John S. Norment, one of the oldest and best known residents of Hardeman County, was born in the county January 31, 1828. His parents were Nathaniel E. and Sarah (Menifee) Norment. The father was a Virginian of English descent; the mother was of English-Dutch extraction, born in Knox County, Tenn. When quite young they moved to Alabama, where they were married and lived until 1826, when they came to Tennessee, settling near Whiteville, Hardeman County. To their union seven children were born, two of whom are living. Both parents were Methodists, but late in life Mrs. Norment united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Her death occurred in 1881. Previous to Mr. Norment’s marriage with Miss Menifee, he had been twice married. By his first wife he had two children, and by the second wife four children. He was one of the most prosperous farmers of the section in which he lived, and built the first and only cotton factory in the county. He departed this life in 1839. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, receiving such education as the common schools of that day afforded. At the age of nineteen he engaged in agricultural pursuits, to which he has given his attention since that time. For a short time previous to the war he was interested in merchandising. He is a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a liberal contributor to all charitable, religious or worthy enterprises. He was an old time Whig, and is now a stanch Democrat. Few men in the county are older or more respected residents than he. In 1847, Mr. Norment married Miss Nancy Burford, born March 10, 1829. To them six sons and five daughters were born. Mrs. Norment died in 1874, a sincere Christian, an estimable woman and devout member of the Methodist Church. Her parents were Dr. Jonathan and Nancy (Chaflin) Burford. The father was a native of North Carolina. Early in life he moved to Alabama, where he was at one time clerk of the court. In 1828, after his marriage, he came to Hardeman County, where he was a successful practicing physician until failing health caused him to retire from active life. He was an old school Whig. His death occurred in 1849. Mrs. Burford was a Virginian, the mother of ten children, of whom only two are living. She died in 1838. Both were members of the Methodist Church.
Source: from “The Goodspeed Publishing Co., History of Tennessee, 1886”