Fifth Generation

68. Tobias NORWOOD was born before 4 November 1744 in New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ.^102,467 He was baptized on 4 November 1744 in New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ.⁴⁶⁸ Between 1765 and 1787 he was a cordwainer or shoemaker in New York, NY, NY.^469,470 Tobias was appointed freeman of the City of New York on 29 October 1765 ⁴⁷¹ On the same date, 29 Oct 1765, Joseph Lester, leather dresser, was also appointed a Freeman. He lived in New York, NY, NY on 7 March 1768–11 March 1768.^472,473 He lived Voted in the local election in New York, NY, NY on 23 January 1769–27 January 1769.^{474 475} Tobias Signed political petition on 30 July 1770 in New York, NY, NY.⁴⁷⁶ He lived in New York, NY, NY in 1774.⁴⁷⁷ He served in the military in the Revolutionary War about 1775 in New York.⁴⁷⁸ Tobias served in the military in 1778 in New York, NY, NY.^479,480 State of New York, City and County of New York:
Andrew S. Norwood, being duly sworn doeth depose and say that he was born in the city of New York, in Duke, now called Stone Street, and his father was also a native of this city. That deponent remained in the city from the time of his birth until a short time prior to its being taken by the British forces during the Revolutionary War, when his father's family removed to New Brunswick, New Jersey.
That his father espoused the cause of Liberty in the struggle with Great Britain, and was actively engaged therein; was twice taken prisoner; he was exchanged the first time; he was the second time taken in 1779 while in command of a baggage-train in New Jersey, brought to New York and thrown into the Sugar House prison in Crown Street, now known as Liberty Street.
And deponent further says that he has a distinct and vivid recollection of many of the scenes and incidents in New York city during the period of our Revolutionary History; that his mother returned to the city shortly after his father was the second time taken prisoner, and brought her children with her - this deponent among the rest, since which time deponent has resided in the city of his birth continuously to the present time. That he remembers scenes incident to the Declaration of Independence and to the war, such as the evacuation of the city by the Revolutionary Citizens and their families prior to its occupation by the hostile forces; the fact of the conversion of various buildings, public and private, into prisons, military hospitals, and quarters for troops; and the final evacuation of the city by the British; also the entry of Gen. Washington and his army after peace was declared. That he distinctly remembers the Sugar House prison in Crown Street, as his father was there confined a prisoner of war. That his mother's relatives belonged to the Tory party, particularly one Major Creamer in the Royalist forces, through whose influence deponent's father was released from prison on his parole conditional that he should remain in the city; that after his father was so released he frequently employed this deponent to carry provisions to his friends in the prison. Deponent particularly remembers one John Van Dyke to whom he often carried gifts of food. That the Hessian sentinels became somewhat familiar with deponent, and allowed him ingress and egress to and from the prison aforesaid; that on one or two occasions, however, they struck him, but not so as to injure him seriously.
And deponent further says that the condition of the prisoners was abject in the extreme, and most distressing to witness; they frequently tried to wrest from his possession the food with which he was sent; they were frequently fed with bread made from old worm-eaten ship-bread, which was reground into meal and then converted into bread, and deponent remembers that the bread so made was offensive to the smell even while still hot from the oven.
Deponent further says that he remembers that many of the prisoners died during their confinement in said prison; that the bodies of those who died were placed in oblong boxes, sometimes two bodies in one box, and were buried in Trinity Church yard, and deponent distinctly remembers having himself seen such internments.
Deponent further says that a part of Trinity Church yard was at that time used as a common burying ground, as was also the yard of St. George's Church and the Swamp Burying Ground. That St. Paul' s Church yard was exclusive, and was not thus used for public purposes, and that only members of the Episcopal Church were there interred.
Deponent further says that a brother of his father, named Cliff or Clifford Norwood, was murdered during the period of the Revolution, as was supposed by foreign soldiers, and his said uncle was buried in Trinity Church yard.
And this deponent further says that he distinctly remembers the Rev'd Mr. Inglis, the officiating Rector of Trinity Church at that period, and deponent verily believes, that Mr. Inglis had no power or influence and exercised or attempted to exercise none to prevent the interment of "rebels," as they were termed by the Tories and British, in the yard of Trinity Church.
Further says not.
A. S. Norwood

Sworn to before me this 20th day
of May 1854.
Frederick E. Westbrook,
Commissioner of Deeds.

The above deponent is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and resides at No. 155 W. Fourteenth Street, in the city of New York. He went to court to Property damage on 6 May 1784 in New York, NY, NY⁴⁸¹ He died on 22 March 1787 at the age of 42 in New York, NY, NY.^{482,483,484,485,486} Tobias has reference number . 23 Jan 1769, A Copy of the Poll List, Electors, New York, A Freeman, but not a Freeholder, he supported Messrs. P Livingston, BV Livingston, Mr Scott and Mr Van Wyck

23 July 1770, New York, Tobias Norwood signed a petition or list to show support for continuing the non-importation agreement in conjunction with the other colonies.

A. S. Norwood Deposition, 20 May 1854 - copy in file - describing experiences during the Revolutionary War, including his father's (Tobias Norwood's) participation in the action.

Minutes of the Court, NYC Court Records 1760-1797, p 52:
James Campbell is indicted for breaking and destroying a glass case of Tobias Norwood. 5 May 1784. He pleads guilty and is fined 13s.4d. 6 May 1784.

Tobias NORWOOD and Christiana RIFFLE were married on 28 October 1767 in New York, NY, NY.^{487,488,489,490,491,492} Christiana RIFFLE^493,494,495 was born in 1742 in New York.^496,497 She lived 33 William street in New York, NY, NY in 1790.⁴⁹⁸ She lived 38 William St in New York, NY, NY on 1 November 1790.⁴⁹⁹ Christiana appeared in the census in 1800 in New York, NY, NY.⁵⁰⁰ She lived in 26 Vesey St, New York City, NY, NY before 3 January 1819.^385,501 She died on 3 January 1819 at the age of 77 in New York, NY, NY.^{485,502,503,504,505,506,507} Christiana was buried in January 1819 at Presbyterian Brick Cemetery in New York, NY, NY.⁵⁰⁷ Records of the First Presbyterian Church (NYGBS Rec, Vol 9, #4, Oct 1878, page 172) 1773, Jan 19, Ann Dughter of John Sticklen & Ann Mary Riffle, his wife, born Jan 4th 1773.

Fed Census 1800 - Steuben Co, NY (NYGBS Rec, Vol 60, #1, Jan 1929, p 49)
Amos Riffle, 1 male under 10, 1 male 16-26

Tobias NORWOOD-262 and Christiana RIFFLE-261 had the following children: