[gedr6058.ged]
She was b. September 29, 1706 in Sandwich, the daughter of Medad Tupper
and Hannah Thomas, and apparently d. before September, 1779. He may have
married (2) ELIZABETH before September 19, 1779.
On 1 Mar 1739, John Norris was chosen among others to be a committee
member to monitor the hog-reeves at Wareham, succeeding his brother
Benjamin in that position. John held some property through the division
of land with his brother Benjamin. A deed dated October 10, 1744 reflects
a purchase by John Norris, "miller", of six acres from Butler Wing of
Wareham. This land was located in a part of Wareham known as Rochester.
The transaction was recorded on December 20, 1744 (PCD37:32). On 11 Feb
1744/5 John Norris, miller, paid Elisha Wing 3 lbs. for a three acre lot
in Wareham. And on 1 Oct 1747, John Norris of Wareham, miller, sold to
David Besse a tract of 100 acres "on which I lately dwelt, where my
dwelling house now stands,....on the east side of Middle Jumping
Brook,....which I have by my honoured father, deceased".
By 1751 he had purchased of Ebenezer Perry, of Wareham, another home
lot of 36 acres. John was chosen Deacon at the Wareham Church at a
meeting in November, 1763. A three part indenture dated 20 Nov 1766,
made by Benjamin, John, and Benjamin Norris Jr., of Plymouth County,
divided the property they had held in common: "Land that our father
Oliver Norris late of said Wareham dyed seized of".
Deacon John Norris, Thomas, and Elizabeth, his wife, were dismissed
from the Wareham Church to the 2nd Church at Stafford, Connecticut in
September,
1779.
[gedr6058.ged]
was born March 19, 1739/40 in Wareham, MA, and died March 30, 1805 in
Suffield, CT. He married JEMIMA BENSON September 17, 1761 in Middleboro,
MA. She d. March 6, 1805 in Suffield, Connecticut
A deed of February 11, 1762 indicates that Samuel Barrow of
Killingly, Windham County, CT sold John Jr. some 60 acres in Plymton, MA,
for the sum of 30 pounds. (PCD51:176). In 1767, on October 29, John Jr.
sold "all my lands and housing that lies in sd Plimpton" to John Maxham
for the sum of 53 pounds. (PCD54:22). The first Tolland CT grantee deed
in John Jr.'s name is dated November 11, 1767. He must have moved to CT
between October and November 1767. There are other Tolland deeds in John
Jr.'s name from June 25, 1782 and March 28, 1785 (Deeds 6:159, 8:81 and
8:93). The 1790 Census shows John Jr. in Tolland CT.
John served in the American Revolution as a Private from Connecticut
(DAR Patriot
index).
[gedr6058.ged]
Ariel Newcomb, b. November 24, 1779 Lebanon, CT d. March 17, 1821
Pembroke, NY, was the son of Jesse, whose father was Silas, the son of
Hezekiah, son of Simon, son of Andrew, son of Andrew Newcomb. Ariel died
at Pembroke, Erie Co NY. Sarah was later married to Samuel Hopkins (d.
10 Nov 1840). Their descendants are related to President George Bush,
who is a Simon Newcomb descendant ("Ancestors of American Presidents",
G.B. Roberts).
Capt. Newcomb was a cooper. He served as captain in the War of 1812
in the regiment of Col. Caleb Hopkins. Sarah lived with her son Jerome
B. after his death, at Irondequoit, NY. When nearly ninety years old she
wrote to John B. Newcomb of Elgin, Ill.: "Shortly after our marriage we
went to Lebanon at my husband's father's; there was his grandmother,
Submit (Pineo) Newcomb, the finest old lady I ever saw yet." The family
lived at Pittsford (also known as Boyle, Stonestown, etc), Monroe Co NY,
where their children were
born.
[gedr6058.ged]
b. say 1658, perhaps in Roxbury, MA d. between June 28, 1715 (Will) and
December 22, 1715 (Probate) in Agawam, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
He married MARGERY DOGGETT (surname from Tupper Genealogy and other
secondary sources) about 1693. Margery Norris of Agawam published, in
the Plymouth Vital Records (MD 18:139), her intentions to marry James
Bumpas of Rochester on January 12, 1726/7, some eleven years after
Oliver's death. Her birth and parentage are unknown, and she probably
died after 1733.
The first record in which we find Oliver Norris is on a tax list in
Easthampton, Long Island, on 8 Sep 1683, as a single man with one cow and
one sheep, but no land holdings. He lived just a few houses from John
Stratton, whose daughter Abigail was married to Henry Norris, who is
believed to have been Oliver's brother.
