William Norris (1813 - 1843)

Born 16 Nov 1813 in Windsor, Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Lucy (Brown) Upton — married 1837 (to 25 Sep 1843) in De-Facto relationship

Descendants

Died 25 Sep 1843 at age 29 in Windsor, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

This profile is part of the Norris Name Study.

William Norris was born on 16 November 1813 at Windsor, New South Wales, Australia ^[1], the 6th child and 6th son of Richard and Mary (Williams) Norris Richard Norris and Mary Williams and he was baptised on 2 December 1813 in the St Matthew's Church of England, Windsor, New South Wales, Australia by Clergyman [Rev] Robert Cartwright, ^[2]. His siblings were John Michael Norris, Thomas Norris, Richard Norris Jnr, James Norris Snr., Christopher Norris, Harriet (Norris) Mason, Maria (Norris) Mellish, Michael Norris, Ann (Norris) Frazer, Francis Stephen Norris, Patrick Norris and Paul Norris

His occupation was that of labourer and farmer.

William formed a relationship with Lucy (Brown) Upton. His brother James was married to Lucy's sister. It would appear that William and Lucy were never legally married, as Lucy was buried under the name Upton at Windsor Church of England Cemetery, near her son, Henry Norris.

The children of William and Lucy were Alfred James Norris, Jane Emma (Norris) Cupitt, Amelia Emma (Norris) Wood [Twin], William Norris [Twin] and Henry Norris.

From Lucy's earlier marriage to Jesse Upton she had three children.

William died aged 29 yrs 10 months 7 days, on 25 September 1843, as a result of head injuries sustained 9-10 months earlier on a Road to Sydney ^[3], leaving a defacto wife, Lucy (nee Brown) Upton, and five children to mourn him, the youngest of whom was only twenty days old. He was buried at the St Matthews Roman Catholic Cemetery Windsor, New South Wales, Australia.

Sources

1. ↑ Birth: New South Wales Australia Births: Name: NORRIS WILLIAM Registration number 3182/1813 V18133182 1A Father's Given name(s) RICHARD Mother's Given name(s) MARY District
2. ↑ Biggs report (Reel 692 Births in the district of Hawkesbury quarter ending 31 Mar 181(?) shows the following:- "Child William Norris Parents: Richard & Mary Norris Married or Unmarried: Married Born Windsor 16-11-1813 Baptism:-"(Reel 2125 Mutch Index AO)
3. ↑ Death from Injuries: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW: 1842 - 1954) Tue 20 Dec 1842 Page 2 WINDSOR: Coroner's report - from injuries inflicted by John Punch. Reported as follows: Windsor Court of Petty Sessions. Brutal assault. A most savage assault was committed on Friday night, on William Norris a settler of Cornwallis, which may be attended with a fatal result. He was attacked on the Government reserve there, and his head had been battered to such an extent as to place his life in greatest jeopardy. Shortly after the outrage, Norris was carried into Mr Fisher's Commercial Hotel where every attention was paid to him. Dr White, accompanied by Dr Stewart shortly afterwards attended him when the former extracted four pieces of bone which were pressing on the brain; he having been wounded in two parts of the skull, both before and behind. It is supposed that the injuries were inflicted with a heavy batten, which was produced in Court today (Saturday) when two men of the names of Punch and O'Byrne were brought before the bench on suspicion of being the guilty parties, and were remanded until it was ascertained whether the man would live or die. Dr White is still in doubt as to Norris's ultimate recovery.

Links

• Descendants of Richard & Mary (Williams) Norris
• Cambden History: WILLIAM NORRIS

• A later article in The Morning Chronicle shows that the two men received gaol sentences of two years and eighteen months respectively. On the 24 Jan 1844 a second court case was held when the defendants received a new and very light sentence comparatively of sixteen months' hard labour from that date.

Find A Grave memorial 161472581, St Matthews Catholic Church Graveyard Windsor