Bothwell Families
These pages offer a glimpse into the lives of the Bothwell families. You’ll find family trees and historical events specific to the area. While not exhaustive, the information will continue to be updated as research progresses. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material presented.
Ferdinand Norton (1810-1885)
Hannah Leech (1808-1862)
Ann (Hammond) Smith (1812-1887)
Ferdinand Norton, the son of Richard Norton and Hannah Unknown, was baptised on 11 February 1810 in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England. He immigrated to Tasmania aboard the Sir William Fenwick Williams, arriving in Hobart on 2 December 1856. At the time, he was 44 years old and listed as a blacksmith. He had travelled with his family, including his wife, Hannah, and children - Richard (1830), Betsy (1834), George (1835), Thomas (1837), William (1839), Sarah (1842), and Henry (1845). They had been sent to Tasmania with the support of Ferdinand’s brother, David Norton. By 1858, he had settled in Bothwell, where he ran a blacksmith shop at Alexander St. In 1865, Ferdinand, a widower at 55, remarried Ann Smith, nee Hammond, a 53-year-old widow from Essex, England. Ferdinand and Ann's marriage was solemnised at St Luke's Church in Bothwell on 21 August 1865. The couple lived in Bothwell, where Ferdinand continued his work as a blacksmith. Ferdinand passed away on 11 May 1885 at the age of 75, his death attributed to the decay of nature. Ann lived on for another two years after Ferdinand’s death, passing away on 4 November 1887 at the age of 75. She was buried in the Public Cemetery in Bothwell, where a memorial tree has been planted in her name, Ann Smith.
Ferdinand Norton, son of Richard Norton and Hannah Unknown.
Born: abt 1810, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England (FSEB: Ferdinand Norton, 1810, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NGL2-RH3)
Baptised: 11 Feb 1810, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England (FSEB: Ferdinand Norton, 1810, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NGL2-RH3)
Married: 10 Jul 1831, Hannah Leech, Aston, Warwickshire, England (WAPR: Norton-Leech, 1831, Aston, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGDL-1W8K)
Departed: 11 Sep 1856, Liverpool, Lancashire, England, 'Sir William Fenwick Williams' (THM: "Shipping," 3 Dec 1856, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3339990)
Arrived: 2 Dec 1856, Hobart (CB7: Ferdinand Norton, p298/1856, 'Sir William Fenwick Williams,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CB7-12-1-6/CB7-12-1-6p205j2k)
Petition: 8 Aug 1857, Waste Lands 1857, signed, blacksmith (TPP: "Waste Lands 1857," paper 10/1857, https://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/tpl/PPWeb/1857/HA1857pp10.pdf)
Residence: 18 May 1858, [20] Alexander St, Bothwell, Robert Whiteway (owner), house, blacksmith's shop (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1858, p698-699, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-898F-VZZ3)
Charged: 1 Aug 1860, Lower Court, Bothwell, drunk and incapable (PS: Ferdinand Norton, LC49/1/3, image 745, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/LC49-1-3/LC49-1-3P747)
Juror: 7 Nov 1860, [F1] White Hart Inn, Patrick St, Bothwell, inquest of William Berry (INQ: William Berry, no 4929/1860, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/SC195-1-44-4929)
Residence: 20 Nov 1860, [20] Alexander St, Bothwell, Robert Whiteway (owner), house, blacksmith's shop (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1860, p1884-1885, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98F-VQYQ)
Juror: 28 Mar 1861, [8] Crown Inn, Alexander St, Bothwell, inquest of Hannah Greenhalgh (INQ: Hannah Greenhalgh, no 5040/1857, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/SC195-1-45-5040)
Article: 30 May 1861, named under "To Frederick Synnot, Esq" (MERC: "To Frederick Synnot, Esq," 30 May 1861, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8798617)
Residence: 19 Nov 1861, [20] Alexander St, Bothwell, Robert Whiteway (owner), house, blacksmith's shop (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1860, p1884-1885, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98F-VQYQ)
Juror: 13 May 1863, [D.1] Bothwell Castle, Patrick St, Bothwell, inquest of Alfred Williams (INQ: Alfred Williams, no 5511/1863, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/SC195-1-47-5511)
Residence: 17 Nov 1863, [20] Alexander St, Bothwell, Robert Whiteway (owner), house, blacksmith's shop (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1863, p2130-2131, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-998F-V992-K)
Residence: 15 Nov 1864, [20] Alexander St, Bothwell, Robert Whiteway (owner), house, blacksmith's shop (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1864, p2078-2079, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G98F-V3JQ)
Married: 21 Aug 1865, Ann Smith (Hammond), St Luke's Church, Bothwell (RGD37: Norton-Smith, no 4/1865, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/rgd37-1-24p3j2k)
Juror: 6 Apr 1866, Council Chambers, Bothwell, inquest of Johanna Connolly (INQ: Johanna Connolly, no 6041/1866, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/SC195-1-50-6041)
Juror: 1 Dec 1866, [8] Crown Inn, Alexander St, Bothwell, inquest of William Whittaker (INQ: William Whittaker, no 6157/1866, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/SC195-1-51-6157)
Residence: 1867, [20] Alexander St, Bothwell, blacksmith (MCPD: 1867-68, p64, image 122, https:/nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3027675771/view)
Residence: 26 Feb 1867, [20] Alexander St, Bothwell, executors of Robert Whiteway (owners), house, blacksmith's shop (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1867, p468-469, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98F-V3G3)
Died: 11 May 1885, Bothwell, aged 75, blacksmith, decay of nature (RGD35: Ferdinand Norton, no 478/1885, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD35-1-54p46j2k)
Spouse (1) - Hannah Leech, daughter of George Leech and Eleanor Unknown.
Born: abt 1808, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England (FSEB: Hannah Leach, 1808, West Bromwich, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NGZJ-WX5)
Baptised: 9 Oct 1808, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England (FSEB: Hannah Leach, 1808, West Bromwich, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NGZJ-WX5)
Departed: 11 Sep 1856, Liverpool, Lancashire, England, 'Sir William Fenwick Williams' (THM: "Shipping," 3 Dec 1856, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3339990)
Arrived: 2 Dec 1856, Hobart (CB7: Ferdinand Norton, p298/1856, 'Sir William Fenwick Williams,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CB7-12-1-6/CB7-12-1-6p205j2k)
Died: 7 Apr 1862, Bothwell, aged 54, asthma (RGD35: Hannah Norton, no 4/1862, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD35-1-31p25j2k)
Buried: aft 7 Apr 1862, Public Cemetery, Bothwell (BC: Hannah Norton, site unknown)
Children of Ferdinand Norton and Hannah Leech:
Richard Norton.
Born: 8 Oct 1830, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England (INTE: source information lost)
Baptised: 28 Nov 1830, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England (INTE: source information lost)
Married: Ann Collett, date and place unknown
Donated: 6 Jul 1859, £1 to the Wesleyan Chapel Building Fund (HTDM: "Wesleyan Chapel," 6 Jul 1859, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3256179)
Residence: 20 Nov 1860, [F2] Patrick St, Bothwell, Robert Whiteway (owner), house, annual rateable value £7 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1860, p1884-1885, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98F-VQYQ)
Residence: 19 Nov 1861, [18] Elizabeth St, Bothwell, Robert Bonney (owner, Pleasant Rises), house, annual rateable value £7 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1860, p1884-1885, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98F-VQYQ)
Residence: 17 Nov 1863, [20] Alexander St, Bothwell, Robert Whiteway (owner), house, annual rateable value £12 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1863, p2130-2131, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-998F-V992-K)
Marriage Witness: 16 Apr 1864, Zacharias Smith & Sarah Norton, St Luke's Church, Bothwell (RGD37: Smith-Norton, no 2/1864, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD37-1-23P2J2K)
Residence: 15 Nov 1864, [20] Alexander St, Bothwell, Robert Whiteway (owner), house, annual rateable value £12 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1864, p2078-2079, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G98F-V3JQ)
Article: 26 Jul 1866, named under "Second Court" Assault (MERC: "Second Court," 26 Jul 1866, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8840667)
Residence: 26 Feb 1867, [20] Alexander St, Bothwell, executors of Robert Whiteway (owners), house, annual rateable value £12 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1867, p468-469, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98F-V3G3)
Residence: 11 Feb 1868, [20] Alexander St, Bothwell, executors of Robert Whiteway (owners), house, blacksmith’s shop, annual rateable value £15 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1868, p224-225, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-898F-JT5Z)
Died: 10 Mar 1898, Hobart, aged 67, blacksmith, suppurating hydatid cyst (RGD35: Richard Norton, no 233/1898, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD35-1-68p341j2k)
Buried: 12 Mar 1898, Cornelian Bay Cemetery, Hobart (MILL: Richard Norton, 1898, https:/server2.admin.millingtons.com.au:81/ASP/search_details.asp?RecordID=11355)Spouse - Ann Collett.
Born: date and place unknown
Marriage Witness: 16 Apr 1864, Zacharias Smith and Sarah Norton, St Luke's Church, Bothwell (RGD37: Smith-Norton, no 2/1864, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD37-1-23P2J2K)
No further research has been carried out at this timeWilliam Albert Norton.