Oliver Norris played an important role in local political problems in
Easthampton in 1686. Here is an excerpt from an article in Easthampton
History, published in 1933:
To understand the troubles that rocked Easthampton from the 1680's
to about 1720, it is necessary to take into consideration the chief
resources of the young "plantation", which had in 1687 five hundred and
two "inhabitants" plus 35 servants and 26 slaves. The chief resources
were whale-oil and farm products,--and the latter meant land. "Oyle", so
New York Governor Dongan reported in 1687, was the principal taxable item
that entered the port of New York; he urged the annexation of CT, because
the people of Long Island "especially towards the east end" were carrying
their "oyle" over to CT and paying no duty in New York. As for the
farming, our ancestors were land-hungry. That was one reason for
crossing the ocean. Cattle-raising must have been very important here
then; the small original allotments were beginning to seem too small; and
a dispute arose as to whether title to undivided land was vested in all
free men of the community, or in the original "proprietors." When the
governor undertook to divide Easthampton land on the former assumption,
there was a great furore, not so much against the nine men who had
petitioned the governor for more land (these were John Parsons, Jacob
Dayton, John Field, Samuel Sherrill, Oliver Norris, William Hamilton,
Daniel Kieff, Simon Hillyer, and John Richardson,--most of them long
resident here); but against the arbitrary action of New York colony
government in meddling with what was considered a private fight. The
nine men had complained that the town would lay them out no land. The
government of the colony ordered Josiah Hobart, sheriff of Suffolk
County, to see that a surveyor laid out for each one 30 acres of arable
land "not yet fenced or enclosed and appropriated by any person." Hobart
obeyed this order. Yet "Samuel Mulford, Robert Dayton, Samuel Parsons,
Benjamin Conkling, Thomas Osborne, John Osborne," and another (whose name
has been obliterated in the course of time) "did confederate together to
bring his majesty's authority into contempt and scorn." On 6 Oct 1686,
they "did riotously, contemptuously and unlawfully assemble themselves
together with diverse others unknown by beating of the drum without any
warrant or authority and did publish and affix on the wall of the meeting
house a certain scandalous and libelous paper: a protest saying whereas"
(giving the names) "have procured certain lands"..."belonging the
proprietors of said land viz: Thomas Baker, Thomas Chatfield, Jeremiah
Conkling, Stephen Rodgers and others to whom said land was
granted"..."and other appointed to defend the right of said proprietors."
The paper warned the trespassers against occupying the newly granted
land. Samuel Mulford was blamed by the colonial authorities for
publishing the paper. Governor Dongan had all the protesters arrested on
charges of sedition; also arrested were others who had aided and abetted
them."
On 29 Jul 1686, the eight men listed in the above article, including
Oliver Norris, plus Robert Cody and Samuel Sherry, complained to the
governor of New York that the town would lay out no land for them. The
governor ordered the town to issue land to the eight men. Oliver
apparently decided against remaining in Easthampton, and instead moved to
Southampton nearby where he lived next to his brothers Peter and Robert.
Some of the family information on Oliver Norris and his descendants
was discovered by Maclean W. McLean, who wrote an article, "Oliver Norris
of Sandwich and Plymouth, MA", (The American Genealogist, Jan 1975, pages
80-91). The research of Steve Norris, of Irvine, CA, has determined that
this Oliver Norris is the same Oliver Norris of Easthampton and
Southampton, Long Island.
About 1690 or 91 he went across the Long Island Sound into Buzzards
Bay, MA, settling on the Atlantic coast only a few miles from there in
Sandwich, where his son, Benjamin, was born to "Olliver Norris and
Margery Norris his wife" in March, 1695/96 (Mayflower Descendants 29:68),
but he apparently returned to Southampton sometime shortly after the
birth of another son, Samuel, in 1698. He was head of household in a
census taken in 1698 in that town, and although it is not clear from the
census, since the women were separated from the men, his wife appears to
have been named Mary, perhaps short for Margery.
By 1707 we find Oliver back across the sound in Sandwich, apparently
preparing for a move to Agawam. The October 24, 1707 will of William
Norris, of Scituate, MA (proved February 12, 1707/08), calls Oliver, "of
Sandwich", and "kinsman" (Plymouth County Probate 2:150f). It is likely
that William was the uncle of Oliver, or brother of his father John.
Josiah Morton, of Plymouth, conveyed what was described as "a
twelfth part of a tract of Agawam land in Plymouth" to Oliver Norris in
1709/10 on the 13th of January. It was recorded in the Plymouth County
Deeds 8:67 on May 13, 1710. Included in the purchase, for the 165 pound
sum, was " a dwelling house, barns and outhousing, fencing, orchard,
meadows, swamp, woods & waters." There is an "Agawam Plantation" record
book in which Oliver is recorded to have attended a meeting in 1712.
Apparently, the record indicates that he was "moved to protest" most of
the votes taken (N.E. History & General Register 41:198). A final deed
dated 15 Jan 1713/4 and entered 6 Feb 1713/4 reads:
Oliver Norris of Plymouth, yeoman, for 200 lbs. paid by Jerah Swift
of Sandwich, conveys all my upland and swampy ground on the Agawam
River....in the liberty of Plymouth together with my dwelling house
standing on part of the land, being the house on which William Swift now
dwelleth, and Margery Norris, wife of said Oliver Norris released her
dower rights; signed by the marks of Oliver and Margery.
Witnessed by John Hammond, Samuel Bates
Oliver's will is dated June 28, 1715. He provides for Margery and
for the continued support of the two youngest boys, Nathan and John until
they reach the age of 14. At that point, he asks in his will that they"
are put out to be instructed in some convenient trade or handicraft".
Were Margery to remarry after his death, or should she, in fact, pass on,
the estate was to be dispersed as follows: Oliver's son, Oliver was to
receive the massive sum of 5 shillings! This, to him, within one year of
Margery's death or remarriage. Thomas made out a little better; he was to
be paid 4 pounds, that amount to be provided by Benjamin and Samuel
equally. Hannah, who had married a Mr. Jaquas (also shown as "Jaquesh"),
was to receive 5 pounds. Benjamin and Samuel essentially divided the
bulk of Oliver's "estate" 50/50. It is described as "lands, meadows,
swamps and stock. Nathan and John, the youngest sons, were each to
receive 15 pounds. Benjamin was the executor of the estate along with
James Lewis, a close friend of Oliver's. The inventory is dated December
7, 1715 and the will was proved December 23, 1715 (Plymouth County
Probates 3:384, 386 f.) Oliver was probably illiterate, as he signed his
will with his mark "ON", and no books were among the items in his
inventory. He did, however, provide for the literate education of his
youngest children. Following the facsimile is a transcription of the
will, with the original grammar and spelling:
******Will Here******
"In The Name of God Amen. I Olliver Norris of Plymouth in the County of
Plymouth In New England Yeoman being well stricken in years and under
weakness of Body & Sencible of my own Mortality but of Perfect mind &
memory doth ordain this my Last will and Testament that is to say first
of all. I do recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it. & my
body to the Earth to be buryed in a decent Christian Manner at the
discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the Last day I shall
by the mighty power of God receive the same Againe. And as Touching such
worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life, I
Will, Give, Devise & dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
Imprs I give and Bequeath unto my well beloved wife Margery Norris all
my Estate both houseing & Lands and all my moveable Effects both within
doars & without doars dureing her Continuing my widdow for her
Improvement and use for and in Consideration hereafter mentioned that is
to say She keeping & provideing for her two youngest sons Nathan Norris &
John Norris my sons sufficiant food & Raiment and good Education in
reading & writeing until they Come to the age of fourteen years and then
bind & put them Out to be Instructed in some Convenient Trades or
handicrafts: The said whole of my Estate to be Immediately after my
decease possesed of and Improved by her duereing her Continuing my widdow
as above sd. & after her marrying to any one else or after her decease to
be and remain as I shall hereafter dispose of the same. Item I give to
my son Olliver Norris and to his heirs Lawfully begotten of his Body & to
him & them to remain for ever by my Executors within one year after the
decease of my wife or her marriage out of my Estate the sum of five
shillings together with what he hath already had and that to be his full
proportion of my Estate. Item I Give to my son Thomas Norris and to his
heirs Lawfully begotten of his body and to him and them to remain for
ever the sum of four pounds mony to be paid by my sons Benjamin & Samuel
Equally Between them within one year after my wife's decease and if they
or Either of them shall not live Longer then my wife, Then to be paid by
my heirs of my Lands, and this four Pounds to be the whole share of my
said son Thomas, and I do hereby Cut him off from any further part of my
Estate as also his heirs. Item I give to my daughter Hannah who maried
with one Jaquas to be and to remain to her and her heirs for ever the sum
of five pounds mony to be paid her or them by my sons Benjamin & Samuel
or their heirs within one year, if not, then within one year after her
decease to be equally paid out of my Estate, and that to be her full
proportion and part of my Estate. Item I give to my son Benjamin Norris
the One half of all my lands meadows & Swamps of what kindsoever with one
half of all my houseing and moveables and stock that I shall dye possesed
