Henry Fortenam Nichols was born on 5 April 1835 at Green Ponds (Kempton), the son of John Nichols and Ann Fortnam. Henry and Mary Ann married on 15 October 1870 at the residence of Mrs New in Bagdad, according to the rites of the Congregational Church. Mary was born on 7 September 1835 at Bagdad to James New, a farmer, and Maria Elizabeth Whitfield. After their marriage, the couple settled in Bothwell, where Henry quickly became an active and visible member of the community. Between 1871 and 1878, they welcomed five children: Percy Edward, Amy Annie, Harry New, Charles, and Louise Alicia, who died in infancy later that same year. Henry was a landowner, publican, hotel licensee, and owned properties in Alexander and Elizabeth Streets. From 1876, Henry held the licence for the Crown Inn on Alexander Street. Local newspapers record him giving public acknowledgements, signing community letters, and participating actively in civic life. By the late 1880s, he and his brother Charles jointly held the publican’s licence for the Crown Inn. Mary Ann died at Bothwell on 20 November 1894 at the age of 59, and was buried the following day in the Public Cemetery. Henry remained in the district for many years after her death. He continued to appear in rate books as owner and occupier of land in Alexander and Elizabeth Streets during the 1890s. Later in life, he resided with his sister in Dysart, where he died on 9 August 1918, aged 83. He was buried beside Mary Ann in the Bothwell Public Cemetery on 12 August.

Henry Fortenam Nichols, son of John Nichols and Ann Fortnam.

b: 5 Apr 1835, Green Ponds, Tasmania; bap: 22 May 1835, Launceston, Tasmania; d: 9 Aug 1918, Dysart, Tasmania; bur: 12 Aug 1918, Public Cemetery, Bothwell, Tasmania.

Spouse - Mary Ann New, daughter of James New and Maria Elizabeth Whitfield.

b: 7 Sep 1835, Bagdad, Tasmania; m: 15 Oct 1870, Bagdad, Tasmania; d: 20 Nov 1894, Bothwell, Tasmania; bur: 21 Nov 1894, Public Cemetery, Bothwell, Tasmania.

Children of Henry Fortenam Nichols and Mary Ann New:

1. Percy Edward Nichols - b: 6 Aug 1871, Bothwell, Tasmania; bap: 13 Sep 1871, Bothwell, Tasmania.

2. Amy Annie Nichols - b: 22 Sep 1872, Bothwell, Tasmania; bap: 25 Oct 1872, Bothwell, Tasmania; d: 1961, Glenferrie, Victoria. Spouse - Henry Arthur Ainsworth, son of Alfred Ainsworth and Sarah Bale, b: 8 Jan 1873, Campbell Town, Tasmania; m: 30 Apr 1902, Bothwell, Tasmania; d: 1947, Auburn, Victoria.

3. Harry New Nichols - b: 21 Dec 1873, Bothwell, Tasmania; bap: 22 Jan 1874, Bothwell, Tasmania; d: 24 Jul 1904, Bothwell, Tasmania: bur: 26 Jul 1904, Public Cemetery, Bothwell, Tasmania. Spouse - Mary Ann Jane Denholm, daughter of George Denholm and Mary Ann Stevens, b: 14 Sep 1875, Bothwell, Tasmania; bap: 10 Oct 1875, Bothwell, Tasmania; m: 11 Dec 1902, Bothwell, Tasmania; d: 25 Feb 1946, Hobart, Tasmania; bur: 27 Feb 1946, Cornelian Bay Cemetery, Hobart, Tasmania.

4. Charles Nichols - b: 26 Dec 1875, Bothwell, Tasmania; bap: 2 Feb 1876, Bothwell, Tasmania.

5. Louise Alicia Nichols - b: 14 Apr 1878, Bothwell, Tasmania; bap: 31 May 1878, Bothwell, Tasmania; d: 16 Sep 1878, Bothwell, Tasmania; bur: aft 16 Sep 1878, Public Cemetery, Bothwell, Tasmania.