Born: 21 Mar 1868, Bothwell (RGD33: William Albert Norton, no 7/1868, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD33-1-46p277j2k)
No further research has been carried out at this time
Betsy Norton.
Born: abt 1834, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England (ESBC: Betsy Norton, 1834, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, https:/www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/130389542:9841)
Baptised: 6 Apr 1834, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England (ESBC: Betsy Norton, 1834, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/130389542:9841)
No further research has been carried out at this timeGeorge Norton.
Born: abt 1835, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England (ESBC: George Norton, 1835, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, https:/www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/173121364:9841)
Baptised: 16 Aug 1835, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England (ESBC: George Norton, 1835, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/173121364:9841)
Departed: 11 Sep 1856, Liverpool, Lancashire, England, 'Sir William Fenwick Williams' (THM: "Shipping," 3 Dec 1856, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3339990)
Arrived: 2 Dec 1856, Hobart (CB7: Ferdinand Norton, p298/1856, 'Sir William Fenwick Williams,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CB7-12-1-6/CB7-12-1-6p205j2k)
Residence: 15 Nov 1864, [29] Enfield, Patrick St, Bothwell, with James Clegg & Peter Curran, Edward Andrews (owner), house, garden, under 1 acre, annual rateable value £16 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1864, p2076-2077, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-898F-V3K4)
No further research has been carried out at this timeThomas Norton.
Born: abt 1837, Aston, Warwickshire, England (ESBC: Thomas Norton, 1837, Aston, Warwickshire, https:/www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/117623670:9841)
Baptised: 24 Sep 1837, Aston, Warwickshire, England (ESBC: Thomas Norton, 1837, Aston, Warwickshire, https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/117623670:9841)
Departed: 11 Sep 1856, Liverpool, Lancashire, England, 'Sir William Fenwick Williams' (THM: "Shipping," 3 Dec 1856, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3339990)
Arrived: 2 Dec 1856, Hobart (CB7: Ferdinand Norton, p298/1856, 'Sir William Fenwick Williams,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CB7-12-1-6/CB7-12-1-6p205j2k)
Charged: 19 Jun 1858, Lower Court, Bothwell, furiously ridden through a public street (PS: Thomas Norton, LC49/1/3, image 479, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/LC49-1-3/LC49-1-3P481)
Donated: 6 Jul 1859, £1 to the Wesleyan Chapel Building Fund (HTDM: "Wesleyan Chapel," 6 Jul 1859, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3256179)
No further research has been carried out at this timeWilliam Norton.
Born: 21 Aug 1839, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England (ESBC: William Norton, 1839, Birmingham, Warwickshire, https:/www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/96367200:9841)
Baptised: 18 Nov 1839, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England (ESBC: William Norton, 1839, Birmingham, Warwickshire, https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/96367200:9841)
Departed: 11 Sep 1856, Liverpool, Lancashire, England, 'Sir William Fenwick Williams' (THM: "Shipping," 3 Dec 1856, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3339990)
Arrived: 2 Dec 1856, Hobart (CB7: Ferdinand Norton, p298/1856, 'Sir William Fenwick Williams,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CB7-12-1-6/CB7-12-1-6p205j2k)
No further research has been carried out at this timeBorn: 12 Jan 1842, Handsworth, Staffordshire, England
Henry Norton.
Born: abt 1845, Handsworth, Staffordshire, England (CE51: Henry Norton, 1851, Birmingham, Warwickshire, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGZD-HBS)
Departed: 11 Sep 1856, Liverpool, Lancashire, England, 'Sir William Fenwick Williams' (THM: "Shipping," 3 Dec 1856, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3339990)
Arrived: 2 Dec 1856, Hobart (CB7: Ferdinand Norton, p298/1856, 'Sir William Fenwick Williams,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CB7-12-1-6/CB7-12-1-6p205j2k)
Died: 5 Jan 1857, Bothwell, aged 12, constipation of the bowels and fever (RGD35: Henry Norton, no 1/1857, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD35-1-26p1j2k)
Buried: aft 5 Jan 1857, Public Cemetery, Bothwell (BC: Henry Norton, site unknown)
Spouse (2) - Ann (Hammond) Smith, daughter of Robert Hammond and Sophia Debnam.
