William Norman enlisted in the Virginia Continental Line on Feb. 1, 1776. He was assigned to Capt. George Stubblefield’s Company of the 5th VA Regiment, commanded by Lt. Col. Josuah Parker.  In June, 1776, he was transferred to Capt. Philip Richard Francis Lee’s Company of the 3rd VA Regiment, commanded by Col. Thomas Marshall.  His name last appears on the payroll records February 16, 1778.

William often told the story to his children and grandchildren of his trials of the War.  He said that he was standing near Gen. LaFayette when, after dismounting to rally the troops, the General was shot in the leg. This would place William near the top of the 2nd Colonial hilltop position retreating from the oncoming British and back up the small hill.  William was shot in both knees and crippled for life.  He was taken to Bennett Farm for treatment.  It has been passed down in the Norman family that LaFayette intervened in the amputation of William’s legs due to “the patient’s stubborn resistance to the surgeons…”  William Norman was listed on the muster roles as “absent and wounded” until February 1778.  His name last appears on the payroll February 16, 1778. No record could be found of his discharge. The British bullet and a piece of bone from William’s knee were kept in the Norman family for 150 years.  One of William’s gg-grandchildren remembers seeing them in his grandfather’s home in Hamburg, Arkansas.  William was known to celebrate the date of the battle every year with friends and grog.

SUBMITTER INFO:
Liz Nash
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~lincolncountynormans