Introduction

In the annals of American history, the legacy of  Jessee, a free person of color and seasoned boatman on the river, stands as a testament to resilience amidst adversity. His life’s journey, marked by both triumphs and tribulations, reveals the intricate tapestry of identity and opportunity in the late colonial  and early antebellum Virginia. Despite being a skilled boatman, enslaver, entrepreneur, and a landowner, Jesse found himself entangled in the web of debt and injustice, facing incarceration for a crime he technically didn’t  commit. Yet, his story does not end with his confinement; rather, it unfolds as a narrative of endurance and perseverance, echoing through the generations of those who descend from his family and for the  Free Persons of Color. Through their resilience and determination, Jesse Norris and the Norris  family transformed the legacy of hardship into one of empowerment.

Jesse’s Death

For a life well documented in the courts and newspaper, not much is stated about the last decade of Jesse’s  life. As stated in Jesse’s Murder and Mayhem Blog the jury charged Jesse Norris with Second Degree Murder with a sentence of 15 years in 1832 to the Virginia State penitentiary. After he got his  sentence and his trustee got his affairs in order, Jesse is sadly lost to history. We do know that as of 1844, Jesse’s wife Nancy was  referred to in chancery records as widow. So it is safe to assume that Jesse died sometime around 1884. The circumstances surrounding his death are unknown.  We are not sure if he died in jail or was released early. We also are not sure where Jesse is actually buried.

Nancy Norris

Life After Jessee

Although Jesse did have  his assets put into a trust to be managed by a trustee for his wife,the estates of ? and ? still try to sue Jesse’s estate and a widow Nancy. The actual settlement papers weren’t found, other documents showed that Nancy was able to keep their property with their house. She stayed in her community of Columbia, in Fluvanna County, Va. Per the 1840- 1850 Censuses, Nancy lived alone but within the Free Person Communities alongside the following families of Mayo, Cousins, Perkins, and Wright families; most probably some relation to her. By 1860, Nancy was 60 and did live with James Wright age 65 as well. James was a FPOC and  a woodcutter. The relationship of Nancy and James is unknown at this time. By 1863, Nancy Norris was dead  and the only known family member of Jesse Norris left in Fluvanna County in 1870 was Matilda Norris, his sister in law; Reuben Norris’ wife. 

Nancy Norris -Will + Estate

Nancy Norris, Jesse’s wife, did live to see the Civil War, but died prior to the end of the war. There is no record she ever remarried or had any children. Nancy died 1863 and left a will. Her will was probated in July 3,1863 and gave great insight to Jesse’s and her life.  Without any living children, her next of kin are her nephews William and Phillip Cousins.  Nancy Ieft her household property to William Cousins (see inventory below). She left her property in the town of Columbia, which lies between John Wakeham and Wm Rock, to both her nephews, William and Phillip Cousins. Nancy leaves instruction to the executor that he can run, lease, or sell the property the way that sees fit, but she prefers the land be sold. She appoints her friend and nephew Phillip Cousins as executor of her estate. A $1200 bond was put up to secure the estate. An inventory of Nancy’s estate was taken July 3, 1863 and was appraised to be in value of $730. Look below at her inventory to take a peek into her everyday life.

Nancy Norris -Estate Inventory

• 1 house lot $500
• 1 window chair $9
• 1 Bed & Bedding $35
• 1 Ditto Ditto $ 15 
• 1 Straw Bed & Bed Stead $8
• 1 Bureau $10
• 1 Looking Glass $3
• 1 Tea Board & Alot Books $5
• 4 Split Bottom Chair $2
• 3 Tables $11
• 3 Pair & Iron $5
• 2 Blankets & 3 Comforters 40.00
• 1 Cupboards & Contents Earthware $20 
• 1 Loom & Spinners Wheels 1.50
• Pots & Skillets & Cooking Utensils $40
• 1 Water Bucket and Pitcher $2
• 2 Axes $4
• 2 Chest $8
• 2 Pot Sacks $4
• Total Estate $730.00

