Christopher
John NORTON (his parents may be Rev. William Norden & Catherine LAYLESS,
and the grandson of the Rev. Robert Norden). Christopher was born about 1718 in
Virginia and died about 1787 in Bourbon County, KY.Christopher & Mary (Emmerson) Norton
How we are related to this family:
Christopher Norton & Mary Emmerson's son, David Norton, married Sophia Fancher. Their son, John N. Norton married Mary Benefield. Their son, Hiram Norton married Nancy Perdue. Their daughter, Louisa Emma Norton married Nathaniel Hull PIRTLE. Their daughter, Emma Caroline Pirtle married Albert "Ross" SMITH. They had three children.
The Norton family probably migrated to Illinois from Virginia. The best evidence suggests that the Norton family (spelled Norden in England and colonial America) came to Virginia in 1714 from England. Rev. Robert Norden, born about 1650 in England, was a Baptist minister chosen by his church in East Sussex, England to come to America. He probably brought several of his children.
Christopher
John NORTON (his parents may be Rev. William Norden & Catherine LAYLESS,
and the grandson of the Rev. Robert Norden). Christopher was born about 1718 in
Virginia and died about 1787 in Bourbon County, KY.
Christopher was involved in a lawsuit in 1747, "Charles Friend, mariner, v. Christopher Norden." Christopher purchased land in Fluvanna, VA in 1777.
Christopher married Anne (last name unknown) and later married Mary EMMERSON, daughter of Thomas EMMERSON & Mary Rutherford WALKER, in Goochland County, VA. Mary was born about 1735 in Goochland County, VA. She died about 1819 in Bourbon County, KY.
Christopher had the following children (not sure with which wife).
William NORTON was born about 1754 in Goochland County, VA. William married Mildred TAYLOR about 1775. Nothing more is known about them.
Martha NORTON was born about 1756 in Goochland County, VA. Nothing more is known about her.
Sarah NORTON Click on her name for more information.
John NORTON, Sr. Click on his name for more information.
James NORTON Click on his name for more information.
Mary NORTON was born about 1762 in Albemarle County, VA. Nothing more is known about her.
David NORTON, Sr. Click on his name for more information.
Elizabeth NORTON was born on 1 May 1769 in Fluvanna County, VA. She died on 29 Jan 1838 in Sullivan County, IN. Elizabeth married William BENEFIELD on 12 Mar 1787 in Fayette County, KY. William was born on 19 Jul 1763 in Maine and died on 19 Feb 1844 in Sullivan County, IN. Nothing more is known about them.
Ameilia Ann "Milly" NORTON was born on 7 Apr 1774 in Fluvanna County, VA. She died after Sep 1852 in Clark County, KY. Ameilia married John BLACK on 15 Jul 1792 in Bourbon County, KY. John was born on 4 Oct 1750 in Augusta County, VA and died on 20 Nov 1830 in Bourbon County, KY. Nothing more is known about them.
All five of Christopher's sons were soldiers in the Revolutionary War. John & James were at the battle of Yorktown. James may have been at the "Battle of Blue Licks" in Kentucky. David served in the Revolutionary War at age 17 on 18 May 1780 for 1 year and 6 months as a substitute for another man that lived in Amherst County, VA. Thomas probably died on a British Prisoner of War ship anchored in Charleston, SC harbor. The other son to serve was William.
Grandson, John Norton, Jr. may have been killed while serving in the Mexican-American War since he died in 1847 in Mexico.
Great-grandchild William Henry Norton was a Sergeant in Company D of the Illinois 109th Infantry during the Civil War.
Great-grandchild John Wesley Norton died in 1861 from measles during the Civil War. He is buried in Mound City National Cemetery in Mound City, IL. According to Union County, IL Soldiers (Dexter 1997, page 137), he served in Company F of the Illinois 31st Infantry.
Great-granddaughter Louisa Emma Norton's second husband was John Calvin Carter. He served in the Civil War at age 35 in the 109th Illinois Infantry (14 Aug 1862). James, David, John, & Moses EMERY and Jordan SMITH all served in the Illinois 109th Infantry. The officers of this unit were listed as "deserters" when they did not ordered their soldiers to "march toward the sound of guns" (cannon fire) while they were guarding bridges near in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Many of the soldiers of the 109th were allowed to join the Illinois 11th Infantry.
