This and other early information is based on the research of Paul Heinegg “Free African Americans of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland and Delaware” as found at freeafricanamericans.com. This date and information somewhat contradicts what is in Basil Norman's military records, but I believe this date is more accurate than the 1760 date listed by the military. He is mentioned in the 1750 Maryland court records under the name Basil. At his enlistment in 1777 into the Continental Army, he would have been age 27 rather than age 17, which though possible, is less likely. Also, at 27 he would have finished his twenty-one year indenture.

 The meaning of the name is obscure, though the name Basil is rooted to Greek “royality” and an old meaning of "beele" is the stock of a tree graft. Thus Bazabeele could mean “of royal stock.” It could also be a placename; beal meaning a narrow valley, thus a valley where the Basil plant grows.

The only information from the Maryland court records about the father or fathers of Elizabeth Norman's children is given for Edward, whose father is mentioned as a “Mullato man belonging to William Digges.” It is possible that Elizabeth could have had a stable relationship with Edward, but could not marry. This would have been of advantage to her masters Richard Keene and Benjamin Belt, who were able to keep her indentured by buying her from the court after each child. When she was about 55 she stated she could no longer work and was granted a pension by the court.

Of the other children is also stated to be free, Richard Keene is instructed by the court to provide to one of the sons a year of schooling and a decent suit of clothing at the end of his indenture, so it is possible that Basil also received similar treatment.

The Maryland State Archives show Basil Norman as enlisting in the Revolutionary Army on 6 June 1778 and being discharged on 31 July 1783. He served with the Seventh Maryland Regiment, commanded by Colonel John Gunby,ina company of Light Infantry commanded by Captain Beatty until 12 March 1781, when he transfers as a “waiter to Captain Anderson”. His listing in the payroll of 1783 is with Lieut Bonham’s Company in the Northern Division. He is listed as having fought at the Battles of Cowpens and Camden. There is also a notation that on 11 December 1781 he received “one suit of Cloaths, one pair of Shoes and one pair of Stockings”

In September 1782 he married Fortune Stevens (Stephens b. abt. 1755) in Frederick, Maryland. They had six sons and one daughter, all of whom were probably born eitgher in Maryland or Virginia : James (b.1785) , Grandison Pewinkle (b.7 May 1788), Joseph (b.abt.1794), Rebecca (b.1795), Aquilla (b.11 July 1797), Bazil Jr. (b.1800), and Samuel (b.1802). Bazabeel and his wife owned 40 acres of land in Frederick County which they sold 1 October 1814 for $250 to George Shamblin. This is after they had moved to Ohio.