Opie Norris

Opie Norris Esq. (unknown - March 9, 1834), was merchant and Town Trustee. Resided in the house on the Square 11, later purchased from his estate by Dr. Nelson. He was the son-in-law of John Kelly.

The Blue Ridge and Rivanna Turnpike, built by a local corporation of which Opie Norris was Secretary and Treasurer. It ran from the Woolen Mills west, varying from the old Three Notched (stage) Road in its course through town, but joining and largely co-incining with it to its destination at Brooksville, near the foot of Afton Mountain.

410 East Jefferson Street

Mr. Norris built this house, having received the half-acre lot No. 4 in gift from his father-in-law John Kelly, Feb. 1816 (Albemarle County Deed Book 20, p. 85). The land deed traces back through Edward Butler to Samuel Woods, 1779. It remained the home of Norris until his death in 1839, and of his widow until hers in 1868.

His obituary states that he was the tallest and thinnest man in Charlottesville. He was for years a Town Trustee, frequently serving as President, and through his ownership of the Rugby Road section became a county magistrate. In 1806 (ibid., Book 15, p. 465), we find Opie Norris and Cynthia his wife manumitting a female slave named Joyce. Between the Cochran and Norris homes there was later built a brick building which made use of their side walls on either end.

Opie Norris died on March 9, 1835 and was buried in Maplewood Cemetery.