The history of the Norton family begins at the time of the Norman Conquest, when Le Signeur de Norville crossed over to England with King William the Conqueror, September 29, 1022, and was his constable. The name at that time was Norville, which in French signified North Village. The name was afterward changed to Norton, which in English means North-town. It is supposed that all the families of this name in England, Ireland and America were derived from one man.
(I) Benjamin Norton was a descendant of John Norton, of Branford, Connecticut. He was born in Stonington, Connecticut, 1793, died in Rome, New York, 1834. He served in the war of 1812. He married Nancy Gordon, of Scotch descent, at Albany, New York.
(II) Cornelius H., son of Benjamin and Nancy (Gordon) Norton, was born in Rome, New York, August 27, 1828, died in Gloversville, New York, April 15, 1900. He married Sarah Darrow, born in Rome, New York, April 11, 1824, died January 1, 1901, in Gloversville, New York, daughter of Captain Pliny Darrow (whose ancestors were of revolutionary fame) and Sarah (Martin) Darrow.
(III) Alfred Darrow Norton, son of Cornelius H. and Sarah (Darrow) Norton, was born in Mexico, New York, January 31, 1851. He succeeded his father in the jewelry business, coming to Gloversville from Rome in 1869, and has successfully conducted the same to the present time (1911). He is considered one of the most prominent and successful jewelers in the Mohawk Valley and Central New York. He married (first), October 28, 1877, in Kingsboro, New York, Susie, daughter of Jonathan and Mary A. Wooster; died June 12, 1879; married (second), May 25, 1881, Phoebe D. Briggs, of Fonda, New York, daughter of Delavan and Almira (Dockstader) Briggs.