Family’s  Certificate of Freedom Reubin  Norris August 29, 1815  Registering as a Free Man, 26 years old ,5 ft 6 inches, Bright Complexion, Black Hair, Small tear on his left forearm just above the wrist Jesse  Norris Salley  Norris Betsey Norris Sources Cumberland County, Virginia, County Court Case Files, Jesse Norris, December Term 1815, “Certificate…

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…

The Will & Manumission As of today it is unclear how or when Jesse and his family was acquired by Thomas Norris. The relationship between Jesse and Thomas was complex. Jesse was afforded some of the liberties of a FPOC and may have negotiated his freedom.  With that being said, Jesse and his siblings Salley,…

Murder & Mayhem After Jesse’s legal battles with money and debt, he moved to Campbell County and probably continued to work as a boatman on the James River. His sisters Betsy and Salley and their families also lived in Lynchburg. On a Tuesday night, November 6, 1832, Jesse’s life took another dark and twisted turn…

Life as a FPOC Life as a free person of  color was not as easy as it appears, although  Jesse was able to legally marry Nancy Cousin in 1808, prior to his emancipation. He was known to be very enterprising and probably already an established boatman prior to his emancipation. These qualities allowed him and…