Notes:

Obituary Cecil Hiram Norton
Ref: Burlington Gazette, published 14 Jun 1983, p54, Col 4. - - -

Birth:
at the Hamlet of Tapleytown, Saltfleet Twp. (i.e. near Stoney Creek.)

Buried:
Palermro. Black monument with large scroll/ cylinder on top.

Cecil married Gladys Agnes ROBINSON on 4 Apr 1923 in Palermo, Trafalgar Twp., Halton Co., Ontario. Gladys was born on 28 Jun 1903 in Tansley, Nelson, Twp., Halton County; died on 24 Jan 1974 in Burlington, Nelson Twp., Halton Co., Ontario; was buried in St. Luke's Anglican Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
St. Luke's Anglican Cburch

1. Michael Grant NORTON was born on 18 Jun 1955 in Hamilton, Barton Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario; died on 18 Dec 1991 in Burlington, Nelson Twp., Halton Co., Ontario; was buried in St. Luke's Anglican Cemetery.

Notes:

Forbes Murder
Prudence & Alex Forbes & Prudence Norton 1843:

. 1882 was the 4th of 8 children of John Norton & Elizabeth Clark of Tapleytown, Saltfleet Twp., Wentworth Co.
3 of her siblings, Louisa, Hiram & Demarius married Wilkinson siblings of Palermo, Trafalgar Twp. Halton Co. They were Robert, Elizabeth & James "Andy"respectively. It is family lore that Hiram Norton, the 2 times great grandfather of the author Alan Norton, was a hired hand of Francis Wilkinson & Clarissa Simons & that is how he met their daughter Elizabeth. They married in 1867. How he got to be in Palermo is not known, a distance of 35 kilometers. Interestingly though, Robert W & Louisa N married in 1865. So who actually first made the Wilkinson-Norton connection & where is open to speculation. But obviously there was a close relationship between the 2 families, regardless of the distance which likely took 3 or 4 hours by horseback.

Prudence, the 4th Norton to be connected to Palermo, was married to Alex Forbes about 1864 in Hamilton, Canada West. Very little was known of Prudence's life however, for today's family historians. This all changed very dramatically in October of 2009 thanks to the author's fourth cousin, Catherine Richards of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She was able to determine that a Prudence Forbes had been killed in Hamilton, Ontario in June of 1882.
Further investigation in the Hamilton Spectator archives by Alan Norton at Burlington Library, showed that she had been shot to death by her husband Alex Forbes. He also murdered Prudence's employer George Ralston before taking his own life. The date was 21 June 1882.

From the first article on 22 June 1882 it became immediately apparent that this was Prudence Norton, sister of Louisa, Hiram & Demarius. As stated in the newspaper, Prudence's father John Norton had been visiting her only an hour before & while on his way home to Tapleytown was overtaken at Bartonville by someone on horseback with the horrible news that his daughter had been shot & killed.
Over the course of 3 days, in detail to rival today's sensationalist reporting, the Hamilton Spectator carried the story. On Thursday 22 June 1882 the headline was:

"THREE CORPSES. Horrible Double Murder & Suicide. A SHOCKING SCENE.
In reading the articles, Alan Norton was able to confirm Prudence's family lineage & find information pertaining to herself & her children.
. Prudence was the daughter of John Norton of Tapleytown & had a sister connected with Walker's confectionary store on King Street west.
. Alexander "Sandy" Forbes was the son of Alexander Forbes Sr. & lived with his father in Hamilton until he married Prudence Norton. After marriage, Forbes & Prudence removed to Palermo & carried on a potash factory, which they later sold & moved to the USA. Prudence & Alex Forbes had lived in Pittsburgh & Erie, Pennsylvania. Prudence & her children had left their home in Allegheney, NY as a result of her husband Alexander Forbes' continued drinking & ill treatment. . She had been separated from her husband for about 6 years at the time of the killings.

. The house where the murders took place was on Bold St. at the rear of Central School.
. She had been employed by Mr. Ralson for about 6 months as a housekeeper & nanny.
. There were 3 Forbes children: a daughter Kate & 2 boys Erney (sic) & Willy.
. Kate was recorded as both 17 &19 years of age at the time. Ernie was 9 & Willy 7.
. Kate Forbes was living with Mr. Bateman on Victoria Avenue at the time of the murders. The verdict of the coroner's jury was that Prudence's murder was premeditated. Prudence was buried at Tapleytown.

. DIED, FORBES - In this city, on Wednesday, the 21st inst, Prudence Forbes, aged 37 years, second eldest daughter of John Norton, Esq. of Tapleytown. Funeral will start at 10am from 71 Cathcart street north on Friday, the 23d inst, for Tapleytown M. E. Church. Friends & acquaintances will please accept this notice.
Ref: The Spectator's 23 June 1882.

In the summer of 2010, Debbie Havens, great granddaughter of Kate Forbes visited the author in Burlington, from her Colorado home. Debbie had been unaware of the tragedy surrounding her 2 times great grandparents until Alan Norton's investigation the year before. The author was able to show Debbie where the murders took place & the locations where the bodies now lay:

Prudence in Tapleytown Cemetery beside her mother & father, while Alexander is in Hamilton Cemetery, in an unmarked grave. From any indications in Debbie's family, her great grandmother Kate Forbes was a kind loving woman but not surprisingly, never discussed having witnessed the violent death of her mother Prudence. The author has never been able to ascertain where the Forbes potash factory was in Palermo & would welcome any information from readers.
Ref: Written by Alan Norton in Trafalgar Twp. Historical Society, Winter Newsletter 2014. - - -

Died:
Oakville.

Hiram married May MARTIN on 13 Jan 1900 in Hamilton, Barton Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario. May was born on 1 Sep 1879 in Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

May is the daughter of Caroline Dewitt & Jno. H Martin.

Notes:

Hiram C son was Elizabeth & Francis Jonathan Norton 1868-1880.

Died:
Aged 73 y 2m 8d. Widowed. Died Apoplexy.

Buried:
Palermo.

Hiram married Elizabeth WILKINSON on 2 Apr 1867 in Saltfleet Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario. Elizabeth (daughter of Francis FRANK WILKINSON and Clarissa SIMONS) was born on 18 Jun 1843 in Palermo, Trafalgar Twp., Halton Co., Ontario; died on 16 Feb 1918 in Tapleytown, Wentworth Co., Ontario; was buried in St. Luke's Anglican Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Elizabeth is the daughter of Clarissa Simons & Francis Wilkinson.

. 1860 Photo of Elizabeth Wilkinson, may be found at the Trafalgar Township Historical Society.

Further Research. Photos of
. Edna Wilkinson & her grandmother Marie Wilkinson, with Irene Patterson & her mother Mary Patterson. In front is Ernie Patterson, Edna Wilkinson & her grandmother Marie Wilkinson, with Irene Patterson & her mother Mary Patterson. In front is Ernie Patterson.

. Edna Waldie (nee Wilkinson) & her Mother Nettie E (Bowman) Wilkinson, with dog Nip.

. Wilkinson Norton Album Mementoes including Item # 70 - Happy New Year card; 72- A card from Pratt & Watkins of a photograph of General Gordon, the hero of Khartoum who was murdered on the 26th of January 1885.;
78-Prince & Princess of Wales
82- Woman & child picture.

. Wilkinson Norton Unknown Soldier. There is no explanation why this photo is in the Wilkinson-Norton album but it was family legend that one of Clarissa Simons' cousins fought in the American Civil war.

. A photo may be a son or daughter of Robert Herbert Wilkinson & Louisa Ann Norton who lived in the Parry Sound area & had children there before moving to Alberta.

Ref: Please see, as of 2016, www:tths.ca, Trafalgar Township Historical Society for a complete listing. - - -

Birth:


Buried:
Palermo.

Notes:

Frank is the son of Elizabeth Folk & Thomas Wilkinson.

. Photos. By 1850 Francis 1795-1884 & Clarissa 1807-1886 owned & farmed in Palermo just west of old Bronte Rd at Dundas. In his WILL, Francis left the farm equally to his sons George, Walter & James. Walter sold his share to the other two.

Ontario Land Registry
Lot 33, Con 1 South of Dundas St., Halton Co., Abstract, Trafalgar Book 24, p311-312.
. 1829 Aug 3, Bargain&Sale, James Doyle eldest son & heir at Law of Michael Day, to Francis Wilkinson, All 200 Acres.
. 1831 Jul 21, B&S, Francis Wilkinson, to John Inglehart, 100 Rear south half.
. 1864 Oct 6, Exx, Francis Wilkinson & Wife, to Wm. Chieftain, 100 North Half.
. 1883 Feb 5, WILL, Registered 1884 Apr 18, Francis Wilkinson, to his son Joseph Wilkinson, 100 A North.
. 1914? Nov 18, Registered 1919 of 28, Probate of WILL, Joseph Wilkinson, to Minnie Maw, Pt Lot 33 & other land.
. 1919 Nov 9, Grant, Minnie Maw, widow, Exec. of last Will & Testament of Joseph Wilkinson, deceased, Joseph Wilkinson, to Rennie Maw, in her individual capacity. $1., 100 Acres Half & other land.
. 1939 Jul 28, Grant, Minnie Maw, Widow, to Percival Lee & Irnie Victoria Lee, his wife.

