Introduction

Our ancestors chose us to tell their stories. Telling their stories is truly spiritual work. Jesse Norris chose me to tell his story and has guided me every step of the way in telling his complex life story by directing me to records never seen or not thought to have existed. It all started with the will of Thomas Norris, sent to me by my cousin Sam Williams. Thomas Norris’ Will identified his enslaved people with an enslaved family he chose to emancipate, which was Jesse’s family. Unfortunately his mother Sally was not freed and sent to Norris’ daughter Susannah Stratton, who is first wife of my 4th great grandfather.

I was in AWE of finding this record and taking my family back into the second and third generations behind the wall of slavery. I sat for a moment to strategize on how to continue my Stratton line research. I guess I sat too long because here comes Jesse calling me to tell his story and I was hooked. I don’t believe in coincidences, so I let the next set of events and/or Jesse guide me into telling his story.

Thank God for Facebook notifications. I received a notification that my Gene Bud, Shelby Cowan, reposted a Facebook Post of a Fluvanna Historical Society finding never seen before emancipation papers of Mariah Norris from her enslaver Jesse Norris, who was her brother and  who was also a free person of color (FPOC). Those names rang a bell and stopped me in my tracks. I went to my files and pulled out my copy of Thomas Norris’ will. I saw both names and my jaw dropped. I immediately did my hallelujah dance and notified Shelby about the find, as well as my cousin Sam Williams. I also notified Fluvanna Historical Society of the find and was able to share the will of Thomas Norris and confirmation of Walter & Mariah Cousins making it to Ohio for a better “freedom”. From July 2021- February 2022, I have researched and pulled every record from Library of Virginia, newspapers, Fluvanna Historical Society, Fluvanna & Lynchburg courthouses. So sit back and watch Jesse Norris’ life unfold in the Chronicles of Jesse Norris.

Sources

Cumberland County, Virginia, County Court Case Files, Jesse Norris, December Term 1815, “Certificate of Freedom” 18 December 1815; digital images, Library of Virginia : Virginia Memory Project : Virginia Untold Unknown No Longer

Cumberland County, Virginia, County Court Case Files, Ruebin Norris, December Term 1815, “Certificate of Freedom,” 18 December 1815; digital images, Library of Virginia : Virginia Memory Project : Virginia Untold Unknown No Longer 

Cumberland County, Virginia, County Court Case Files, Henry Norris, December Term 1815, “Certificate of Freedom” 18 December 1815; digital images, Library of Virginia : Virginia Memory Project : Virginia Untold Unknown No Longer 

Cumberland County, Virginia, County Court Case Files, Sally Norris, December Term 1815, “Certificate of Freedom” 18 December 1815; digital images, Library of Virginia : Virginia Memory Project : Virginia Untold Unknown No Longer 

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 FluvannaFluvanna 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