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Archiver > GEN-MEDIEVAL > 1995-11 > 0817183008


From: "Jeffrey T. Chipman" <>
Subject: Norwood family, Gloucestershire, Eng; 1500-1630
Date: Thu, 23 Nov 1995 21:16:48 -0600


Richard Norwood, d. 1630, of Leckhampton, Gloucestershire, married
Elizabeth Stuard, dau. of Nicholas Stuard, LLD. Richard Norwood was a
descendant of King Edward III via the Throckmorton family (Weis/Sheppard
in MCS4 p. 73 discuss this line, but not the Edward III descent, which
nonetheless appears genuine). However this may be, for years people have
claimed that the William Norwood who d. 1703 in Surry co., Virginia was
the son of Richard and Elizabeth. This claim is repeated in one very
expensive volume by a Georgia writer. The facts are that the 1623
Visitation of Gloucester does show Richard and Elizabeth with a son
William. William Norwood did have the title of "Mr." in Surry Co.
BUT-where is the proof that the William of the visitation is the one who
appears in Surry Co.? William of Surry had thousands of descendants,
myself among them, but to date no one has found proof of his parentage.
In fact, the "legend" is not unique to the American side, but an English
writer who was something of an expert on this family (Mrs. Marion Norwood
Callam) also said William was Richard's son. In all deference to Mrs.
Callam (who I believe has passed away), she did not present any proof to
substantiate this. The problem is, in Virginia William did not act like
a scion of a gentry family. He owned about 100 acres of land, and did
not petition Gov. Berkeley (alledgedly his cousin) for a grant. More
mystifying is the fact that William was not listed as a patentee or a
headright in early Virginia land records. Apparently he got to America
under his own steam, but exactly when is in doubt, although he appears to
have been there by 1649. I think it's possible that William was a
grandson of Richard Norwood, but that's just a hunch. If anyone out
there has any light to shed on this problem, I'd appreciate learning of
it. By the way, I did check the parish register of Leckhampton, which
was in pretty bad shape, and found few records for Richard Norwood. Thanks.
Jeff Chipman

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