Was connected with a company wlio
obtained leave from General Court to settle Jeffrey's Creek
in 1640, afterwards called Manchester. Removed to
Gloucester about 1641. Was representative of that town
1642-3-4. Moved back to Salem 1644. Was dismissed
from church at Gloucester to church at Wenham Sept. 21,
1645. Married Mary . He died 1659.
CHILDREN MARRIED
i Freegrace, b, 1635, d. 1675, Oct. 19.
1 ii John, b. 1637, Oct. Mary Sharp
iii Nathaniel, b. 1639, May.
2 iv George, b. 1641, March 28. d. 1696, Nov. 15.
1. Sarah Hart
2.Merey Gillett
\ r v Henry, b. 1643, Feb. 28. fO -'Jjl-* '—
*
vi Mehitable, b. 1645
vii Sarah, b. 1647, Sept. 14.
viiiHannah, b. 1649,
ix Abigail, b. 1651, Samuel Martin
X Elizabeth, b. 1653, Aug. 7. Timothy Symmes
2 1
1 John Norton {George) of Salem b. 1637 at Salem, m.
1660, April 3, Mary Sharp.
CHILDREN MARRIED
i Mary, b. 1661, Nov. 4.
ii Mary, b. 1664, April 26.
iii Hannah, b. 1668, Aug. 17.
iv Abigal, b. 1670, Nov. 30.
V George, b. 1672. April 20.
vi Elizabeth, b. 1674, Aug. 30.
vii John, b. 1679, Oct. 30.
George Norton (George) of Salem, Ipswicli, Mass.,
and Siiffield,Coiin., b. 1641, March 28, m. first 1669,
Oct. 7,SaraliHart, who d. 1682,Jui)e 23, at Snffield.
George in. second Mercy Gillett(widoM')of Windsor.
The town of Suffield agreed with George Norton and
Richard Austin 1695 to make all the windows for
the minister's house at eighteen pence per light and
to pay for the same in provision and flax. The
early records of the town of Ipswich are stated
to be very imperfect, and mutilated, there being but
few records of births, deaths and marriages prior to
1680. The Church records of the first parish have
been destroyed or cannot be found to about 1775.
It is evident that the first five children of this George
Norton were born in Ipswich, but that he afterwards
became a settler at Suffield, Conn. From the records
of the doings of the Committee for the management
of Stony Brook Plantation (Suffield)
it appears that a grant of 60 acres of land (15
acres of it on High Street) was made to George
-Norton Sept. 14, 1674. The settlement of the
plantation was broken up in 1675 on account of the
war with the Indians commonly known as Philip's
war; but was commenced again at its close in
1676-7. The name of George Norton occurs as an
inhabitant there as early as Sept. 25, 1677. He is
called Ensign Norton in the list of voters March 9,
1682. He was chosen one of the selectman in 1693
and was sent a representative to the general Court in
Boston the same year, at which time he is called
Captain Norton. In the Probate records in Hampshire,
Book 3, pages 36—37, is found the settlement
of the estate of this Capt.George Norton, dated March
31 , 1698. Mercy was his widow—his sons: George,
Thomas, Nathaniel and Freegrace. His daughters:
Sarah, Alice, Mary, Abigail, Joanna and Elizabeth
in the above order: Thomas, Nathaniel and Alice
were then of Ipswich He d. 1696, Nov 15, (Notes
arranged by L. M. N.)
CHILDREN BY PIR8T WIFE MARRIED
t i George, b. 1671 Nov. 10, d. 1742, Feb. 13
1. Hannah Younglove
2. Martha Stiles (widow)
t ii Thomas, b. 1674 Nov. 10, d. 1744 .July 13
1. Mercy Ruat
2. Mary Rayment Beverly
(Widow)
t iii Nathaniel, b. 1676 June 30, d, 1776 Mercy
iv Sarah, b. 1670, July 12 John Parsons
V Alice, b Robert Kimbal
vi Samuel, b. 1679 Jan. 22. d. 1679, Feb. 2
vii Samuel, b. 1681 April 9, d, 1681, Apr. 27
BY SECOND WIFE
viiiJohn, b. 1683 June 12, d. 1683, June 16
ix Mary Jane, b. 1685, June 18 Huxley
X Abigail, b. 1687 Jan. 14, d. 1705, Oct. 21
txi Freegrace, b. 1689, Jan. 1, d. 1758, Nov. 20 Sarah Martin
xii Joanna, b. 1693, March 17 Abraham Adams
xiiiElizabeth, b. 1695, Aug. 31, d. 1697, Aug. 1
xiv Elizabeth, b. 1697, March 19, d. 1727 s.
