Roger Norton the first (d. 1662; fl. 1639–1662)

NORTON (ROGER), printer in London; Blackfriars [(?) Hunsdon House], 1639–62. Son of Bonham Norton, King's Printer 1596–1635, and grandson of William Norton, of the King's Arms, St. Paul's Churchyard, 1561–93. Roger Norton took an active part in the proceedings between his father and Robert Barker the Second in the matter of the King's Printing House, and with his brother John broke into the premises by night and carried off the whole of the stock and printing materials. At the Restoration he petitioned to be appointed King's printer on the grounds that the decree made in the Court of Chancery was illegal, and that he had been of service to His Majesty during the late troubles, both by printing letters and papers and by sheltering those who came from abroad on His Majesty's service. His claim was not allowed. Roger Norton died April 1st, 1662, and his death is recorded by Smyth in his Obituary (p. 55): "Mr. Roger Norton printer in Blackffriers died, whose daughter my coz D^r Thos. Clutterbuck marr^d." His will was proved April 7th, 1662, and by it he left to Susan his wife his house in Blackfriars excepting the workhouse [i.e., the printing house] and the warehouse, which, with all his printing materials, copyrights and patents, he bequeathed to his son Roger Norton. He had another son, Ambrose, to whom he bequeathed certain lands in Somerset, and several daughters. The rest of his real estate, including lands in Stretton in Shropshire, he left to his wife Susan for life. [Library, October, 1901, pp. 353–57; P.C.C. 52, Laud.]