Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

John Norton & Sons. Records, 1768-1782. Accession 28204, 27238a-b, Business records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Donor information unavailable, 1 March 1974.

Biographical/Historical Information

John Norton (1719-1777) came to Virginia from London, England around 1742 as the representative of the firm Norton and Flowerdewe of London. He gained political and economical influence during his residence in Virginia, and after his return to London, the company became associated exclusively with his name. His son John Hatley Norton (1745-1797) was among the firm's business representatives in Virginia. The family's tobacco consignment business prospered until the beginning of the Revolutionary War. The operation of the firm came to an end in 1797 with the death of John Hatley Norton.

Scope and Content Information

This collection consists of three accessions: the cashbook, 1768-1782, (Acc. 28204; Misc. reel 256) is headed "London" and includes entries of accounts of shipments received, charges for maintenance of vessels and salaries for various captains. Includes two lists of accounts for the years 1774 and 1775, profit and loss calculations, and mentions several individuals by name. Two tobacco ledgers (Acc. 27238a Misc. reel 317a; Acc. 27238b, Misc. reel 317b) record charges related to storage and shipping of tobacco for the years 1773-1775 and 1775-1776, 1777. Included are accounts with numerous individuals and firms. The headings for the various consignment charges are preprinted in the volumes, an unusual feature for records of the period. At the beginning of the second volume is an account titled "Particulars of the Petty Charges" which lists fee charges for lighterage, wharfage, husbanding, primage, pierage, cooperage on board, trade, and porterage.