John Norman (alderman)
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John Norman (usually known, since his death, as Alderman Norman) (1657 – 10 May 1724) was a businessman who was Mayor of Norwich in 1714–15. Norman is more notable, however, for his will, which left his considerable estate to the benefit of the descendants of his family members of those of his first wife, not by way of direct bequest but by the establishment of a trust. The trust is for educational purposes and, although much modified, still exists.
Norman was born in 1657, to John and Ann Norman. His date of birth is unknown, but he was baptised on 20 April 1657 at St Giles' Church in Norwich. Little is known about his antecedents, other than that Norman's grandfather, Roger Norman, a silk weaver who was a Huguenot refugee, came to Norwich in the early 17th century.[1]
Career
Norman had a varied business career, variously being a worsted weaver,[2] a farmer, a landowner, and a brewer.[3] He was a churchwarden of St Peter Parmentergate, Norwich, Sheriff of Norwich in 1705-06 (not to be confused with High Sheriff of Norfolk) and Mayor of Norwich in 1714–15.[4] It is very likely that he was present for the first ever recorded complete peal of church bells, which took place at St Peter Mancroft on 2 May 1715, during his term in office.[5][6]