of to be possesed of & Improved by him Immediately after the marriage of
my widdow if she marry and if she marry not then Immediately after her
decease the paying out such sums of mony as is already above Expressed
for him to pay and shall hereafter be ordered to pay, the said Lands to
be and remaine to him and his Male heirs and I do hereby Intail the said
Lands to him and his male heirs for ever so as that it shall be and
remain to him and them for ever. And in Case he dye & Leave no male heir
Lawfully begotten of his body my will is that then the said Lands to be
and remain to my son Nathan & his heirs & if he dye without heirs
Lawfully begotten of his body my will is that then the said Lands to be
and remain to my son John & his heirs & if he dye without heirs Lawfully
begotten of his body then to be and remain to my son Samuel Norris & his
heirs for ever. Item I give to my son Samuel Norris the One half being
the other half of all my Lands Meadows & Swamps of what kind soever with
one half of all my houseing and moveables and stock that I shall dye
possesed of to be possesed of & Improved by him Immediatelyy after the
Marriage of my widdow if she marry and if she marry not then Immediately
after her decease the paying out of such sums of money as is already
above Expressed for him to pay & shall hereafter be ordered to pay, the
said Lands to be and remain to him & his Male heirs for ever, so as that
it shall be and remaine to him and them for ever, & in Case he dye &
Leave no Male heir Lawfully begotten of hes body, my Will is that then
the said Lands to be and remaine to my son Nathan & his heirs; and if he
dye without heirs Lawfully begotten of his Body then to be and remaine to
my son John & his heirs; and if he dye without heirs Lawfully Begotten of
his body then to be and remaine to my son Benjamin and his heirs for
ever. Item I give to my son Nathan Norris the sum of fiveteen pounds
money to be paid to his use by my sons Benjamin & Samuel or their heirs
within two years after the Marriage of my widdow if she Marry, & if she
marry not, within two years after her decease. And if my widdow Dye
before my son Nathan Comes to the age of fourteen years to be Maintained
out of my Estate to reading and writeing by my sons Benjamin & Samuel or
their heirs till then. Item I give to my son John Norris the sum of
fiveteen pounds money to be paid to his use by my sons Benjamin & Samuel
or their heirs within two years after the Marriage of my widdow if she
Marry & if she marry not within two years after her decease and if my
widdow dye Before my son John Comes to the Age of gourteen years he the
said John is to be Maintained out of my Estate and Instructed in reading
& writeing by my sons Benjamin & Samuel or their heirs till he come to
the age of fourteen years as is his Brother Nathan. Item my Will is and
I do hereby Nominate Constitute & Appoint my Trusty Friend James Lewis of
Rochester in the County of Plymouth afforesd. and my Son Benjamin Norris
to be the Sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament; and I do
hereby disown revoke and make void any other or former Will ratifying
this and no Other to be my Last Will and Testament. In Wittness whereof
I have hereunto Set my hand and Seale this Twenty eighth day of June Anno
E Domini One thousand Seven hundred & fiveteen and in the first year of
the reign of Our Soveraign Lord George by the grace of god of England
France & Ireland King &tc his
Signed Sealed Publishd. & Declard. To be the Last
Olliver O N Norris Seal
Will and Testament of me Olliver Norres in
marke
presence of us -
Thomas Landers
his before signing & sealing this is further to be under
Joseph @@ Landers stood that whereas tis said that stock & moveables
mark shall return to Benjamin & Samuel after my wid=
his dows Marriage or decease all that I dye possesed of
Benja. 8 Landers it is to be understood so much is to return as the
wid=
marke dow dos not make use of or Improve for her use in her
Timothy Ruggles widdowhood and not for her at her marriage to make
good the Inventory, and furthermore if my widdow
live my widdow till my sons Nathan & John Comes to
the Age of one & twenty years a peice they then to
have their Legacys viz fourteen pounds a peice paid
them.
On the 22d Day of December 1715 the within named Thomas Landers Joseph
Landers & Benjamin Landers made Oath that they saw the within named
Olliver Norris signe & seale & heard him declare the within written
Instrument to be his Last Will and Testament and that he then was of a
disposeing mind & memory to the best of their knowledge. Before me.
Nathaniel Thomas Judge of Probts."
Land purchased by Oliver from James Waren in a 1715 Deed was not
recorded until March 1727/28, which may indicate the official transfer of
the property to his sons after the remarriage of their mother to James
Bumpus (PCD 22:205). The inventory of his estate amounted to some 376
pounds.
[Glenn.ged]
Served U.S. Air Force, 1952-1972, retiring as Tech Sergeant.