1870 United States Federal Census

Validator (claude-sonnet-5-5, 2026-10-28): consistent, confidence 2/4, tier record.
The image shows Norman S Bentley, 38, tea broker, born NY, in dwelling 1433 / family 2525 on the Brooklyn Ward 10 page. The age implies a birth around 1831–1832, so it is consistent with the claimed year but cannot confirm the exact date. The 1-year discrepancy is the usual census age slippage.
Matches: Line 30 shows Norman S Bentley, age 38, male, white, Tea Broker, born NY; An age of 38 on 27 July 1870 implies a birth in 1831 or 1832, which fits the claimed 31 March 1831 (he would have been 39 by then); Household in Brooklyn Ward 10, Kings, New York matches the citation detail
Flags: Strictly, a man born 31 March 1831 would be 39 on the census date of 27 July 1870 (or on 1 June 1870, the reference date); the recorded age of 38 is one year under, which is within tolerance but not exact
Limits: A census gives an age, not a birth date, so the day and month of 31 March 1831 cannot be confirmed; Birth place is given only as NY, with no town; The record does not name parents, so identity as the 1831–1901 Norman S Bentley rests on name and approximate age