Rodolphus Norris (abt. 1735 - abt. 1814)

Born about 1735 in St. Marys City, Maryland

Ancestors

Husband of Dorothy Ann (Peake) Norris — married 1762 in St. Mary's, Maryland

Descendants

Died about 21 Feb 1814 at about age 79 in Nelson, Kentucky, United States

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Biography

Rodolphus Norris is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A084427.

Rodolphus Norris (1735 - 1812) Rodolphus Norris, son of Thomas Norris and Jane Greenwell, was born about 1735 in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. He married Dorothy Peake about 1765 in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. He died April 9, 1812 in Nelson County, Kentucky. Children of Rodolphus Norris and Dorothy Peake

1. Lucy Norris b 1765 in SMC MD d after 1820 m John Heard Norris 1781.
2. Mary Ann Norris b 22 Apr 1768 in SMC MD. She died 3 Mar 1841, age 74: record at St. Vincent’s Church, Perryville, MO m 6 Apr 1793 in Nelson Co, KY Joseph French.
3. Rebekah Norris b 1770 m 25 May 1789 in Washington Co, KY John Mills. Surety: Charles Pane. Consent signed by Rodolph Norris, ____ Norris and Elizabeth Mills, father and mothers of both parties. Witness: Jacob Doom.
4. Mary Norris baptized 25 Aug 1771 in SMC MD m 16 Apr 1792 in Nelson Co, KY Joseph French. Mary Norris French d young.
5. Thomas Norris baptized 27 Jun 1773 in SMC MD d young.
6. Susanna Norris b 1797 m 20 Feb 1819 in Hardin Co, KY Thomas Summers.
7. Wilfred Norris b 1768 d 1814 m 20 Apr 1796 Elizabeth Jarbo, daughter of Ann Jarbo.
8. Richard Dennis Norris b about 1775 in SMC MD d 1835 in Daviess Co, IN m 1798 Mary Mills.
9. Bibianna Norris d 1817 in KY m 17 Feb 1800 in Nelson Co, KY Francis Peake.
10. Ann “Nancy” Norris b 1782 in SMC d 1852 in Mississippi Co, MO m 13 Sep 1805 in Nelson Co, KY Henry Lee, both above 21 years old. Consent for Henry Lee was his mother Elizabeth Ice and his step-father Jesse Ice. Witnesses: George Clarke, Robert Ice, Jane Norris.
11. Enoch Norris b 1772 d 1845 m 14 Feb 1805 in Nelson Co, KY by Rev. Badin Nancy Ann French.
12. William Norris b 1788 d 1854 in Hardin Co, KY son of Rudolph Norris and Susan___.

Death Record of William Norris in Hardin Co, KY: from Mary Ann Shoemaker: It looks like the recorder mistakenly put Susan ___ instead of Dorothy. Note: this is NOT the William Norris who married Teresa Norris (the daughter of Philip Norris). The William who married Teresa died in Nelson County, Kentucky, in 1757.

1. Jane Norris b 1789 d about 1821 m 22 Sep 1809 in Nelson Co, KY Elias French.

Research Notes

Taken verbatim from "The League of Catholic Familes" https://www.wikitree.com/index.php?title=Special:EditPerson&u=14972974 Sixty families in the League of Catholic Families, mainly from St. Mary's County, Maryland, pledged to emigrate to the Pottinger's Creek area of Nelson County. The first group of 25 families left Maryland in 1785, under the leadership of Basil Hayden. A group5 led by James Rapier followed in 1786, settling closer to Bardstown, and another under Thomas Hill and Philip Miles in 1787, some of whom settled in the Pottinger's Creek area.The heads of the original Pottinger's Creek families included (from The Centenary of Catholicity in Kentucky, B. J. Webb).