Born: 20 Mar 1812, Arkesden, Essex, England (EPR: Ann Hammond, baptism, D/P317/1/2, 19 Apr 1812, image 67, Arkesden)
Baptised: 19 Apr 1812, Arkesden, Essex, England (EPR: Ann Hammond, baptism, D/P317/1/2, 19 Apr 1812, image 67, Arkesden)
Married: 21 Aug 1865, Ferdinand Norton, St Luke's Church, Bothwell (RGD37: Norton-Smith, no 4/1865, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/rgd37-1-24p3j2k)
Died: 4 Nov 1887, Bothwell, aged 75, decay of nature (RGD35: Ann Norton, no 527/1887, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD35-1-56p54j2k)
Buried: aft 4 Nov 1887, Public Cemetery, Bothwell (BC: Ann Smith, 1887, site unknown, memorial tree planted)
Property in Bothwell where Ferdinand Norton lived
For more information click on the link under the map.
Complete maps located on the Property History page.
Tasmanian Archives: Bothwell B37, AF819/1/26 (modified)
Bibliography of Sources
ANG - Baptismal Register of the Bothwell Church of England (NS1854). Tasmanian Archives and Heritage Office, Hobart. Microfilm. Anglican Parish of Bothwell (NG613).
BC - Tasmania: Bothwell Cemetery Records. Transcribed from parish registers by the Central Highlands Council, Bothwell.
CB7 - Libraries Tasmania: Register of Ships' Arrivals with Lists of Passengers (CB7, CUS30). Images. Immigration Board (TA212). Tasmanian Government, Australia. https://libraries.tas.gov.au/tasmanian-archives : 2023.
CE51 - FamilySearch: England and Wales Census, 1851. Database with Images. findmypast. https://www.findmypast.com. Citing PRO HO 107. The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey. https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2563939 : 8 Jun 2023.
EPR - England: Essex Archives Online: Essex Parish Registers. Images. Essex Record Office. https://www.essexarchivesonline.co.uk : 2023.
ESBB - ancestry: Essex, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms 1813-1921. Database. Essex Church of England Parish Registers, Essex County Council, Chelmsford, Essex, England. https://www.ancestry.com.au/search/collections/61699 : 2023.
ESBC - ancestry: England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Database. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013. https://www.ancestry.com.au/search/collections/9841 : 2023.
EWBI - ancestry: England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915. Images. General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration Indexes. London, England: General Register Office.
FSEB - FamilySearch: England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Database. Index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City. https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1473014 : 28 Jul 2023.
HTDM - TROVE: The Hobart Town Daily Mercury (Hobart, TAS : 1858-1860). Images. National Library of Australia. https://trove.nla.gov.au : 2023.
INQ - Libraries Tasmania: Findings relating to Coroner's Inquests (SC195). Images. Supreme Court, Registrar's Office (TA42). Tasmanian Government, Australia. https://www.libraries.tas.gov.au/tasmanian-archives : 2023.
INTE - Internet.
MCPD - TROVE: MacPhail's Directory of Tasmania 1867-68. Images. National Library of Australia. https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3027675771/view : 2025.
MERC - TROVE: The Mercury (Hobart, TAS : 1860-1954). Images. National Library of Australia. https://trove.nla.gov.au : 2023.
MILL - Tasmania: Millingtons Funerals & Cemeteries. Database. https://www.millingtons.com.au: 2023.
PS - Libraries Tasmania: Record of Cases Heard in Petty Sessions, Bothwell (LC49). Images. Bothwell Lower Courts (TA1036). Tasmanian Government, Australia. https://libraries.tas.gov.au/tasmanian-archives : 2023.
RGD33 - Libraries Tasmania: Registers of Births, Tasmania (RGD33). Images. Registrar-General's Department (TA85). Tasmanian Government, Australia. https://libraries.tas.gov.au/tasmanian-archives : 2023.
RGD35 - Libraries Tasmania: Registers of Deaths, Tasmania (RGD35). Images. Registrar-General's Department (TA85). Tasmanian Government, Australia. https://libraries.tas.gov.au/tasmanian-archives : 2023.
RGD37 - Libraries Tasmania: Registers of Marriages, Tasmania (RGD37). Images. Registrar-General's Department (TA85). Tasmanian Government, Australia. https://libraries.tas.gov.au/tasmanian-archives : 2023.
TGG - FamilySearch: Australia, Tasmania, Government Gazette, 1833-1925. Images. Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office, Hobart. https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2170647 : 2023.
THM - TROVE: The Hobarton Mercury (TAS : 1854-1857). Images. National Library of Australia. https://trove.nla.gov.au : 2023.
WAPR - FamilySearch: England, Warwickshire, Parish Registers, 1535-1963. Images. Parish registers of the Church of England. Warwick County Record Office, England. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1462403 : 21 Sep 2022.