Biography
CAPT. Z. C. NORTON. Of the early pioneers to Oregon who were natives of the Pine Tree state, the subject of this sketch occupied a prominent place during his life. He was born in Farmington, Maine, December 29, 1808, and when fourteen years of age was sent to sea by his father for the purpose of learning navigation, and gaining possible promotion to the captaincy of a vessel. His patron was an old friend of his parents, and was the commander of the vessel in which our subject began his travels on the briny deep. By close attention to the duties of his calling, he rapidly rose in the estimation of shipowners, and on the arrival of his majority was given the command of a vessel.
In 1833 he was married to Miss Caroline Norton, and took his bride on board of his vessel; and for ten years his cabin was their home. During that time he was in the European and West India trade, and by his energetic management and business tact accumulated sums sufficient to purchase an interest at
Source / record details
History of Pacific Northwest-Oregon and Washington,Volume 1, 1889, North Pacific History Co. p. 497
Birth — 180829 December 1808
Farmington, Massachusetts (District of Maine)
The War of 1812 was a conflict between the United States and Great Britain, lasting from 1812 to 1815. It was primarily fueled by issues such as trade restrictions due to Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American sailors into the British Navy, and British support of Native American tribes against American expansion. The war ended with the Treaty of Ghent, restoring pre-war boundaries but resolving few of the initial disputes.
1833 Marriage / PartnerZachariah C NORTON and Caroline BACHELOR? 5 October 1833, Farmington, Maine, USA
He was 24 years old.
From the 1840s through the 1880s, thousands trekked westward, carrying only a few belonging and supplies for the journey, and settling on the western frontier, forever changing the American West.
1850 - Bath, Maine
Name
Zacheriah C Norton
Sex
Male
Age
41
Birth Year (Estimated)
1809
Birthplace
Maine
Race
White
Event Type
Census
Event Date
1850
Event Place
Bath, Lincoln, Maine, United States
Household Identifier
475
House Number
397
Line Number
38
Schedule Type
1850 Population
Affiliate Publication Number
M432
Affiliate Name
The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Other People on This Record
Close All
Lovel Norton F 56 Maine
Lovel Norton person details
Name
Lovel Norton
Sex
Female
Age
56
Birth Year (Estimated)
1794
Birthplace
Maine
Race
White
Event Type
Census
Event Date
1850
Event Place
Bath, Lincoln, Maine, United States
Household Identifier
475
House Number
397
Line Number
38
Schedule Type
1850 Population
Affiliate Publication Number
M432
Affiliate Name
The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Caroline
1850 - Portland, Oregon
Name
Z C Norton
Sex
Male
Age
42 years
Birth Year (Estimated)
1808
Birthplace
Maine
Race
White
Event Type
Census
Event Date
1850
Event Place
Portland, Washington, Oregon, United States
Event Place (Original)
Portland city, Washington, Oregon Territory, United States
Household Identifier
138
House Number
138
Line Number
15
Schedule Type
1850 Population
Affiliate Publication Number
M432
Affiliate Name
The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Other People on This Record
Close All
Caroline Norton F 41 years Maine
Caroline Norton person details
Name
Caroline Norton
Sex
Female
Age
41 years
Birth Year (Estimated)
1809
Birthplace
Maine
Race
White
Event Type
Census
Event Date
1850
Event Place
Portland, Washington, Oregon, United States
Event Place (Original)
Portland city, Washington, Oregon Territory, United States
Household Identifier
138
House
1860 - Hardens Precinct, Clackamas, Oregon
Name
Zachariah Norton
Sex
Male
Age
52
Birth Year (Estimated)
1808
Birthplace
Maine
Race
White
Event Type
Census
Event Date
1860
Event Place
Hardens Precinct, Clackamas, Oregon, United States
Page Number
162
Affiliate Publication Number
M653
Affiliate Name
The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Other People on This Record
Close All
Caroline Norton F 52 Maine
Caroline Norton person details
Name
Caroline Norton
Sex
Female
Age
52
Birth Year (Estimated)
1808
Birthplace
Maine
Race
White
Event Type
Census
Event Date
1860
Event Place
Hardens Precinct, Clackamas, Oregon, United States
Page Number
162
Affiliate Publication Number
M653
Affiliate Name
The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Sarah M Wilson F 7 Oregon
Sarah M Wilson person details
Name
Sarah M Wilson
Sex
Female
Age
7
Birth Year
1870 - Springwater, Clackamas, Oregon
Name
Z C Norton
Sex
Male
Age
61
Birth Year (Estimated)
1809
Birthplace
Maine
Race
White
Relationship to Head of Household
Head
Event Type
Census
Event Date
1870
Event Place
Springwater, Clackamas, Oregon, United States
Household Identifier
698
Line Number
2
Page Number
1
Affiliate Publication Number
M593
Affiliate Name
The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Other People on This Record
Close All
Caroline Norton F 61 Maine
Caroline Norton person details
Name
Caroline Norton
Sex
Female
Age
61
Birth Year (Estimated)
1809
Birthplace
Maine
Race
White
Event Type
Census
Event Date
1870
Event Place
Springwater, Clackamas, Oregon, United States
Household Identifier
698
Line Number
2
Page Number
1
Affiliate Publication Number
M593
Affiliate Name
The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
George Norton M 5 California
George Norton
1870 - June 26 - Christmas becomes a Federal holiday in the United States. It was still illegal in some states.
Death of Capt. Norton
The news was received in this city yesterday morning of the death of Capt. Zachariah Norton, at his residence in Clackamas county, on the 18th. Capt. Norton was one of the pioneer residents of Oregon, and was for some time a leading spirit in the early days of Portland history. His name is often found in the records of real estate transaction in this city, and, always when he resided here, he was found foremost in the ranks of those willing to lend their efforts to promote the prosperity and progress of the town. He has always been regarded by his fellow citizens as a man of the highest integrity and uprightness, and many a pioneer heart will be saddened at the news of his death. He was the father-in-law of Capt. Richard Williams, from whose residence the funeral will take place of Sunday next, at two o'clock. The remains will probably arrive here in the morning in charge of the Masonic fraternity, under whose management he will be buried in Lone Fir cemetery. And as the old residents
Source / record details
Morning Oregonian
Portland, Oregon
February 15, 1879
Biography
Biography of Captain Z. C. Norton
Published: 8 June 2012.
Last Reviewed: 4 December 2025 by Dennis N. Partridge
CAPTAIN Z.C. NORTON. – Of the early pioneers to Oregon who were natives of the Pine Tree state, the subject of this sketch occupied a prominent place during his life. He was born in Farmington, Maine, December 29, 1808, and when fourteen years of age was sent to sea by his father for the purpose of learning navigation, and gaining possible promotion to the captaincy of a vessel. His patron was an old friend of his parents, and was the commander of the vessel in which our subject began his travels on the briny deep. By close attention to the duties of his calling, he rapidly rose in the estimation of shipowners, and on the arrival of his majority was given the command of a vessel.
In 1833 he was married to Miss Caroline Norton, and took his bride on board of his vessel; and for ten years its cabin was their home. during that time he was in the European and West India
See marriage record for Zachariah C NORTON and Caroline BACHELOR?
The name Maine is probably a practical nautical term which refers to the region being a mainland (separate from the many surrounding islands). Reference to the area as 'Maine' in writing first appeared in 1622. (statesymbolsusa.org)
Questions, Corrections & New Information
Ask a question or share a correction, source, or new detail about Zachariah C NORTON.
When possible, include names, dates, places, and sources so the information is easier to verify.