Basil Hayden William Bold Bernard Cissell

Philip Lee Charles Payne William Brewer

Leonard Johnson Henry McAtee Joseph Clark

Stephen Elliott James Mollihorne Henry Norris

Ignatius Cissell Ignatius Byrne Randal Hagan

Ignatius Hagan Jeremiah Brown Robert Cissell

Ignatius Bowles Hezekiah Luckett Stanislaus Melton

Thomas Bowlin John Baptist Dant Philip Miles

Harry Hill John Hutchins Isaac Thawles

John Spalding William Mahoney Henry Lucas

William Bowles James Queen John Bowles

Bernard Nally James Stevens Ignatius French

Washington Boone Francis Bryan Jeremiah Wathen

Thomas Mudd Raphael R. Mudd Walter Burch

Philip Mattingly Joseph Spalding James Dant

Joseph Dant Urban Speaks Joseph Edelen oseph Howe Joseph Mills Harry Miles

Monica Hagan Rodolphus Norris Francis Peake

Note Rodolphus married Dorothy Ann about 1760, who was born in Md 1741-42. He was devised by his father, Thomas, a tract of land called Lugares Plains. This land subsequently passed to his 2 daughters, Ann Harriet & Lucy Norris. Dorothy Ann survived her husband several years & died 1791-92. They were Episcopalians in St Andrew's Parish. Jan 1996: Per copy of The Norris Family of Maryland by Thomas M Myers, page 85: Thos Norris of St Mary's Co, will 16 Oct 1761, probated 1 Dec 1761. To sons, Clement & John each half of Wheatley's Content; sons Thomas & Ignatius; son Rodolphus tract called Lugares Plains; wife Jane; daughters, Priscilla & Henrietta. Feb 1996: Per copy of 1778 list of subscribers to the Oath of Allegiance in St Mary's Co includes a listing of St Mary's Co males 18 yrs or older who were not then in service; Norris list. Received from Joan Miller from Notha Stevens files. Source: Calendar of Events St Mary's Co in the American Revolution, by Edwin W Beitzel (St Mary's Co Bicentennial Commission, 1976) page 136: Norris, Clement Norris, Edmund B Norris, Henry Norris, Ignatius Norris, Ignatius Norris, James Norris, John Norris, John Norris, McKelvie Norris, Mark Norris, Mark Sr Norris, Matthew Norris, Philip Norris, Rodolph Norris, Thomas Norris, Thomas Norris, William

• The Centenary of Catholicity in Kentucky, by Hon. Ben. J. Webb, publ. Charles A. Rogers, Louisville, KY; 1884; 594 pg. including index. He notes on pg. 27 of the Pottinger's Cr. settlement: In the yr. 1785, aleague of 60 families was formed in MD, all Catholics, and mostlyresidents of St. Mary's county each of who was pledged to emigrate to KYwithin a specified time. (footnote on this page; The United StatesCatholic Miscellany of Wednesday, Dec 1st, 1824, mentions the fact thatabout twenty Catholic families reached KY in the year 1785.) pg. 28principal among them was Basil Hayden; other families listed Philip Lee,William Bald, Bernard Cissell, Charles Payne, Wm. Brewer, LeonardJohnson, Henry McAtee, Joseph Clark, Stephen Elliott, James Mollihorne(surname has been spelled Mollahorne/Mollohorn), Henry Norris, IgnatiusCissell, Ignatius Byrne, Randal Hagan, Ignatius Hagan, Jeremiah Brown,Robert Cissell, Ignatius Bowles., Hezekiah Luckett, Stanislaus Melton,Thomas Bowlin, John Baptist Dant, Philip Miles, Harry Hill, JohnHutchins, Isaac Thawles, John Spalding, Willim Mahony, Henry Lucas,William Bowles, John Bowles, James Queen, Bernard Nally, James Stevens,Ignatius French, Washington Boone, Francis Bryan, Jeremiah Wathen, ThomasMudd, Raphael R. Mudd, Walter Burch, Philip Mattingly, Joseph Spalding,James Dant, Joseph Dant, Urban Speaks, Joseph Edelen, Joseph Howe, JosephMills, Harry Miles, Monica Hagan, Rodolphus Norris, Francis Peak. pg. 30 states; Ignatius Cissell was accompanied to KY by his four sons,Rody, Ignatius, Joseph and James. The entire family was conspicuous forits sterling worth and its strong adherence to Catholic truth.
• Citation

Will book, p. 177 Notes Will dated 9 April 1812; presented to Court on 21 Feb 1814. Mentions wife Dorothy, and children Mary, Bibianna, Ann, Jane, Susannah, Wilfred, Richard, Enoch and William.