Lot 33, Con 1, NDS [North of Dundas St.] p. 489-90
. 1809 Nov 17, Patent, Crown to L. Shauson, 200 A
. 1846 Feb 25, Bargain&Sale, John & Wm. McQueen & Wife, to Richard L Johnston, 50 Acres [Note: RL Johnston married to Julia Ann Teetzel].
. 1847 Mar 15, Richard L Johnstone & Wife, to Geo Bucks, 50 A.
. 1851 Aug 28, Mortgage, Francis Wilkinson & Wife, to Wm. McQueen, 75 A.
. 1857 Sep 17, Bargain&Sale, Geo Buck, to Francis Wilkinson, 75A.
. 1869 Nov 24, Mortgage. Fran. Wilkinson & Wife, to Wm. Cawthra, 50 A.
1883 Feb 5, WILL, Francis Wilkinson, to his sons Geo. & Walter & James A Wilkinson, Lot 33 to be divided equally between them in the manner they may think best, subject to certain legacies.
. 1884 Apr 16, B&S, Walter Wilkinson & Wife, to Geo. & James Andrew Wilkinson, 200A, All his share Lot 33, $2000.
. 1886 Nov 2, Quite Claim, Elizabeth Norton & her husband, & clarissa Harrison,& Wm. Beasley Wilkinson, to James Andrew Wilson & Geo Henry Wilkinson. 200A, Lot 33
. 1886 Nov 16, Deed of Partition, Geo, Henry Wilkinson & Wife, James Andrew Wilkinson & wife, James Andrew Wilkinson & Wife, to J A & G H Wilkinson, 100A east quarter Lot 33.

. Francis Norton, with his grandparents Francis & Clarissa (née Simons) Wilkinson, ca 1873
. ca 1873 - This is a digitized copy of the original photograph. According to Norton family lore, Francis Wilkinson sold 100 acres of land in Toronto, where the original Eaton's store later stood, in exchange for a pony. He also sold 200 acres of land in Goderich for a team of oxen. c. 1873 / Francis...
 Ref: Trafalgar Township Historical Society, Ontario.

. 1867 Oct 10 - Trafalgar Show, On Thursday last we had the pleasure of attending the display of the noble Twp. of Trafalgar, at Palermo. Death was delightful, but the rain of the day before prevented may from venturing out with their Stock & other articles. In cheese there were some very fine specimens in factory. Other prizes were taken by Mr. Hager of Palermo. We observes dome beautifully colored Castile soap & some specimens of Pearly Ash from the establishment of Mr. Wilkinson, Palermo, which in appearance & sent will view best.
Ref: Canadian Champion Newspaper, Milton, ON. - - -

Birth:
Birth date based on monument.

Died:
COD: Old age. Aged 88y 5m 15d.

Buried:
Milton

Francis married Clarissa SIMONS on 2 Nov 1831 in Trafalgar Twp., Halton Co., Ontario. Clarissa (daughter of Bildad SIMONS and Mrs. Bildad SIMONS) was born on 12 Apr 1807 in Trafalgar Twp., Halton Co., Ontario; died on 12 Jun 1886 in Palermo, Trafalgar Twp., Halton Co., Ontario; was buried in St. Luke's Anglican Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. 1875 Photograph :
Clarissa Simons' father Bildad Simons was one of the first settlers of Trafalgar Twp. A land patent for Lot 30 1 S Dundas St. was granted to him in 1806 as the settlement duties had been fulfilled.

. Francis Wilkinson & Clarissa Simons were married 2 November 1831. Clarissa 1807-1886 & Francis 1795-1884. Their grandson Francis John Norton 1868-1880 was the son of Hiram C. Norton & Elizabeth Wilkinson.

. By 1850 Francis 1795-1884 & Clarissa 1807-1886 owned & farmed in Palermo just west of old Bronte Rd at Dundas. In his will Francis left the farm equally to his sons George, Walter & James. Walter sold his share to his other 2 brothers.
Ref: Trafalgar Township Historical Society, Ontario.

. Clarissa has 3 daughter & 7 Wilkinson children.

Ontario Land Registration Abstract Halton Co.,
Lot 30, Con 1, North Dundas Street, Trafalgar Book 34, p398-9
. 1828 Apr 3, Bargain&Sale, Daniel Becay, to Bildad Simons, 100 Acres South Half
. 1864 May 2, B&S, Francis Wilkinson & Wife, to Lucinda Wilkinson wife of Ezra Winchell, 1 Acre - - -

Birth:
Ref: ON Death Reg. Born Trafalgar.

Died:
Aged 79y 2m. COD: old age, heart disease 3 months.

Buried:
Milton.

Notes:

Bond # 2628,
Francis Wilkinson, Residence: Trafalgar Twp., Halton C o.,Ontario
on 2 Nov 1832 married Clarissa Simons, res. Trafalar Twp., Halton Co., Ontario
Ref: Archives of Canada, Microfilm C6880, RG5, B9