Walter Cousins + Mariah Norris Cousins

Walter Cousin’s Love + Liberty

“ I bought the said Mariah as a wife & the above named Children are the increase of our communion (or connexion) as Man and Wife and desiring to remove to the State of Ohio where the chances of enjoying myself and securing for my children a larger Share of liberty, is the inducement to the execution of this Deed.”  Witness my hand & seal this 15th day of April 1848. Walter Cousins Fluvanna County, Va Deed Book (OS) 15 pg 275

Being a FPOC during the colonial and antebellum periods is like a double age sword and varies from community to community but bound by state laws.  Walter Cousins was born free in Goochland county, va but due to the ever changing laws had to enslave his wife to ensure her freedom

Mariah Norris was manumitted by Thomas Norris her enslaver by his will in 1815, but because of the Virginia law she couldn’t be totally freed. Thomas Norris was aware of the law prior to his death and gave Jesse Norris ( Mariah’s sister) the opportunity to purchase his siblings. 

Although Jesse was able to purchase his family, he was not able to emancipate them and stay in the state of Virginia. So Jesse kept his family together by enslaving them on paper but the restricted liberties of FPOC. 

With that being said when Walter and Mariah decide to marry, Walter had to purchase her from her brother Jesse. As law states, the children from their union are his possession in the law Virginia. 

With all these restrictive laws to keep their family together and the crackdown on the movement of the FPOC, Walter wanted his whole family to enjoy their freedom. He manumitted his whole family, but once he does that he has 1 year to leave the state before running the risk of being re enslaved. He did make it to Ohio by 1849. He enjoyed 4 years of freedom with his family before he died in Hamilton County, Ohio.

Mariah Life Free + Out Of State

As stated before Walter Cousin freed his wife and did so for 3 clear reasons. First and far most, Walter loved Mariah. Secondly, it was no longer safe to stay in Fluvanna County with the financial and business arrangement with his brother in law. Lastly, with all the lawsuits, Jesse was dangerously close to losing and having to sell Mariah to settle his debt. By buying Mariah, it would in return help Jesse settle the debt from the lawsuits. Walter knew the risk of buying his enslaved family. He knew he wouldn’t be able to stay in his home or the state of Virginia, but he knew what had to be done. He bought Mariah and manumitted her 1848 and by Virginia’s law was out of state and in Ohio by 1849.  Walter, Mariah and their children – all settled into Cinnatiti, Hamilton County, Ohio. Although Walter worked as a Drayman, he was still in a community of black boatmen, the same as in Fluvanna. Walter only lived with his wife and family in freedom for 3 years and died at the age of 50. Mariah erected a beautiful head stone in his honor.  PICTURE OF HEAD STONE

Mariah + Her Children

Sarah Elizabeth Cousins Spurlock

Mariah and her children continue to live in Cincinnati after his death.  Mariah died some time between 1860-1870.  Of her  5 children, only the stories of two, Walter Reubin and Sarah Elizabeth. Both stayed in Cincinnati and married and built families. Sarah Elizabeth married John Spurlock around 1860.  John is also from Virginia and he worked as a barber. It appeared that they had 3 children but they died.  John died between 1881-1900. Sarah did live to see 1900 as a roomer on the 1900 census. She was last seen in the Cincinnati 1907 in their city directory.  

Walter Rubin Cousins

Walter Rubin Cousin was born April 16,1844 in Fluvanna County, Va and died of Typhoid fever when he was 37 years old in Cincinnati, Ohio. Although more research needs to be done, Walter Rubin served among the first African American in the Civil War as military defense for the Union. He served in the Cincinnati Black Brigade. He was also documented in the newspaper as well as on a find-a-grave celebrating his life. Walter Rubin He was well known in his community  and was described as a colored man that took advantage of every opportunity offered to him and was a good example to the white man. He worked for the Gas Company and was well versed and knowledgeable in the piping working as a gas engineer. He was also a member of the FreeMasons “of high and good standing” and the Knight Templar. Walter Cousins was laid to rest OCt 10, 1881 with high honors as a mason. His headstone reflects his life as a mason. His personal life such as wife and children are unclear. The paper and findagrave records show that he was at some point married to Pauline (MNU). 

Rubin Norris

Reubin Norris was married to Jane Banks, also a FPOC in 1814 in Columbia, Fluvanna County, Va. It is unclear how many or who their children were. Reubin, like Jesse, was an enslaver and enslaved 4 people. Reubin was last seen in 1820 with 6 FPOC and 4 enslaved people in the household and 1830  with 7 FPOC and no enslaved in the household. Further research will have to be done to uncover the people of their household,  the identity of his enslaved people and the context  of him being a person of color enslaver.

