Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania State Archives

Thomas Willing was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Dec. 19, 1731.  He was the eldest of eleven children born to Charles Willing (of Bristol, England) and Anne Shippen (of Philadelphia).

More is known about Thomas Willing than of most Norton family members.  This is, in part, from an autobiographical journal which he kept with the expressed purpose of recording his experiences for future generations. 

Colonial America was in a state of dramatic change during Willing's lifetime.  The Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War were events of the time.  Thomas Willing experienced first hand the creation of the United States of America.

Following is an excerpt from a handwritten letter written by Thomas Willing and dated Feb. 5, 1786.   This letter is in the possession of his descendant and creator of this site, Barbara Guenther Puccio.

 A letter written by Thomas Willing of Philadelphia on February 5, 1786 

     "I, Thomas Willing of the City of Philadelphia, merchant in the 55th year of my age, and thru the favor of God, in perfect health and strength, which I consider an ample reward for a life of sobriety and temperance do hereby transmit to my posterity for their satisfaction and information, the following account of the family stock from which I descended and which I believe to be authentic having collected the same from old family bibles and other authorities I believe to be true............"