- [S560] Anderson, Robert Charles, Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-33, entry for George Norton, accessed 5 May 2013.
ORIGIN: Unknown
MIGRATION: 1629
FIRST RESIDENCE: Salem
REMOVES: Gloucester 1642, Wenham 1645, Salem
OCCUPATION: Carpenter. Innkeeper ("George Norton licensed to keep an ordinary upon the road where he dwells, and to sell strong waters to travellers," 29 June 1658 [EQC 2:100]; license renewed, 28 June 1659 [EQC 2:164]).
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: Included in list of Salem church members compiled late in 1636 (with later annotation "dead") [SChR 5]; admission prior to 14 May 1634 implied by freemanship. 13 April 1645: "George Norton, a member of the church at Gloucester, was admitted to participate" in communion at Wenham [Fiske Notebook 31]. On 21 September 1645 Gloucester church issued a letter of dismission for George Norton, and on 28 September Wenham church, after examining his spiritual state, admitted him to the covenant [Fiske Notebook 36-38].
FREEMAN: 14 May 1634 [MBCR 1:368].
EDUCATION: Signed inventory of Mary Hersome of Wenham, 2 September 1646 [EQC 1:106].
OFFICES: Essex jury, 27 March 1638, 25 June 1639, 30 June 1640 [EQC 1:7, 11, 19]. Deputy of the Salem marshal (apparently for Gloucester), 2 November 1642 [EQC 1:52]. Essex grand jury (for Salem), 24 November 1657 [EQC 2:58]. Essex trial jury, 28 June 1659 [EQC 2:157].
Gloucester deputy to General Court, 8 September 1642, 10 May 1643 [MBCR 2:22, 33]. Gloucester member of committee on bounds between Ipswich and Gloucester, 3 May 1642 [MBCR 2:4]. Commissioner to end small causes at Gloucester, 10 May 1643 [MBCR 2:35].
On 29 May 1644 it was "ordered, (at the request of the town of Glocester,) that George Norton (as their eldest sergeant) shall exercise their military company" [MBCR 2:67].
ESTATE: In the 1636 Salem land grant received forty acres "above Mr. Cole" (in the "freeman's" section of the list) [STR 1:20, 26]. In the 25 December 1637 Salem division of marsh received three-quarters of an acre, with a household of five [STR 1:102].
In response to a petition, the General Court on 13 May 1640 granted to a "company" of men, including "Geo: Norton," "Jeffryes Creek, and land to erect a village there" [MBCR 1:289].
On 30 January 1643[/4] twelve acres meadow in the Great Meadow at Wenham laid out according to "former grants to Richard Prince Sarah the now wife of Daniell Rumbull in the right of George Norton and John White" [STR 1:181].
On 29 November 1659 administration on the estate of George Norton was granted to his wife, Mary Norton. The inventory of the estate of George Norton was taken 22 September 1659 and totalled £134 11s. 6d., with no real estate included. Freegrace Norton and John Norton, children of George Norton, petitioned for division of the estate, mentioning mother Mary Norton, and listing the children: Freegrace, aged 24; John, aged 22; Nathaniel, aged 20; George, aged 18; Mary, aged 16; Mehittabell, aged 14; Sarah, aged 12; Hannah, aged 10; Abigaill, aged 8; and Ellizabeth, aged 5 [EPR 1:304].
BIRTH: By about 1610 based on estimated date of marriage.
DEATH: Between June 1659 (tavern license) and 22 September 1659 (inventory).
MARRIAGE: By about 1635 Mary ____; she was admitted to Salem church 4 September 1637 [SChR 7]. She married (2) Ipswich 27 February 1659[/60] Philip Fowler (with whom she defended her administration of George's estate, November Term 1665 [EQC 3:285]). (Seversmith dismisses the undocumented claim that she was Mary Machias; he also argues convincingly that the claim that Mary was sister of Bethia Cartwright of Salem derives from a misreading of the will of Bethia [TAG 15:194-95].)