Henry Norris

Henry  Norris, also a boatman born in 1792, moved to Lynchburg prior to Jesse’s  incident. The James River runs through Lynchburg and also connects to the Rivanna in Fluvanna County, Va which also allows the Norris brothers movement along the rivers to live and work. Jesse probably moved near Henry to start over after his legal problems in Fluvanna.

Henry was married to Sarah Ann Armstrong, also a FPOC  on December 29, 1814 in Lynchburg, Va. It is unclear how many or who their children were. Due to his movement he was only seen  in 1840 by himself. Henry died on December 12, 1855 in Rockingham Co, Va of paralysis in the Poorhouse.

Betsey Norris Jackson

Betsy  Norris, the oldest sister of Jesse  moved to Cumberland County, Va, She married Daniel Jackson, also a FPOC , July 15, 1808  in Cumberland County, Va. It is unclear how many or who their children were. Daniel and Betsy did move to Lynchburg, prior to her siblings around 1810. Daniel and Betsy were  only seen  in 1820 with 4 FPOC in household,1830 with  3 FPOC  + 2 enslaved people. It is unclear who the enslaved people were and the context of their enslavement. Betsy does show up one last time in the Poorhouse in 1870 in Cumberland County, Va.

Next Step + Futher Research

As we reflect on the  remarkable life of Jesse Norris, we have uncovered a narrative rich in complexity and resilience. His journey as a free person of color, navigating the challenges of colonial and antebellum Virginia, illuminates the struggles and triumphs of an often overlooked community. Despite facing adversity, Jessee’s legacy endures as a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience and perseverance. As we continue to explore the intricacies of identities and opportunities in this community, Jesse Norris and his family serve as guiding beacons, inspiring us to confront injustice and adversity with determination and strength. Moving forward, further research into Jessee’s life and the experiences of Free Persons of Color promises to shed even more light on their enduring legacy and contributions to American history.

Here are some next steps and further research

• Jesse prison records–  A great search and a lot of time was spent researching Jesse’s life in the State Penitentiary. We know he received 14 years in  the Virginia State Penitentiary for and it was located in Richmond. Various records in the Library of Virginia and Lynchburg City Courthouse allude to Jesse’s Penitentiary record. Unfortunately, Jesse’s  penitentiary’s records have not been found at this time. We don’t know what his life was like there and if even got out prior to his death. We also aren’t aware of the circumstance of his death and where he was actually buried. 
• FPOC communities in Fluvanna co, Powhatan Co, Cumberland, and Goochland Co. Alot of the FPOC are contributed to the era of quaker and Mass Emancipated according the Virginia laws, which were promptly changed because the increase in Virginia’s FPOC.
• DNA Project for the Norris Family– To located descendants of Jessee and sibling as well as to locate and/or identify their father’s and mother’s extended families
• Identify and track the lives Norris enslaved people and identify the context of being a FPOC enslaver– Chris, John, Flemimg and enslaved people of Reubin and Daniel Jackson
• History of the Rivanna and James River Boatman

Sources

Fluvanna County, Virginia, Chancery Book 1:4, Nancy Norris  (183Here2), Affidavit as to Heirs and Legatees, 8 August 1832; Probate Court Clerk’s Office.

Fluvanna County,Virginia, Chancery Book 1:4, Nancy Norris  (1832), Affidavit as to Heirs and Legatees, 8 August 1832; Probate Court Clerk’s Office.

Fluvanna County, Virginia, Will  Book 9:325,  Nancy Norris  (1863), Affidavit as to Heirs and Legatees, 8 August 1832; Probate Court Clerk’s Office.

Fluvanna County, Virginia, Deed Book 15: 275;Walter Cousin  & Manumission of wife Mariah, and 4 children Fleming, Sarah Elizabeth, Kenborn Walter,  & Martha Ann ,15 April 1848 Office of the Recorder of Deeds, County of Fluvanna

“Trial For Murder”, Lynchburg Virginian, 04 Jul 1833. Digital images. http://www. genealogybank.com : 2