Sources

• The date of birth of Rodolphus Norris was from MyHeritage: Rodolphus Norris was born about 1735 in SMC MD.
• The parents of Rodolphus Norris were from the Will of Thomas Norris 10/19/1761; 12/1/1761 SMC MD: To son, Ignatius Norris: the uppermost part of land where I now live called "Lugars Plains": 130 acres. To son, Rodolphus Norris: lower part of said tract and my gun. If both sons should decease, then to descend to son Thomas Norris. To son, Clement Norris: 1/2 of tract called "Wheatley's Content": 150 acres. To son, John Norris: other 1/2 of "Wheatley's Content". To wife, Jane Norris. Remainder of estate after wife has her thirds: to my 8 children: Clement, John, Thomas, Ignatius, Rodolph, Monica, Priscilla, and Henrietta Norris. Executors: Wife, Jane, and Rodolphus Norris. Witnesses: Henry and Catherine Hall, James Pike.
• The marriage of Rodolphus Norris and Dorothy Peake was from MyHeritage: Rodolphus Norris and Dorothy Peake were married about 1765 in SMC MD.
• The date of death Rodolphus Norris was from from MyHeritage: Rodolphus Norris died about 1812 in Nelson Co, KY.
• Dorothy Peake was born about 1742 in SMC MD, She died in Nelson Co, KY.

She was the daughter of William Peake and Mary Heard.

• DAR: Daughters of the American Revolution: Rodolphus Norris #AO84427. Entered into the DAR by Janice Fennell and Louise Drapek. Service: MD. Rank: Patriotic Service. Born before 1747 in MD. Died by 21 Feb 1814 in Nelson Co, KY. His child: Richard Norris was married to Mary Mills. Service Source: NGS Quarterly, Vol 41: #4, Dec 1953 p 120. Service Description: Signed Oath of Allegiance.
• Baptisms St. Francis Xavier/St. Inigoe’s in SMC MD:

1771: John Norris of Ignatius and Lucy: sponsors: Rodulphus and Dorothy Norris

• Mary Norris of Rodulphus and Dorothy: Sponsors: John Bowls Jr, Monica Norris

1774: Margaret Norris of Ignatius and Lucy: Sponsors: Rodulphus and Dorothy Norris

• 1774 Will of Benjamin Gough: 1774 SMC: to son, Charles Gough executor: all my land. To daughter, Rebeckah Gough: 1 Negro. To daughter, Mary Gough: personalty. To daughter, Britanna Gough: personalty. To son, Charles Gough: to take care of son Jeremiah Gough until he is 16 then be bound out to a trade. To wife, Susanna Gough, executrix: all my estate during life and at her death equally among my 5 children: Charles, Mary, Rebeckah, Britanna and Jeremiah Gough. Testators: John Greenwell of James, Rhodelphius Norris, Vincent Inge. Rodolphus Norris and Vincent Inge state that they did not think the deceased of a sound mind. John Greenwell of James states that he did not think the deceased was of a sound mind.
• 1778: Oath of Allegiance SMC MD: Bennet Norris, Clement Norris, Edmund B. Norris, Henry Norris, Ignatius Norris, Ignatius Norris, James Norris, John Norris, John Norris, McKelvie Norris, Mark Norris, Mark Norris Sr, Matthew Norris, Philip Norris, Rodolph Norris, Thomas Norris, Thomas Norris, William Norris.
• Emigrants from SMC MD: Rudolphus Norris left SMC MD in 1785 for Nelson Co, KY, son of Thomas Norris and Jane Greenwell. He married Dorothea Jent (NOTE: There is no Jent family in SMC MD). Ch: Mark, Jane, Susannah, Winifred, Richard, Enoch, William, Rebecca, Thomas, Mary Ann.
• League of Catholic Families: Rodolph Norris, the son of Thomas Norris and Jane Greenwell, was one of the 60 listed members.
• 1786 Nelson Co, KY Tax List: Crossing the eastern branch of Buffalo Creek and down said creek then down the Beech Fork to the mouth of Stuarts Creek to the waters of Cox’s Creek on the south side: Rodolph Norris: on list of Isaac Cox.
• 1787 Rodolph Norris owned ?? acres “Lewgers Plain” in New Town, SMC MD: from the Will of John Somerville 1787 SMC MD.
• 1787 Nelson Co, KY Tax List: Present Washington Co/most of Marion Co: Bedeham Hovies: Rodolphus Norris?
• 1788 Nelson Co, VA/KY Tithes: Rhode Norris on Cartwrights and Hardins Creek:

