Category Archives: American Newpapers

The Norvell Boys Write to the President

Posted on June 16, 2017 by jenorv

In the 19th century, Americans often wrote to the chief executive asking for jobs or advice on how to conduct their lives. Two such letters were sent to Thomas Jefferson by members of the same family. The first one was … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, American Newpapers, John Norvell, Norvell Family History | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

In Old Detroit

Posted on March 29, 2015 by jenorv

  Detroit in 1833 was only a small village of about 1,800 residents; indeed, the census of 1830 showed only 30,000 in the entire territory of Michigan, but John Norvell quickly became involved in the political life of the area … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, American Newpapers, Detroit, Detroit Free Press, Detroit History, Michigan History, Norvell Family History | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

In Philadelphia

Posted on August 12, 2014 by jenorv

  John Norvell had written to Thomas Jefferson in 1807 asking his opinion of a career in the press, which Jefferson felt was a dishonorable profession filled liars and with those he viewed, at times, as enemies.  Norvell, unlike Jefferson, … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, American Newpapers, Colonial History, Family History, Franklin Gazette, Genealogy, Journalism, Norvell Family History, Philadelphia, Social History, The press, Thomas Jefferson | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Tale of Two Portraits

Posted on March 30, 2014 by jenorv

In 2011 we visited Detroit in search of the portraits of my great great grandparents: Senator John Norvell and his wife Isabella Hodgkiss Freeman Norvell. Isabella’s portrait had once belonged to their daughter Emily Virginia Norvell Walker, the wife of … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, American Newpapers, Detroit, Detroit History, Family History, Genealogy, Masons, Michigan History, Philadelphia, Philadelphia history, Social History | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

At the Roycroft

Posted on March 3, 2014 by jenorv

About 1904, my grandfather , Hamilton Redfield Norvell and his family moved to South Wales, New York. He had taken a new position as one of the chief printers at the Roycroft in East Aurora.   Hamilton came from a … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, American Newpapers, Arts and Crafts movement, Detroit, Elbert Hubbard, Family History, Genealogy, Lusitania, New York, New York State History, Niagara Falls, Norvell Family History, Philadelphia, Roycroft | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment