William Norris, of Baltimore, Maryland, is mentioned on Vol.1, page 173 and Vol 2, pages 436-437 of "The Monongalia Story, A Bicentenial History" by Earl L. Gore. Quoting here from Vol II: "WILLIAM NORRIS DIES. Another prominent pioneer settler, William Norris....died April 5, 1817. He had come from Baltimore in 1772 with his young bride, Prunellopa Middleton, and four slaves, two men and two women, to settle in the Cheat Neck area. A family tradition has reserved a story vividly portraying the dangers of life in the forest in those days. 'To one of the Negro women was born a child and...Mrs Norris and the other slave woman were awake caring for her when they heard a cry, as of a child, ringing out through the night. At first they were surprised, thinking some far neighbor might be bringing a child to their cabin, then as the cry sounded nearer and nearer they realized it was not a child's cry but a mountain lion's scream. Of course they were frightened, but a pioneer's blood runs boldly and these women were sourceful, and when the animal began digging under the door and a hole appeared in the earthen floor, with the paws of the panther clawing through, the well negro woman grabbed a broadaxe from the wall and brought it down with such force on the paws that the wounded animal fled back to the forest and they were not again molested that night.'
Mr. Norris was married twice, the second time to Lewranah Collier. The children were Elizabeth (married George Baker), Mary Hayes, Vilinda Neighbors, Martha Devault, and Charity (Married Enoch Jenkins)."
Mr. Norris was married twice, the second time to Lewranah Collier. The children were Elizabeth (married George Baker), Mary Hayes, Vilinda Neighbors, Martha Devault, and Charity (Married Enoch Jenkins)."
William Norris, of Baltimore, Maryland, is mentioned on Vol.1, page 173 and Vol 2, pages 436-437 of "The Monongalia Story, A Bicentenial History" by Earl L. Gore. Quoting here from Vol II: "WILLIAM NORRIS DIES. Another prominent pioneer settler, William Norris....died April 5, 1817. He had come from Baltimore in 1772 with his young bride, Prunellopa Middleton, and four slaves, two men and two women, to settle in the Cheat Neck area. A family tradition has reserved a story vividly portraying the dangers of life in the forest in those days. 'To one of the Negro women was born a child and...Mrs Norris and the other slave woman were awake caring for her when they heard a cry, as of a child, ringing out through the night. At first they were surprised, thinking some far neighbor might be bringing a child to their cabin, then as the cry sounded nearer and nearer they realized it was not a child's cry but a mountain lion's scream. Of course they were frightened, but a pioneer's blood runs boldly and these women were sourceful, and when the animal began digging under the door and a hole appeared in the earthen floor, with the paws of the panther clawing through, the well negro woman grabbed a broadaxe from the wall and brought it down with such force on the paws that the wounded animal fled back to the forest and they were not again molested that night.'
Mr. Norris was married twice, the second time to Lewranah Collier. The children were Elizabeth (married George Baker), Mary Hayes, Vilinda Neighbors, Martha Devault, and Charity (Married Enoch Jenkins)."
Mr. Norris was married twice, the second time to Lewranah Collier. The children were Elizabeth (married George Baker), Mary Hayes, Vilinda Neighbors, Martha Devault, and Charity (Married Enoch Jenkins)."
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