1 taxable, #98 by John Caldwell.

• 1789 Nelson Co, KY Tax List: Rudolph Norris: 1. Cartwright’s Creek in Washington Co.
• 1791 Nelson Co, KY Tax List: Atkinson Hill: South/Southwestern Nelson Co: Rhodey Norris: 1 taxable, #21.
• 1792 Nelson Co, KY Tax List: S and W to the Rolling Fork River: Rodolph Norris 1m over 21, 0m 16-21, 140 acres.
• 1795 Nelson Co, KY Tax List: Southern Area: Rodolph Norris 1m over 21, 2m 16-21, 140 acres.
• 1800 Nelson Co, KY Tax List: Southern area: 6/3: Rodolph Norris 1m over 21, 1m 16-21, 100 acres.
• 1800 US Census Nelson Co, KY: Pottinger Creek settlement: Thomas Bowlin, John Baptist Dant, John Spalding, Bernard Nally, Joseph Spalding, James Dant, Joseph Dant, Joseph Mills, Harry Mills, Rodolphus Norris, and others.
• 1805 Nelson Co, KY tax list: Southern area: Rodolph Norres 1m over 21, 1m 16-21, 140 acres.
• 1809: Deed Nelson Co, KY: Book 6, pg 832: 6 Jan 1809 Rudolph Norris & wife Dorothy to Charles Haydon of Washington Co. who paid 9 pounds for 8 3/4 acres on Pottinger's Creek. Surveyed out of the southeast corner of the tract that said Norris now lives on and adjoining Charles Haydon and Joseph Fogle. From The Nelson County “Pioneer”.
• 1810 US Census of Nelson Co, KY: Rhodias (Rodolphus) Norris 00101 (45 and over) 01001.
• Will of Rodolph Norris: 9 Apr 1812; 22 Feb 1814 Nelson Co. KY: Will Bk B: To wife, Doratha: to receive most of property. Daughter Susannah: household furniture. Mentions his 9 children: Mary, Bibianna, Ann, Jane, Susannah, Wilfred, Richard, Enoch and William. Witnesses: Ignatius Medcalfe, Felix Wimsett, Ignatius French.
• 1819: Deed in Nelson Co, KY: from heirs of Charles Haydon to George Haydon: 8 ¾ acres on Pottingers Creek, adjoining Joseph Fogle and being same conveyed to said Charles Haydon from Rodolphus Norris.
• 1822: Inventory of Ralph Norris: $206 by Christopher Beeler, Joseph Byrn, Benjamin Beeler.
• "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5ZD-ZKX : 9 March 2021), Rodolph Norris in entry for Joseph French and Mary Norris, 6 Apr 1793; citing Marriage, Nelson, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 9,666.
• Nelson County, Kentucky, Will Book C, p. 177.
• "Maryland Births and Christenings, 1650-1995", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HYP3-47MM : 12 February 2020), Rhodolph Norris in entry for Mary Ann Norris, 1768.
• "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5ZD-XWV : 9 March 2021), Rhodolph Norris in entry for Henry Lee and Ann Norris, 13 Sep 1805; citing Marriage, Nelson, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 9,666.
• "Maryland Births and Christenings, 1650-1995", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q298-Q7ZK : 12 February 2020), Rodulphus Norris in entry for Thomas Norris, 1773.

“Pottinger’s Creek: The League of Catholic Families,” October 11, 1996. https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~slhessick/genealogy/peakes11C.htm.