CHILDREN:
i FREEGRACE, b. about 1635; m. Ipswich 3 August 16[58-62] Lydia Spencer.
ii JOHN, bp. Salem 2 October 1637 [SChR 16]; m. Salem 3 April 1660 Mary Sharp.
iii NATHANIEL, bp. Salem 29 May 1639 [SChR 17]; m. by about 1665 Mary Mills, daughter of Richard Mills (eldest child b. about 1665 [TAG 15:197]; Mary Norton, daughter of "Nathanael & Mary, & grandchild of Mr. Mils" who "was in communion in the elder church in Stratford" was bp. in the "younger" church in Stratford on 28 September 1673 [TAG 9:18; see also FOOF 1:411]).
iv GEORGE, bp. Salem 28 March 1641 [SChR 18]; m. (1) Ipswich 7 October 1669 Sarah Hart; m. (2) Windsor 14 June 1683 Mercy (Barber) Gillett [CTVR 52], widow of John Gillett (son of JONATHAN GILLETT) and daughter of Thomas Barber [Manwaring 1:94].
v MARY, b. Gloucester 28 February 1643; m. Ipswich 14 October 1664 Thomas Hart.
vi MEHITABLE, b. about 1645; m. Ipswich 20 December 1664 Samuel Adams.
vii SARAH, bp. Wenham 15 February 1646/7 [Fiske Notebook 49]; m. Ipswich [blank] Feb. 1678 Samuel Hart.
viii HANNAH, b. about 1649; living 1689 [TAG 15:196 (evidence not cited)].
ix ABIGAIL, b. about 1651; prob. m. Andover 30 March 1676 Samuel Martin.
x ELIZABETH, b. about 1654; prob. m. Ipswich 13 November 1676 Josiah Bridges. (She did not marry John Wainwright [TAG 30:18; NEHGR 13:230].)
COMMENTS: In their 17 April 1629 letter to John Endicott, in a section informing him of various settlers being sent over that year, the Massachusetts Bay Company included "one Norton, a carpenter, whom we pray you respect as he shall deserve" [MBCR 1:396]. This has been assumed, with good reason, to be George Norton, since George was later referred to as a carpenter.
George Norton was presented at Salem Court for "lying and subborning witnesses to scandalize the church of Wenham, to pay 20s. for two lies and seven witnesses three days, and to confess before the assembly met at Wenham in the meeting house, as follows: `I do confess and acknowledge that I have sinfully endeavored to justify myself and my turbulent and factious agitations against the just and orderly proceedings of the church against me for my sin in that I have incessantly labored out of the pride of my heart to gather up witnesses of all sorts to testify against the dealing of the church with me seeking thereby to lay a scandal upon the church which cannot but greatly tend to the dishonor of God and the reproach of religion.' Refusing to make this confession, to sit one hour in the stocks" [EQC 1:156]. (The misbehavior of George Norton was the principal matter of church business at Wenham throughout 1648 and 1649 [Fiske Notebook 57-88].)
At November Term 1665, Mary Norton's new husband, Philip Fowler, in her right as administratrix of George Norton's estate, successfully sued Roger Preston for an incompleted lease on John Endicott's farm called "Groton." Norton had leased it for ten years, beginning 1 March 1655/6 for £18 per year, and was to build a strong and sufficient house, "in every way like that of Mr. Tredwell at Ipswich, except Norton was to make catted chimneys instead of brick, and was to leave the house tenantable at the end of the term ... in consideration for which he was to have one year of the rent of the farm free" [EQC 3:286]. Roger Preston had agreed to take over the lease starting 14 March 1659/60, but was reluctant after the death of Norton in 1659.
Savage stated that between his residences at Gloucester and Wenham, George Norton resided briefly at Ipswich, but this was his son of the same name [TAG 15:196].
With regard to the baptism of daughter Mary in Gloucester in 1643, Savage made the peculiar statement "unless this were mistake, as to me seems probable for Henry" [Savage 3:291]. Since the list of children of George Norton does include a daughter Mary of the right age, but no Henry of any age, it is hard to understand what Savage intended here.
In his treatment of George Norton, Herbert F. Seversmith provided baptismal dates for the last two daughters from the Salem church [TAG 15:196]. The dates are correct, but the first of them is for a son John rather than daughter Abigail. These two baptisms, in 1651 for John and 1653 for Elizabeth, are for children of "Mr. Norton," who at this time in Salem would be Francis Norton.
BIBILIOGRAPHIC NOTE: In 1939 Herbert F. Seversmith compiled a sketch of the life and family of George Norton, along with an examination of Norton's possible English ancestry; Seversmith thought the derivation from the Nortons of Sharpenhoe, Bedfordshire, was unlikely [TAG 15:193-207].
- [S559] Norton, Scott, Norton Family Website, George Norton, http://www.nortonfamily.net/ma-salem-george.htm, accessed 5 May 2013.
- [S555] Massachusetts Census, 1790-1890, Jackson, Ron V., Accelerated Indexing Systems, comp., (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 1999;), Database online. Record for George Norton, Salem, Massachusetts 1640 census, page 092.
Name: George Norton
State: MA
County: Essex County
Township: Salem
Year: 1640
Page: 092
Database: MA Early Census Index
- [S521] U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;), Database online.
Record for George Norton
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